Frederick Henry Jaeger Sr.

   Another name for Frederick was Fritz.

  General Notes:

By the way, my dad and Uncle Chris packed shingles for a living when they were 12 and 14… their dad killed in a mill accident… horses bolted at the Sawyer Goodman mill… (whose Superintendent was your Grandpa Scherer)… anyway it was the only line of work that was piece rate \endash so they could earn a man's wage… followed the sawmill, that followed the tree supply… sent money home to Grandma Jaeger to support the 4 younger children… no insurance \endash no social security \endash no workman's comp in those days… guess that is why those guys were so tough. ^{[Fritz Jaeger]}


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When I was quite small and would visit Aunt Polly and Uncle Fred he would always smile and sing, "Johnny get your gun and sword and pistol. Shoot him in the rear and make him whistle." Uncle Fred called me Johan and was the only one in the family to call me the German "John".

Dad worked as the Treasurer for the Aerial Cutlery when Uncle Fred offered him the job after dad's job was lost with the City of Chicago as a result of the depression. Dad stayed at the Aerial at least until after the Korean War started (1950) and sometimes my cousin Bob Gilbertson and I would go up to the Aerial to visit Uncle Fred and my dad. The factory made hunting knives and during the war years they made bayonets for the War Department.

I remember the smells of the factory and even as I write this I can smell the oil used in the machines and for sharpening the knife blades. That, and the smell of the leather slugs that were stamped out, fitted to the hilt of the knives and then ground to make the handles. Aside from the production line there were floors of shelves that held barber and beauty shop supplies. Boxes of razors, scissors, combs and brushes which smelled new but with the dust of the factory clouding the scent of each.

The factory is where I think of Uncle Fred as being most in his element. He and his brothers built that business from nothing - from the point of going to the forest locations to sell knives to the lumberjacks. That brings up another point. When my cousin Bob would talk about his Jaeger uncles he would refer to his "Uncle Chris and Uncle Rick". Uncle Rick was my uncle too but Chris wasn't. I knew him but only Fred and Rick were related to me because my mother's two sisters married two of the Jaeger brothers. It was confusing to a young child. ^{[Wm. John Schuck] 9 10}

  Noted events in his life were:

• Letter: to his son Fritz, 25 Jul 1942, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹¹
AERIAL CUTLERY MANUFACTURING CO.

"HEIGHT OF PERFECTION" 108-116 HOSMER STREET
AND MARINETTE, WISCONSIN
"REAL SHARP" BRANDS 7/25/42

Dear Fritz,

You do not know how darn much I miss you around shipping room. When you are gone seems I am always pushing something on the side for Fritzzie to take care of & then after I remember I'll have to do it myself, as you'll not be around -

Never mind, you're doing a good job & you can't be in two places at one time! Hope you got along OK with the big load you had. & for God's sake do not drive over 50 to 55 miles per hour at any time.

No more tires for us, latest report, so save tires whenever possible. You will won't you - I wouldn't ask this if it was necessary Fritz but it really is-

Stopped in Swanson's for a bone. Swifter had a good time is now sleeping by door - is usual place -

Will be seeing you both Friday nite. Take care of Mother. Help her with her packages.

I'm lonesome Fritz - Wished you both were here - But then some day - it will be better -

Daddy

• Military Award: The Aerial Cutlery Manufacturing Company received the Army-Navy E Award, 24 Nov 1944, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹²
Aerial Cutlery to Hold Ceremony

Fred Jaeger, general manager of the Aerial Cutlery Manufacturing company, said today that presentation of the Army-Navy E award will be made to the company Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock in a brief ceremony. Announcement of the award was made some time ago.

The employees of the firm also will receive their E pins at the ceremony. The presentation will be brief, as little time will be taken from the production of bayonets used on carbine rifles by the armed forces.

A party for the employees will be held Saturday night at the Legion building, it was announced by Jaeger, as a celebration of the event.

Maj. H. E. Stier of the Chicago ordnance depot and other Army and Navy officials will be on hand from Chicago and Milwaukee offices. Maj. Gen. L. H. Campbell Jr., chief of ordnance in Washington, congratulated the firm in a letter on its excellent record and on receiving the award.

