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JOHN SIMON SCHORR. The oldest brewery in Southern Illinois is that situated at Waterloo, Monroe county, which has been in operation for more than seventy years. Its present owner, John Simon Schorr, has built up this large industry until it takes rank with the leading breweries of this section, and he is a man who is qualified to be at the head of a concern of this kind, his experience and training having been in this line of work. John Simon Schorr was born in St. Louis, Missouri, January 30, 1875, and is a son of Michael and Magdalena (Storm) Schorr.
Michael Schorr was born at Lonnerstadt, Bavaria, June 24, 1853, and in 1871 came to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. Ten years later he removed to Waterloo, where he has since identified himself with business ventures of a large nature, and since January, 1898, he has been a co-partner in the Commercial Bank. He is a prominent Mason, belongs to the Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Deutscher Orden Harugari. In 1873 he was married to Miss Magdalena Storm, an estimable young lady of St. Louis, and they had three sons: John Simon, Oscar and John Michael, all of whom are engaged in business in Waterloo.
John Simon Schorr was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and Waterloo, and subsequently took a course in brewing in the Chicago Brewing School. On leaving the latter institution he associated himself with the Waterloo Brewery, which was founded about 1841 by Mr. John Koechel, and which has been in active operation ever since. Mr. Schorr eventually became the proprietor of this establishment, and under his able management the business has enjoyed a steady growth. The high grade of product for which this brewery has always been noted has been maintained by him, and he has introduced new ideas in operating the plant and put in the latest machinery known to the trade. A ready market is found for the product in Southern Illinois and the South, and the firm enjoys a well merited reputation for upright business principles and fair
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dealing. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons as a member of the Blue lodge at Waterloo and the Knights Templar at Belleville. He and Mrs. Schorr attend the German Evangelical church, and both are well and favorably known in religious and charitable work. Mr. Schorr is a Democrat politically, but his business has demanded so much of his attention that he has not found time to enter public life. However, he does his full duty as a citizen, and gives his hearty support to all movements planned for the municipal welfare. A man of pleasant personality, he makes numerous acquaintances and has surrounded himself with a host of friends.
On January 13, 1897, Mr. Schorr was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Bode, of Waterloo, Illinois, daughter of William and Mary (Lofink) Bode, of Waterloo, and four children have been born to this union, namely: Lydia, who is fourteen years of age; Adolphus, who has reached the age of twelve; Manilda, who is ten years old; and Simon, who has had eight birthdays, and all are attending the Waterloo public schools.