Dr. Edward William Fiegenbaum

The complimentary concert tendered Rev. J. B. Thompson by the young people of this city, Wednesday evening, under the direction of Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum, was a success in every particular.  The programme was carefully arranged and well prepared before the event.  As rendered it was highly creditable to those who took part as well as to those who directed the entertainment.  The programme was opened with an overture by Schwarz's orchestra, composed of Messrs. C. M., W. C., and George C. Schwarz, Henry Trares, Herman E. Wolf and Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum.  The orchestra played several selections during the evening that were heartily received.  H. E. Prickett sang a vocal solo, "Anchored" which elicited much applause.  C. M. Schwarz played "When the Swallows Homeward Fly," with variations as a violin solo, with piano accompaniment by Miss Jennie Keller.  "Last Rose of Summer" was given in response to the encore that followed.  A quartet, Mrs. C. W. Tunnell, Miss Jose Springer, C. W. Tunnell and T. W. Springer sang "Evening Bells" in good voice.  George C. Schwarz followed with a trombone solo, with orchestra accompaniment.  It was well rendered.  Miss Rilla Willoughby gave a vocal solo, "Waiting."  Miss Jessie McCorkell presided at the piano.  This was warmly received by the audience and for an encore she sang "Tat for Tat."  This was applauded heartily.  Miss Willoughby has an excellent voice, which shows cultivation and Edwardsville people hope to hear her again soon.  Misses Mamie and Jennie Keller rendered "Sparkling Dew" as an instrumental duet and played "Cymbeline" for the encore given them.  A quintet, composed of Messrs. Jule L. Prickett, Thos. W. Springer, C. W. Tunnell, H. E. Prickett and Dr. E. W. Fiegenbaum, sang "The Lost Chord."  Miss Jessie McCorkell presided at the piano.  C. Wyllys Terry rendered a vocal solo which was warmly received.  A chorus of about sixty voices, under the direction of Dr. Fiegenbaum, gave "Pilgrims' Chorus" and "Soldiers' Chorus."  The affair netted about $30.  The church was comfortably filled.

Edward William Fiegenbaum, M. D., has practiced medicine in Edwardsville since 1876 and has been a resident of the city for over forty years.  Successful in his profession, a public-spirited citizen and an energetic business man, he has a well-merited place among the men of influence and ability at the present period of Madison county's history.

Born at Boonville, Missouri, December 4, 1854, he became a resident of this county when his parents located at Highland in 1865, and since 1870 his home has been in Edwardsville.  From the public schools he entered, in 1868, McKendree College at Lebanon, was a student there until 1870, and in 1874, he entered the St. Louis Medical College.  In 1876 he was graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, and in the same year began practice at Edwardsville.  In a few years he attained a front rank in his profession.  Though in every way one of the modern representatives of medicine and surgery, he followed the custom of older physicians in compounding his prescriptions in his own pharmacy.  His office and handsome residence on Main street has been a welcome landmark to an entire generation.

For several years Dr. Fiegenbaum was county physician and at various times he has been local representative of the state board of health and the state board of charities.  He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society,¹ the St. Louis Medical Society, and is president of the Southern Illinois Medical Society and secretary of the Madison County Medical Society.  His medical library is one of the best in Edwardsville and his interest in knowledge extends to many fields.  He has served on the board of education and without participation in practical politics has been identified with all measures for the advancement of the welfare of his city and county.  He has been a member of the Methodist church since he was twelve years old and represented the Southern Illinois Conference as lay delegate to the General Conference at Los Angeles in 1904.  In politics he is a Republican.  Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.  He is a member of the board of directors of the Madison County Centennial Association and is enthusiastic and active in society work.

Dr. Fiegenbaum represents the third generation of a German-American family.  His grandfather, Adolph Fiegenbaum, immigrated to this country and settled in Missouri.  William Fiegenbaum, the father, was ten years old when the family came to this country and for sixty-one years of his life he was a prominent minister of the German Methodist church, his field of service including stations in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  His death occurred in 1906.  He married, at St. Louis, Sophia Gusewelle, who was also a native of Germany.  Their children were: Adolph F., Dr. Edward W., Dr. Julius H., Bertha A., Martha and Lydia Mary.²  Dr. Julius H. is a resident of Alton.

Dr. Fiegenbaum married May 15, 1881, Miss Julia Gillespie, who died in 1886.  On June 11, 1890, he married Miss Mary E. Springer.³