One of the most enterprising business concerns of Ottawa is that known as
the Scherer Brothers' Transfer Line. To the indomitable energy and executive
ability of the eldest brother in the firm, the subject of this sketch, is
due the credit of having established the business on a sound, practical
basis many years ago, and to his genius and keen foresight in a large
measure can be attributed the success of the enterprise.
Thomas
Scherer, Sr., the father of our subject, is a native of Germany, born there
about seventy-two years ago. In 1856 he decided to try his fortune in
America and came to Ottawa, where, in 1863, he embarked in the draying
business in a humble way. As the years rolled by, he materially increased
the number of his wagons and was kept very busy in meeting the demands of
the town. In 1877 he admitted his son, Frederick T., to a partnership in the
business, and a few years later the father retired, having acquired a
handsome competence for old age. To him and his wife, Catherine (Frontz)
Scherer, six sons and two daughters were born, but two of the sons are
deceased.
The birth of Frederick T. Scherer occurred in Ottawa, in
1865, and as he was the eldest son he early became his father's assistant in
the business. As soon as his brothers, Louis T. and Thomas, Jr., had reached
a suitable age they became associated with him, and are still enterprising
members of the firm. Another brother, Hubert, was admitted to the
partnership in 1890, but subsequently withdrew and established a grocery.
The company not only transfers goods from one railroad to another but also
delivers great quantities of merchandise to business and private houses.
About three years ago the firm was awarded the contract for carrying the
United States mail to and from the postoffice and railway stations, and
provided a handsome new wagon for the purpose. In their business about eight
drays, trucks and express wagons are used and some eighteen or twenty horses
are kept. The vehicles are as neat and business-like as any to be seen in
the city and the horses are large, fine animals. In addition to their
regular business the firm has the local agency for the Standard Oil Company,
and has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative trade at this point
for the great corporation. One of the more recent enterprises of the Scherer
Brothers consists in the storage of furniture or other goods in their large
storage building and in the handling of hard and soft coal, in wholesale and
retail quantities.
At the age of twenty-two years F. T. Scherer
married Miss Lucy Lilley, and six children brighten their happy home. In
order of birth they are named as follows: Stella, Fred, Othelia, Hazel,
Helen and Alboene.
In disposition Mr. Scherer is genial and fond of
society, and he holds a membership in several local orders. He is a
prominent worker in the Woodmen's lodge, is the president of the German
Benevolent Society, and belongs to the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of
Pythias. Recently he has been associated with the Ottawa Evening Pleasure
Social Club. In the spring of 1896 Mr. Scherer was elected alderman from the
Seventh ward, and after serving for two years was re-elected by a large
majority. He is an ardent Democratic politician and usually attends the
caucuses and conventions of his party. Such in brief is the life history of
Frederick T. Scherer. The character of the man has been shadowed forth
between the lines of this review, and in a summary of his career we note
only a few of the salient points — his activity and sound judgment in
business affairs and his conformity to the ethics of commercial life, his
faithfulness to public office, and his genuine friendship and regard for
true worth of character. These are the qualities which made Mr. Scherer a
valued citizen in whatever community he has made his home.
Extracted 13 Jun 2019 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 642-643.
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