BELOVED EVANSTON HISTORIAN - Frank Reed Grover

Frank Reed Grover

Very few of us know when we are going to die.  If we did know, would we take that as an opportunity to write a Farewell Letter to our family and friends?  One person who did was Frank Reed Grover (1858-1919).  He was a charter member of the Evanston Historical Society and a well known attorney and historian.  Grover left instructions that his "Farewell  Letter" was to be read at his funeral.  It was not read at his funeral because it was not found until after the funeral was over, so the Evanston News-Index published it in its entirety in their January 7, 1920 issue:

The years of my life have gone by almost like so many months.  There has been sorrow and care and a lot of hard work, but it has been a beautiful world just the same, which I have enjoyed (I hope not too selfishly) as I went along.  I have found many true friends, and in every one, when I have taken the pains to ascertain (I have found) something worthwhile. If I could speak a little farewell it would be a prayer of thankfulness for what my true friends have meant to me.  To my family there are no farewells to say, for in the sacred temple of the home there has been that love and understanding that needs no parting words.  And now - in the evening whatever may be the sunrise in the great plan of human destiny - I meet it ready and unafraid.

Let's see what we can "dig up" about this beloved Evanstonian.

Frank Reed Grover was born September 17, 1858 in Lyons, Illinois to Aldin J. Grover (1822-1902) and Eliza Diana Reed (1829-1871).  Aldin and Eliza were married March 23, 1856 and were blessed with seven children:  Frank Reed (1858-1949), Etta Margaret/Mrs. Dr. Charles H. Thayer (1860-1906), Katherine Susan (1863-1916), Caroline Ella/Mrs. Warren Rufus Smith (1867-1948),  Aldin Chester (1869-1869), Chester Aldin (1871-1957) and Louise Mary (1870-1950).  Frank's father Aldin Grover started out as a farmer and mechanic by trade but branched out into construction and real estate.  

Frank makes his first appearance in the 1860 US Census.  The Grover family was living in the Town of Wales, Erie County, New York.  The family consisted of:  Alden (sic) Grover (35 years old), wife Eliza D. (30), Frank R. (2), and Etta (2 mos.).  Aldin reported his occupation as "Farmer and Mechanic" and said he owned personalty worth $100.00 ($3,800.00 in today's funds).  

Aldin Grover moved his young family to Evanston in 1866.  He thought his children would receive a better education there because of the proximity of Northwestern University. 

The 1870 US Census finds the Grover family in Evanston.  The family had grown significantly and now consisted of:  Aldin (47 years old), Eliza (40), Frank (12), Etti (10), Susan (8), Carrie (6),  and Louise (1).  Living with the Grover family was Salina Ragren (18) a "Domestic Servant".  Aldin reported his occupation as "Carpenter", and reported Real Estate worth $20,000 ($481,000 in today's funds) and personalty worth $1,000 ($24,000 in today's funds).

Frank's mother, Eliza Reed Grover died October 31, 1871 in Evanston.  She was 49 years old.  This was less than two weeks after the birth of her son Chester who was born October 18th.  A cause of death was not revealed but it was probably Complications from Childbirth which killed so many women in those days.  She was buried in the Grover Family Plot at Rosehill:

Aldin Grover remarried in 1875 to Mrs. Mary Eliza Whelden Skinner (1834-1917).  She was the widow of Deacon Oliver Buell Skinner (1832-1873).

On June 23, 1877 Frank Grover graduated from the Evanston High School.  Classes were taught by public school superintendent Otis Erastus Haven in an upper room of the Benson Avenue School (Benson Avenue and Davis Street).  Grover was a member of the second graduating class of the high school.  The first class, consisting of two students, graduated in 1876.  The graduation exercises were held in the Lecture Room of the Methodist Church.  At his graduation, Grover presented an Oration entitled "Patriotism."  The high school building at Dempster and Elmwood did not open until 1883.  

The 1880 US Census shows Frank Grover still living with his father and family in Evanston.  The family consisted of:  Aldin (57), wife Mary (45), Frank R. (21), Etta (19), Susan (17), Carrie (15), Louisa (11) and Chester (8).  Also living with them was Eliza's son Mortimer Buel "Morty" Skinner (15).  Frank Grover said his occupation was "Commercial Agent."

After a course of study at the Union College of Law, part of the University of Chicago, Frank Grover passed his bar examinations and was admitted to practice law on March 14, 1882.  Thirty-one students were presented for the examinations; twenty-two passed including Grover.  Shortly thereafter, Frank Grover opened a law office at 156 Washington Street in downtown Chicago.

The Evanston City Directory for 1882 shows the Grover family to be living at 444 Sherman Avenue in Evanston.

On March 20, 1884, Frank R. Grover married Miss Ella F. Smith (1859-1956) in Pleasant Grove, Olmstead County, Minnesota.  The bride was twenty-four; the groom was twenty-five.  

Ella Florence Smith was born October 4, 1859 in Lyle, Mower County, Minnesota.  Her parents were William D. Smith (1825-1905) and Lydia Elmina "Abbie" Barber (1830-1905).  William Smith was a farmer by trade.  William Smith was first married to Betsey Maria Barber (1830-1853).  They had two children:  William Everett Smith (1850-1918) and Emily M. Smith (1853-1853).  Betsey Smith died August 22, 1853 in Java Village, New York.  She was twenty-three years old.  

William Everett Smith then married  Lydia Elmina "Abbie" Barber (1830-1905) in 1854.  William and Lydia had eight children:  Olive Jerusha/Mrs. Edward Toy (1855-1905), Ella Florence/Mrs. Frank Grover (1859-1956), Victor O. (1860-1862), Minnehaha E. (1863-1866), Cora Annette/Mrs. Scott Stuckman (1866-1949), Vernon Elijah (1868-1922), Eldred Joseph (1871-1958), and Merton Royal (1876-1960). 

Upon their return to Chicagoland, Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. Grover lived at 511 Grove Street at East Railroad Avenue.  In his law practice, Grover specialized in being a Trustee for the benefit of creditors in Bankruptcy cases.  

Note:  all Evanston addresses mentioned here prior to 1893 are using the "old" numbering system.  Chicago standardized its numbering system in 1909.  Evanston was ahead of the game here - Evanston standardized its numbering system in 1893.   

In 1885 Frank Grover was elected Justice of the Peace in Evanston after having been nominated by the Republican Party.  In this regard, he opened an additional office, at 418 Davis Street.  

In 1886, Frank and Ella Grover moved to 608 Grove in Evanston and in 1890 got a telephone!  Their telephone number was "55".  The Grovers were blessed with a son on August 24, 1886: Mortimer Curry Grover (1886-1962).  He was their only child.

Frank Grover also moved his law office in 1886 - to 115 Dearborn, where he remained until 1894.

The 1890 US Census for this area is of course, lost.

In May of 1891, Frank R. Grover was chosen to become the Village Attorney for the Village of Evanston.  You might think this was not a controversial decision, but the opposite was true as reported by the Chicago Tribune on May 27, 1891:

Frank Grover retained his position as attorney when the Village of Evanston became the City of Evanston in 1892.

As mentioned above, Evanston standardized its numbering system late in 1893.  So when the Evanston Directory of 1893 reported that the Grovers were living at 428 Sherman Avenue in Evanston and the 1894 Directory reported that the Grovers were living at 1508 Sherman Avenue in Evanston, they were talking about the same property.  1508 Sherman Avenue is now occupied by a building with commercial tenants on the first floor with apartments upstairs.

In 1894 Grover moved his Chicago law office to the sixteen story Unity Building, located at 79 N. Dearborn Street where he remained in Suite 1331 until 1909.

Frank Grover took out a Personal ad in the Tribune of January 21, 1894 concerning a robbery at his home:

The Tribune printed a follow-up article the next day, January 22, 1894:

Further information was revealed a week later, January 29, 1894:

I couldn't find any further information about this, so I don't know if  Grover ever got his materials back or not.

There was a movement afoot in 1894 by Chicago to annex Evanston.  Frank Grover came out firmly against annexation as did Evanston mayor Dr. Oscar Mann.  At the same time there was a similar movement for Wilmette to become part of Evanston.  Both efforts ultimately failed. 

An alarming piece of news was in the Chicago Inter Ocean of September 26, 1895:

I am pleased to report that Mortimer Grover did recover and died in 1962 at the age of 75.

Frank Grover always had a great interest in history.  He wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Evanston Index Newspaper which was published on May 1, 1897:

In 1898 he joined the newly founded Evanston Historical Society as one of its founding directors.  Shortly after he was elected Vice President, a post he held until 1917. 

The 1900 US Census finds the Grover family still living at 1508 Sherman Avenue in Evanston.  The family consisted of:  Frank R. (41 years old); wife Ella (40), son Mortimer C. (13).  Also living there was servant Flora Munn (19) and Frank's sister Louise Grover (30).  Frank and Ella reported they had been married for sixteen years; Ella said she had given birth to one child who was still living in 1900; they said the lived in a house and that it had a mortgage.  Frank reported his occupation as "Attorney."

On November 2, 1901 Frank Grover took his interest in history to the public for the first time.  He read a paper to the Evanston Historical Society entitled:  Our Indian Predecessors - The First Evanstonians.  With this offering Grover combined two of his major interests, Native Americans and Evanston history.  The paper was so well received Grover decided to publish it.  It was published by The Index Press of Evanston, the same printer and publisher of the Evanston Index newspaper.

On November 6, 1901 the Chicago Tribune reported that Frank Grover was moving his household to Greenleaf and Hinman along with moving his house:

His new address would be 1100 Hinman Avenue.  The house is still standing today:

1100 Hinman Avenue, Evanston

After the move, Grover listed his Sherman Avenue plot for sale:

Chicago Tribune - July 12, 1902

Frank Grover's father, Aldin Grover died April 6, 1902 in Evanston.  He was seventy-nine years old.  Here is his obituary from the Chicago Inter Ocean from April 7, 1902:

Aldin J. Grover 1822-1902

He was buried in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetery:

Frank Grover was a man of many interests.  In 1904 with Alexander Clark he conceived and launched the project for building an electric railroad along the lakeshore between Waukegan, Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin.  It was Mr. Grover, acting as attorney, who purchased the right-of-way the company owned between these two cities.  It was a 100 foot right-of-way and those who promoted the company held the property in hopes it would bring a big price sometime when it was wanted.  

Work on the electric railroad started on April 5, 1904.  There was even talk at some point to add on to the electric railroad from Kenosha to Lake Geneva.  I don't believe the leg to Lake Geneva was ever completed.  The leg to Kenosha however was completed in November of 1905.  Here is an ad for the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric Railroad from 1908:

In 1905 Frank Grover published his second book:  Some Indian Land Marks of the North Shore - an address read before the Chicago Historical Society at a special meeting held February 21, 1905:

In 1906 the Evanston Index Newspaper ran a series of illustrations of Evanston notables that had appeared in the newspaper's "Hall of Fame" series.  At least 17 of these Hall of Fame cartoons appeared on the front page of the Index during 1905 and 1906.  Frank Grover was featured in the January 6, 1906 issue:

In 1907 Frank Grover published his third book:  Father Pierre François Pinet, S. J., and his Mission of the Guardian Angel of Chicago (L'Ange gardien) 1696-1699 - a paper read Before a Joint Meeting of the Chicago Historical Society and the Evanston Historical Society in the Chicago Historical Society Building November 27, 1906:

The Mission of the Guardian Angel was a 17th-century Jesuit mission in the vicinity of what is now Chicago, Illinois. It was established in 1696 by Father François Pinet, a French Jesuit priest. The mission was abandoned by 1700; its exact location was thought to be unknown.  It was Grover's contention that the Mission was located at what became the Village of Grosse Pointe at approximately the location of St. Joseph's Church at Lake Avenue and Ridge Road in today's Wilmette.

In addition to his research, Grover spent most of this time buying, selling and leasing commercial real estate. 

In 1908 Grover published his next book:  Antoine Ouilmette : a resident of Chicago A.D. 1790-1826. The first settler of Evanston and Wilmette (1826-1838) with a brief history of his family and the Ouilmette reservation.

Grover started his book with these comments:

In 1909 the movement to have Chicago annex Evanston was resurrected.  Frank Grover came out firmly against the annexation as he had in 1894.  Here is an article from the Chicago Inter Ocean from March 29, 1909:

Frank Grover also spent a lot of time in 1908 and 1909 traveling between Evanston and Lincoln, Nebraska.  He had been retained to represent the holder of the mortgage and the defaulted bonds of the Citizens' Gas Company of Lincoln.  Here is an article outlining the default from the Nebraska City News Press of January 28, 1908:

The property, franchise, and everything belonging to the Citizens' Gas Company was sold at auction in April of 1909.  After the sale, Frank Grover was involved as an owner and  member of the Board of Directors of the reorganized company which was called The Nebraska City Gas & Electric Light Company:

The Crete (NB) Democrat - September 29, 1909

The 1910 US census shows the Grover family living at 1100 Hinman Avenue in Evanston.  The family consisted of:  Frank (51 years old), Ella F.  (49), Mortimer C. (23), plus nephew Nathaniel Thayer (17), niece Marion A. Thayer (11), and servant Alvina Rasmussen (22).  Frank and Ella said they had only been married one time, and that they were both 26 when they were married.  Ella said she had given birth to one child, and that child was still living in 1910.  Frank listed his occupation as "Lawyer - General Practice."  They reported they owned their home free and clear of any mortgages.  

Having been successful with the acquisition of the Nebraska utility, Frank Grover decided to do it again - this time in December of 1910 with the Madison Lighting Company of Madison, Indiana, and the Seymour Public Service Company of Seymour, Indiana in January of 1911.   

Frank Grover published his next book in 1911:  A Brief History of Les Cheneaux Islands, Some New Chapters of Mackinac History:

A Brief History of Les Cheneaux Islands: Some New Chapters of Mackinac History provides a comprehensive account of the history of the Les Cheneaux Islands. The book covers the period from the early 1600s to the early 1900s and explores the various events, people, and places that have shaped the islands' history. The Les Cheneaux Islands are located in the northern part of Lake Huron, near the Straits of Mackinac. The islands have a rich history, with Native American tribes, French explorers, and British and American settlers all playing a significant role in shaping the islands' development. The book is divided into several chapters, each of which covers a different aspect of the islands' history. 

Between the years 1911-1915 Grover spent most of his time helping bondholders reorganize the electric and gas utilities they purchased out of foreclosure.

On Friday May 14, 1915 Frank Grover presented a paper:  Indian Treaties Affecting Lands in the Present State of Illinois: a paper read before the Illinois State Historical Society on Friday May 14, 1915.  The paper was published in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society in their October, 1915 issue.  

In 1917 Frank Grover was elected president of the Evanston Historical Society, succeeding his friend J. Seymour Currey (1844-1928) who had been president of the Society since 1906.

Frank Reed Grover died December 10, 1919 at his home in Evanston.  While the actual Cause of Death was listed as "Pneumonia," he had been complaining of stomach troubles for several years.  He was sixty-one years old.  Since he had been so active in so many endeavors for such a long time, the obituaries were many and comprehensive.  This is from the Chicago Tribune of December 11, 1919:

This is from the Kenosha (WI) News from December 11, 1919:

This is from the Waukegan (IL) News-Sun also from December 11, 1919:

 

Frank Grover's funeral took place on December 13, 1919 in his home at 1100 Hinman Avenue.  The officiant was the Rev. David Hugh Jones, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.  The pallbearers were Carl Pendleton, Benjamin March, Arthur Curry, Mortimer B. Skinner, Albert Childs and Carl Latham.  Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois - Section B - Lot 12:

On the Tuesday following Grover's funeral, one hundred of his friends and colleagues  gathered at the Evanston Historical Society to remember him. as reported in the Evanston News-Index of  January 6, 1920:   

Frank Reid Grover - the original historical society man of Evanston - may he rest in peace.

The Rest of the Story:

Frank's widow, Ella Smith Grover married Robert H. Forster (1858-1932) in Minnesota sometime prior to 1930.  Forster died in 1932 and Ella died January 2, 1956 in Chatfield, Minnesota.  She is buried next to Frank Grover in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.

Frank's son, Mortimer Currey Grover originally followed his father into the practice of law.  But over the years he changed careers several times.  The 1930 census shows him as a Salesman for Fidelity Investments; the 1940 Census shows him as a Hearing Officer for the Illinois Department of Revenue.  In 1953 he retired to Ashville, North Carolina where he died March 10, 1962.  His obituary says he was cremated but no mention was made of the final disposition of his cremains.  His wife Lela Ulrich Grover (1888-1961) was a Christian Science Practitioner and both she and Mortimer were members of the Mother Church of Christian Science in Boston.

All of Frank Grover's books are available to be read in their entirety on the internet at no cost:

Our Indian Predecessors:  

https://archive.org/details/ourindianpredec00illgoog

Some Indian Land Marks of the North Shore:  

https://archive.org/details/someindianlandm00grovgoog/page/n42/mode/2up

Father Pierre François Pinet, S. J., and his Mission of the Guardian Angel of Chicago (L'Ange gardien) 1696-1699:

https://archive.org/details/fatherpierrefra00grovgoog/page/n4/mode/2up

Antoine Ouilmette : a resident of Chicago A.D. 1790-1826. The first settler of Evanston and Wilmette (1826-1838) with a brief history of his family and the Ouilmette reservation.

https://archive.org/details/antoineouilmette00grov/mode/2up

A Brief History of Les Cheneaux Islands, Some New Chapters of Mackinac History.

https://archive.org/details/ABriefHistoryOfLesCheneauxIslands

Indian treaties affecting lands in the present State of Illinois

https://archive.org/details/jstor-40193804/page/n23/mode/2up

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CO. and PLEE-ZING, INC. - William L. Stickney

Recently a 1 lb. empty can of Sky Maid Coffee was auctioned off on ebay.  What caught my attention was on the back of the can:

"Packed for Household Products Co., Evanston, Illinois."  I had never heard of Household Products Co., and was unable to find any information online about it.  So I contacted Researcher Nonpareil Mike Kelly to ask him if he ever heard of Household Products Company.  He said that he had not but he would check to see what he could come up with.  This began a flood of emails and texts from Mike about Household Products Co. and their parent, Plee-Zing, Inc.  When I had attempted my own research I came up empty handed but not Mike.  He is truly able to pull a rabbit out of his hat when it comes to research.

With apologies to Rocky and Bullwinkle

BTW the Sky Maid empty coffee can sold for $224.95.

So, sit back and relax and I will tell you the story of Household Products, Plee-zing, Inc., their parent and William L. Stickney.  Although Stickney was not the founder of Plee-Zing he was the person most responsible for its success.  

William Leopold Stickney, Sr. was born April 11, 1884 in Morris, New York to Laroy Stickney (1846-1922) and Martha J. "Mattie" O'Neill (1848-1922).  Laroy and Mattie had been married July 2, 1871 in Logan County, Illinois. The groom was twenty-five years old; the bride was twenty-three.

In his early years  Laroy Stickney was a Photographer by trade:

but in later years Laroy Stickney was a machinist for an automobile manufacturer.

Laroy Stickney

Laroy and Mattie were blessed with four children:  Ona A./Mrs. Albert H. Cooper  (1874-1925), Ida Elmira/Mrs. John F. Snyder (1877-1961), Peter LeGrand (1882-1934), and William Leopold (1884-1949).  There was mention of a fifth child who died young, but I was unable to find any information about them.

William L. Stickney makes his first appearance in the 1892 New York State Census:

The Stickney Family was living in the Town of Lenox, Madison County, New York where Leroy (sic) is listed as a photographer.

The 1900 US Census finds the Stickney Family living at 43 East Walnut in Oneida Village in the Town of Oneida, Madison County, New York.  That address no longer exists.  The family consisted of:  Laroy (54 years old), Martha (52), Peter (18), William (16), and niece Pearl Cross (8).  Laroy and Martha said they had been married for thirty years.  Martha said she had given birth to five children; four of whom were still alive in 1899.  Laroy gave his occupation as "photographer," and Peter as "Chair Finisher."  William and Pearl were "at School."  They could all both read and write.  They owned their home which was a house with a mortgage.  

There must have been problems in the Stickney family, because the 1903 Syracuse Directory shows William L. Stickney living with his father and brother Peter at 110 Lincoln Avenue in Syracuse:

110 Lincoln Avenue, Syracuse, New York

William is listed as a "Student."                    

The 1905 Syracuse Directory shows William L. Stickney living with his father and his brother Peter at 311 Tully in Syracuse.  William is listed as a "Clerk."  Modern townhouses occupy that lot today.

William Stickney began his business career in 1906 as a clerk with the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company in Syracuse which made, among other things, Franklin automobiles.

H. H. Franklin Automobile Works, Syracuse, NY

William Stickney's first mentions in a newspaper do not have to do with business, they have to do with his standing as a member of the Elks - or as they are more formally known "The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks."  The Elks is a fraternal organization focusing on Community, Friendship and Charity.  Throughout 1906-1909 every mention of Stickney in the Syracuse newspaper has to do with his activities with the Elks. 

The Syracuse Herald-Journal of December 29, 1907 reported that Stickney was traveling to Buffalo, New York to install a modern office system for the Huber Credit Register Company.

By 1908 the Syracuse City Directory reported that William L. Stickney had "Removed to Indianapolis, Indiana."

The 1909 City Directory for Indianapolis shows Stickney living at 636 East 21st Street:

636-640 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

He had a job as a Salesman for the Smith Premier Typewriter Company in Indianapolis:

By the time of the 1910 US Census, the Laroy Stickney family had fallen apart.  Laroy was separated from Martha and was living with his daughter Ona Stickney Cooper and her family in Syracuse.  I was unable to locate Martha in the 1910 Census.  But the final blow fell in 1911 when Laroy Stickney was declared "Destitute" and sent to the Onondaga County Almshouse:

Onondaga County, NY Almshouse/Poorhouse

 Here is his admission record:

Interesting to note that he was not there due to alcoholism, but destitution.

In early 1910 as his family was falling apart around him, William Stickney was still selling typewriters but was now living at 2008 Park Avenue in Indianapolis:

2008 Park Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana

Don't let the photo fool you - the house has five bedrooms.

On July 22, 1910 the Syracuse Post-Standard reported that William Stickney was returning to Syracuse:

and was now employed with the American Multigraph Sales Company of Cleveland.  

The 1911 Syracuse Directory showed William Stickney living at 214 Grace in Syracuse.  214 Grace is a vacant lot today.

William Stickney found time as he was traveling back and forth from Indianapolis to Syracuse to swing by Villa Grove, Douglas County, Illinois where he married Miss Agnes Y. Haddow (1879-1952) on June 14, 1911.

Mattoon (IL) Commercial Star - May 6, 1911

The couple met when both were working in Indianapolis.  The groom was twenty-seven; the bride was thirty-one.

Agnes Yule Haddow was born in 1880 in Glasgow, Scotland to Thomas Haddow (1846-1910) and Agnes Cockburn (1852-1948).  Thomas and Agnes Haddow had 10 children:  Thomas Burns (1875-1921), James K. (1878-1933), Agnes Yule/Mrs. William Stickney (1879-1952), Robert Coburn (1882-1948), John B. (1885-1953), twins Kirkwood A. (1887-1963), and Harry Cockburn (1887-1967), Marion Kirkwood/Mrs. Laurence S. Fall (1889-1964), William "Willie" (1892-1909), and Harriet "Hattie" Cockburn/Mrs. Arthur M. Jackson (1896-1991).  The Haddow Family came to the United States from Scotland in 1880.  Thomas Haddow was a Miner by trade.

Upon William Stickney's return to Syracuse he also returned to the Elks.  If he was involved with the Elks when he was living in Indianapolis it never made the newspapers.  

The newlyweds moved back to Indianapolis in 1913 - to 2303 N. Capitol Avenue:

2303 N. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana

William and Agnes Stickney were blessed with a son, William Leopold Stickney, Jr. (1913-2003) on August 2, 1913 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

William Stickney's father Laroy Stickney died June 22, 1915 in Syracuse.  He was sixty-nine years old.  He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse:

Here is his obituary from the Syracuse (NY) Journal from June 22, 1915:

AGED RESIDENT DIES

Le Roy (sic) Stickney Was Stricken Last Night.

Leroy Stickney, 65, died suddenly early this morning at his home, No. 141 Dickerson street. Mr. Stickney collapsed last evening while standing on the porch of his home. He fell down the steps. He was carried into the house and seemed to recover. This morning he became seriously ill. Dr. John A. Belch was called but the man died a short time after he arrived. The case was referred to Coroner Crane, who ordered an autopsy. The body was removed to the County morgue by Herbert F. Lozott, superintendent. It is believed that death was due to heart disease and apoplexy. He leaves a brother and two sons.

He actually left three daughters and two sons - and his wife was still alive as well.  If he died at home as reported, he must have been released from the Onondaga County Almshouse, perhaps due to ill health.

William L. Stickney registered for the Draft on September 12, 1918.  He reported that he was living at 952 Downer Avenue in Milwaukee.  That number no longer exists on Downer.  He said he was a "Resident Manager for the Remington Typewriter Company."  The Registrar said Stickney was "Tall, Medium Build, with Brown Hair and Brown Eyes, and no physical issues that would prevent him from serving." 

