Among the many notable people of Pekin’s past were William John Conzelman (1865-1916), a three-time Mayor of Pekin who died 109 years ago this Saturday, Feb. 8, and his wife Bertha (Herget) Conzelman (1870-1945), daughter of Pekin Mayor John Herget. Both William and Bertha were active leaders of Pekin’s community and social life, and both were children of German immigrants at a time when German-Americans dominated Pekin’s economic, political, and religious life. Besides his business interests, Mayor Conzelman also was a Pekin Public Library board member, serving at times as the board president — he was also mayor when Pekin’s Carnegie Library was built, and he presided over the library’s cornerstone laying ceremony in 1902 and dedication ceremony in 1903. He also was a chief organizer of the Pekin Park District, serving as president of the Park District Board. As a son-in-law of the late Mayor John Herget, Conzelman lived with his wife Bertha and their children in the large red-brick mansion that still stands at the corner of Washington and Eighth streets.
Following is Mayor Conzelman’s biographical sketch from the 1905 “History of Tazewell County,” page 988:
WILLIAM J. CONZELMAN.
It is true of the present time that young men, and those approaching middle age, are at the front in the conduct of the world’s business activities, and it is also true that the persistent energy and well-directed aggressiveness of these classes have placed them well in the van as to political preferment and in the exercise of public functions. In this class the subject of this sketch properly belongs; and where honor is due, the truth is most becoming.
William J. Conzelman was born at St. Louis, Mo., on May 20, 1865. His father, Dr. John Conzelman, is a native of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, and a graduate of the medical college at that place. For many years he was an eminent practicing physician in St. Louis, a man of high character, and an honored member of the community in which he lived. Dr. Conzelman was married to Miss Louisa Graf, of Hermann, Mo., and to this union were born eleven children, the subject of this sketch being the fifth child.
Mayor Conzelman was graduated from the St. Louis High School in 1882. Subsequently he was connected for seven years with the Simmons’ Hardware Company as salesman and bookkeeper. For the two years following he was with E. H. Lindley, and then engaged in the real estate business until April, 1891, when he came to Pekin. His residence of thirteen years in Pekin has been one of ceaseless activity. He has ever been loyal to the city, pushing her interests whenever the opportunity offered. Frequently he created the occasion himself, when he believed an enterprise to be for the good of the community. He was one of the managers of the Globe Distilling Company, and now holds the same position with its successor, the Standard Distilling and Distributing Company, of Pekin. He is President of the Tazewell Hotel Company, and is interested as a stockholder in J. & G. Herget Company and the Pekin Stave and Manufacturing Company; is President of the Library Board, Secretary of the Cemetery Association, and served as President of the Roosevelt, Deneen and Graff Club. He was also Colonel on Governor Richard Yates’ Military Staff.
On October 21, 1891, Mr. Conzelman was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Herget, daughter of Hon. John Herget, deceased, and Ernestine Herget.
In May, 1901, our subject was elected Mayor of Pekin, carrying every ward in the city, and in 1903 was re-elected to that office, being still its incumbent. His administration as Mayor is justly notable for its energy in the promotion of the city’s welfare. Whatever has been attempted has been along conservative, and yet public spirited and progressive lines. He has been particularly active in the formation of the Pekin Park District, and, as a member of the Park Board, has been one of the chief promoters of the improvements now being made in the public grounds.
Mayor Conzelman is pre-eminently devoted to the interests of Pekin, as most fittingly becomes its chief executive officer, and one of its most prominent and public-spirited citizens. In the administration of public affairs, as well as in the conduct of his large business interests, he is ever devoted to the accomplishment of those ends which make for the good of all concerned. He is sternly opposed to the rule-or-ruin politics, and generously recognizes the right of all men to think and act as they may choose. Personally, he is always a gentleman. His private character is without flaw or blemish, and no breath of calumny has ever tarnished his good name. He is respected among all his acquaintances for those sterling qualities of manhood which leave their impress on civic and social life. He binds his friends closely to him and never deserts them. Take him all-in-all, he is a model officer, a liberal, progressive citizen, and a thorough business man-honored and worthy in all relations of life.
Tragically, Mayor Conzelman only lived to the age of 50, dying of brain cancer at the John Herget mansion on 8 Feb. 1916. The Pekin Daily Times published a remarkably long obituary and glowing tribute to him on page 8 of that day’s edition. Following are extended excerpts from his obituary, omitting those parts that were drawn more or less verbatim from the above biographical sketch:
WM. CONZELMAN THREE TIMES MAYOR HAS PASSED AWAY
HAS BEEN AILING FOR MANY MONTHS AND DEATH AS NOT UNEXPECTED
END CAME AT NOON TODAY
Deceased Was Progressive Officer and Brought About Many Improvements in the City.
William J. Conzelman, three times mayor of the city of Pekin, died at 12:40 o’clock this afternoon, at this house, 800 Washington street.
