Stetzler, Albert Henry

1884 - 1946  (61 years)

• Name	Stetzler, Albert Henry
  Birth	27 Oct 1884	Baden, Germany   [1, 2, 3]
  Christening	31 Oct 1884	Unterschüpf, Baden, Germany   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Baptism	31 Oct 1884	Oberschüpf, Bezirksamt Boxberg, Baden, Germany
  Immigration	1905  [4]
  	Address: on Zeeland boat
  	Fred and Sophia Elsaser (uncle and aunt) sponsored Albert's immigration to the U.S. and we assume he lived with them for a period of time.
  		Albert Stetzler immigration 4
  		Zeelander boat
  		Albert Stetzler immigration 1
  		Albert Stetzler immigration 2
  		Albert Stetzler immigration 3
  Census	1910	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [4]
  Residence	Abt 1910	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States
  	Just West of the Apostolic Christian Church
  	Address: Jefferson St
  		Albert and Rosina Stetzler First House Jefferson Street, just west of Apostolic Church. Has been torn down.
  Military	12 Sep 1918	Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [5]
  	World War I Draft Registration
  		Albert Stetzler WWI Draft Registration
  Census	1920	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [6]
  Census	1930	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [7]
  Census	1940	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [8]
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  Military	1942	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [9]
  	World War II Draft Registration
  		Albert Stetzler WWII Draft Registration
  Name	Heinrich Albert Stetzler
  Death	17 Jun 1946	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [2, 3]
  Burial	20 Jun 1946	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States   [2, 3]
  	Address: Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery
  Person ID	I1549	Genealogy | Stetzler Family
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Stetzler, Heinrich Christian,   b. 2 Oct 1847, Umterschupf, Germany d. 12 Feb 1900 (Age 52 years)
  Mother	Haaf, Katerina,   b. 6 Jan 1850, Sachsenflur, Germany d. 1 Nov 1925, Sachsenflur, Germany (Age 75 years)
  Marriage	26 Jan 1875	Unterschüpf, Baden, Germany   [10]
  Family ID	F508	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Paternoster, Rosina,   b. 20 Mar 1887, Howick, Huron, Ontario, Canada d. 1 Aug 1978, Tazewell, Illinois, United States (Age 91 years)  [2, 11, 12, 13]
  Marriage	22 Mar 1910	Livingston, Illinois   [11, 12, 13]
  		Albert and Rosina Stetzler Wedding Certificate
  Residence	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States
  	Address: 206 E Jefferson
  		Albert and Rosina Stetzlers Second House 206 W Jefferson
  Residence	From Oct 1917 to 1956	Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States
  	Address: 218 N Third St
  	Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in Morton sits one of the city's oldest homes. Built in 1917, the two-story brick bungalow at 218 N. Third Street has been branded a historic home in Morton. Though it may not be the oldest in the neighborhood, there is something unique about this residence that sets it apart from the rest. After a century, the home is on only its second owner, and has remained in the family for which it was built. Albert Stetzler, builder and original owner, moved into the home with his wife Rosina and three children (a son and two daughters) in the fall of 1917. His fourth child, William, was born in the house just six weeks later. Four more children, another boy and three girls, followed over the next 11 years. All of them were born in an upstairs bedroom. The youngest three including Caroline, Helen and Eileen, are the last remaining children of Albert and Rosina Stetzler. On a beautiful August afternoon, the ladies sat in frontof the home where they spent their childhoods and enjoyed reminiscing about -he house and their family's history. "Dad had his dream," Eileen said. "He came over from Germany, Mom said he had only a couple dollars in his pocket." Albert Stetzler was born in Germany in October 1884. He immigrated to the United States in January 1905 at the age of 20. His Aunt Sophie and Uncle Fred Elsasser sponsored Albert's move to the states, and he lived with them in Morton until his marriage to Rosina in 1910. Albert was a carpenter by trade, and eventually owned his own business building homes and businesses in the Morton and Peoria area for years, some of which can be found on Grandview Drive and Moss Avenue in Peoria. When Albert's three sons turned 16, they joined him in the family business. The company, A. Stetzler and Sons, thrived until World