Biographical Sketch of F. L. Sommer, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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F. L. Sommer, of the firm of F. L. Sommer & Co., manufacturers of fine
crackers and confectionery, and wholesale dealers in fruits, nuts, etc.
was born and received his elementary and business education in West
Virginia.  He left his native home in 1869, and settled in St. Joseph.
His first experience there was in the capacity of clerk for the firm
of Townsend & Wood, in whose employ he remained till 1873, when he 
first attempted his present business, then on a comparatively small
scale.  Few men in legitimate business in the West have met with more
rapid success.  The building occupied by the sales room, office and
ware rooms includes four stories and measures forty by one hundred and
forty feet.  The factory, which also includes four floors, is sixty by
one hundred and forty feet.  It affords employment to from seventy five
to one hundred hands, exclusive of the twelve traveling men constantly
on the road.  The business of this house amounted in 1873, to $50,000.
In 1880, the same amounted to $400,000.  It extends over a great part
of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and Dakota Territory.  The
firm manufactures its own packing boxes and barrels; this department
of the business alone affording constant employment to eight men.  In
1873, F. L. Sommer was married to Miss Carrie Pinger.  They have had
four children, three of whom are living.

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