Clark-Lewis County WA Archives Biographies.....Weigel, George M. October 11, 1860 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com and June 12, 2009, 12:19 am Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company GEORGE M. WEIGEL, who has now practically retired from commercial pursuits, was for many years actively identified with various business interests in Vancouver and elsewhere in Washington, and through his sound management and judicious investments is now very comfortably situated. He was born at Rhinepfalz, Bavaria, Germany, October 11, 1860, and is a son of Martin and Katherine Weigel. His father first came to the United States in 1878 but soon returned to Germany, where he remained only a short time, however, coming again to this country in the fall of that year, and locating in Cincinnati, Ohio. George M. Weigel was reared and educated in his native land, where he remained until eighteen years of age. In 1882 his mother brought her children to the United States, joining the father in Cincinnati, and there George M. followed the baker's trade, which he had learned in Germany. After four years' employment in bakeries in that city, he joined the United States Army, in which he served five years, being detailed as a baker during the greater part of that time, and he was stationed at Columbus, Ohio; White River, Colorado; Sidney, Nebraska; Port Townsend, Washington; and Vancouver, coming to this city, on the 1st of May, 1885. Here he was discharged February 12, 1887. He afterward assisted in organizing Company G, First Regiment, National Guards, state of Washington, and was made first quartermaster sergeant. He was later promoted to second lieutenant and was holding that office when he resigned from the service in 1896. Soon after leaving the regular army Mr. Weigel embarked in the clothing business under the name of George M. Weigel & Company, his first location being in the old John Edding building. Later he formed a partnership with Frank Eichenlaub, under the firm name of Weigel & Eichenlaub, which was continued until 1896, when he sold his interest in the business to his partner. He spent the following year in the east, and on his return to Washington became interested in the creamery business with Frank Kaupisch. Going to Chehalis, they built the first creamery and cheese factory at that place, and at the same time Mr. Weigel also had an interest in a creamery in Vancouver. A year or two later he engaged in the saloon business, a tenant in one of his buildings having practically failed in that line, and he took it over as a matter of self-protection. However, he did not like it, and soon gave it up, after which he devoted his time to the management of his property interests in Vancouver and vicinity. In 1916 he opened a grocery store, in which he placed his sons, George and Frank, and after the close of the World war he turned the business over to them, since which time he has not been identified with any commercial affairs, his real estate interests occupying his attention. In 1909 he assisted in organizing the Vancouver Trust & Savings Bank and served as treasurer and a member of the board of directors up to the time it was taken over by the Washington Exchange Bank in 1911. In 1886, in Vancouver, Mr. Weigel was united in marriage to Miss Marie Hermann, who was born in Austria. Her mother died in that country and in 1884 she accompanied her father to this country. To Mr. and Mrs. Weigel have been born six children. Emma is now the wife of G. A. McKee, of Portland, and they have three children: Mrs. Lucile Decker, of San Diego, California; Edward and Robert. George, who is engaged in the grocery business in Vancouver, is married and has two children, Peggy and William. Louisa is the wife of R. H. Kunselman, of Vancouver, and they have four children: Ralph, a radio operator in the United States navy, George, Herbert and Francis. Frank G., who is interested with his brother George in the grocery business, is represented on another page of this work. Ophelia died as the result of an accidental shooting on July 4, 1905. Henry lives in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Weigel is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Sons of Herman. He has served two terms as a member of the city council of Vancouver and has at all times shown a live interest in the welfare and development of this city. Mrs. Weigel is a member of the Roman Catholic church. In early days Mr. Weigel was a member of the volunteer fire department, belonging to engine company No. 1 and during the years of his residence here has enjoyed a well merited popularity, being a man of cordial and friendly manner and kindly and hospitable in all his social relations. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 819-820 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/clark/bios/weigel35gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb