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GEORGE C. ZIEBOLD.
Among the younger business men of Waterloo, Illinois, none occupies a more prominent place than George C. Ziebold. Connected with the milling business, as assistant general manager of the Waterloo Milling Company, of which his father is general manager, he plays an important role in that industry which has done so much towards building up the city of Waterloo. He has enjoyed the benefits of a fine education, and he takes the attitude of the progressive, well-educated, broad minded university man. He is an active and enthusiastic worker for the furthering of the interests of his home town, and although still a very young man is recognized as one of the leaders in the progressive development of Waterloo. He is filled with the enthusiasm of youth, but he is too practical and level-headed to let himself be swept into false channels. In short, he is a fine example of that healthy clean-minded, intelligent class of American young manhood that make American women the envied of all the feminine world.
George C. Ziebold was born in a log house at Monroe City, Monroe county, Illinois, on the 3rd of April, 1886. He is the son of George W. Ziebold. His mother was Minnie F. Hoffmeister, and the marriage of his parents occurred in 1883. George C. Ziebold is the eldest of eight children, seven of whom are living. Lack of space prevents more than this brief mention of his father, who has had a most interesting and successful career, and who is one of the most prominent men in a business, social or political way in Waterloo. On both his father's and his mother's side Mr. Ziebold is descended from German ancestry, and is thus one more example of why we so eagerly welcome members of this nationality into our country.
In the fall of the year in which George C. Ziebold was born his parents came to Waterloo, where Mr. Ziebold, Sr., established the
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Waterloo Milling Company. Here George C. Ziebold grew up, receiving his elementary education in St. Joseph's Academy in Waterloo, and attending the University of Notre Dame, at Notre Dame, Indiana, for his advanced work. He was a conscientious student at college, but he was not a “grind,” realizing that there are more valuable lessons to be learned in college than those from books. He therefore found the time to take an active part in athletics, and was an important member of the social, literary and musical life of the university. He accordingly returned from college with a broad minded view of the questions of the day, and with a knowledge of men and affairs that could not have been gleaned solely from books. In 1904 he became his father's assistant as general manager of the plant of the Waterloo Milling Company, in which capacity he is still engaged. Under his father's tutelage he has proved to be an able and practical business man, and should the time come when Mr. Ziebold, Sr., should choose to retire he could do so with an easy conscience, for not only is he himself firmly convinced of his son's ability, but the younger man has won the confidence of all of the business men of the community.
In politics Mr. Ziebold is a Republican, but he, like most of the thinking men of the day, sees that it has become a question not of parties but of men. The great parties, when it is brought down to a last analysis, no longer stand for great and diverse principles, and therefore Mr. Ziebold believes in voting for the best man for the office, regardless of his party affiliations. This fact, which is typical of the younger generation, is the great hope of the country to-day, and is one reason why the citizenship of men like Mr. Ziebold means so much to their communities. In his religious affiliations he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, and in his religious views he is practical and broad-minded. He is a member of St. Vincent's Benevolent Society. Mr. Ziebold was the prime mover in the organization of the board of charities of the Waterloo Commercial Club and is the chairman of the board. He is a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, being a trustee of the council and past grand knight of Waterloo Council, No. 1334. He is also treasurer of the Waterloo Flower Association.
Despite his youth he is a prominent leader in the Waterloo Commercial Club. Much of his time has been given to the various projects which this club has set on foot for the development and growth of Waterloo, and he is now treasurer of the club. He is a musician by gift of Nature, and performs on almost every kind of musical instrument. He is not only an interpreter of the compositions of others but he has composed music of considerable merit himself. As director of the Orpheus Orchestra, he has probably done more than anyone else in creating an interest in music among the young people of Waterloo. He has supervised the production of a number of entertainments, among the most successful being his elaborate production of the comic opera “A Night in Holland.” This will long be remembered by all who saw it, and the beautiful production was not only managed by him, but he also selected and perfected the material, designed the costumes, designed and painted the stage effects and the scenery, and contrived the stage lighting. This sounds more like real work than the musical pursuits of most young people, and it was indeed, but Mr. Ziebold finds a true source of recreation in his out-of-door life and with his dogs and horses. He is a well-known breeder of blooded horses and dogs, and is not only a member of the American Breeder's Association, but a contributer to the American Breeders Magazine. The “Morning Glory Home,” owned by himself and his father, has won a wide reputation for the
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animals that have been bred there. His animals have taken prizes all over the United States, and show the result of intelligent breeding and management. Regardless of the weather, Mr. Ziebold takes a horseback ride every day, considering this the most healthful, as well as the most enjoyable, of all exercises.