Omaha daily bee., 1901-03-07

illness.
Frederick Metz sr., achieved success in
life by his own persisteut efforts. not hav-
ing enjoyed the advantages OF wealth and
influence at the outset of his business
career. His immense business and large
fortune came to him only through the hard
est kind of work and the strictest applca
tion OF his natural abilities to the ac-
compishment of his plans. From poor
emigrant without a dollar In his pocket he
became not only a prosperous business
man. but an influential factor in the up
building of the community in which he
lived.
Mr.. Metz was born at Hessel- -Cessel, Ger
many. in 1882, and was educated to the
profession OF forester In his native city.
Not taking kindly to his avocation he re-
solved to seek his fortune in a new business
and In a new country, and when he was
but 10 years Of age he set out for America
In sailing vessel. After being tossed
about by the Atlantic waves for sixty-hve
days he landed at New Orleans with moth
ing but counterfeit dollar in his pocket
and without knowing Just where or how
to turn for livelihood. He spent but
few months in the Crescent City, during
which he managed to live by taking odd
Jobs and then went to st. Louis, where he
secured a position as clerk in a dry goods
store at a salary of IS a month. ....
In 1857 he came to Nebraska and en-
gagged in the mercantile business at Belle
vue with Peter Bartels. remaining there
until 1862. Mr.. Bartels had gone to Den
yer, Colo. and sent word back to his part.
ner that riches were in prospect there. Mr.
Metz hurriedly packed his belongings into
a two horse wagon and with his own family
and that of MIR. Bartels started overland for
Denver. After spending two years in Colo
RADIO and not having realized his dreams
Of the wealth to be picked up there, Mr..
Metz decided to return to Nebraska.
He had been thrifty, II not thriving. and
when he arrived In Omaha early in 1864 he
had sufficient means to purchase a half
interest in a one horse brewery In later
years Mr.. Metz always referred to his first
Omaha venture as a ne-horse brewery for
the very good reason that 1t was operated
with ehorse power at the time II was
started. His brother Philip was his partner
in the early days Of the business and 1t
was their custom to deliver their product
to local dealers in wheelbarrow. When
an order would be received at the brewery
the goods would be lifted onto the barrow
and one of the proprietors would then
ing loss Of dignity.
It was by such devotion as this to the
details Of his business that Frederick Metz
| succeeded in gradually building up one of
| the largest brewing concerns west of the
| Missouri river. The firm name for many
| years was Metz c Bro, then Metz Bros.
and few years ago the business passed
| to the present corporation. known as the
! Metz Bros Brewing company and COM
posed Of Mr.. Metz and his four sons. AL
though the father was the president of the
corporation, he has not taken an active
part in the business for twelve years.
Although Mr. Metz never sought political
| preferment. he was sent to the state senate
| from Douglas county in 1871 and again
| in 1855. In 1896 he was elected presidential
elector on the Bryan ticket and was selected
by his colleagues to carry the vote OF the
state to Washington.
Mr.. Metz was always foremost in public
movements and devoted much of his time
and money to furthering the interests of
Omaha. His name could always be found
among subscribers to funds for carrying out
public undertakings and he gave literally
| to charities of all kinds.
He was one OF the organizers OF the
Omaha Turner's society and for years took
a most active part In its work. He also
| belonged to many other state and local
organizations.
The last years OF Mr.. Metz's life were
passed in comfortable retirement and in
the pleasures afforded by occasional trips
to his old home in Germany. At the time
he was stricken with his last illness he
was taking an active part in the organza =
tion OF the Old Settlers Associate OF
Omaha.
Mr. Metz was married in 1855 to Louisa
Beate Gesser in st. Louis. She was born
and reared there and departed this life In
| 1873, leaving a family of five sons and two
daughters. Charles, Frederick Tony, Arthur
Louis, Minnie and Estelle. In 1877 he
married Adele Wassmer, who was born in
Holstein, Germany and reared in Nebraska.
They had family of one son and one
daughter Herman and Louisa.