Our History

Liese Lumber's History

Serving the St. Louis, MO Metro East Area since 1872

The History Of Liese Lumber

A.F. Klotzbach was born in Rotenburg Germany in 1821. In 1846 Mr. Klotzbach immigrated to the united states, first settling in New Orleans, and eventually moved to North St. Louis, Missouri, then to small town Belleville Illinois. He was an active carpenter for 10 years before establishing a lumberyard in September 1865 at the corner of Charles & First North, one block off East Main Street, Belleville Illinois. After running the Lumberyard for years, Mr. Klotzbach hired his nephew Julius Liese.

Julius founded Liese Lumber Co. in 1872 at its present location 319 East Main Belleville Illinois. The Lumberyard was run by the Liese family till the early 1920s at which time a younger man, Oscar Lippert was hired from J.B. Reis. In 1923 my Great Grandfather Oscar Lippert was put in charge of the Belleville Lumberyard and from that time on the Lippert Family has operated the business. In the early 1930s a defunct foundry property was acquired, and it is our present lumberyard #2 location at 2215 South Belt West, Belleville Illinois. Both locations have mills that operate to this day.

Family Traditions Since 1872

My Great Grandfather had two sons Howard and Floyd Lippert. My Grandfather, Howard Lippert was born in 1918, was a World War 2 veteran who served with the 5th Special Brigade during the D-Day assault on Omaha Beach, Normandy France along with other citations he was awarded the Bronze Star Metal.

Howard Lippert started working at the lumberyard in 1936 where he continued to work for 80+ years. I worked with my grandfather for 33 yrs. Floyd Lippert was born in 1922, Floyd was also a World War 2 veteran serving in the Navy. Floyd started working at the Lumberyard at 16, he also continued working for the Lumberyard almost 80 years.

Howard Lippert had one son, Tom Lippert, born 2 days before D-day 1944. Tom Lippert works at the East Main Street lumberyard- keeping up the Family Tradition of many long years of service. Floyd Lippert had three children- Roger Lippert, Carol Lippert Keim and Sue Lippert Hauck. all three work at Liese Lumber. Tom Lippert has 2 sons Michael and Greg Lippert.

I started in 1983, and my brother Greg started in the early 90s. Liese Lumber is 100% family owned; the owners are Tom Lippert, Roger Lippert, Carol Keim, Sue Hauck, Michael Lippert, and Greg Lippert.

Union Lumberyard

Liese Lumber is a union lumberyard, employing union workers and union carpenters. We employ around 50 employees. we operate 2 mills, one at each location. We are a specialty lumberyard, priding ourselves on great quality. My staff is very knowledgeable; many have been there for 3–4 decades. thanks for the interest.