Fall 2001 Granite City Oral History Interviews (43 total)

These oral histories were conducted for the History 447: Approaches to Oral History course taught by Anne Valk in the fall 2001 semester at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The majority of the interviews are with residents of Granite City, many of them residents of the Lincoln Place immigrant community.

Thumbnail	Title	Description	Date	Date Added
	Edward Fetzer Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Edward Fetzer was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Edward J.F. Fetzer, Jr. was born on April 21, 1921. This interview focuses on his experience as a B-26 “Marauder” in World War II. The interview also includes other phases of his life, such as growing up on a farm in Illinois, moving to California to work in commercial aviation and then joining the air service in September of 1941, completing military training, and flying 75 bombing missions in occupied western Europe. He mentions his insurance career in the Midwest until his retirement in 1985 followed by retirement living in northern Wisconsin.	October 6, 2001	March 4, 2018
	John Percy Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with John Percy was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. In this interview, John Percy describes his experience as a P-47 Fighter-Bomber Pilot in the European theater of World War II, his childhood in rural Illinois, learning to fly, his career after the military as a corporate pilot for State Farm Insurance, and his involvement on the board of the Prairie Aviation Museum.	October 6, 2001	March 17, 2018
	Isabella Vartan and Helen Abbott Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Isabella Vartan and Helen Abbott was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Isabella Vartan and Helen Abbott are the daughters of Armenian immigrants who have been lifelong residents of the Lincoln Place neighborhood. In this interview, they talk about their parent's experience in Armenia during World War I and immigration to the United States, their participation in the Armenian Orthodox Church, growing up as the children of immigrants, involvement in the local community center, and the diversity of the Lincoln Place neighborhood.	October 10, 2001	March 18, 2018
	Andreas Matoesian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Andreas Matoesian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mr. Matoesian is a first-generation American. His father emigrated from Armenia in 1920 and settled in Lincoln Place Granite city. He related a story about his father’s experience coming through Ellis Island. His mother emigrated a little earlier and first lived in Davenport Iowa and then Lincoln Place after they were married. Mr. Matoesian was born in Lincoln Place in 1937 and lived there for 21 years. Mr. Matoesian is a Judge in Madison County Illinois. He worked his way through school as a barber in his father’s barbershop in Lincoln Place. Mr. Matoesian voiced memories about going to the community center in somewhat of a pre-school or day school setting during his pre-school years. He further related, during his grade school years that all of the teachers were very nice. He states that as an adult he found that they, the teachers, had been handpicked due to their sensitivity to the diverse ethnic group. Mr. Matoesian states that he feels that sports is the great levelizer. Being active in sports allowed people to break through other barriers. Mr. Matoesian states that he feels the exposure to multiple ethnic groups made him a more tolerant person, a person more accepting and appreciative of differences. Mr. Matoesian and I spoke briefly about the Armenian Genocide and his thoughts on the lack of publicity and acknowledgement of this horrific event.	October 11, 2001	March 15, 2018
	Betty Siemer Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Betty Siemer was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Born in the 1940s, Betty Siemer talks about growing up in Alton, IL and witnessing the transformation of a small rural town to a budding suburban environment. She describes not only her life but also the changes to the downtown business district, movie theatres, and her experience working in funeral homes throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.	October 16, 2001	March 17, 2018
	Robert Burress Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Robert Burress was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. In this oral history, Alton resident Robert Burress discusses former businesses and buildings in the Alton area and changes in the community from the mid-20th century to 2001. This interview had no transcript in the original archive. It was transcribed by Madison Historical staff.	October 18, 2001	September 2, 2018
	Theresa and Ronald Petras Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Theresa and Ronald Petras was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. She recalled several childhood memories of life in Lincoln Place (e.g., taking a bath in a barrel, changing the way she wore her long underwear on the way to school), as well as some of the business people who traveled around the community (e.g., the rag man, the vegetable and fruit vendor, and the Iceman) and regular visits to her cousins' house. She also described several holiday traditions, particularly Easter.	October 25, 2001	March 17, 2018
	Mary Asadorian Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Mary Kambarian Asadorian was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Mary Asadorian was born and raised in Lincoln Place, where she spent her life. In this interview, she talks about her childhood, the role of the Armenian Orthodox Church, the diversity of Lincoln Place, the community center, and her family heritage.	October 27, 2001	February 18, 2018
	Sandor Toth Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Sandor Toth was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Sandor (Alexander) Toth is the son of Hungarian immigrants and has been a lifelong resident of the Lincoln Place neighborhood. In this interview, he talks about his childhood at Lincoln Place, the diversity of the community, and his career at the Commonwealth Steel Mill.	October 27, 2001	March 18, 2018
	Leland Ambuehl Oral History Interview	This oral history interview with Leland Ambuehl was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History. Leland Ambuehl came to Lincoln Place as an adopted child from Eastern Europe. In this interview, he talks about his adoption, his experiences in World War II, the diversity of Lincoln Place, and the Lincoln Place Athletic Club.	October 28, 2001	February 16, 2018