By the time of the 1920 US Census on January 19, 1920, the Stickneys had moved again - this time to 395 Calvert Avenue in Detroit.  That address no longer exists on Calvert.  The family consisted of:  William L. Stickney (35 years old), Agnes Y. (39), William (6), mother Martha Stickney (71 and a widow), and brother Robert Haddow (36).  They could all read,  write and speak English and Young William attended school.  William the Dad listed his job as "Manager of a Typewriting Company," and Robert "machinist at an auto factory."  

By April, 1922 William Stickney and family are now living in Chicago as reported by the Indianapolis Star from April 15, 1922:

William's mother Martha O'Neill Stickney died in Chicago on December 28, 1922.  She was seventy-four years old.  She was buried next to her ex-husband in Woodland Cemetery in Syracuse:

Even though William L. Stickney was often listed as the founder of grocery wholesaler Plee-Zing, Inc. that is not the case.  The trademark "Plee-Zing Brands" was filed January 27, 1923 by H. Traub's Sons:

A small group of independent grocers and one wholesaler had gotten together in Georgia with a plan to distribute canned and bottled foods from manufacturers to Plee-Zing, Inc. to wholesaler to retail grocer.  This was a new concept at a time when 54 to 56% of the nation's food business was handled by independent grocers.  Plee-Zing operated as a broker, obtaining its income through commissions from the manufacturers without added cost to the consumers.

These retailers in the south had found that they could not compete successfully with the chain stores by handling the same brands of goods, since the chains, controlling their sources could undersell the "little" man.  But by banding together, they hoped to develop a quality line, packed by various manufacturers throughout the country who, with an assured market, could sell at prices a little lower than those of nationally advertised brands.     

To do this effectively the stores needed goods with a label which would identify the product as a brand that meant quality and which could never be purchased in a chain store.  A single label would also give the grocer a feature line which would simplify and direct his selling efforts.  The name Plee-Zing was chosen because it is catchy, is easy to say and easy to remember.  They called Their distribution process a "Scientific Merchandising Service."

This mention was in the Porter, OK News of June 5, 1924:

As early as 1924 the Plee-zing Grocery Distribution Service existed in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maryland as illustrated by this full-page ad from the Evening Sun from October 24, 1924:

Here's another ad introducing the Plee-Zing concept:

The Hanover (PA) Evening Sun - 05 Dec 1924

The plan caught on so well in the south, notably in Georgia and Florida, that within a few years it got too big for the originators to handle.  Independent grocers and major wholesalers over the country wanted to get in on the deal.  

Consequently, representatives of the group went to New York in 1927 to find financing and personnel to take the concept nationwide.  They interested two men, George W. Simmons, of the Simmons hardware family, and William L. Stickney, who by this time was sales manager of the McKesson and Robbins drug firm.  

The two men took over the organization for the purpose of developing it on a nation-wide scale.  Their first innovations towards this end were to license food canners and manufacturers to pack under the Plee-Zing label and to state the source of supply on the label.  Plee-Zing was the only food label in the country that did this.  In addition, the label also carried a customer satisfaction guarantee.  Using their experience and expertise, Simmons and Stickney were able to take their Plee-Zing system nationwide in 1927.

The corporation established headquarters in New York with Mr. Simmons as President and Mr. Stickney as Vice President.  

In 1929 the company moved to St. Louis.  By that time, Plee-Zing had licensed more than 100 food manufacturers and had appointed 80-90 distributors in 30 states.

The first time William Stickney is mentioned in connection with groceries at all is in this article from the Allentown (PA) Morning Call from February 4, 1930:  

According to this article Stickney was vice president and general manager of the Simmons Corporation, St. Louis, which headed the Plee-Zing Service.

George W. Simmons died suddenly on May 21, 1930 during a polo match.  Here is his obituary from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from May 22, 1930:

George W. Simmons

He was buried in Bellfontaine Cemetery in St. Louis

Upon Mr. Simmons' death, William Stickney became President and took over complete management of Plee-Zing, Inc.  

The 1930 US Census enumerator visited the Stickney Family on April 10, 1930.  They were living in Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri, at 199 Shirley Drive.  That number no longer exists on Shirley Drive in Clayton.  The family consisted of:  William L. (46 years old), Agnes Y. (48), William L. Jr. (16) and Mother-in-Law Agnes Haddon (76).  They rented their house, for which they paid $135 per month rent.  William lists his occupation as "Sales-Manager Wholesale Groceries." 

Before there was Sky-Maid Coffee mentioned at the beginning of this article, there was Plee-Zing Coffee with the patented Plee-Zing trademark:

By 1933 the operations had grown to such proportions that a more central location seemed desirable.  Stickney chose Chicago, because more than 30 of  the firm's suppliers were in the city and suburbs, and with the direction of the company from Chicago the whole business could be expedited.

Through the years, merchandising service and distribution increased until 130 manufacturers were producing for the Plee-Zing label, and the scope of the business had spread to 38 states (all but the far west).  Plee-Zing became known as one of the leading national organizations which catered to independent grocers.  

Plee-Zing tried to be as comprehensive a supplier as possible - even offering cigars:

 and 45 r.p.m. records:

 

The 1940 US Census shows "empty-nesters" William and Agnes Stickney living in Chicago's 49th Ward - at 7714 North Eastlake Terrace:

7714 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago

The family consisted of William L. Stickney (57 years old), and wife Agnes Y. (59).  They said they had both gone as far as the second year of college in their education.  They lived in the same place in 1935.  The rented their apartment for $110.00/month ($2,500.00 in today's funds).  William said he was the "Proprietor/Manager of a Wholesale Grocery."  He worked all 52 weeks of the previous year, and earned $5,000.00 ($110,000.00 in today's funds).  

When he registered for the Draft on April 27, 1942 he reported that his employer Plee-Zing, Inc. was located at 176 W. Adams in Chicago.  That building is now the W Hotel.  The Registrar described Stickney as White, 5' 10", 190 lbs., Brown Eyes, Brown Hair, Light Complexion, and he wore glasses.

By 1948 the company had grown to the point that it could no longer function economically in Chicago's Loop.  Turning to the suburbs because of further planned expansion, the company found a suitable building at 2544 Green Bay Road in Evanston.  It was the former Central State Bank and Trust Company that had gone down in the Stock Market Crash of 1929.  The building had been vacant for some time when Plee-Zing bought the building and remodeled it throughout.  Today the site is occupied by a Chase Bank branch. 

The Chicago Tribune reported that Plee-Zing had bought the building at 2544 Green Bay Road, but the Evanston Review said they had only taken a long-term lease on it:

Evanston Review 9 Sep 1948

Some time between 1942 and 1949, William Stickney bought a house - at 911 Drake Road in Glenview, Illinois:

911 Drake Road, Glenview, Illinois

William L. Stickney died on June 12, 1949.  He was sixty-five years old.  Here is his obituary and Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of June 14, 1949:

 

He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois:

On August 5, 1949, the Arlington Heights (IL) Herald reported about the size of Stickney's estate:

A $100,000 estate in 1949 equates to approx. $1.3 million today.

May William L. Stickney who revolutionized distribution for independent grocers nationwide, rest in peace.

The rest of the story:  After the death of William Stickney, Plee-Zing was run by George B. Watt as President, and William L. Stickney, Jr. - first as Vice President and eventually as President.  The company continued to grow and thrive and upon the retirement of William L. Stickney, Jr. the position of President was filled by William L. Stickney, III. 

In 2004, Plee-Zing, Inc. was sold to Progressive Group Alliance of Richmond, Virginia.  The announcement of the sale reported that the addition of Plee-Zing would add some 160 distributor locations to the Progressive Group Alliance portfolio, bringing customer reach to almost 1,000 distributor locations that had combined sales exceeding $20 billion.

Agnes Yule Stickney died in 1952 at the age of 72.  She is buried next to her husband in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie:

William L. Stickney, Jr. died in 2003 at the age of 90.  His cremains are interred in the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church Columbarium in Delray Beach, Florida:

William L. Stickney, III died in 2019 at the age of 81.  He is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Northbrook, Illinois:

After I had finished writing this article I happened to find a copy of The Plee-Zing Answer Magazine, the house organ for Plee-Zing, Inc.  It was dated September, 1949, just one month after William Stickney's death in August, 1949.  For the first time, G.B. Watt gives a message as President instead of Stickney, and refers to the upcoming convention in Chicago - the first without William Stickney.  Stickney is not referred to in this issue at all, but his memory surely affected everyone reading it,  I think you will enjoy reading the magazine which will enable you to see just how comprehensive a company Plee-Zing was.

A 2 lb. unopened can of Sky Maid Coffee