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Following extracted from A Chronological History of Hagerty Brothers Company book written in 1985101 by Betty T. Flora, then Assistant Secretary of the Company. The Hagerty Brothers Company is located in East Peoria, Illinois.
John I. Hagerty
John I. Hagerty and wife Ann (Sharp) Hagerty lived in Clarion County, Pennsylvania and had 10 children (7 sons and 3 daughters).
Samuel "Saul" Hagerty
The youngest of these 10 children was Samuel "Saul" Hagerty born June 24, 1823, in Venango County, Pennsylvania and is mentioned by his brother Silas Hagerty in a Civil War letter. In 1839 at the age of 16, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty learned the art of making pig metal from the raw material, becoming capable of taking charge of a furnace for which he obtained wages as high as $60.00 per month. In 1845 at the age of 22, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty saw no prospect for advancement in that line of labor, so he accepted an apprenticeship as a millwright at $18.00 per month. In 1850, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty worked as a construction foreman on the New York and Erie Railroad.
Samuel "Saul" Hagerty left Pennsylvania in 1852 taking his talents to Illinois locating at Ottawa where he began constructing bridges for the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company. By 1855, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty settled in Peoria, Illinois where began working as a millwright with I. G. Reynolds. At the age of 32, May 15, 1856, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty married Sara Sloan at her home in Peoria, Illinois (formerly of Chenango County, New York) who was about 16 years old having been born circa March 1839.
In the 1871 to 1872, Peoria City Directory is listed Lind, Hagerty and Company which today would be the 500 block, S. W. Washington Street. The company became listed under Millwrights and Mill Furnishings. In 1879, the company purchased Cummings and Emerson, dealers in Iron and Steel, including Heavy Hardware and Carriage Woodwork.
In 1883 to 1884, the former partner Matthew Lind formed and moved his own company named Lind and Company, to Cedar Street and became a competitor to Hagerty, Hunter & Company. On October 26, 1892, Sarah (Sloan) Hagerty died at the age of 53 years, seven and one-half months.
Samuel "Saul" and Sara (Sloan) Hagerty were highly respected within the community. In 1895 "Portrait and Biographical Album" Sarah was described as an estimable woman who looks carefully after the comfort of her children, and is ever ready to do neighborly deeds of kindness... Saul Hagerty: Peoria has been the home of this gentleman since 1855, the center of the mechanical labor in which he enjoys a high reputation. He is a millwright, thoroughly understanding his trade and excelled by none in the reliable manner in which all his business transactions are conducted and contracts fulfilled. In the course of thirty-five years he has had a hand in the construction of numerous mills and distilleries, having built or rebuilt ninteen of the latter in Peoria alone. Every distillery in the city except one was erected by him, either alone or in company with a former partner and the one exception was rebuilt by them. It will thus be seen that the city contains many evidences of his skillful workmanship and capability as a director of others.
In 1900, the name of the company changed to Hagerty, Graber and Company. The City Directory stated it would furnish Plans and Estimates for Roller Mills, Elevators and Distilleries of Any Capacity, Silos, Tubs, Tanks, and Vats of any size made to order. Old Mills Remodeled on Short Notice.
Noon January 10, 1903. At the age of 80, after walking out of his office, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty was about to climb into his sleigh. He spread his blanket and then was observed to clutch spasmodically at the seat and reel across the vehicle. Being found unconscious and conveyed to his home, Samuel "Saul" Hagerty never regained consiousness dying later from stroke at 12:45 a.m. January 11, 1903. Gathered around him as he passed away were his family members. Samuel "Saul" and Sara (Sloan) Hagerty had six children (3 sons and 3 daughters).
I. Samira Hagerty
Daughter Samira Hagerty married Robert Graber a Millwright who also became part owner of Hagerty, Hunter and Company.
II. Almon Sloan Hagerty
Son Almon Sloan Hagerty married Hennrietta "Nettie" Tefft. Following the death of his father Samuel "Saul" Hagerty, Almon Sloan Hagerty and his two brothers Robert Saul Hagerty and Harry Guy Hagerty formed the company that became known as the Hagerty Brothers Company. In 1904, the first advertisement appeared stating they are the successors to Hagerty, Graber and Company. The company built its first poured concrete structure in Peoria, a three story 18,000 square foot builgin fronting on Forsythe Street. In 1906, Hagerty Brothers Company was incorporated in the State of Illinios with Almon Sloan Hagerty, President and Robert Saul Hagerty, Vice President.
In 1922, SHACO (named for Saul Hagerty and Company) was a product born out of need caused by the 18th Ammendment (Prohibition). Because Distilleries and Brewery were closed, Hagerty Brothers business suffered. However, the wood making facility found a niche. SHACO was a potato sized chip of oak toasted until charred and used for ageing corn liquor into Bourbon. Production of SHACO continued until 1957.
On November 14, 1923, Almon Sloan Hagerty died. Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty took over as President of Hagerty Brothers Company with her son Paul J. Hagerty as Vice President and General Manager. In 1925, John Harvey Flora became the company Secretary-Treasurer as he and wife Myrtle (Hagerty) Flora felt they should take an active role in the Hagerty Brothers Company.
Stock ownership in 1929 was:
383 Shares -- Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty, President
86 Shares --- Paul J. Hagerty, Vice President
85 Shares --- Myrtle (Hagerty) Flora
46 Shares --- John Harvey Flora, Secretary-Treasurer
During 1929, the Board of Directors began to reduce the general overhead by eliminating the services of several people. With the start of the Great Depression, the company began facing financial hardships. In 1933, Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty, gave up the position of President taking the position of Vice President with her son Paul J. Hagerty becoming President. In 1934, Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty gave her stock equally to her two children in exchange for a fixed income from the company for life. At the age of 79, Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty died April 5, 1948. Almon Sloan and Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty had two children (1 son and 1 daughter).
A. Myrtle Hagerty
In 1910, daughter Myrtle Hagerty was listed as a music teacher who was quite accomplished on the piano, having studied at St. Mary's of the Woods in Indiana. In 1915, Myrtle Hagerty was listed as Treasurer of the Amateur Musical Club. Myrtle Hagerty married John Harvey Flora October 12, 1915 who was an insurance agent for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance. In 1919, John Harvey Flora became a travelling auditor for the insurance company.
In 1925, John Harvey and Myrtle (Hagerty) Flora felt they should take an active role in the Hagerty Brothers Company to look after their interests in the business. John Harvey Flora became the company Secretary-Treasurer.
In 1936, following an appendectomy, Myrtle (Hagerty) Flora died of pneumonia. John Harvey Flora received his wife's shares of Hagerty Brothers Company from her estate. He then "Even out the Stock" with Paul J. Hagerty such that both owned 300 shares.
In 1940, John Harvey Flora and Paul J. Hagerty had different ideas about running the business. John Harvey Flora and his childred John Hagerty "Ted" Flora and Louise (Flora) Howard bought out the interests of Paul J. Hagerty. The Directors elected were John Harvey Flora, Dr. H. Sargent Howard, and Walter J. Heyd. The Officers elected were:
John Harvey Flora, President-Treasurer
Walter J. Heyd, Vice President
L. E. Forbes, Secretary
E. L. Peterson, Assistant Treasurer
On November 23, 1938, John Harvey Flora married Mildred Bush.
In December 1953, John Harvey Flora began giving away his stock to his children Louise (Flora) Howard and John Hagerty "Ted" Flora. Due to a contract made in 1943 between Louise (Flora) Howard and John Hagerty "Ted" Flora, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora immediately began purchasing the stock from Louise (Flora) Howard. This giving program continued until the death of John Harvey Flora in 1970 when 100% of the stock was controlled by the John Hagerty "Ted" Flora family.
In 1954, the Hagerty Brothers Company began a Profit Sharing Pension Plan for each of their employees. In April 1955, the Board granted employees with 10 or more years of service, a third week of vacation every four years. The company purchased its first tractor-trailer. In December, new By-Laws made it more difficult to sell or transfer shares to other than a family member of the Company.
In 1956, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora proposed acquisition of approximately seven acres of land in East Peoria which began a multi year construction effort culimating in a new warehouse in 1960. In 1962, the company planned a "fall-out" shelter, but the project died due to general apathy of the public.
In 1963, the Hagerty Brothers Company adopted a vacation schedule allowing four weeks of vacation after 15 years of service. In 1965, the positions held by Flora family members were:
John Harvey Flora ------------- Chairman of the Board
John Hagerty "Ted" Flora ----- President
Betty T. Flora ----------------- Assistant Secretary
The Chairman of the board, John Harvey Flora died January 14, 1970 at the age of 85 years and 9 months. In December, the company was changed from an Illinois Corporation to a Delaware Corporation. The stockholders became John Hagerty "Ted" Flora, Betty T. Flora, Peggy Flora, Ellen Flora, Scott Hagerty Flora, and Susan Flora. In 1976, the annual meeting resulted in selecting a new President, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora.