His death will be mourned by a large number of friends, but it was not unexpected. He had been dying for several weeks. The nature of his illness was such that it had been known for some time that there was no hope for his recovery, and that is would be only a matter of time before dissolution occurred. . . . . .
His residence of twenty-four years in Pekin was one of ceaseless activity. He was every loyal to the city, pushing her interests whenever the opportunity offered. Frequently he created the occasion himself, when he believed the enterprise to be for the good of the community. He was one of the managers of the Globe Distilling Company, and later held the same position with its successor, The Standard Distilling and Distributing Company. Some years ago he was appointed to the position of manager of the U.S. Industrial Alcohol Company, with offices in Peoria, which position he held until his death. He has served as mayor of the city, president of the park board, president of the library board, and as a member of the Cemetery Association. He also served as president of the Roosevelt, Deneen and Graff Club, and was Colonel on Governor Richard Yates’ Military Staff. During the time he took an active part in politics, he was considered one of the republican leaders in this Congressional District.
Elected Mayor in 1901.
In May, 1901, Mr. Conzelman was elected mayor of Pekin, carrying every ward in the city. He was re-elected to that office in 1903, and again in 1909. His administration as mayor was justly notable for its energy in the promotion of the city’s welfare. Whatever he attempted was along conservative and yet public spirited and progressive lines. He was particularly active in the formation of the Pekin Park District and as a member and president of the Park Board he was one of the chief promoters of the improvements made in the public grounds. . . . .
Married Miss Bertha Herget.
Mr. Conzelman was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Herget, daughter of Hon. John Herget and Ernestine Herget, now deceased, the marriage taking place on October 21, 1891. They were the parents of two sons, Elmore and Alvin Conzelman.
Mr. Conzelman’s death will be sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His illness dates back almost three years. In the very prime of life, he was stricken with the most terrible of afflictions — blindness. He visited the hospital of the famous Mayo Brothers, at Rochester, Minnesota, in the hope of getting relief, but it was a vain hope. But he never lost his courage. He fought his ailment and the approach of death with the same grim determination that he fought the other battles in life. He took care of the duties of his position in Peoria up until two months ago, when his condition became such that he was obliged to remain at his home. Then he laid down his burdens, and waited for the end. He knew that his work was done. He was not afraid to die.
He was hospitable, generous, and sincere. He sided with the weak, the poor, and wronged, and lovingly gave aid to those in need. With loyal heart and with the purest hands he faithful discharged all public trusts. Our beautiful park and the southside sewer system, and much of the paving in the city, of which we are now so proud, are lasting monuments to his memory. “He added to the sum of human joy, and were every one to whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep beneath a wilderness of flowers.”
Besides the widow and two sons, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Louisa Conzelman, and the following brothers and sisters: Dr. Theodore Conzelman and Mr. J. E. Conzelman and Miss Louisa Conzelman, Mrs. G. A. Green, and Mrs. G. D. Gilmore, all of St. Louis.
With the feeling that he might know while he yet lived something of the appreciation in which his public service was held, it was with the pleasure of the editor of the Times to write of Mr. Conzelman the following, under date of December 9, 1915.
Honor to Whom Honor is Due.
Citizens of Pekin have noted the affliction under which ex-mayor Conzelman has suffered for many, many months past, and have felt much sympathy for him in the agony he has so heroically endured. They will be grieved to learn that his condition has now reached a most critical stage. The attending physician has suggested that absent members of his family be called to his bedside as the end may not be far away.
The writer believes the worthy deeds of men should be told while they still live, that they may know of the appreciation of their fellows ere their ears are deafened to both criticism and praise, for none there are so exalted as not to feel the thrill of just and deserved encomium.
To Col. Conzelman more than to any other man, must be awarded the honor and the responsibility for the new life that has come to Pekin — the city he has done so much to make beautiful by his adoption.
During his mayoralty-term, in the face of bitter opposition, and under the cutting lash of stinging criticism and fault-finding, Col. Conzelman resolutely, unflinchingly took the reins in his hands and guided Pekin on the road to municipal beauty and utility, and persistently kept it going on the right way in the face of opposition but few men would have continued to fight.
The result of his public spirited courage is evident on every hand. For years we were the laughing stock of every townin the state of our size, and of others neither so large and by no means as wealthy. Now we are the admiration of surrounding communities, and rejoice that our thoroughly awakened pride has given new birth to self respect, and has resurrected us from a long-tome sordid slumber to another life of civic pride and worthy enterprise.
It is true, as it always is, that these vast strides have worked a hardship in individual cases, but who among us, even those to whom the burden has seemed heaviest, would go back to the old order of things? We believe not.
For the inauguration of this modern, up-to-date spirit, and for the beneficient results it has brought, Pekin and her people are most largely indebted to the official courage of ex-mayor Conzelman. We take our hats off to him, and broad, generous spirits will unit in saying to him and of him, while he yet lives, “Honor to whom honor is due.”
The funeral of Mayor Conzelman was briefly reported in the 12 Feb. 1916 Pekin Daily Times, page 8, as follows:
W. J. CONZELMAN BURIED
Funeral Services for Former Mayor Were Held Friday Afternoon at the Home.
