Title

E.C. Wehrifritz Machinery Supply Company between Markham and 2nd Streets

Creator

Files

Date Original

circa 1885

Description

This is a image of Emil Wehrfritz's work shop, Union Machine Works, and his employees. This business was located between Markham and Second Streets in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Biographical/Historical Note

E.C. (Emil Cornelius) Wehrfritz was born April 14, 1847, at Schwabhausen, Germany, near Bingen-on-the-Rhine. He came to the United States, where he resided in St. Louis, Missouri. Following the death of his brother Charles Edward Wehrfritz, who was naturalized at St. Louis in 1858, E.C. married Charles' wife Elizabeth Berloing on July 4, 1868. In the spring of 1876, Wehrfritz moved to Little Rock with Elizabeth, Elise (Elizabeth's daughter by Charles), and their four children Edward Charles, Emelia Kate, Alexander Ferdinand, and Emil Cornelius Junior.

In July 1885, E.C. opened the Union Machine Works located between Markham and Second Streets in Little Rock. The machine shop built and repaired engines, boilers, casting, pumps, and saw mills. Wehrfritz became a naturalized citizen at Little Rock on September 25, 1906. He served several terms on the city council and ran unsuccessfully for mayor. He was a member of Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also was president of the Little Rock Turnverein (German-American gymnastic union) and director of the Mechanics' Loan and Building Association. E.C. Wehrfritz died at Little Rock on April 7, 1910, leaving his business in the hands of his son, Alexander Ferdinand Wehrfritz. A newspaper report indicates his wife contested his will. Elizabeth died at age 76 on August 22, 1917.

Physical Description

Image, 7.5" x 5.25"

Subjects

German community; Business people; Engines; Machinery; Machinery components; Machinery industry

Geographical Area

Little Rock, Pulaski County (Ark.)

Language

English

Identifier

MS.000173 Box 2, Scrapbook, Item 2

Resource Type

Image

Collection

Rex F. Wehrfritz papers, MS.000173

Publisher

Arkansas State Archives

Contributing Entity

Arkansas State Archives

Recommended Citation

E.C. Wehrifritz Machinery Supply Company between Markham and 2nd Streets, Rex F. Wehrfritz papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rights

Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6901 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

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