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JACOB J. KOENIGSMARK.
In considering those among Waterloo's citizens whose activities have been directed toward developing that city's industries, and whose foresight has been rewarded in a most substantial manner, prominent place should be given to Jacob J. Koenigsmark, president of the Koenigsmark Mill Company, of Waterloo, of the Salt Lick Milling Company, of Valmeyer, and of the Schoening-Koenigsmark Milling Company, of Prairie du Rocher, a member of the firm of the Fischer Schein Company, at East St. Louis, and a man whose operations in various lines of industry have given him a prominent place in the commercial world of Southern Illinois. Mr. Koenigsmark was born at Columbia, Illinois, December 22, 1858, and is a son of Thomas Koenigsmark.
The firm of the Koenigsmark Mill Company is a member of the Southern Illinois Millers Association and of the Millers National Federation, and is one of the oldest in Southern Illinois, having been established over sixty years ago, although it did not operate under its present title until 1886, at which time it was rebuilt by Thomas Koenigsmark on the foundations of the old mill which was destroyed by fire in 1884. It has a capacity of four hundred barrels and its elevator holds one hundred thousand bushels, while the Salt Lick and Schoenig-Koenigsmark mills have a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels each. The Fiseher-Schein Company of East St. Louis is one of the largest real estate and insurance firms in the southern part of the state. In addition to this Mr. Koenigsmark is a director in the State Bank of Waterloo, and owns a farm of seventy-five acres and an elevator at Burkesville and seventy-five acres of bottom lands twelve miles north of Waterloo, The "Koenigsmark," "Coruna,"
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"K. P." and "Gardner" brands of flour are known all over the country. and the Koenigsmark mills were the pioneers in using "bleachers" in this vicinity. Mr. Koenigsmark has been prominent in commercial circles for many years. He is one of Waterloo's most public spirited and progressive citizens, and no movement for the real advancement of the city is launched that does not receive his active and hearty co-operation. He is pre-eminently an organizer and an executive, and any enterprise with which his name is connected has the full confidence of the business men of his community. For twenty years he has acted as a member of the Waterloo school board. He has given a good deal of attention to fraternal work and is prominent in Masonry, belonging to Waterloo Lodge, Belleville Chapter and Knights Templar degree, and the Shriners at St. Louis. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Missouri Athletic Club of St. Louis. In 1881 Mr. Koenigsmark was married to Miss Dora Roever, of Columbia, Illinois, and of their children seven still survive.
Alois J. Koenigsmark, son of Jacob J., who is connected with his father in all of his business enterprises except the Fischer-Schein Company, was born at Columbia, Illinois, August 15, 1883. After graduating from the Waterloo High School, he took the commercial course in a business college at St. Louis, and then interested himself in the large industries conducted by his father. He now acts in the capacity of secretary and treasurer of the Koenigsmark Mill Company, and like his father has been prominent in commercial affairs, being the organizer and first president of the Waterloo Commercial Club, which had its inception in 1909. He has attained the Knight Templar degree in Masonry, and is popular with his brother members and his business associates. Mr. Koenigsmark was married in 1906 to Miss Athena Soteriades, of Waterloo, and they reside in a beautiful home in this city and are prominent in social circles.