Cigar manufacturing: Hannibal way of life

Linda Ham Thompson shared this 1912 photo of Dreyers Cigar Company. On the left side of the picture is John Dreyer, in the forefront, smoking a cigar, and F. Dreyer, behind him. Around the table are, front to back, left side of the table, R. Rockenbach and Harry Ham. On the right side of the table are Frank McMurphy and George Beuttler.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

The Dreyer Brothers, consisting of Charles, Frederick and John, operated cigar factories in Hannibal for many years, making, among others, the “Magnolia” and “Little Pat” cigars. Charles Dreyer, originally a partner, later left the firm.

John Dreyer, a widow by 1881, went to work in the cigar industry that same decade, initially in partnership with his brother, Charles, who ultimately left the business. Another brother, Frederick, who had previous experience operating a cigar manufacturing  business, came to work in the factory.

Located for more than two decades at 320 Broadway, the firm was forced to move in 1909. The Broadway building, with four store fronts, was torn down to make way for today’s City Hall.

John Dreyer, in turn, negotiated for first-floor rooms at the rear of the old Methodist Church building at Sixth and Broadway, newly acquired by the Odd Fellows. At the time of the move, Dreyer announced that he would drop the retail portion of the business, focusing instead on manufacture.

He continued to rent space in this building until the owners decided to tear down the old structure and build anew. At that time he moved his business to the Labinnah Club building, 517 Broadway.

Employees

In 1912, when a photo that accompanies this story was taken, those working for Mr. Dreyer included:

Harry Ham 1884-1970, who, during his career, worked for both the Dreyers, and the Eichenbergers, Rudolph and Albert.

Rudolph Rockenbach, 1887-1917, son of Charles Rockenbach, (1856-1924) who was also a cigar maker, at times working for John Dreyer. Rudolph Rockenbach died of a gunshot wound to his side, the incident taking place in his bedroom located in his parent’s house at 1301 Lally.

George Beuttler 1887-1931;

Frank McMurphy, born 1871-1958, who died in Coos County, Oregon;

Frederick Dreyer, (1856-1914); and

John Dreyer (1854-1919)

(George Beuttler and Rudolph Rockenbach played for the Cigarmakers baseball team in 1905. Rockenbach was the pitcher, and Beuttler was second baseman.)

A couple of others who worked for John Dreyer during the firm’s existence:

Mack Scott, tobacco stripper, worked for the firm in 1895.

Johnny Wren, of Hannibal, who had previously been an employee of the Dreyer cigar manfacturer, was was run over and killed by an Hannibal & St. Joseph freight train in 1895. A Hannibal newspaper reported: “He was an unusually quiet inoffensive boy and was a universal favorite. Deceased’s parents Mr. and Mrs. John Wren, on Palmyra Avenue.”

In August 1903, John Dreyer introduced “Havalaf” which was a new brand of five-cent cigar, “and it will be the best five-cent cigar ever put on the Hannibal market,” a Hannibal newspaper announced in its Aug. 19, 1903 edition. “It is made of 1899 stock and will contain nothing but what is strictly pure and free from all poisonous ingredients, even the flavoring.”

In October 1905, John Dreyer purchased lots 2, 4, 6 and 8 in Fairview addition, for $1,075. The property, located on South Seventh Street, was located near the corner of Lyon Street, and had been occupied as a residence for a number of years by heirs of Mr. Godfrey Schmahle.

John Dreyer made his home at 303/304 S. Seventh for the remainder of his life. He served two terms as Hannibal’s mayor, from 1905-1907, and from 1909-1911, and two terms as alderman for the Third Ward.

After John Dreyer’s death, his son-in-law, J.L. Willett, took over operation of the cigar factory, operating it for a few years until L.M. Byrum purchased what was then known as the Willett Cigar Factory, in 1921. Mr. Byrum, who had been in the cigar manufacturing business for 38 years, removed the stock to North Main Street.

Robert Spaun shared this exterior photo of Dreyers Cigar Company, located on South Sixth street.

Mary Lou Montgomery, Suburban Newspapers of America Editor of the Year, Dailies, 2010, retired as editor of the Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post in 2014. She researches and writes narrative-style stories about the people who served as building blocks for this region’s foundation. Books available on Amazon.com by this author include but are not limited to: "The Notorious Madam Shaw," "Pioneers in Medicine from Northeast Missouri,” “Hannibal’s ‘West End,’” “Oakwood: West of Hannibal,”  and “St. Mary’s Avenue District.” Montgomery can be reached at Montgomery.editor@yahoo.com Her collective works can be found at www.maryloumontgomery.com