Beer, Ferdinand (and sons)

Submitted by Mike Miller

Beer, Ferdinand, president of the New Orleans & Central American Trading Co., limited, was born in Germany, April 8, 1845; came to America at an early age, and while yet a young man became engaged in the dry goods business in the City of New Orleans. This business prospered, and he continued conducting it about 10 years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of the dry goods business and became identified with cotton interests, remaining in this latter connection a number of years. He then organized the New Orleans & Central American Trading Co., limited, was made president of the company, and remained in this executive position until the time of his death, which occurred at New Orleans, Jan. 22, 1909. It was in his active executive connection with the latter company that Mr. Beer found his most important life work, and it was largely through his sagacious leadership and instrumentality, backed by his boundless energy and far-reaching activities, that this corporation became known as one of the most prominently aggressive of the various combinations and commercial institutions engaged in Central American trade and the settlement of Central American states. So prominent did he become in connection with this great commercial work, and so highly appreciated were the practical benefits of his intelligently-directed efforts, that when the news of his death reached Bluefields, Nicaragua, which had been his Central American headquarters, the leading business men of that city called a public meeting at the principal club house, at which appropriately appreciative resolutions were adopted and embodied in a fitting memorial, which was forwarded to the family at New Orleans. At the same time every business place in the city of Bluefields was closed for the day, as a fitting mark of respect to the memory of Ferdinand Beer. It was during the earlier part of Mr. Beer's active business career that he was married to Miss Emma Friedlander, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Friedlander, of New Orleans. To this union 5 children were born, 3 sons, Alfred, Victor, Scott E., and Joseph W., and 2 daughters, Lea, now Mrs. Samuel H. Stern, and Clara, now Mrs. W. J. Voges, all of New Orleans. Messrs. Alfred Victor and Joseph W. Beer succeeded to the management of their father's Central American business following his death, and continued in this joint management until the business had been fully liquidated, when Joseph W. Beer entered the same line of business on his own account, and has so continued to this time, while Alfred Victor Beer then entered upon and has remained actively engaged in the export and commission business, both gentlemen maintaining offices and general headquarters in the City of New Orleans, where the last-named of the two enjoys the distinction of being Danish consul to Nicaragua. He is affiliated with the congregation of Temple Sinai, at New Orleans, and is a member of Bluefields Lodge, No. 875, Free and Accepted Masons; New Orleans Lodge of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and Crescent City Lodge, No. 182, Independent Order of B'Nai Brith. Scott E. Beer, after completing his education at Tulane and Harvard universities, entered upon the practice of law in the City of New Orleans, where he has built up a gratifyingly desirable clientele and is accorded general recognition as an able member of the bar. Scott E. Beer married Miss Amalia Wolfson, of Columbus, Ga., and they have one daughter, Clara May. Joseph W. Beer is a prominent member of the various Masonic bodies of New Orleans, as well as the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and several other popular fraternal organizations, and holds membership in both Temple Sinai and Touro Synagogue. His wife formerly was Miss Beulah Strauss, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Strauss, of Mobile, Ala. They have 2 sons, namely: John Strauss and Ferdinand. Alfred Victor Beer at this time is unmarried.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 39-41. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.