W. F. Fidlar Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Fidlar, Luse, Lane, Griggs, Watson, Egbert, Chambers. That W. F. Fidlar occupies a conspicuous and honorable position in commercial circles in Davenport is due entirely to his own efforts. At the outset of his career he realized that energy and determination constitute indispensable factors in success and therefore putting forth strenuous and intelligently directed factors in success and therefore putting forth strenuous and intelligently directed effort he ha reached the prominent place which he now occupies in business circles as senior partner of the firm of Fidlar & Chambers. A native of Ohio, Mr. Fidlar was born in Hebron, Licking county, on the 30th of August, 1841. His father, Samuel P. Fidlar, was a native of Pennsylvania and at an early day removed to Ohio. In 1859 he came to Davenport and was United States mail agent on the Mississippi in the early '60s, his time being thus occupied until his life's labors were ended in death in 1864. He had married Maria M. Moore, who survived him until 1891. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof in Ohio, W. F. Fidlar there acquired his education and on coming to Davenport, when in his eighteenth year, he entered the employ of Luse, Lane & Company, bookbinders and printers, under whose direction he learned the trade. He remained with the house when the business was taken over by the firm of Griggs, Watson & Day, remaining with the latter firm as an employ until 1868, when the business was reorganized and he entered into partnership relations as a member of the firm of Day, Egbert & Fidlar. In 1880 a change in partnership led to the adoption of the name of Egbert, Fidlar & Chambers and on the death of Mr. Egbert the firm became Fidlar & Chambers. The success of Mr. Fidlar is due undoubtedly in part to the fact that he has always continued in the same line in which he embarked as a young tradesman, concentrating his energies upon this particular field, so that he soon gained intimate and comprehensive knowledge ! of the business in every department and was therefore able to intelligently direct any phase of the enterprise. Under his capable management the business has become one of Davenport's most successful industrial enterprises, with a patronage of large and profitable proportions. Mr. Fidlar is not a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term but at all times manifests that deep interest in public questions which every American citizen should display, and has served as alderman of his ward. He is a very prominent mason and much respected in the fraternity. He became a member of Davenport Lodge in 1864, has always been most loyal to the teachings of the order and when the Masonic Temple was erected he was made one of its first directors. He has taken all the degrees up to the thirty-third and has filled the various chairs in the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He is a man of high character, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft and is held in highest respect socially and in a business way, for the policy which he pursues has always been in harmony with high commercial ideals. In the conduct of his business he has ever felt that the output of the house should be its best advertisement and therefore has maintained th! e highest standard of excellence in product. Close application and energy have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and his capable utilization of opportunity and coordination of forces have brought him into important relations with the business interests of his adopted city. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES