Biography of 	Beer, Ferdinand (and sons); Germany now Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller January 1998

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Beer, Ferdinand, president of the New Orleans & Central American Trading Co.,
limited, was born in Germany, April 8, 1845; came to America at an early age,
and while yet a young man became engaged in the dry goods business in the City
of New Orleans.  This business prospered, and he continued conducting it about
10 years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of the dry goods
business and became identified with cotton interests, remaining in this latter
connection a number of years.  He then organized the New Orleans & Central
American Trading Co., limited, was made president of the company, and remained
in this executive position until the time of his death, which occurred at New
Orleans, Jan. 22, 1909.  It was in his active executive connection with the
latter company that Mr. Beer found his most important life work, and it was
largely through his sagacious leadership and instrumentality, backed by his
boundless energy and far-reaching activities, that this corporation became
known as one of the most prominently aggressive of the various combinations
and commercial institutions engaged in Central American trade and the
settlement of Central American states.  So prominent did he become in
connection with this great commercial work, and so highly appreciated were the
practical benefits of his intelligently-directed efforts, that when the news
of his death reached Bluefields, Nicaragua, which had been his Central
American headquarters, the leading business men of that city called a public
meeting at the principal club house, at which appropriately appreciative
resolutions were adopted and embodied in a fitting memorial, which was
forwarded to the family at New Orleans.  At the same time every business place
in the city of Bluefields was closed for the day, as a fitting mark of respect
to the memory of Ferdinand Beer.  It was during the earlier part of Mr. Beer's
active business career that he was married to Miss Emma Friedlander, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Friedlander, of New Orleans.  To this union 5
children were born, 3 sons, Alfred, Victor, Scott E., and Joseph W., and 2
daughters, Lea, now Mrs. Samuel H. Stern, and Clara, now Mrs. W. J. Voges, all
of New Orleans.  Messrs. Alfred Victor and Joseph W. Beer succeeded to the
management of their father's Central American business following his death,
and continued in this joint management until the business had been fully
liquidated, when Joseph W. Beer entered the same line of business on his own
account, and has so continued to this time, while Alfred Victor Beer then
entered upon and has remained actively engaged in the export and commission
business, both gentlemen maintaining offices and general headquarters in the
City of New Orleans, where the last-named of the two enjoys the distinction of
being Danish consul to Nicaragua.  He is affiliated with the congregation of
Temple Sinai, at New Orleans, and is a member of Bluefields Lodge, No. 875,
Free and Accepted Masons; New Orleans Lodge of the Benevolent & Protective
Order of Elks, and Crescent City Lodge, No. 182, Independent Order of B'Nai
Brith.  Scott E. Beer, after completing his education at Tulane and Harvard
universities, entered upon the practice of law in the City of New Orleans,
where he has built up a gratifyingly desirable clientele and is accorded
general recognition as an able member of the bar.  Scott E. Beer married Miss
Amalia Wolfson, of Columbus, Ga., and they have one daughter, Clara May. 
Joseph W. Beer is a prominent member of the various Masonic bodies of New
Orleans, as well as the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and several
other popular fraternal organizations, and holds membership in both Temple
Sinai and Touro Synagogue.  His wife formerly was Miss Beulah Strauss, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Strauss, of Mobile, Ala.  They have 2 sons,
namely: John Strauss and Ferdinand.  Alfred Victor Beer at this time is
unmarried.

Source:  Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 39-41. 
Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical
Association.