Highland in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Louis Latzer Monument

Cemetery Highlights

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 24, 2020

1. Louis Latzer Monument

Inscription. Louis Latzer was born in 1848 on a farm just south of Highland. He was educated in the Highland public schools and attended Illinois Industrial School (now University of Illinois) for a time before he returned to Highland in 1869 to run the family's farm.

In 1887, Latzer was elected the third president of Highland's Helvetia Milk Condensing Company.

Latzer delved into chemistry and bacteriology and, after a time, succeeded in perfecting a process of condensation that improved the shelf life of canned milk. As a result of this discovery, Latzer became the originator of unsweetened, evaporated, sterilized milk.

In 1923, the Helvetia Milk Condensing Company became the Pet Milk Company. Latzer remained president of the company for 36 years, until his death in 1924.

Latzer's widow and six children erected the Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library as a monument to his memory.

Two of Latzer's daughters, Jennie Kaeser and Irma Gamble, rest next to him.

You can visit the 1901 homestead Louis built. It is located at 1464 Old Trenton Road, just outside Highland. The homestead was deeded to the Highland Historical Society. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites

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• Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 38° 45.506′ N, 89° 41.625′ W. Marker is in Highland, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from Cemetary north of Koepfli Lane. Marker is located in Highland City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12344 Cemetary, Highland IL 62249, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Spindler Monuments (within shouting distance of this marker); Schiller Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Schiller Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders' Monuments (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (approx. 1.9 miles away); Illinois Remembers (approx. 1.9 miles away); Highland (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highland.

Also see . . .
1. Pet Milk Company on Wikipedia. Pet Milk was once a very successful company, with quite a long history, first being based in Highland. As the marker stated, it was once known as Helvetia. (The city of Highland was also once known as Helvetia; Highland is now part of Helvetia Township)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 24, 2020

2. Louis Latzer Monument

Marker is next to the monument

At one time, it was a multi-brands food conglomerate. It is now a product of the J.M. Smucker Company. (Submitted on September 26, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Louis Latzer Homestead. From the Highland Historical Society's website, this is how to book tours to his homestead (mentioned on the marker). There is a diorama focused on what Pet Milk Company looked like at the time in Highland. (Submitted on September 26, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.