Title
Frederick William Monnish, 1859-1920
Subject
Tuscaloosa Belt Railway
Businessmen
Description
Frederick William (F. W.) Monnish was born in Frankfurt Germany on September 18, 1859. At the age of 17, he emigrated to America landing at New Orleans. He then traveled to his uncle's home near Coaling, Alabama where he was employed doing odd jobs for his uncle making $8 per month plus room and board. He organized a lumber company and married Lillian Olmstead. After saving $1,000 the Monnishes moved to Tuscaloosa. In 1904 he built a home on Queen City Avenue now called the Monnish-Nicol house.
Between 1900 and 1910, F. W. was the superintendent of the Tuscaloosa Belt Railway. His greatest success and his most important contribution to the growth of Tuscaloosa was made in the real estate business. He gained control of the Tuscaloosa Coal, Iron and Land Company making possible the development of lands east and south of Tuscaloosa.
Monnish's only son, Sage Alexander Monnish, a young student at the University of Alabama and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, died of typhoid fever at the age of 21. He built a religious chapel as a memorial for his son. This chapel was used to begin what is now known as Calvary Baptist Church.
Monnish served as an alderman of the City of Tuscaloosa for several terms. He also served as a director of Merchant's Bank and Trust Company and the Tuscaloosa Board of Trade, and as a trustee of the Alabama Central Female College.
Monnish was fatally wounded by a shopkeeper, J. Thomas Harris, and died at his summer home in Ridge Crest, NC. Additional information can be found in the Tuscaloosa Scrapbook by Matthew W. Clinton.
Between 1900 and 1910, F. W. was the superintendent of the Tuscaloosa Belt Railway. His greatest success and his most important contribution to the growth of Tuscaloosa was made in the real estate business. He gained control of the Tuscaloosa Coal, Iron and Land Company making possible the development of lands east and south of Tuscaloosa.
Monnish's only son, Sage Alexander Monnish, a young student at the University of Alabama and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, died of typhoid fever at the age of 21. He built a religious chapel as a memorial for his son. This chapel was used to begin what is now known as Calvary Baptist Church.
Monnish served as an alderman of the City of Tuscaloosa for several terms. He also served as a director of Merchant's Bank and Trust Company and the Tuscaloosa Board of Trade, and as a trustee of the Alabama Central Female College.
Monnish was fatally wounded by a shopkeeper, J. Thomas Harris, and died at his summer home in Ridge Crest, NC. Additional information can be found in the Tuscaloosa Scrapbook by Matthew W. Clinton.
Source
Robert and Barbara Nicol
Chris McIlwain
Date
Circa 1920
Contributor
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Type
Painting
Identifier
563
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Painting
Physical Dimensions
22 inches x 28 inches