• Social Security Number: 392-03-1488, Bef 1951, , , Wisconsin, USA. ¹³

• Occupation: Owner and General Manager of the Aerial Cutlery, 1912-1965, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹⁴

• Occupation: and served as President of the Arial Cutlery Manufacturing Company, 1910-1965, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹⁵

• Obituary: the Marinette Eagle Star, 16 Aug 1984, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹⁶  
FRED H. JAEGER SR.

Services for Fred H. Jaeger Sr., 95, 2815 Riverside Ave., who died Wednesday, will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church. The Rev. Ivan Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may call at the Thielen Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. today.

A memorial fund has been established.

Mr. Jaeger was born here July 23, 1889. He founded the Aerial Cutlery Manufacturing Co. in Duluth, Minn., in 1911. In 1913 he and his brothers, Richard and Christopher, moved the knife factory here. He became presi-dent of the company in 1938 and operated the business until he retired in 1967.

During World War II the company designed and manufactured the pro-totype trench knife for the U.S. Army. The company was awarded the Army and navy E for excellence.

He was a charter member of St. James Church, a member of the Marinette Elks Lodge for it 67 years and was a life member, a 50-year member of the Marinette Masonic Lodge and a member of the Milwaukee Tripoli Shrine.

On Oct. 10, 1914, he married the former Pauline Scherer here. She died in May 1974. Survivors include a son, Fred Jr. of Marinette; a daughter, Mrs. Palmer Gilbertson, of Marinette; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

• Cemetery: Forest Home Cemetery and Mausoleum [Section Z, Block 1, Lot 4, #9], 17 Aug 1984, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹⁷
FRED H. JAEGER
1889 - 1984

• Publication: Knife World: Aerial Cutlery - A History (Pg 1), Dec 1989, Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, USA. ¹⁸
AERIAL CUTLERY - A HISTORY

Shortly after the turn of the century, an industrious salesman named Fred Jaeger began a career that would grow into a very successful family business -- one that continues to this day, A "drummers" compact sample case and an almost magical sales talk marked the inception of Aerial Cutlery Manufacturing Company. That company was to become a major factor in the production of knives for the next four decades and its knives are today considered among the better collectibles.

While working as a paper mill employee, Jaeger began selling cutlery products to fellow employees. His sales success motivated him to quit his job and take to the road with his cutlery satchel containing knives, razors, scissors, and barber supplies. His "territory" was wherever he recognized sales potentials and his travels took him into the back-country mines, mills, and lumber camps. His background as a "mill hand" offered Jaeger something in common with plant guards and managers so that he was often able to get onto a plant's grounds while other salesmen would be left outside the gates. His reputation as an honest and reliable supplier grew as did his fame for good salesmanship.

Jaeger used his ingenuity and hard work so successfully, in fact, that the cutlery manufacturer in Morris, Illinois was unable to fill the demand created by his sales efforts. In order to be able to supply the increased demand, the Morris plant was purchased by another enterprising individual- J. D. Phillips.

Super salesman, ''Fritz'' Jaeger's business continued to grow. It grew so much that, in 1910, Fred Jaeger was joined by his brothers, Chris and Richard, and by Thomas Madden in forming a company to buy out Phillips. The purchased company was re-organized in Duluth, Minnesota and was given the new name - Aerial Cutlery Manufacturing Company.

Perhaps the name was unusual but it had a great deal of significance for the new owners. The Aerial Bridge, located in Duluth, was the first suspension bridge of its kind in the United States. In addition to sharing its name with the new company, the bridge became the company trademark because it was a symbol of stamina, hard work, sacrifice, and determination against all odds.

The name ''Aerial'' would remain even though, in 1912, it was shortened to Aerial Cutlery Company. The name change was current with a major move of the company's manufacturing facilities to Marinette, Wisconsin. According to Jaeger family accounts, the factory was moved "lock, stock, and barrel". Equipment and tools, whether large or small, was, loaded on a train load of flat cars for the journey from Duluth to Marinette. Seventy yeas later, in 1982, some of that original factory equipment was still in use at Olsen Knife Company.

In addition to the name Aerial being consistent through the years, another name has been consistently associated with the company's management and leadership. That name is Fred Jaeger. It was Fred ''Fritz'' Jaeger Sr. whose sales success provided the impetus for starting the company in 1909. Fred Jaeger Jr. assumed command of the company in 1966. He has since been joined by two other ''Fritz'' Jaegers - III and IV. But, let's go back to knives and to the approximate 40 year era during which Aerial was once of the major factor in the U. S. knife industry.

During the early part of this century one of the popular types of pocket knives were those that featured pictures within transparent handles. Most collectors have seen these knives and several collections are based upon these unusual pieces. Picture knives or transparent handled knives were made by several companies including Canton Cutlery Co., Morris Cutlery Co., Novelty Cutlery Co., Lackawanna Cutlery, Golden Rule, and Aerial Cutlery Co. Of these companies, Aerial was undoubtedly the most prominent and certainly the one with the longest history.

As evidenced by some of the photographs included here, picture knives by Aerial covered an extensive range of subjects. And, they came in practically all sizes and patterns from small pen knives to folding hunters and on to sheath knives. Among the more popular picture knives were those with natural
Continued on page 4

• Publication: Knife World: Aerial Cutlery - A History (Pg 4), Dec 1989, Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, USA. ¹⁸  
Continued from page 1
and wild life scenes and, of course, the ''naughty lady'' patterns. But the unique designs go on and on--from farm livestock to Cars, trains, and ships; from cartoon characters such as ''Maggie and Jiggs'' to Presidents of our country; from commercial advertising logos to fraternal order emblems; and, if you want you could have knives made with a picture of your choosing. One Aerial catalog quotes a charge of ten cents for the use of a personal photograph on a knife handle. How's that for a ''customized'' knife?

One should not, however develop the opinion that knives made by Aerial were cheap advertising knives. The company had reputation for quality and a commitment to live up to that reputation. They had an excellent guarantee to back their product line and a written guarantee accompanied each knife sold. Whether the knife was for hard use or for a souvenir, it was made from quality materials and to rigid specifications ­ it took well over 200 different operations to make most of their knives. Of special interest is the handle materials. The company claimed that their knife handles were practically indestructible especially when compared to other commonly used materials such as ivory, stag horn, or wood.

In addition to picture knives, Aerial made quite a few other patterns ­­ some using other brand names of their own such as ''Jaeger Bros.'' Or ''A. C. Mfg. Co.''; others were made for mail order firms such as Sears­Roebuck, Belknap Hdwe., and Butler Brothers. In addition, Aerial's sales were large enough so they would contract with other manufacturers to have knives made with the Aerial stamping.

One of Aerial's major undertakings was the manufacture of the military trench knife and M-1 bayonets during World War II. Company histories indicate that a plant superintendent, Fred Faubel Sr. designed the trench knife and presented it to ordinance personnel in Chicago where it was adopted (with a slight change to the handle guard) as a standard pattern. Many thousands of these military knives were made by Aerial for the Armed Forces during the war. For its outstanding contribution the company was awarded the Army­Navy E Award.

The last Aerial cutlery catalog that I am aware dates to the later half of the 1940's. Unfortunately I have only photocopies of a portion of the catalog but I find no listing of picture handled knives. It appears that the extensive line of knives had been reduced to
Continued on page 5

• Publication: Knife World: Aerial Cutlery - A History (Pg 5), Dec 1989, Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, USA. ¹⁸  
Continued from page 4
a few pocketknife patterns with Pyralin and to leather washer handled fixed blade knives. Noteworthy among the non­folders were four military types, ''Commando'' or bayonet knives; no doubt a carryover from the company's wartime production activities. Just as the war had changed much of our way of life, it had changed major industries; and, it had changed Aerial. Before the war, most of the company's knife sales had been in their picture knife line. The war effort had diverted their machinery and talents to military type knives. Also of major significance was the fact that the materials which the company had used in producing their primary knife line were no longer available or feasible to use.

