REISCH, GEORGE - The Reisch family has been prominent in the annals of Springfield, Ill., and vicinity for more than half a century, and the name has always stood for progress and public enterprise. They have been most active in securing public improvements, in forwarding the erection of public buildings and developing the resources of the community. They have been instrumental in securing the location of factories in Springfield and have helped to build up many private enterprises. Hardly a church of any denomination has been erected in Springfield for fifty years but has been materially aided by their generosity. One of the most prominent representatives of the family in the business circles of Springfield today is George Reisch, President of Reisch Brewing Company, which was established by his father in 1849. Mr. Reisch is a native of Sangamon County, born January 3, 1846, son of Frank and Susanna (Maurer) Reisch, both born in Baden, Germany, the father January 24, 1808, and the mother February 11, 1817. Frank Reisch, who was a brewer, came to the United States in 1832, spent about a year in New Orleans, came thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later located in Springfield, where he remained until his death in 1875. He and his wife had thirteen children, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Frank married Anna Hammon and died, leaving a widow and four children - Christina, wife of Charles Meyer, of Springfield; Susanna (unmarried), Mary (wife of Joseph Zimmerman), and Frank Jr. (Secretary and Treasurer of the Reisch Brewing Company), Mary, wife of Leonard Mattias, one child - Theresa; George; Elizabeth married Gustave A. Ensenberger, a furniture dealer of Bloomington, Ill., three children - Frank, Gustave and Joseph; Joseph married Mary Stehlin, who died, leaving two children - Albert and Marie, and he is first Vice President of the Reisch Brewing Company; Susie is a nun in the Franciscan Convent, in New York; Leonard, retired, was formerly a member of the dry goods firm of Reisch & Thoma, of Springfield, married a Miss Halliday and they have one child, Linette.

At the age of sixteen years George Reisch had graduated from the common school in Springfield and began to assist his father in the brewery and his brother Frank was admitted to partnership with his father. On May 1, 1875, F. Reisch & Brothers succeeded F. Reisch & Son, and in 1903, the Reisch Brewing Company was incorporated. The business was expanded very much and the firm is well known throughout the central part of the State. The annual output of the plant is 100,000 barrels, the firm occupies five large buildings, and the most modern and best improved machinery is used in manufacturing the product. The most sanitary conditions are always observed. George Reisch has carried out the policy of his father and his brother Frank in most features of the work and is one of the ablest business men of the city. His business dealings have been characterized by the utmost fairness and uprightness, and the reputation of the firm is of the best. In his able administration of the affairs of the large enterprise of which he is the head, he has shown that he has all the details of the business in hand.

Mr. Reisch has been identified with many public enterprises and has always given his support to every measure he considers to be of interest or benefit to the public. He served four years on the Park Board of the city and was Alderman one term. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Sangamo Club, the Chamber of commerce, the Men's Club, Western Catholic Union, and many other societies of Springfield, besides the Illinois State and National Brewers' Association. He has always been a Democrat, but has taken no very active part in political affairs. He is a member of SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church of Springfield. Mr. Reisch inherits to a large degree the ambition and energy of his father, who was a self-made man, landing in America with almost nothing and building up a large business. He is an active worker for any cause in which he is interested and may be counted on for contributing his share in forwarding any movement which has his approval.

On October 10, 1878, Mr. Reisch was married at Springfield to Miss Mary Spitly, who was born in Logan County, Ill., February 14, 1859, daughter of Martin and Minnie (Frank) Spitly, the former a native of Bavaria and the latter of Baden, Germany. The former was a farmer by occupation and was for many years proprietor of the Spitly House at Lincoln, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Reisch became parents of six sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Minnie S. Franz, whose husband is a packer of Springfield; Ella M., married Dr. Archauer, of Springfield; George F., in business with his father, is married and living in Springfield; Carl M., unmarried, a graduate of the Law department of the university at Ann Arbor, Mich., and now general manager of the Reisch Indemnity company; Clara, Christine, Louis Edward, Joseph and Walter, living at home with their parents. The family are prominent in social circles and live in the home which formerly belonged to Mr. Reisch's father, which has been occupied by the family for the past sixty years. Mr. Reisch also owns considerable other property in Springfield and elsewhere, including 4,000 acres in Nebraska, and some Chicag