Gottlieb James Frick was born in Plumfield Illinois in Franklin County on April 18, 1881. When he was 18 years old he worked as a day laborer while living with his uncle Henry Frick in Belleville Illinois. Henry was a tea and coffee merchant and this may have been where Gottlieb learned some of his life skills. In 1904 Gottlieb married Pearl Wilbanks from Raymond, Illinois. By 1906 he and his wife were operating G.J. Frick Grocery, a retail grocery store located at 602 N. Boulevard Street. In 1907 while still in Illinois they had their first child Irene.

By 1910, the couple was living in Kenna, New Mexico and had their second child Howard. Gottlieb was a self-employed grocery salesman.

When Gottlieb filled out his World War I draft record in September of 1918 they had migrated back to Illinois and were living at 901 N. Court St. Gottlieb was officially listed then as an undertaker by trade. His physical stature was described as medium height, stout build, blue eyes and partly bald.

The 1920 census reflects Gottlieb and Pearl still at 901 N. Court St. and a self-employed undertaker at Frick Funeral Home at the same location. Their children were Irene 11, Howard 10, Mabel 7 and James A. 9 months old. The 1922 Business Directory lists Gottlieb as undertaker, embalmer and grocer doing business at 602 W. Boulevard St.

By 1927, the directory lists him as an undertaker at 604 W. Boulevard with plumbing and heating at 606 w. Boulevard St. In the 1928 directory, he is listed as undertaker, plumbing and heating and city commissioner still residing at 901 N. Court St.

By the 1940 census, the location was still the same. The only children at home were James 26, who is now assisting his father with embalming and William 17. On Sept 6, 1941 William, now 18 and a student, dies at Shawneetown Illinois and was buried in Rose Hill cemetery.

Frick served as Williamson County Sheriff from 1930 to 1934 and Marion City Commissioner in 1917-1919 and 1927-1931.

In April 1942 when Gottlieb filled out his World War II draft record he is 61 years old and residing with wife Pearl at 107 S. Van Buren Street. He is described as 5’ 10 ½” tall, 226 lbs, blue eyes and grey hair. They now operate their business at Frick’s Funeral Home at 104 S. Van Buren.

Gottlieb passed away in 1953 and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery. His wife Pearl died July 22, 1965 and is buried next to Gottlieb. Frick Funeral Home was sold to Jim Wilson in 1955 and became Wilson Funeral Home where it remained for about two decades.

Back to the top

(Photo from Sesquicentennial Souvenir Book, data compiled from census records, business and street directories, WWI and WWII draft records and death records, by Sam Lattuca 12/21/2012)