Album of Genealogy
And
Biography
Cook Co., Illinois
With Portraits

Eighth Edition, Revised and Extended

Chicago
Calumet Book & Engraving Co.
1897

page 239

AUGUST BECK, for nearly forty years an active business man of Chicago, and one of the city's most popular German-American residents, passed away at his home in that city, on the morning of March 5, 1897; Mr. Beck had not only a distinct and pleasing personality, but he had as well, in happily blended combination, a nicety and precision of mental adjustment that made him at all times, and under all circumstances, the master of every business complication.

He was born August 8, 1830, at Steinbach, in the Grand Duchy of Hessen, and was descended from a family which has included among its members, in the last century, a number of men high in the political and official circles of Germany.  His father, Frederick Wilhelm Beck, was born July 29, 1800, in Bersraq, Grand Duchy of Hessen, and was a school teacher, being employed previous to 1840 in Grosskarben, and thereafter, until 1870, at Giessen, where he died in 1883. Here was celebrated in 187_ the golden wedding anniversary of himself and, his estimable wife, in the presence of all their children. February 13, 1825, Mr. Beck was married to Miss Elizabeth Sang, who was born November 17, 1807, in Sauerbach, Hessen. She died in 1877, in her seventieth year.

August Beck was educated at the gymnasium of Giessen,. and when eighteen years old entered the employ of a leaf tobacco house at Mannheim. Later he was with G. W.Gail & Company. of Giessen, manufacturers of tobacco, with whom he continued several years. In 1854 he came to the United States and entered the branch house of the same company at Baltimore. He came to Chicago in 1855, and July 17 of that year he began business under the firm name of August Beck & Company, handling tobacco at wholesale and manufacturing; cigars. The latter part of the business, however, he soon abandoned. In 1857 he entered into a partnership with Mr. Carl Wirth, under the style of Beck & Wirth. After the death of Mr. Wirth the concern was incorporated in 1881, Mr. Beck becoming president. In this capacity he labored with untiring zeal to promote his business interests, in which he was eminently successful.

The disastrous conflagration of 1887 I swept away almost his entire fortune of about one hundred thousand dollars. But he was not disheartened by this catastrophe. To him this was but an incident in his career, and the iron-like quality of the man asserted itself. On the ashes of his fortune, he resolutely set about re-organizing his affairs. His integrity and probity of character had been thoroughly established in his fourteirt years of ceaseless business activity, and the great confidence which he enjoyed in commercial circles is attested by the fact that on the day after the Great Fire he received from the well-known firm of C. F. Tag & Son, of New York, a telegram authorizing him to draw upon them for seventy-five thousand dollars.

With everything gone but his good name, he established himself squarely on the principles of his high code of honor, scorning to take advantage of his creditors by forcing a liquidation of his indebtedness at a discount, as many did. He steadfastly. refused to make any proposition of settlement on a compromise basis. For years he toiled early and late, with an eye single to one purpose-that of recovering from his losses; and in time he paid every creditor in full, with interest; declining every other settlement, He traveled 'extensively throughout the territory in which he sold goods, and thereby laid the solid foundation of the success of the present firm, largely upon personal acquaintance with jobbersand merchants of the retail trade. In 1892 he laid aside the active cares of his large business his son-in-law, Otto C. Schneider, purchasing his interest. The latter insisted, however, upon Mr. Beck retaining the title of president in the corporation, which he did.

Mr. Beck traveled extensively abroad, and crossed the ocean ten times, to visit his beloved Fatherland. His love for the country of his nativity in no sense detracted from his loyalty to the land of his adoption. He was thoroughly American in his views, and loved the institutions of this country, and he enjoyed thoroughly and to the fullest extent the liberties and advantages all enjoy in common in this favored land. His family connections in Germany are or the highest order. His eldest brother, William Beck, in Darmstadt, enjoys the distinction of being a Privy Councillor to the Grand Duke of Hessen. His brother-in- law, at Mayence, has been a member of the German Reichstag, and his youngest brother, Charles Beck, whose place of residence is in Havana, Cuba, has the honor of representing different countries as Consul to' 'The Pearl of the Antilles."

Mr. Beck was Consul of the Grand Duchy of Hessen at Chicago, from 1866 to 1871, and when he retired from that service was decorated by the Grand Duke with the "Ritterkreuz of the Order of Philip the Magnanimous." He was an honored member of the Germania Club of Chicago, and was a supporter of the Republican party in American politics, but was not a politician, always declining to become a candidate for political preferment.

In 1857 he was married to Miss Louise Gerlach, of Frankfort-on-the-Main. She died in 1893, leaving three children, namely: William . C. , Charles F. , and Emily, the wife of Otto C. Schneider.

Mr. Beck's last continental trip was made in 1894, upon which occasion he visited Egypt and other remote lands. While on the African continent his health became impaired, but he was greatly benefited by a sojourn of several weeks in the pure air of the mountains of Switzerland. Upon his return from this trip he lived a quiet life, at his comfortable home on La Salle Avenue, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, to whom he was devotedly attached. He was one of the most companionable of men, and his congenial, sunny nature always made all who came into his presence feel at ease. He was well informed and a pleasing conversationalist. His leisure hours were whiled away at his favorite pastime, the intricate game of skat, at which he was considered an expert player. Said one who knew him well. His loyalty to friends, the perfect simplicity and frankness of his character, and the total absence of affectation and outward display made him an exceptionally good friend to all who enjoyed his confidence."

May 9, 1885, Mr. Busse entered the service of the City Fire Department, as a driver at first, and truckman afterwards.  In a fire which occurred in December, 1888, his left hand was injured, the small bones in his left knee were broken, and he received an injury in his side, so that he was compelled to remain at home six months.  The fire which caused him so much suffering was on Mackinaw Avenue, between Eight-fifth and Eighty-sixth Streets.

Upon his recovery from injuries received while in the fire department, Mr. Busse resolved to find other employment, and accordingly, on May 23, 1889, he joined the police force as patrolman, and for the past two years has been employed as messenger in the South Chicago Station.  In his business life he has attended strictly to the duties of his position, and has always shown a disposition to rise in station.  While serving at a large fire May 8, 1897, Mr. Busse took a severe cold, which brought on hemorrhage of the left lung, and incapacitated him from active duty for many months.

Mr. Busse was married April 2, 1890, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Catherine Leiendecker.  They are the parents of the following children:  Joseph, Frederick William and George Augustus.  Mr. Busse and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, and he is connected with the Policemen's Benevolent Association.  He is a man of genial and pleasant manner, and has many firm friends, by whom his merits and character are appreciated.
^{Album of Genealogy and Biography   Cook County, Illinois  Eighth Edition, Revised and Extended
Chicago   Calumet Book & Engraving Co.   1897      Transcribed by Dori Leekley}

ULRICK LOUIS DURAND, of Tavenner & Durand, boarding, feed and sale stables, was born at Lyons, France, in 1854, and when young immigrated with his parents to Montreal, Canada, where he learned the trade of painter. In 1871 he moved to Springfield, Mass., and there worked at his trade. Coming West in 1876 he located at the Union Stock Yards and engaged in business as a house and sign painter. He sold out this and on October 1, 1883, embarked in his present business in company with James W. Tavenner, an old and experienced livery-man. The firm have a nice stock of horses, and are building up a good business.
^{Excerpt from HISTORY OF EARLY CHICAGO MODERN CHICAGO AND ITS SETTLEMENT EARLY CHICAGO, AND THE NORTHWEST BY ALBERT D. HAGER   page 675   Transcripted by Dori Leekley}

JOHN LYONS, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, was born in Ireland in March, 1848, and reared on a farm, He served five years in Her Majesty's Life Guards, and in 1869 came to New York, where he resided some fifteen months. In 1871 he came to Chicago and engaged in business as a retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, and has been engaged in that line of business ever since. In 1873 he removed to the town of Lake, and has since continued there. Mr. Lyons is an active politician and a stanch Democrat. He is a charter member of General Washington Lodge, A. O. F.
Excerpt from HISTORY OF EARLY CHICAGO MODERN CHICAGO AND ITS SETTLEMENT EARLY CHICAGO, AND THE NORTHWEST BY ALBERT D. HAGER   page 664  Transcripted by Dori Leekley

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