Since the 1920's, Aerial had been actively involved in barber supplies and, in the 1930's added beauty supplies to its line; not an unusual complement to the cutlery business in those days. In 1965, Fred Jaeger decided to direct his company's business exclusively to that industry where they were already leaders. Under the guidance of a Fred Jaeger and operating under the founder's ideals of quality and service, that leadership continues today.

There are conflicting dates for Aerial's ceasing cutlery production. In his book, Pocketknives ­­ Markings of Manufactures and Dealers, John Goins dates the company's tang
Continued on page 6

• Publication: Knife World: Aerial Cutlery - A History (Pg 6), Dec 1989, Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, USA. ¹⁸  
Continued from page 5
stampings until 1944. He states, however, that the company's knives ''were still in production as late as 1944''. The catalog mentioned above is not dated but there is good justification for the assumption that it was current during the last half of the 1940's. From one statement within the catalog ­­ ''Our knives have enjoyed a reputation for excellent quality and workmanship since the beginning of their manufacture over thirty years ago,'' we know that the catalog would date no earlier than 1940. Another statement ­­ ''During the recent World War…'' tells us that the catalog dates to after 1945. One article, author and publication unknown, credits Aerial with the manufacture of knives for 50 years; thus until the late 1950's. Bernard Levine, in Knife World's July 1979 Whut­Izzit column states that the company ceased regular cutlery production in the early 1950's. Based upon the above reference as well as other information made available to me by collectors Jack McAllister and Bob Cargill, I have concluded that the early 1950's is correct.

Regardless of which date is correct for the company's termination of cutlery manufacturing, collectors can be assured that Aerial knives have something to offer. Their quality is very good, they are quite unique, and their prices aren't ''out of sight'' ­ all the makings for an interesting collection.
Continued on page 7

• Publication: Knife World: Aerial Cutlery - A History (Pg 7), Dec 1989, Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, USA. ¹⁸  
Continued from page 6
Knives from an Aerial Manufacturing Catalog

• Publication: Aerial Reflections, CELEBRATING AERIAL'S 85th ANNIVERSARY, May/Jun 1997, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ¹⁹
CELEBRATING AERIAL'S 85th ANNIVERSARY

Shortly after the turn of the 19th century, a gentleman by the name of Fred Jaeger, Sr., started selling cutlery products from a 'drummers' sample case. He sold knives, razors, scissors, and barber supplies and his sales took him to the back country mines, mills and lumber camps of Duluth, Minnesota. Fred developed a reputation as an honest and reliable supplier and his business really grew. So mush that soon he was joined by his two brothers, Chris and Richard, and in 1912 Aerial was officially founded.

The name Aerial originated from a large suspension bridge that spanned the St. Louis Bay connecting Duluth and Superior. The bridge came to symbolize the 'high ideals, lofty aspirations, and quality products' that are the cornerstone of the Aerial Company.

In 1913 the entire company was moved to Marinette, WI. Located at 116 Hosmer Street, the entire company's buildings would undergo many changes as additions marked the growth of the business. In 1990 ground was broken on Aerial's current residence at 2300 Aerial Drive. Throughout the years, Aerial has remained a family business. The company has seen and experienced many changes but the philosophy of business has always stayed the same. Make the customer strong and profitable so they can become better customers and achieve greater business success. Fred Jaeger Sr., said it best years ago ­ 'Always remember, a distributor can't make a nickel until his customer makes it first. Help your customer succeed'.

• Publication: The Eagle-Herald, 12 Nov 2006, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ²⁰
Blaze destroys landmark

MARINETTE -- The former Aerial Co. building at 116 E. Hosmer St. is a total loss, following a late-night fire on Saturday.

The Marinette Fire Department received the call at 10:53 p.m.

According to the department's report, "Upon arrival we found flames breaking through the front entry way and shortly after that, the fire broke through the second story roof."

All off-duty personnel were called to the scene. The Menominee Fire Department responded under the terms of the Automatic Aid agreement, which became effective earlier this year.

An engine and crew from the town of Peshtigo also responded to the call.

According to the MFD report, ladder trucks from both Marinette and Menominee were set up to fight the flames.