John Harvey and Myrtle (Hagerty) Flora had two children (1 son and 1 daughter).
i. Louise Flora
Daughter Louise Flora was born August 31, 1916. Louise Flora married Dr. H. Sargent Howard and had six children.
a. Anne Louise Howard
Daughter Anne Louise Howard was born October 7, 1939, when her mother Louise (Flora) Howard was 23 years old. Anne Louise Howard married George Sayre. George and Anne Louise (Howard) Sayre had three children (2 sons and 1 daughter).
(i) Mark Howard Sayre
Son Mark Howard Sayre was born November 17, 1965 when his mother Anne Louise (Howard) Sayre was 26 years old.
(ii) Daniel Edward Sayre
Son Daniel Edward Sayre was born April 7, 1967 when his mother Anne Louise (Howard) Sayre was 27 years old.
(iii) Lynn Louise Sayre
Daughter Lynn Louise Sayre was born January 30, 1970 when her mother Anne Louise (Howard) Sayre was 30 years old.
b. Jayne Alice Howard
Daughter Jayne Alice Howard was born January 18, 1944 when her mother Louise (Flora) Howard was 27 years old. Jayne Alice Howard married Richard Chalupny. Richard and Jayne Alice (Howard) Chalupny had four children (1 son and 3 daughters).
(i) Karen Elaine Chalupny
Daughter Karen Elaine Chalupny was born December 11, 1968 when her mother Jayne Alice (Howard) Chalupny was 24 years old.
(ii) Jennifer Christine Chalupny
Daughter Jennifer Christine Chalupny was born June 2, 1970 when her mother Jayne Alice (Howard) Chalupny was 26 years old.
(iii) Julie Ann Chalupny
Daughter Julie Ann Chalupny was born October 16, 1974 when her mother Jayne Alice (Howard) Chalupny was 30 years old.
(iv) Robert John Chalupny
Son Robert John Chalupny was born February 24, 1977 when his mother Jayne Alice (Howard) Chalupny was 33 years old.
c. Dr. Kay Ellen Howard
Daughter Dr. Kay Ellen Howard was born August 3, 1944 when her mother Louise (Flora) Howard was 27 years old. Dr. Kay Ellen Howard married Max Deryl Taylor. Max Deryl and Dr. Kay Ellen (Howard) Taylor had three children (2 sons and 1 daughter).
(i) Catherine Lynn Taylor
Daughter Catherine Lynn Taylor was born July 27, 1965 when her mother Dr. Kay Ellen (Howard) Taylor was 20 years old.
(ii) Daniel Bradford Taylor
Son Daniel Bradford Taylor was born November 4, 1966 when his mother Dr. Kay Ellen (Howard) Taylor was 22 years old.
(iii) David Justin Taylor
Son David Justin Taylor was born November 21, 1970 when his mother Dr. Kay Ellen (Howard) Taylor was 26 years old.
d. John Wallace Howard
Son John Wallace Howard was born April 22, 1949 when his mother Louise (Flora) Howard was 32 years old. John Wallace Howard married Marilyn Littler. John Wallace and Marilyn (Littler) Howard had one daughter.
(i) Susan Elizabeth Howard
Daughter Susan Elizabeth Howard was born August 9, 1981 when her father John Wallace Howard was 32 years old.
e. James Sargent Howard
Son James Sargent Howard was born April 22, 1949 when his mother Louise (Flora) Howard was 32 years old. James Sargent Howard married Debbie Zarling. James Sargent Howard died in 1994 at about 45 years old. James Sargent and Debbie (Zarling) Howard had one son.
(i) Michael Sargent Howard
Son Michael Sargent Howard was born March 2, 1986 when his father James Sargent Howard was 36 years old.
f. Mark David Howard
Son Mark David Howard was born June 9, 1956 when his mother Louise (Flora) Howard was 39 years old. Mark David Howard married Lisa Favus. Mark David and Lisa (Favus) Howard had three daughters.
(i) Erin Leigh Otterstrom
Daughter Erin Leigh Otterstrom was daughter of Lisa (Favus) Howard from a previous marriage.
(ii) Lauren Elizabeth Howard
Daughter Lauren Elizabeth Howard was born January 6, 1985 when her father Mark David Howard was 28 years old.
