The following was extracted from the History of Chicago, Volume 3, By Alfred Theodore Andreas
Top hat inner label
“Kastler Brothers, hatters and men’s furnishers, have their stores situated at No. 237 Blue Island Avenue, No. 330 Division and No. 1001 West Madison streets. This firm is composed of Philip and Adam Paul Kastler. They established their business in the spring of 1871, at No. 62 1/2 North Clark Street, which the fire of that fall swept away, involving a loss of $8,000. The business was resumed at No. 258 South Halsted Street, under the style of Kastler & Jones, Adam P. Kastler being unable to engage in
The Boss Hatter
active business at the time on account of poor health. The Halsted-street house continued business under the above name until 1874, when Philip Kastler withdrew, and formed a co-partnership with John Liginger, under the firm name of Kastler & Liginger, and engaged in the manufacture of caps, their business house being located on Fifth Avenue. After a successful business of about one year the firm was dissolved. In August, 1875, the brothers again formed a co-partnership, and resumed their former business at the corner of Blue Island Avenue and Twelfth Street. By honorable business methods and commendable enterprise their business since that time has steadily increased, until they are considered one of the prominent firms of the city engaged in this particular branch of trade. In the three stores which they now operate, they carry a stock of goods valued at $30,000, and their annual business is over $65,000. Philip and Adam Paul Kastler are natives of this city, sons of Nicholas and Helen (Kinzer) Kastler. Their parents are among the pioneer residents of the city, having settled here early in 1840.”
Kastler Bros. Top Hat
Phillip Kastler – circa 1893
“Philip Kastler was born on 5 October 1847. His education was received at the public schools prior to his thirteenth year. At that age he entered Potter Palmer’s retail dry goods establishment as cash boy, and there continued nine years, gradually working himself up to positions of confidence and trust. In 1869, he identified himself with the hat, cap and furnishing goods trade as a salesman, and in 1871, in partnership with his brother, embarked in the same business. He is a member of Herder Lodge, No. 669, A.F. & A.M.; Wiley M. Egan Chapter, No. 126, R.A.M.; and Chicago Commandery, No. 19, K.T. He was married to Miss Catharine Pfeifer in 1870. They have had five children, three of whom are living.”
“Adam P Kastler was born on May 5 1849 and in most followed in the footsteps of his brother Philip At the of thirteen he entered Potter Palmer’s dry goods establishment cash boy and after having become conversant with the and reached a more mature age he was engaged by different in the same line as a salesman In 1867 he entered present line of trade and in 1871 engaged in business with brother In 1873 he had for the most part regained his and in connection with Mr Kline went into the grocery under the style of Kline & Co This partnership lasted about year when it was dissolved and Mr Kastler went to Sycamore, Ill. where he opened a hat cap and furnishing goods house. There he remained until the summer of 1875 when he closed his business returned to Chicago and the firm of Kastler was re established He was married in this city in March 1880 Miss Johanna Randolph They have two children. Adam Died on 29 December 1923 in Chicago. Philip died on 25 Sep. 1896.”
