Published March 29, 2025
By Nancy Benz
The 1880s ushered in a transformative period for funeral practices in America, particularly in the Midwest. As cities expanded and cultural attitudes toward death evolved, the role of the undertaker emerged as a specialized and respected profession. Advancements in embalming technology, improvements in transportation, and the increasing demand for formalized funeral services all contributed to this shift. Among those who shaped this profession in Quincy, Illinois, was Charles (Carl) Frederick Lepper.
Born on January 7, 1826, in Westphalia, Germany (then Prussia), Lepper was the son of Colon Töns Heinrick Lepper and Hanna Christina Friederike Ruwe. Tragedy struck early in his life—his mother passed away when he was a child, and by age 15, he had also lost his father. Left in the care of a young stepmother, Lepper sought new opportunities in America. Arriving around 1852 at the age of 26, he was likely the first of his three brothers to immigrate. He later married twice—first to Hanna Henrietta Amalia Kampt and then to Anna Margaretta Bergmann, both of Quincy.
Lepper initially settled in Hancock County, Illinois, where he purchased 80 acres of land for $100. He worked as a cooper, a skilled craftsman specializing in barrel-making, a trade that would later serve him well in his funeral business. He also acquired a small tract of land in Tioga, Illinois, perhaps intending to establish a woodworking enterprise. By 1859, he had sold the land to Maria Friedricke Blesene, and shortly thereafter, he moved to Quincy, where he was listed as a barrel maker in city records. It was not until the 1880 census—when he was 54 years old—that Lepper was first documented as an undertaker.
Lepper either established or assumed the proprietorship of an undertaking business in Quincy. In the early years of funeral services, undertakers commonly crafted their caskets, and Lepper’s background as a cooper would have given him a significant advantage. His residence and funeral establishment were located at 833 S. 8th St. Undertakers also frequently assisted county and city coroners with post-mortem examinations. In 1899, Lepper was called upon to aid County Coroner Haselwood in investigating the tragic death of Fred Holtman, an employee at the Blomer & Michael Packing House. Holtman sustained fatal injuries in a sausage-packing accident, prompting an inquiry. Lepper was part of the committee that ultimately ruled the death accidental before preparing the body for burial.
Lepper also handled the remains of Henry Boehernmeyer, commonly known as “Shorty,” a 32-year-old cigar maker who died by suicide at Woodland Cemetery. Struggling with financial difficulties and heavy drinking, Boehernmeyer shot himself in the heart with a .32 caliber revolver. Witnesses discovered his body near the cemetery, and an inquest confirmed the cause of death. Once the investigation concluded, Lepper took charge of the remains, ensuring the necessary arrangements were made for burial. Cases like these underscored an undertaker’s vital role in not only funeral logistics but also in providing dignified care during times of tragedy.
An 1891 newspaper article reports the Board of Supervisors discussing financial matters and arrangements for pauper burials. Undertaker Lepper offered coffins at $6 and $10 with a 10% discount. City and county governments contracted undertakers for affordable, standardized caskets. The article also mentions a poor farm physician vacancy, emphasizing the institutional care provided for the destitute, which often included burial arrangements for those without family support.
Life as an early undertaker was not without its challenges. In September 1898, a runaway horse incident involving Lepper’s funeral business made headlines. Otto Lepper, Carl’s son, was driving a buggy when the team of horses became startled near Eighth and Washington streets. They bolted northward, barely avoiding a collision with another buggy before ultimately crashing into a Confectioner Meyer’s wagon. The damage, $20 to the wagon and $10 to the buggy, was costly, though fortunately, no one was injured. A few months later, another accident with their horse team caused over $300 in damages and severely injured one of the horses, the equivalent of over $11,000 today. In an era before motorized hearses, the unpredictability of funeral transportation was ever-present.
Lepper’s commitment to his profession was evident in his investments. In the winter of 1898, he acquired a cutting-edge funeral carriage from the Quincy Casket Company for $1,800, equivalent to more than $70,000 today. This state-of-the-art hearse featured hand-carved square pillars, hammer cloth-covered seating, and an advanced suspension system to ensure a smooth ride. The purchase was significant enough to be featured on the front page of the Quincy Daily Herald, further cementing Lepper’s status as Quincy’s premier Southside undertaker.
Faith played a central role in Lepper’s life and work. A devout member of St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church, he served as a trustee for 14 years. His spiritual convictions likely influenced his approach to undertaking, a profession that is deeply intertwined with religious customs. Funerals were not merely logistical affairs but sacred rites, and undertakers often collaborated with clergy to ensure that the deceased were honored following their faith. Lepper’s reputation for integrity and compassion likely made him a trusted figure in the community and linked his trade with his spirituality.
Charles (Carl) Lepper passed away on October 3, 1905, in his home. His final moments were described in the October 9, 1905 Quincy Daily Journal: “Stricken with paralysis at noon Sunday, while at the dinner table… never having regained consciousness.” Having worked as an undertaker for 25 years, he retired around 1900, passing the business to his son Otto. He left behind a large family, five sons, five daughters (including an adopted daughter, Helen Scholtz), and twenty-eight grandchildren. His legacy endured not only in the lives of his descendants but also in the evolving funeral industry of Quincy.
Nancy Benz is the Museum and Collections Manager at the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County. She obtained a master’s degree in American history from Western Illinois University in 2018 and has amassed over 10 years of experience in public history and museum work.
Sources:
“Board of Supervisors.” Quincy Weekly Whig, May 14, 1891, 6.
“Horrible Accident, Fred Holtman Caught in the Shafting of Blomer & Michaels Packing House.” Quincy Daily Herald, May 6, 1899, 1.
Lepper, Ruth. 1987. The History and Genealogy of the Leppers of Adams County, Illinois 1852-1987 and Heepen, Westphalia in the 1700’S. Printed by author.
“Old Citizen Laid to Rest.” Quincy Daily Journal, October 9, 1905, 5.
“Relieved by Death.” Quincy Morning Whig, May 9, 1899, 1.
‘“Shorty’s” Way Out, A Suicide at Woodland Cemetery.” Quincy Daily Herald, April 1, 1893, 2.
“Southside Runaway.” Quincy Morning Whig, September 15, 1898, 8.
“The Lines Broke and Charles Lepper Jr. Drove his Team of Horses into a Hitching Post.” Quincy Daily Journal, December 19, 1898, 7.
