Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Steinhart, Edward W 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 3:13 am

Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907

Edward W. Steinhart is a member of the firm of Steinhart & Whitmore, 
conducting a hardware, plumbing, implement and vehicle business in Wilmington, 
and is also president of the Steinhart-Jensen Automobile Company, of Joliet. 
He has made steady progress in his business career, advancing from a humble 
position to one of affluence, and is today controlling important commercial 
and industrial interests. He was born in Jackson, Ohio, January 17, 1869, but 
in his boyhood days was brought to Illinois and pursued his education in the 
schools of La Salle county, while spending his childhood and youth in the home 
of his parents, Charles G. and Margaret (Kesler) Steinhart, both of whom were 
natives of Germany. They were married in that country in 1852, and in 1854 
crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first near Jackson, Ohio. The 
father was a band leader there. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted as a 
member of the Seventh Regiment Ohio Cavalry and was with that command until 
the close of hostilities save for the period of his imprisonment. He was 
captured twice and was incarcerated in Libby prison, coming out of the service 
with impaired health, owing to the hardships which he suffered during that 
time. While at the front he captured a sword which he brought home with him. 
His political allegiance was given to the republican party. He did not long 
survive the close of the war, passing away in 1871, at the age of forty-four 
years, while his wife died in 1898, at the age of seventy years. In their 
family were four sons and two daughters: Louise, who is the wife of Adam 
Gahan, a resident of Eldorado, Kansas; George W., who resides in Wilmington; 
Charles G., also a resident of this city; Andrew N., who makes his home in 
Ransom, La Salle county; Edward W., of this review; and Margaret, the wife of 
W. H. Whitmore, who is engaged in business with Mr. Steinhart. Edward W. 
Steinhart left home in 1882, when only thirteen years of age, and began 
earning his own living as an employe of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. He 
became eventually a brakesman, conductor and engineer and also learned and 
practiced telegraphy, being station agent at Lorenzo, Illinois, from 1891 
until 1894. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings and embarked in 
merchandising at Lorenzo, where he carried on business until 1896, when he 
removed to Wilmington. Here he established a hardware store and the following 
year admitted W. H. Whitmore to a partnership. This is one of the enterprising 
business firms of the town and they are now enjoying a good trade, dealing in 
hardware, implements, vehicles and harness, and also doing a plumbing and 
heating business. Within a short, time their trade had reached profitable 
proportions and has steadily grown. In 1905 Mr. Steinhart organized the 
Steinhart-Jensen Automobile Company, of Joliet, in which he is associated with 
W. H. Whitmore as treasurer and C. F. Jensen as secretary. This has also 
become a paying investment. On the 12th of September, 1887. Mr. Steinhart was 
married to Miss Mary Garvin, who was born in Ransom, La Salle county, 
Illinois, September 9, 1870, and is a daughter of Michael Garvin. Their 
children are Jennie, Willard, Clarence and Earl. Mr. Steinhart is a member of 
Wilmington lodge, No. 208, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he 
belongs to Wilmington chapter, No. 142, R. A. M., and Blaney commandery, K. 
T., of Morris, Illinois. He likewise affiliates with Wilmington lodge, No. 
615, K. P., and the Joliet lodge of Elks, No. 615. In politics he is 
independent. Strong and steadfast purpose has ever been one of his salient 
characteristics and has been an important element in his success until he rose 
from the ranks of the many and stands among the successful few. His business 
is now large and profitable and his example may well serve as a source of 
inspiration and encouragement to others.

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

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