Edward Schettler (1892-1975) owned a metalworking business with his brother William. The brothers initially walked or took a streetcar to job sites, transporting their toolboxes and other equipment and materials, often making multiple trips. Most of their work was in the North St. Louis area, especially around Hyde Park. They acquired neighborhood customers by word of mouth and networking out of the local taverns. After a few years, they acquired a truck and were able to branch out into different neighborhoods. Their business performed work in Northwoods and Pasadena Hills; Clayton; University City; Central West End; and Downtown St. Louis commercial properties. They sub-contracted with the Sidney Brilliant Company and made lanterns for the interior and outside décor for Schneithorst’s Resturant at Clayton Ave. and Lindbergh Blvd. The Schettlers also made gutters and other tinwork for Marx Hardware on 14th Street; formed sheet metal sinks and worked on the building exterior of Garza Tavern on Salisbury Street; made sheet metal liners for coolers and drains at Krey Packing Company on North Florrisant Avenue; and bought material for their business from Hammond Sheet Metal and Stamping Company at 101 Cass Avenue.

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the brothers lost their business as banks closed and they could not access their money to pay their approximately 30 workers. They lost over $300,000 during this period and sold all assets to pay labor costs.

Edward served in World War I and returned to the family business after being honorably discharged from the military in March 1919. He married Adeline Harris and had a son named William Rudolph Schettler.

William Rudolph Schettler (1927-2017) served in the military from March 11, 1946 to April 28, 1947. He was stationed as an armorer in the Pacific Theater, including Japan. There, his metalworking skills helped satisfy his unit’s needs that could not be met through normal supply procurement. Honorably discharged as a company clerk, he returned to the family business. He operated the business from his apartment at 3904 25th Street and Bremen in North St. Louis and from a rental garage on North Florissant and Salisbury. In the 1960s, he purchased property at 1500 Mallinckrodt which he rehabbed into a sheet metal shop. He also purchased a home for his parents next door. William sold the sheet metal shop on Mallinckrodt in 1978, moving the business to his home garage at 7907 Fleta Avenue in Affton.

William and his wife Agnes had two children, Edward and Patricia.