Memorial | CONSTANTINE BEIERLEE* Death has again entered the ranks of the newspaper workers of Saginaw and removed therefrom another of the veterans of the profession, a man whose pen has ever been employed in the upbuilding of the city, whose aim has been the welfare and interests not alone of his people but the whole community. Constantine Beierle is dead.
The announcement that the pulsation of his heart had ceased was not received with great surprise, because of the known fact that for a long time he had been suffering from disease, which was constantly sapping his life and strength. Nevertheless there was a general expression of sorrow and citizens united in a tribute to his worth and work. For a long time Mr. Beierle had been unable to walk, and except to ride in his carriage did not leave his home. Therein, however, he was actively engaged in writing until almost the last moment. Sunday afternoon, June 29, 1890, he enjoyed a drive about the city, and returning in the early evening complained of fatigue, but nothing serious. After tea he laid down to rest and did not rise again, passing away quietly about ten o’clock.
Mr. Beierle was born in Rottweil, Wurtemburg, in 1832, and in that country acquired a good education. He came to the United States in 1850, at the age of eighteen, and learned the trade of tombstone manufacturer, thinking he was especially fitted for this by his training in drawing. He soon found out, however, that west of New York, skill in drawing was not a requisite factor in the cutting of tombstones and monuments. He continued in this occupation, however, much of the time traveling, until 1857, when he discovered the business was impairing his health. The year following he became business manager of the Michigan Staats Zeitung,** a newly established daily and weekly paper published at Detroit. In 1859 he became a partner in the business, and the paper was published by the firm of DeHass (Hass) & Beierle until 1864, when they sold their interests to the Michigan Volksblatt, another German daily publication at Detroit. The next year Mr. Beierle became connected with the then prosperous daily and weekly Michigan Journal, the oldest German daily in Michigan, as general agent, which position he filled until February, 1870, when he was called to this city by the Germania Society to take charge of the Saginawer Zeitung, established in 1868. In 1872 he organized a joint stock company, the Saginawer Zeitung Company, and the paper is still published under the firm name, although it is generally understood Mr. Beierle in later years owned and controlled the entire stock of the paper.
Surviving him are a widow and five children, Albert who will continue the publication of the Zeitung, Hugo, Constantine, Martha and Alma.
* Also spelled Beyerle ** Published first by Charles D. Haas, 1858. |