The Kwasigroh, Zeeck, Matheis & Hysel Roots:Information about Franz Sales Reisch
Franz Sales Reisch (b. January 24, 1808, d. April 18, 1875)
Notes for Franz Sales Reisch:PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS
By Joseph Wallace, M. A.
of the Springfield Bar
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL
1904
Frank Sales Reisch
FRANK SALES REISCH - There is no life history given in this volume which proves more clearly or conclusively the fact that in America, where opportunity is unhampered by caste or class, that success may be gained through perseverance, energy and good judgment, than that of Franz Sales Reisch. He belonged to the peasant class of Germany and was born in Niederhausen, in the grand duchy of Baden on the river Rhine, January 24. 1809. His advantages and privileges in youth were indeed very limited and at the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to a cooper located in Schletstadt, a village situated across the Rhine in Alsace, France. There he served for three years and after completing his apprenticeship worked as a journeyman for three years. In the meantime he had heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities of the new world and resolved to seek a home and competence in America. Accordingly he severed the ties, save those of friendship, which bound him to his native land, and in 1832 became a resident of Kentucky. He also lived in Indiana for a short period, then took up his abode in Beardstown, Illinois, on the Illinois river, where he followed coopering. Through four years he remained there, carefully saving his earnings, and then recrossed the Atlantic for the purpose of securing a wife. While he was serving his apprenticeship he pledged his troth to a farmer's daughter, near his native village. She bore the maiden name of Susan Maurer and was born in the same locality as her husband. The long betrothal of the young couple was consummated in marriage upon his return to his native country and their wedding journey consisted of a voyage to the new world.
Again locating in Beardstown Mr. Reisch established a shop of his own and soon secured a liberal patronage which enabled him after three years to purchase a farm, and in 1840 be became the owner of a tract of land on Richland creek in Sangamon county. Here in addition to the cultivation of the soil he also engaged in the manufacture of barrels which he delivered by wagon to Beardstown, St. Louis and Springfield. Later he sold his first farm and purchased another tract of land about eight miles from Springfield in the same county and proceeded as before with increasing success. In 1846 a part of his capital was invested in a mercantile enterprise and in 1850 he removed to Springfield. There the previous year be had established a small brewery, with a capacity of about one hundred and fifty barrels per year and the growth and success of the enterprise is indicated by the fact that in the course of time the business had increased more than three hundred fold, the capacity being four hundred barrels per da y. Mr. Reisch purchased his partner's interest in the store and with unflagging energy devoted his time and attention to the conduct of the brewery, his mercantile interests and his agricultural pursuits. In 1854 a transient temperance agitation discouraged the first named, and leasing his brewery for a number of years he then became a factor in brick-making. He also joined a partner in a grocery store and in 1858 again became manager of the brewery, the trade of which had greatly increased in the meantime. In this enterprise he was associated for a period with a partner, but the relation proved uncongenial and when it was discontinued Mr. Reisch admitted his grocery partner to a partner ship in the brewery. In 1862 he bought him out and for a brief period was alone in the business, but in 1863 admitted his son Frank to a partnership and in 1868 they erected an immense brewing plant, greatly increasing the output, and thereby enlarging the prosperity which resulted there from.
For thirty-five years Mr. Reisch and his estimable wife traveled life's journey together. Of their children Frank died in 1896, while Mary died in 1880. The others are George; Elizabeth, wife of August A. Ensenberger; Joseph, vice-president of Reisch Illinois Brewing Company; and Leonard, a dry goods merchant. On the 18th of August 1875, the life labors of Franz Sales Reisch were ended in death. He fell from the third story of a building which he was erecting as an addition to the brewery and died within a couple of hours. His funeral was one of the largest ever attended in Springfield, for he was a man of many friends, his excellent traits of character having gained for him the regard and esteem of those with whom he was associated. His wife survived him until 1901, when she too passed away. The couple who had been so much to each other in life were thus united in death. Both had been reared in the Catholic faith and no matter how inclement the weather Mrs. Reisch always attended mass. In his political views Mr. Reisch was a Democrat but never sought office. In his business life he prospered and there were certain elements in his career which commanded the highest confidence and admiration of his fellowman. He was notably prompt and reliable, never an engagement which he did not fulfill or enter upon an obligation which be did not meet. Thus as the years passed he added continually to his capital until he became a man of wealth, and this was of the greatest satisfaction to him because it enabled him to provide well for his family the center of his interest. In his home he showed every mark of tenderness and love and he was always a faithful friend, and while he utilized his business opportunities and ability to the fullest extent, he always found time to enjoy the pleasures of his own fireside and to promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children.
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The following article is from:
1881 HISTORY OF
SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
published by Inter-State Publishing Company
Chicago, Illinois
Frank was born in Baden, Germany.He came to America, landing at New Orleans in the winter of 1832 and traveled over the country until 1836, when he made his home in Beardstown, Illinois.The next year he returned to Germany, and was married Nov. 1837 to Susan Maurer, who was born Feb. 11, 1817 in Germany.In the spring of 1838 Mr. Reisch brought his wife to Beardstown and from there to Richland creek, in Sangamon County, the same year.They had five children there, and moved to Springfield in 1850where they had two children.Mr. Reisch engaged in the business of brewing, which he continued until May 1875, when he sold his brewery to his sons.
Frank, Junior, born Jan. 19, 1842, in Sangamon county, married in Springfield Oct. 15, 1865, to Anna Hammon, who was born Jan. 1, 1845, in Winchesster, Scott County, Ill.They have three children, Christina, Susan and Mary and reside in Springfield.Mr. Reisch was elected to represent his ward in the Sangamon county Board of Supervisors for 1871 and '72.He was elected alderman in April 1873 for three years.He is associated in the brewery business with his brothers George and Joseph, under the firm name of F. Reisch & Bros., since May 1875, at which time they boughtout the interest of their father.
Joseph, born in Cartwright township, Sangamon County, was married in Springfield, April 25, 1876, to Mary Stehlin.They immediately left on a tour to Europe.Joseph Reisch is a member of the firm of Reisch & Bros. brewers.
Mary, George and Elizabeth were all born in Cartwright township, Sangamon county, Illinois.
Susie and Leonard, born in Springfield.The five latter reside with their mother, George being associated with his brothers, Frank and Joseph, in business.
Mr. Fran Reisch, senior, was instantly killed by a fall from an upper window, August 18, 1875.He was in the act of pitching a piece of scantling from the window, when a spike in the timber, unobserved by him, caught in his clothing and drew him out.His widow and children reside in Springfield, Illinois.
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The following from:
PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1891
Frank Reisch is one of the prominent brewers of this part of Illinois, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Springfield, where he was born.On the morning of August 18, 1875, Franzales Reisch fell from the third story of his brewery and died within a couple of hours.The funeral that was held in his honor was a large one, and the procession that followed his mortal remains to the grave contained one hundred and ninety-seven vehicles in which were some of the foremost people of the city, who gave every token of respect by which the death of an eminent citizen is lamented.Mr. Reisch had lived in Illinois forty-three years, coming here in pioneer times.He was born in Baden on the Rhine, at Niderhausen, January 19, 1809.He learned the trade of a cooper in his youth, and in 1832 in the opening years of a stalwart manhood he emigrated to America and for a time lived in Kentucky.From there he went to Indiana and next to Beardstown, Ill.
After working at his trade in the latter town for about four years Mr. Reisch recrossed the ocean to reclaim his bride, Susan Maurer, to whom he had been betrothed before he left the Fatherland.He returned to this country with his newly wedded wife and again took up his residence in Beardstown where he had a shop of his own.In 1839 he bought a farm in this county and managed both farm and shop.He subsequently engaged in business as a merchant in Springfield.In 1851 he established a brewery in this city on a small scale, and abondoned it in 1854 to engage in making brick.He recovered his brewery in 1858 and associated with himself C.A. Heimle, a very superior business man.In 1862 they built the mamouth structure in which the son is now carrying on the business.
From the time that he entered into partnership with his father the business had suffered no check, and under our subject's excellent management is steadily increasing and is one of the leading industries of the city.The brewery is finely fitted up with all the best machinery for carrying on the manufacture of beer and has every convenience.The beer manufactured is of a superior quality, being made by the best processes and has a wide sale.The capacity of the brewery is one hundred barrrels a day, and it gives employment to fifty-five men and to eight teams.
Mr. Reisch is a through-going business man, who takes a keep interest in everything calculated to promote the growth and development of Springfield.He is a strong man in financial circles, is a Director in the Illinois National Bank and a stockholder in the street railway system.
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1881 HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Inter-State Publishing Company
Chicago, Illinois, 1881
Page 704
FRANK REISCH & BROTHERS - Of the brewing business, may be mentioned the firm of Frank Reisch & Brothers, who constitute the leading firm in this branch. The business was established in 1849 by Frank Reisch, Sr., in a frame building, 20x30 feet, three stories high. Mr. Reisch conducted the business until 1854, when he rented it for three years to Andrew Kane. After the time expired he again took hold of the business; in 1858, he formed a partnership with C. A. Helmle; in 1862 Mr. Helmle sold out, and Frank Reisch, Jr., was taken in; in 1875 the present firm bought, and have continued the business since. The capacity of the buildings are as follows: the brewing house, 80x42, five stories of brick; one ice house, 40x70, and one 52x100, both of brick, having a capacity of 10,000 tons; two malt kilns, one 30x30 and one 40x40, two stories, also fo brick; one malt house 40x80, three stories; stables, 35x80; the capacity of the brewery is one hundred barrels per day; use eighty thousand bushels of barley, employ forty men and eight teams.
More About Franz Sales Reisch:
Burial: Unknown, Calvary Cemetary, Springfield.
More About Franz Sales Reisch and Susan Maurer:
Marriage: November 1837, Germany ?.1493
Children of Franz Sales Reisch and Susan Maurer are:
- +Mary Ann Reisch, b. December 24, 18431494, d. 1881, Springfield, Ill.1495.
- George Reisch, b. Abt. 18451496, d. date unknown.
- Joseph Reisch, b. February 22, 18501497, d. August 09, 19181497.
- Leonard Reisch, b. 1858, d. date unknown.
- Susie Reisch, d. date unknown.