George Berz (politician) explained

George Berz
Office:Coroner of Cook County
Term Start:1896
Term End:1900
Predecessor:James McHale
Successor:John E. Traeger
Birth Date:March 17, 1844
Birth Place:German Confederation
Death Date:February 28, 1920
Death Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States
Party:Republican
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:Union Army
Serviceyears:1861–1862
Rank: Sergeant
Unit:1st Kentucky Infantry Regiment
Battles:American Civil War

George Berz (March 17, 1844  - February 28, 1920) was a German-American businessman and Republican politician in Chicago.

Biography

Berz was born in Germany in 1844 and immigrated with his family to Louisville, Kentucky when he was a child. He enlisted in the Union Army in the American Civil War and was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Following his discharge, he went to Chicago and thereafter operated a hotel on the West Side. A Republican, Berz was appointed Postmaster of the West Division post office by President Benjamin Harrison, an office he held until his appointment as Deputy Sheriff of Cook County. He was elected Coroner of Cook County in 1896 and held office until 1900.[1] He died in 1920 in Chicago.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wood, David Ward . 1895 . History of the Republican Party and Biographies of Its Supporters: Illinois volume . Lincoln Engraving & Publishing Company . 200 .
  2. "Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MW-2LRT : 8 March 2018), George Berz, 27 Feb 1920; citing Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States, source reference 9494, record number, Cook County Courthouse, Chicago; FHL microfilm 1,309,233.