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 Niederhausen, 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 abandoned it in 1851 to engage in making brick. He recovered his brewery in 1858 and associated with himself C. A. Helmle, a very superior business man. In 1862 he bought the plant entire, and in 1863 admitted his son Frank into partnership. In 1868 they built the mammoth 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, 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 barrels a day, and it gives employment to fifty-five men and to eight teams.

Mr. Reisch is a thorough going business man, who takes a keen 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.