Wisconsin Public Service was contacted to turn off electrical and gas to the brick building. The Marinette Water Utility was notified because of the large volume of water used to fight the blaze.

Emergency medical crews and personnel from the American Red Cross stood by during the fire. Crews worked through the night to battle the blaze, returning to their firehouses at 5:42 a.m.

Once the fire was under control, an excavator from MJB Industries pulled down the outer shell of the building. The structure and its contents were a total loss.

The building, former corporate home to Aerial Co., which is now located on the south side of Marinette near Pine Tree Mall and the Marinette Industrial Park, was occupied by Fabricators Plus. It is located near several homes and other businesses, none of which were damaged in the blaze.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

During the blaze, two Marinette firefighters and town of Peshtigo firefighters responded to a fire in a pile of tires at 303 Dousman St., about seven blocks from the Aerial Building fire. That fire is also under investigation.

• Publication: The Eagle-Herald, 21 Nov 2006, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ²
Arson bureau joins in fire investigation

MARINETTE -- Investigators from the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Justice Arson Bureau are in Marinette this week assisting the Marinette Police Department with its investigation into the cause of the fire that destroyed the former Aerial building, 116 E. Hosmer St.

Police Chief Jeffrey Skorik said the presence of the arson bureau does not mean the cause of the fire has been determined to be arson. "The reason that we've asked for their assistance is in hopes of determining the cause and origin of the fire," Skorik said.

The two-story structure that was at least 100 years old was destroyed by a late night fire Nov. 11.

At the time, the first floor of the building was occupied by Fabricators Plus.

During the blaze, a second fire was discovered in some discarded tires on the former Charon Building Supply property on Dousman Street, a few blocks away. Fabricators Plus was in the process of moving into a building on that site.

Skorik said investigators from the arson bureau are also examining that fire scene to attempt to determine the cause.

• Letter: to Fritz H. Jaeger Jr concerning the fire at the old Aerial building, 19 Nov 2006, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ²¹
I remember helping to put a new hot tar and gravel roof on the building. I stoked the fire on the tar heater.Tar came in a tin barrel which was cut with an axe into small pieces which were put in the pot and melted. Hot tar was put in 5 gal. buckets and hoisted to the roof by rope and pulley on an "A" frame on the roof.

In 1936 4 Link Belt stokers were installed. 2 for the boilers at the factory [Your dad already had an Iron Fireman installed at your house] 1 at Uncle Chris', house and an extended feedscrew worm unit at our house. This was the cause of an awful lot of problems for years. My father bought shear pins by the 100's. I was really good at replacing shear pins. He always believed it was the extra length of the feed screw that was the cause as there never was anything at the "special opening" where a cause should be found. When the stoker was removed to put in a gas fired boiler in the late 60's the special wrench to free a jam of the feed screw inadvertently left in the feed tube, when assembled, was removed. It had been grooved almost in two by the turning of the screw over the years and frequently would bind and shear a pin. Mystery solved!!

During the installation at the Aerial boiler room, I crawled through the flue opening and cemented a 12" metal smoke stack thimble from the inside of the chimney as I was the one small enough to crawl out after the installation. It was scary looking up from the inside. It was like being at the bottom of a well.

I can remember my father when last to leave the Aerial after locking the door at night would go back two or more times to recheck the door to make sure it was locked and secure after starting his truck to go home.

There are a lot of memories of that building. I guess cremation was a good way for it to go!!!

Frederick married Pauline Henrietta Scherer, daughter of John Scherer and Ruth Alta Space, on 15 Oct 1914 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA.^{1 2} (Pauline Henrietta Scherer was born on 22 Feb 1896 in Nahma, Delta, Michigan, USA,^{22 5 23} died on 06 May 1974 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA ^{24 5 25} and was buried on 09 May 1974 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA ²⁶.) The cause of her death was Coronary occlusion with myocardial infarction.

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage: in St James Lutheran Church, 15 Oct 1914, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ²⁷
Certificate of Marriage, Lutheran Church, Marinette, WI, Certificate, This certifies that Mr. Fred Henry Jaeger of Marinette, Wis. and Miss Pauline Scherer of Marinette, Wis. were united in Marriage According to the Ordinance of God and the Laws of the State of Wisconsin at Marinette, Wisconsin On the 15 day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fourteen. /s/ F. G. M. Fromer, pastor Witnesses: /s/ William Lappe /s/ Margaret Scherer.

• Publication: Marinette Eagle Star, 18 Oct 1964, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ²⁸
Jaegers Honored At Anniversary Party

Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Jaeger of Riverside Ave., were guests Saturday night at a cocktail party and dinner at Riverside Country Club to honor their 50th wedding anniversary, which occurred Oct. 15.

The affair was given by their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Gilbertson of Green Bay, and their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Jaeger Jr. of Marinette.

Gold and white appointments were used. The hors d'oeuvre table, laid in white, and swathed with ivy and green bows was centered with a large chandelier with gold tapers and white Fuji mums. Centering the tables from which 125 guests were served were candle centerpieces with the white Fuji mums and gold tapers with ivy. A string ensemble from Green Bay played.

Guests were Mr. and Mrs. Lee Olsen of Howard City, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Madden of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Knick and Mrs. J. A. Krueger of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Reilly of Fort Wayne, Ind., Mr. and Mrs. William Ingram and Lloyd Berglund of Chicago.

Mrs. Herman Weber and Mrs. Anita Ludwig of Sheboygan, Mr. and Mrs. Corwin Van Heusen of Appleton, Mr. and Mrs. J o h n Krueger of Rhinelander, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Schuck of Stevens Point, Mrs. Evelyn Sylvester, Mr. and Mrs. William Sinkler, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Pokal and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Bushey of Green Bay, Mrs. Meta Kamm of Milwaukee and Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Mascari of Caspian, Mich.

• Letter: from Fritz and Jean Jaeger to Jere and Susan Schuck, 17 Dec 2006, eMail, Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA. ²⁹
Really enjoyed your Christmas letter- read it three times. So good to learn more about you.

When you get a chance would you send me any old copies you have via the eMail? Or some pictures so I can or just send me a chart with the kids names that are on the pictures. Make believe I was at a family re-union and introduce me to them with thumb nail sketches.

you refer to them by name but cant put the face to them except for the headmast - you only got one like that. You guys look good but the kids look great - like they should. We currently have some at every stage of life and it is the greatest think that ever happened and is happening to us... and your family helped us a lot -- thinking back generations that is.

Uncle Ray and Aunt Kitty lived on Newberry street across Grant street thru the neighbors yard, an alley next to Johnsons and there you were all of you with a nice garden of fresh corn and vegetables and lots of action was I lucky or what? 21 first cousins in Marinette when I was raised and you were 5 of them.

Uncle Rick, Aunt Marg and their 6 were on Pierce avenue 2 blocks away; the Scherer family lived across from the high school about 8 blocks I can remember for sure the count there; the Grills with 5 lived on Stanton about one block east (5 there) Uncle Chris and Aunt Emma with their five lived next door to the Aerial on Hosmer Street with 5 more and Uncle Lee and Aunt Elda Olsen lived on Lake Street in the heart of Menekaunee with Paul Lee Jr, Donna Mae. And there were the Lindsays that I didn't know as well but went to school with them...and it fills it out plenty enough to help raise me to what I am.

When your family lived on Carney at the beginning I spent a lot of nights there. Many times your dad and some of you would walk to Peterson's Drug Store about 10 blocks to get butter pecan ice cream... what a treat we would enjoy with much love and laughter. Uncle Ray and Aunt Kitty were the most fun of all the Uncles and Aunts... for kids like me... And when my mom and dad were on a territory or on the road I might find a note on our door, "Go over and spend a few nights with the kids and your Uncle Ray and Aunt Kitty -- will see you Friday, Love Mom"

And I did it and it was a treat because Aunt Betty was 10 years older and married and lived on Liberty Street with uncle Gil... and I was a latch key guy before we heard the expressions of today but every one didn't have as many cousins and aunts and uncles like I did... they weren't that lucky as me.

I run on... but sure glad for the letter, please keep Jean and I on the list.