(iii) Allison Lawton Howard
Daughter Allison Lawton Howard was born August 13, 1987 when her father Mark David Howard was 31 years old.
ii. John Hagerty "Ted" Flora
Son John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was born December 21, 1919. In July, 1943 while serving in the army in California as a Second Lieutenant, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora married Betty T. Later that year, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora agreed to buy the shares owned by his sister Louise (Flora) Howard. The following year, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was elected as Vice President of Hagerty Brothers Company even though he was still serving in the army. John Hagerty "Ted" Flora served in the army from September 1941 until honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in January 1946.
In 1946, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was elected to the Board.
When John Harvey Flora began giving away his stock in December 1953 to his children Louise (Flora) Howard and John Hagerty "Ted" Flora, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora immediately began purchasing the stock from Louise (Flora) Howard -- due to the contract in 1943 between Louise (Flora) Howard and John Hagerty "Ted" Flora. This giving program continued until the death of John Harvey Flora in 1970 when 100% of the stock was controlled by the John Hagerty "Ted" Flora family.
Following the death of the Chairman of the board, John Harvey Flora in January 14, 1970, the company was changed from an Illinois Corporation to a Delaware Corporation. John Hagerty "Ted" Flora became company President. In 1985, John Hagerty "Ted" Flora began reducing his Class A and Class B stock holdings to less than 50% with gifts of stock to his children. In March, the Hagerty Brothers Company filed to be a Sub-Chapter S. Corporation. In October 1985, Betty T. Flora produced the Hagerty Brothers Company History 1860 - 1985. Her references included items around the home, Peoria Public Library, Bradley University Library, Springdale Cemetary records, Hagerty Brothers Company history files, Corporate Stock records, Corporate Minutes, Portrait and Biographical Album published in 1895, and the memory of John Hagerty "Ted" and Betty T. Flora. John Hagerty "Ted" and Betty T. Flora had four children (1 son and three daughters).
a. Peggy Flora
Daughter Peggy Flora was born September 18, 1948 when her father John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was 28 years old. Peggy Flora married L. Anthony "Tony" Zalucha who was born April 21, 1948. In 1976, at the age of 28, Peggy (Flora) Zalucha was elected a member of the Board of Directors of Hagerty Brothers Company. In 1995, at the age of 47, Peggy (Flora) Zalucha was named Chairman of the Board.
b. Scott Hagerty Flora
Son Scott Hagerty Flora was born January 25, 1950 when his father John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was 30 years old. In 1979, at the age of 29, Scott Hagerty Flora was elected a member of the Board of Directors. In 1995, at the age of 45, Scott Hagerty Flora was named Vice Chairman of the Board. Scott Hagerty Flora married Deborah "Debi" Smith who was born March 29, 1956. Scott Hagerty Deborah "Debi" (Smith) Flora had two children (1 son and 1 daughter).
(i) Bradley James Flora
Son Bradley James Flora was born December 12, 1982 when his father Scott Hagerty Flora was 32 years old and his mother Deborah "Debi" (Smith) Flora was 26 years old.
(ii) Larkin Elizabeth Flora
Daughter Larkin Elizabeth Flora was born March 16, 1988 when her father Scott Hagerty Flora was 38 years old and her mother Deborah "Debi" (Smith) Flora was 31 years old.
c. Ellen Elizabeth Flora
Daughter Ellen Elizabeth Flora was born October 21, 1951 when her father John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was 31 years old. Ellen Elizabeth Flora married and divorced Gary Crowell. Gary and Ellen Elizabeth (Flora) Crowell had one son.
(i) Jeffrey Douglas Crowell
Son Jeffrey Douglas Crowell was born May 26, 1981 when his mother Ellen Elizabeth (Flora) Crowell was 29 years old.
d. Susan Flora
Daughter Susan Flora was born June 22, 1955 when her father John Hagerty "Ted" Flora was 35 years old. Susan Flora married Randall Dean "Randy" Fellerhoff who was born August 2, 1954. At the age of 23 in September 1977, Randall Dean "Randy" Fellerhoff began employment with Hagerty Brothers Company. At the age of 25 in 1979, Randall Dean "Randy" Fellerhoff was appointed managment trainee and Secretary of the Executive Committee. At the age of 26 in 1980, Randall Dean "Randy" Fellerhoff was appointed Data Processing Manager. At the age of 29 in 1983, Randall Dean "Randy" Fellerhoff was named a Vice President of Hagerty Brothers Company. Randall Dean "Randy" and Susan (Flora) Fellerhoff had three daughters.