Funeral services for former mayor William J. Conzelman were held Friday afternoon at the late home, 800 Washington street. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in the city of Pekin. No man in Pekin enjoyed a wider acquaintance than Mr. Conzelman, and sorrowing friends from al walks of life came to pay their last respects to his memory. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. G. W. Goebel, pastor of St. Paul’s Evangelical church, who took for his text, John 13:7, “What I do thou know not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.” Mrs. O. A. Smith, Charles Burdick, Miss Anna Smith and John Loomis sang, and the pall bearers were H. C. Frings, J. F. Kaylor, E. W. Wilson, J. W. Barrett, V. P. Turner, Louis Albertsen, W. E. Schurman, and Ben P. Schenck. The funeral was by automobile to Lake Side cemetery, where interment was made.
The Find-A-Grave memorial of William’s wife Bertha includes the following biographical sketch of her life from an unidentified source, provided by Ward Clemence White:
One of the most prominent of the women of Pekin, Il, a leader in social functions, identified with its musical effort, foremost in church work, is Mrs. W. J. Conzelman. Bertha Herget was born in Pekin, Il, December 19, 1870, and has lived her life in her native city. Her father was John Herget, a well-known distiller, of that city, and her mother was Ernestine (Schreck) Herget, both being natives of Germany. Her education was received in the public schools of Pekin. On October 21, 1891, she was married to Wm. J. Conzelman, who came to Pekin that year, established himself in business and was soon elected Mayor. As wife of the mayor of the city, she was prominent in all social functions, and soon became a leader in local society affairs. She became identified with the various musical and literary societies of the city, and deeply interested in the work done by them. She is a member of the Pekin and Peoria Woman’s Club, of various social clubs, and of the “Litta Society”, a musical organization, named for the gifted young artist whose early death was so deeply mourned. In many ways she has contributed to the growth and development of musical and literary enterprises and is ambitious for the attainment of the highest possible results. Mrs. Conzelman has not, however, been allowed to remain simply known and beloved in the city of her birth. As the wife of Col. Conzelman, for her husband is Colonel on Gov. Yates’ staff, she has been prominent in social life at the capital and throughout the State and is well known for her charming presence and gentle grace. She is active in all church work and a most generous donor to all worthy charities. If, however, Mrs. Conzelman was questioned as to where she finds her greatest happiness, she would not speak of social triumphs, of musical achievement, or even of her church work, which she holds most sacred, but of her home and her life there. Mrs. Conzelman ‘s home, recently built by her husband, is one of the most beautiful in the city. Into it has been placed everything which wealth and taste could suggest for adornment. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Conzelman and their two sons, bright boys of nine and six years of age. In this lovely home, with her husband and her children, Mrs. Conzelman counts herself most happy, and enjoys the beauty of her home and the companionship of her loved ones more than anything else. Those who know her best have called her home life idyllic, and she covets such distinction more than any honor which can be conferred upon her. To create a beautiful home-life is a true woman’s most womanly work, and its achievement is too often lightly considered. While Mrs. Conzelman must prize the social distinction which is hers and enjoy the environment of the culture in which her life is passed, above all she counts herself most blest in her beautiful home-life, most happy in making others glad.
Bertha survived her husband William by precisely 29 years and one day, passing away at the age of 74 on 9 Feb. 1945 in her father’s old mansion at Washington and Eighth streets. Here is a transcription of her Pekin Daily Times obituary that ran on the front page the day of her day.
Mrs. Conzelman, Prominent Pekin Resident, Is Dead
Mrs. Bertha Conzelman, 74, one of Pekin’s best known residents and a member of a pioneer family of the city, died today at 1 p.m. at 800 Washington street, the home of the John Herget family, of which she was the youngest member.
Only two children of the prominent family now remain in Pekin, C. G. Herget and Mrs. Martha Steinmetz.
Mrs. Conzelman, who remembered Pekin when its social life was at its peak, was the widow of W. J. Conzelman, a former mayor of the community. Her husband died in 1916 after a long illness. She was the mother of two sons, one of whom, John Elmore, died a tragic death in a local industry in 1931.
The younger son, Alvin, recently returned to Pekin to make his home, and spent much time with his mother during her last illness. Mrs. Conzelman had only one grandchild, Charline Ann, who entered junior high here when her parents came to Pekin to live.
Mrs. Conzelman had been ill for the past several months, and had been bedfast since the first of the year. The last time she was able to sit up was on Christmas day, when a family dinner was held at her home.
Mrs. Conzelman was born Dec. 19, 1870, in Pekin, a daughter of John and Ernestine Herget. She often remarked that her birth was just six months too soon to be born in the home in which she died. Her father, John Herget, erected the present home and it was ready for occupancy in the spring of 1871.
The body was removed to the Noel Funeral home, where services will be conducted Monday at 2:30 p.m. and interment will take place in the Lakeside mausoleum.