War II began. Albert retired, and the construction business came to a halt when his three sons left to serve their country. Business picked up again in late 1945 when the boys came back from the war. Albert passed away in 1946 at the age of 61. In 1978, the brothers changed the name to "Stetzler Builders". Their construction business remained in operation until they sold it to Zeller Electric in the late 1980's. The four-bedroom house on Third Street seemed to always be a hub of activity, and a place where the Stetzler sisters harbor fond memories of family dinners, their mother's fabulous cooking, swinging on the porch swing and sleeping on the front porch on hot summer evenings. There were also some surprises over the years. All the children were spaced two years apart. That pattern was broken when Eileen came along. "She came on as a little surprise," Helen snickered. "Eileen is four years younger than I. In that four years' time, my family kept telling me that was the baby of the family. (My brother) Willie kept saying to me, 'what if; just what if (you aren't the baby)?' Mom assured me I was gonna be the baby of the family. Then one morning (sisters) Margaret and Hannah took me in Mom's room and said, 'I want to show you something'." Helen pointed to Eileen and continued, "That one was lying in bed right next to her!" Helen remembered with a laugh, "I wouldn't go back in that room for another two weeks, because I didn't wnat to look at her!" That's a story that Eileen claimed she heard for the first time just a few years ago. "But we became good friends," she said of her sister. Even after all eight children were grown and married, a few of them had a turn to move in with their mother for a bit. "Addie and her husband (Arthur Stetzler) moved here when Grandma was by herself; and they had six children, so they filled up the house pretty full, too," said Sandi (Stetzler) Burrier, daughter of William Stetzler. "Addie needed a bigger house, and by that time I had married and we built, so mom was in this house alone," remembered Eileen. "So then Mom said 'well, maybe Addie, Art and I can just trade houses'. So, that's how it happened that it stayed in the family." Addie, now widowed, still lives there today. Other than a few changes made in the kitchen with the addition of more cabinetry, the ladies said the house pretty much looks the same as it did so many years ago, which includes built-in bookcases between the living and dining rooms, and a hardwood staircase just inside the front door. There is a saying that goes, "Home is where your story begins". After 100 years, it doesn't appear as though the Stetzler family home has an end. That's quite airight with the Stetzler children and grandchildren, who would undoubtedly be happy if it carried through more generations. Between its century-old history and the many memories its walls hold, the home is obviously very near and dear to their hearts. "I love the porch, the swing," said Eileen. "I love this house."
  		Albert and Rosina Stetzlers Third House 218 N Third Street
  Children	1. Stetzler, Louis Albert,   b. 16 Feb 1911   d. 16 Feb 1911 (Age 0 years)   2. Stetzler, Hannah Katherine,   b. 26 Jan 1912, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 30 Jul 2003, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States (Age 91 years)   3. Stetzler, Manuel Henry,   b. 27 Dec 1913, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 24 Apr 1990, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States (Age 76 years)   4. Stetzler, Margaret Sofie,   b. 11 Oct 1915, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 17 Jul 2009, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States (Age 93 years)   5. Stetzler, William Joseph,   b. 16 Nov 1917, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 2 Mar 1998, Tazewell, Illinois, United States (Age 80 years)   6. Stetzler, Arthur Fredrick,   b. 23 Sep 1920, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 20 Mar 1990, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States (Age 69 years)   7. Stetzler, Caroline Ruth,   b. 5 Oct 1922, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 21 Mar 2019, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States (Age 96 years)   8. Living   9. Stetzler, Eileen Rose,   b. 19 Dec 1928, Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States d. 23 Feb 2020, Illinois (Age 91 years)
  Photos » Slide Show		Rosina Stetzler and children
  		Albert Stetzler family
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  Family ID	F501	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	22 Jul 2024

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 27 Oct 1884 - Baden, Germany Christening - 31 Oct 1884 - Unterschüpf, Baden, Germany Census - 1910 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Residence - Just West of the Apostolic Christian Church,Address: Jefferson St - Abt 1910 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Marriage - 22 Mar 1910 - Livingston, Illinois Residence - Address: 218 N Third St - From Oct 1917 to 1956 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Military - World War I Draft Registration - 12 Sep 1918 - Tazewell, Illinois, United States Census - 1920 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Census - 1930 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Census - 1940 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Military - World War II Draft Registration - 1942 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Death - 17 Jun 1946 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Burial - Address: Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery - 20 Jun 1946 - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States Residence - Address: 206 E Jefferson - - Morton, Tazewell, Illinois, United States  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Albert and Rosina Stetzler 2
  		Albert Henry Stetzler
  		Albert Stetzler family
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Caroline Stetzler Birth Certifcate
  		Rosina Paternoster and Albert Stetzler
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		Caroline Stetzler, Albert Stetzler
  		Albert Stetzler WWII Draft Registration

  
  

• Notes

  Albert STETZLER on of Christian Henry STETZLER & Katherine HAAF was born 27 Oct. 1884 near Sachenflur in Unterschupt, Baden Germany. Albert had one sister, Johann STETZLER HOHSTADT, wife of Philip HOHSTADT who remained in Germany. In 1905 Albert came to the USA because Johanna was older and would inherit the family farm land. Albert’s Aunt Sophie ELSASER & her husband Charles Fred sponsored his coming to the states and they lived in Morton, IL. Albert came to USA on the ship Zeeland from Antwerp, Belgium and arrived in New York, New York 10 Jan 1905 at the age of 20. Albert said he fired the boilers on the ship as partial payment for the trip. Albert was processed through Ellis Island which currently is part of the National Park Service. A plaque was purchased in his name and can be found on the immigrant records. Fred and Sophia ELSASSER sponsored Albert’s emigration and he probably lived with them until he married. Sophia HAAF ELSASSER (B: 13 Feb 1952 and Albert’s aunt) came to the USA in 1874. Sophia and Charles Fred ELSASESR were married about 1879 in Casterland, NY in an Apostolic Christian Church. They moved to a home in the 200 block of North First Street in Morton, IL before 1900. Charles was a carpet weaver. Fred (Charles) came to USA in 1854 and he died 1 Nov 1925. Sophia HAAF ELSASER died 23 Feb 1932. Sophia’s mother and Albert STETZLER’S grandmother, Katherina SCHWENDER HAAF (B: 20 July 1819) came to USA to join Sophia, and lived with them for 28 years before Katherina died 10 Dec 1910. Sophia, Sophia’s mother, and Katherina are buried in the Morton Apostolic Christian cemetery. Katherina HAAF was the first burial in the Fourth Street Apostolic Christian Cemetery. On 22 March 1910 Albert married Rosina PATERNOSTER of Fairbury, IL in Pontiac, IL. Children born to Albert and Rosina were Hannah Kathleen, Manuel Henry, Margaret Sophie, William Joseph, Arthur Frederick, Caroline Ruth, Helen Marie , and Eileen Rose. They first lived in a red house just west of the Apostolic Christian Church on Jefferson Street. Later they moved to a new house at 201 West Jefferson. After finding their first son, Manuel, one too many times on the interurban tracks in front of their home, they moved again. Albert built their new home at 218 North Third Street 6 weeks before second son, William, was born on 16 Nov 1917. This home is currently owned by Adeline STETZLER, widow of son, Arthur STETZLER, their third son. Rosina PATERNOSTER daughter of Joseph PATERNOSTER and Magdeline SCHURTER PATERNOSTER, was working in Peoria homes before her marriage to Albert. Rosina was born in Clifford, Canada on 20 Mar 1887. Rosina’s father was born in Lermoos, Austria (B: 16 Dec 1852 and he died 13 Jan 1929). His birthday certificate says Italy and Lermoos is near the border so it could have been Italy at one time). Rosina’s mother, Magdeline SCHURTER PATERNOSTER, daughter of Jacob SHULER AND Magalina EARTY SHULER was born in Eglesau, Switzerland on 15 Oct 1846 and died 22 Jan 1923. Joseph and Magdeline were married 4 Feb 1876 or 1874 in Switzerland and came to Canada and then to Fairbury, IL USA about 1900. Joseph was a brick layer by trade. After Madeline died Rosina said when she and the family went up to visit her dad he would be watching for them and as soon as he saw them coming he would head for the chicken house for a chicken for Rosina to fry. Joseph and Madeline are buried in Fairbury cemetery. Albert STETZLER was a carpenter according to his naturalization papers. He worked for Ed MATHIS for several years before he became self-employed. He built homes in the 700 block of East Nebraska of Peoria in 1923, 1924, and 1925. Albert STETZLER built several homes in the Hillcrest area off of Prospect Road in Peoria, IL in 1926. He became friends of Chris HOERR who lived on the curve where North Glen Oak turns into Prospect. The Hillcrest area was near Chris’ residence so he could have owned the ground. Albert built a new home for the Hoerr family in the Knolls. Albert built several homes that J. Fletcher Lankton, John Ziegele and Jim Terry Architects designed in the late 1930’s. He also was part owner in an electrical store and had interest in oil drilling with John Dietrich. As his three sons reached age 16 they left school to work with him. Son, Manuel, started working in 1929; son, William started in 1930; son, Arthur started working in 1941. Some of the homes included Salzenstein, John McDonald, Murray Clark, Dr. Clifford Becherer, Ervin Kramer, Dr. Robert Dean, A. R. Sealy, Miss Emma Hill, Bernard Tilley, Lucana Jacquin, C. A. Tay, R. H. Murphy, Henry Dersch, Sam Getz, Dr. Haley, Harry Getz, Ben Getz, Ellet in Benson, Joe Paternoster in Fairbury and many others. One of Albert’s long time employees was Henry Rieger of Washburn. During the 1920s he employed Henry and George Mathis, and Henry Rieger’s brothers, Andrew, William and Ed. Other employees included Fred Lascher, Harry McQueen, Johann Reim, Albert Schnetzler, Fred Homfeld, John Miller, Streitmatter, and Sam and Fred Vollmer. William Hohstadt worked for him starting in 1926 and probably remained until he started his own business. During World War II Albert retired as his sons were drafted into World War II and construction came to a halt. Manuel worked in the ship yards in San Francisco, William was drafted in 5 August 1941 into the Army, and Arthur was in the Air Force in FL. After the war his three sons returned home he helped them to get started again in the building business in late 1945. Albert had a job to remodel a barn for Mrs. Harker. Annie STETZLER, married to Manuel, related that Albert met the brothers at their home to discuss re-starting the firm. Manuel loaned the new company $1000. Within a couple of years the brothers bought a lot in 600 block of West Jackson, Morton. They built a workshop for their business.(Zeller Electric at 640 W. Jackson is the current owner) Albert died 18 June 1946. After the brothers built a home for Vic and Mary Middleton on Knoxville Street, Peoria, Vic encouraged the brothers to build the first super market in Morton on the space next to their workshop on West Jackson. The store was open in March 1950. Through the years besides building homes, the brothers were involved with Thompson Food Basket (they had bought out Middleton’s) for remodeling and building new stores. Other commercials projects were schools, Chillicothe swim pool, banks, medical buildings, nursing home, churches, post offices and storage units. Some of the jobs they had contracts for included two houses in Varna for Kochs, Chris Hoerr, Jr. on Knoxville, William Blackie (CEO of Caterpillar), John Altopher(candidate for governor of the state), Tim Swain, Merle Yontz, Fletcher Lankton, Jim Terry, Donald Best, Ed Hoerr, Dr. Morris Cohen, Ed Nierstheimer of Pekin and Bill Voepel. Some homes in Morton they built were for Chris Staker, Bob Getz, Sam Getz, Maxine Litterest, Ernie Gerber, Gene Miller, and Clarence Schmidgall. Some commercial projects were Walz Ford, Grimm Chevrolet, Tazewell Publishing (now Menold Construction), Morton Community Church (now the Church of Christ Church), Morton First Mennonite Church, Mount Olive Church in Peoria, Morton Grace Mennonite Church(now Morton District 709 Administrative offices), First National Bank of Morton (now PNC Bank), Pioneer State Bank of Peoria, remodeling of Morton Metals (now Matcor Metal Fabrication), Eureka Apostolic Christian Nursing Home and many more. The brothers’ employees included Henry Rieger, Aldin McMongle of Peoria, Dewey Dwyer of Heyworth, Charlie Carr of Deer Creek, Ralph Weaver, Joe Thornton, Frank Gunion, Ezra Rediger and Jack Zimmerman. They employed a Mr. Volmer of East Peoria whose wife would wait for him on Meadows Avenue on Friday night because if she did not stop him he would have stopped at a tavern and spent his pay check. Arthur’s sons, Doug, Greg, and Roger worked for the company. William’s sons, Jerry and Dave worked for the company. Only Greg and Roger worked with the company after high school. Roger is the only grandson that remains as a carpenter. Manuel retired circa 1978. Arthur and William changed the name of the business from A. Stetzler and Sons to Stetzler Builders. Arthur and William continued the business into the 1980’s. They sold their equipment, store, workshop and office to Zeller Electric. Zeller has subdivided the store into several commercial businesses. Rosina made many quilts for her children and grandchildren over the years and cared for her grandchildren. She traded her house with Arthur and Adeline and lived at 399 West Wick in Morton until she went to Apostolic Christian Restmor for 2 years before she died 17 Aug 1978. Rosina and Albert are buried in the Morton Apostolic Christian Cemetery. OTHER FAMILY TRIVIA: William recalled spading a big garden, squabbling with “Mudder” HEINOLD, and spitting on Mrs. WUTHRICH from a tree. The Samuel RAPP family next door was a favorite neighbor. Albert built a bench for the back of the dinner table in the kitchen so all the little ones had a place. Rosina was a very good cook which included Filty noodles, lemon pie and garden lettuce. She would serve onion pie to her brother, Manuel, when he came from Peoria. Albert told Rosina ”you can serve him anything but onion pie, please.” Arthur walked or rode his bicycle out to Sam ROTH’S west of Morton on route 98 every day to buy a gallon of milk that cost 5 cents. William helped Jesse Yoder and his dad deliver ice which was needed to cool foods. The night Albert died he had taken a ride by Manuel’s, his daughter, Caroline’s, and William’s homes. He did not stop like usual because everyone was mowing their yards. It was like he made his last ride to make sure everything was ok. He loved to ride around the country side to see the homes and crops. The first house where Albert & Rosina lived was haunted. A man had taken his life some time before they moved there. Rosina relayed descriptions of the activities in the old red brick house. She said the ghost got off the midnight interurban and opened their gate more than once. He would continue up the walk and enter the house and walk up the stairs. She really believed there was a ghost. Before the house was torn down a man took his life there so maybe the ghost played a part and he could not take it anymore. Rosina brought her brother, Henry PATERNOSTER’S son home with her one time after his mother had died or was ill. The little boy was outdoors and his clothes caught fire from a bonfire and he died of the burns. Rosina went to Indiana with neighbors for a funeral and they were in an accident. Rosina fractured her arm and her family said her hair turned gray soon after the accident. Albert and Bill HOHSTADT went to Fairbury to build a barn for Joe PATERNOSTER, Rosina’s brother, and they stayed all week. Minnie BITNER PATERNOSTER would cook their meals and she would serve pie but never cut it. One day the men cut the pit in two pieces and ate the whole pie. The next day the pie was cut. Rosina, daughter, Helen STETZLER HERMANN ZOBRIST, Pauline HOHSTADT, and her daughter, Hilda HOHSTADT SHIEBER went to Germany to see Esther and Willie HOHL in about 1958 and some of Pauline’s family. Esther and Willi came to visit the USA in 1973.

  
  

• Sources

  [S726] Heinrich Albert Stetzler, "Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898". [S1086] Albert Henry Stetzler, "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947". [S3071] Albert Henry Stetzler, "Find A Grave Index". [S656] Albert Stetzler, "United States Census, 1910". [S728] Albert Stetzler, "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". [S583] Albert Stetzler, "United States Census, 1920". [S570] Albert Stetzler, "United States Census, 1930". [S568] Albert Stetzler, "United States Census, 1940". [S727] Albert Stetzler, "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942". [S732] Katharina Haaf, "Germany Marriages, 1558-1929". [S724] Albert Stetzler, "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934". [S725] Albert Stetzler, "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934". [S3072] Albert Stetzler, "Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935".