Simon Trefzger
“Simon Trefzger, came to the U.S.A. from Wehr, Baden, in Germany in 1855. He, my grandfather, was a surveyor by training, but as opportunities were almost non-existent in Wehr, he learned the baking business to support his large family. Evidently that trade was no better, for my courageous grandfather decided to come to Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his family, then two children, I believe, lived at 71 E. McMicken Avenue, just west of Walnut, today south side of the street next to the playground. They came to Cincy because there were many Germans in the city and Simon was acquainted with at least one family called Berger. (Well, to jump ahead with the story, Fred met Tillie - George met Nellie - brother and sister married brother and sister.) Simon had a job at Schneider's Bakery on Walnut Street, but left Cincinnati for a more lucrative position in Oxford, Ohio then on to Pekin, Illinois. Later, he opened his own bakery in Peoria. For those interested in American history I am told that he baked bread for the troops during the Civil War. The old homestead of the Simon Trefzgers was at 120 S. Monroe Street, just around the corner from the bakery which was on Main Street. There is still a Trefzger Bakery in Peoria but it has been moved uptown. Where the old home stood is now a parking lot. Before I get back to myself, stripped, stark naked and yelling, I would like to say that my father was born in Germany in 1871. By this time Simon was an American citizen, well established and affluent enough to take his wife and family back to Germany for a visit. As it happened while they were there the Franco-Prussian War broke out. The Germans would not allow the Trefzgers to return to America. However, life must go on - so Pop was born over there, but he was a good 100% American. Each time Pop went to vote the representative of the Board of Elections gave him trouble for he insisted upon seeing Pop's citizenship papers. Naturally Pop had none. He was the son of an American citizen and just happened to be born in Germany”
by
Franz Trefzger
From Franz Trefzger’s Autobiography
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