Love your Dad's sense of humor and your Mom's talent and vigor... she was like another sister to me... my favorite one.

Love Fritz

• Letter: Letter exchange between John H Ingram and Frederick H Jaeger II, 08 Aug 2007, Miami, Miami-Dade, Florida, USA. ³⁰
YEP! Sometimes I wonder where I'm at........My Mom & Dad were staunch Democrats, as you probably remember. Dad worked for the City of Chicago his entire life. Mom was a Precinct Captain, Civil Defense Warden and a Ward Committee Woman in the biggest ward (13th) in the state of Illinois.

I guess........ maybe you have to stray from the nest to to see the sunshine, on the other side of the tracks.

Best Regards! Mary and I are in Milwaukee. Will be headed South next week. Been gone for more than a month, and will take our leisure time headed home, hurricanes permitting. All is well.......

Our son Bill is looking at retirement from the fire department next year. Plans are to buy & cruise the Great Lakes and the Carri bean on a large yacht (52ft.) until he tires of it. Three Grandsons attending U of W. Oldest one in Oshkosh and the twins in Milwaukee. Keeps my bank account revolving.

And so it goes........

John


Thanks for the family update. Always nice to know what is going on and great to hear from you.

I do remember about your mom and dad also heard that my dad did some drinking and tearing around after my brother died at age 7 including a girl friend in Crivitz and that your Mom rode the train to Crivitz and found the young lady and told her to stay out of Marinette or she would level her. to the ground..

Always thought that was very special to my Mom and our family...

Fritz

  Marriage Notes:

  
Mother and Dad didn’t get an invitation to Maynard’s Ordination and they didn’t go. Years later they were remodeling the Aerial and behind the cubical mailboxes they found the invitation. It had slid down in the back.

When mother died Dad decided they should divide her diamond necklace and sell it. I had hysterics. It was true that Dad did pay for it but he gave it to her on their 50th Anniversary. It was a 3 carat pair and Gil had designed it. We were back and forth to the manufacturers in Minneapolis ­ we had gone through hell on high wheels to get it finished on time for the anniversary party.

I said, ‘you’re not going to sell it and let someone break it up!’ They would certainly divide it up. Because there are fifteen 1/4 carat in the necklace. It is a very lovely piece and I couldn’t bear it. So much effort and happiness went into the making of it. I stamped my feet, cried and did everything I could. And I took it. ^{[Betty Jaeger Gilbertson]}
 
 
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Dear John,
 
I really enjoyed the page on Uncle Rick and Aunt Marg. I am printing it out for Sister Betty. She will enjoy it. Jean and I are taking Betty to grandson Scott Gilbertson wedding.

Re naming the Aerial: When Uncle Chris was about 20 and dad 19 they were selling so many knives in the mining country of Minnesota they decided to by a knife factory. They found there was one for sale in Morris, Ill. They went there on a Sunday, as they didn't want to lose a workday. They found the factory in a second floor area in downtown Morris. The sign was painted on the top of a wooden cigar box and in the window.

Dad said they paid the attorney to come in on Sunday and fill out the papers ($5.00). They hired the guy that ran the factory and .he packed up the equipment, loaded it on a gondola car, and moved it to Duluth where they set it up.

When they went to incorporate in 1912 they found out they needed a name but couldn't figure how to choose it. They wanted something with high and lofty principles. They looked out the window and saw that they were building one of the first suspension bridges over water so boats could go underneath. The bridge was patterned after one in France so they named it after the bridge - the Aerial Co. It was a wonderful name through the years. It was high in the alphabet, easy to find, and was equated with radio aerials and fast action. And it is still going strong.

On the other side they felt to young to run the company effectively so hired an older experienced man to be the president. He ran it well and set up the systems and culture we still use today. The man died after about 7 years and the older brother Chris became the boss. They moved to Marinette about 1914 when they didn't have enough room to grow in Duluth.
 
Luv,
Fritz ³¹

Frederick next had a relationship with Louise Hansen Evensen. (Louise Hansen Evensen was born on 31 Mar 1891 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA and died on 24 Jun 1988 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin, USA.)