(i)Whitney Anne Fellerhoff
Daughter Whitney Anne Fellerhoff was born January 19, 1981 when her father Randall Dean "Randy" was 26 years old and her mother Susan (Flora) Fellerhoff was 25 years old.
(ii)Robin Lynn Fellerhoff
Daughter Robin Lynn Fellerhoff was born October 13, 1983 when her father Randall Dean "Randy" was 29 years old and her mother Susan (Flora) Fellerhoff was 28 years old.
(iii) Christine Elizabeth Fellerhoff
Daughter Christine Elizabeth Fellerhoff was born January 13, 1990 when her father Randall Dean "Randy" was 35 years old and her mother Susan (Flora) Fellerhoff was 34 years old.
B. Paul J. Hagerty
In 1910, son Paul J. Hagerty was listed as a warehouseman at Oakford and Fahnestock. In 1913, Paul J. Hagerty was listed as assistant superintendant of Hagerty Brothers Company. By 1915, Paul J. Hagerty was a salesman for Hagerty Brothers Company. By 1917, Paul J. Hagerty was married to his first wife Adelina D., served in the Armed Forces during World War I and suffers ear damage resulting in permanent hearing loss. Paul J. Hagerty returned from the war and became a clerk for Graham Seltzer Company. His second wife was Sophia E.
Following the death of his father Almon Sloan Hagerty, on November 14, 1923, Paul J. Hagerty became Vice President and General Manager of Hagerty Brothers Company with his mother Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty taking over as President. Paul J. Hagerty became President during the Great Depression when in 1933, Hennrietta "Nettie" (Tefft) Hagerty, gave up the position of President taking the position of Vice President.
In 1934, the stockownership was:
277-1/2 Shares -- Paul J. Hagerty
276-1/2 Shares -- Myrtle (Hagerty) Flora
46 Shares -------- John Harvey Flora
In 1940, Paul J. Hagerty and John Harvey Flora had different ideas about running the business. Paul J. Hagerty sold out his interest to John Harvey Flora and his childred John Hagerty "Ted" Flora and Louise (Flora) Howard. In 1941, Paul J. Hagerty formed a new company called the P. J. Hagerty Equipment Company that was still in existance in 1985.
On May 21, 1963, Paul J. Hagerty died at the age of 69. His wife Sophia E. Hagerty died March 12, 1978 at the age of 76.
III. Clara Hagerty
Daughter Clara Hagerty married Lester Rose.
IV. Sara Ann Hagerty
Daughter Sara Ann Hagerty married C. P. Tefft, then Arthur Griesser.
V. Robert Saul Hagerty
In 1892, Robert Saul Hagerty worked as a young millwright for Hagerty, Hunter, and Company. Following the death of his father Samuel "Saul" Hagerty, Robert Saul Hagerty and his two brothers Almon Sloan Hagerty and Harry Guy Hagerty formed the company Hagerty Brothers. By 1917, Robert Saul Hagerty had left the Hagerty Brothers Company working on his own as a millwright. In 1925, Robert Saul Hagerty owned Factory Equipment Company, a parallel buisness to Hagerty Brothers Company.
Robert Saul Hagerty was married to a lady named Alice or Alma. Alice or Alma Hagerty died in 1920 at the ageof 49. On December 20, 1937, at the age of 66, Robert Saul Hagerty died. Robert Saul Hagerty and his wife had one son.
i. Robert Fredrick Hagerty
Son Robert Fredrick Hagerty married Edith Turner in 1935.
VI. Harry Guy Hagerty
In 1899, Harry Guy Hagerty is listed as a student living at Perry Street. In 1900, Guy H. Hagerty is listed as a clerk at the National Biscuit Company. Following the death of his father Samuel "Saul" Hagerty, Harry Guy Hagerty and his two brothers Almon Sloan Hagerty and Robert Saul Hagerty formed the company Hagerty Brothers. By 1917, Harry Guy Hagerty had left the Hagerty Brothers Company working as a broker at the National Bank building.
In 1981, Harry Guy Hagerty moved to California. Following the death of his first wife, Harry Guy Hagerty married a wealthy California woman with children. Prior to the death of his first wife, Harry Guy Hagerty had a daughter.
i. Martha Hagerty
Return to the Hagerty Family History.