Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Fedde, Edward H ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 7, 2008, 12:07 am Author: Past and Present Will County IL; 1907 Edward H. Fedde is numbered among the most successful business men of Peotone, where he is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, having one of the largest establishments of its kind in Will county, while he is also manager and vice-president of the Peotone Electric Light Company, of which William Yung is the president, these two genltemen owning the entire stock of the company. Mr. Fedde is a native son of Illinois and comes of German ancestry. His birth occurred in Momence, Kankakee county, February 13, 1867. His father, Henry Fedde, who was born in Germany, came to America when a young man and engaged in working at his trade, that of a cabinet-maker, in Joliet. After a residence of eight years in that city he removed to Momence, Illinois, where he continued to work at his trade until 1868, when he came to Peotone and established a furniture and undertaking business. In 1883 his building and stock were destroyed by fire, but he later rebuilt and carried on business operation until he disposed of his stock to his sons, who conducted the store, although the father remained a silent partner in the business until the time of his death, which occurred in 1889, when he had reached the age of sixty- seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Hecht, was also born in Germany, whence she came with her parents to this country. She survived her husband for a long period and passed away in a hospital at Chicago, September 24, 1906. Edward H. Fedde is the eldest of the three children of his fathers family. One son died in infancy, while John, who was a partner of our subject, passed away Devember 4, 1900. Edward H. Fedde was only a year old when he was brought to Peotone by his parents, and here the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He also spent one year in the Metropolitan Business College, in Chicago, where he received the training which fitted him to enter the business world, at which time he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with his brother John, while upon the death of the latter he became sole owner ana proprietor. He carries a complete line of furniture and undertaking goods, having the largest store of its kind in Peotone. By his courteous manner, strict business method and reasonable prices he has won a large patronage, not only in Peotone, but in the surrounding districts as well. He is popular in business circles and is numbered among the leading merchants of Will county. Mr. Fedde has also found time and opportunity for the development of other business enterprises, having in 1894 been instrumental in the organization of the Electric Light Company of Peotone, in which he became a large stockholder, while in 1902 the entire stock was purchased by Mr. Fedde and William Yung, who is acting as president, while Mr. Fedde is vice-president and manager. They have a contract for lighting the city, the business houses and many private residences and employ an expert electrician, C. A. Stewart, who has charge of the working of the plant. In 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. Fedde and Miss Lizzie Conrad, a daughter of Peter Conrad, one of Peotone's pioneer business men. Their home has been blessed with one son and two daughters: Harry, Ruth and Catherine. The parents are members of the Emanuel Lutheran church. Mr. Fedde gives his political support to the republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his private business interests. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family occupy a beautiful residence and their home is noted for its warm-hearted and gracious hospitality. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/fedde2599nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb