Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Weitz, George H 
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Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

George H. Weitz

The town of Stockdale stands as a monument to the enterprise and business 
ability of this gentleman, who has conducted one of its leading industries and 
who has been prominently connected with its official interests.  He is now a 
member of the well-known firm of W. A. Remington & Company, and since 1894 has 
been a partner in the sheep industry at this place, although from its 
establishment here he acted as manager.

A native of Illinois, he was born in Geneseo, Henry county, on the 17th of 
September, 1865, his parents being Conrad arid Mary (Horchler) Weitz.  Both 
parents were natives of Germany, the former born in Saxony and the latter in 
Hessen-Darmstadt. The father was reared upon a farm in the land of his birth, 
and when about twenty-seven years of age was married there.  Subsequently he 
determined to try his fortune in America, and in 1853 crossed the broad 
Atlantic to the New World, taking up his residence in St. Louis, Missouri.  
The same year, however, he made his way up the Illinois river and located in 
Ottawa, where he spent one year.  On the expiration of that period he removed 
to Geneseo, Illinois, in 1854, and there engaged in contracting and building. 
He became actively identified with the building interests of that locality, 
and many of the substantial structures of the city and surrounding country 
stand as monuments to his skill and ability. He died April 9, 1896, at the age 
of seventy years, his birth occurring on the 9th of April, 1826. His widow 
still resides in Geneseo, having reached the age of three-score years and ten. 
Their children are Hannah, the wife of John Young, of Wabash county, Indiana; 
Lewis, of Geneseo; Emma, the wife of William Kenney, of Chicago; William, who 
is living in Geneseo; and George H., who completes the list.

In taking up the personal history of George H. Weitz we present to our readers 
the record of one who is widely and favorably known in Grundy county, and his 
life in many respects is well worthy of emulation. Although a young business 
man, he has already attained a success that may well be envied by those whose 
years far outnumber his own. He was reared in Geneseo, and in the common 
schools obtained his education. For twenty years he has been connected with 
the stock-breeding industries. In 1876 he entered the employ of J. Galaghan & 
Company, of which W. A. Remington was then the junior partner. The relation 
between these two gentlemen has since continued, Mr. Weitz remaining in Mr. 
Remington’s employ until 1895, when he was admitted to partnership in the 
business.  He resided in Geneseo until 1894, since which time he has made his 
home in Stockdale. They began business here July 12, 1890, feeding sheep for 
the market and preparing them for shipment. Their sheep barns have a capacity 
of fourteen thousand head, and their sales are extensive, bringing a handsome 
financial return. They are also partners in the Floral Fertilizer Company, 
which has recently been organized for the purpose of manufacturing fertilizing 
materials. Between October, 1898, and July, 1899, they fed one hundred and 
fifty thousand sheep, purchasing these animals in the northwest and shipping 
them to Stockdale, where they are fattened for the market. They are then sold 
to Chicago dealers, and the extent of the business has made it one of the 
leading industries in this section of the state.  

In 1889 Mr. Weitz was united in marriage to Miss Maria Hauschild, of Geneseo, 
and they now have two children, — Henry and Mae, who are twins.  Their friends 
are numbered among the best citizens of the community, and they enjoy the 
hospitality of the leading homes in this section of the county.

Mr. Weitz is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the 
Knight Templar degree. Not only has he been prominently connected with the 
business interests of Stockdale, but in other lines also has he contributed to 
its advancement. He is serving as the postmaster, having filled the position 
since the establishment of the office, on the 29th of November, 1897. Mr. 
Weitz is a public-spirited and progressive man and gives his support to all 
measures calculated to promote the material, social, educational and moral 
welfare of the community. Prosperity has attended his efforts in business, and 
the qualities which have insured his success are keen discernment, marked 
executive ability and indefatigable energy.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p478-479

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