Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 368
BERNHARD BEIL, of the firm of Molis & Co., gunsmiths and the dealers in guns, pistols and sportsman's supplies, is a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, where he was born June 28, 1827. HIs parents were Jacob and Anna Catherine ( Beahr ) Beil, with whom he came to America in the year 1832, locating in Crawford County, Ohio, where his father died. Three years after coming to this country Bernhard became a resident of Columbus, Ohio where he remained until July 3, 1845, when, in company with Henry Molis, with whom he learned the gunsmith's trade, he came to Muscatine, Iowa. He continued with Mr. Molis as an employee until 1852, when he formed a partnership with that gentleman under the firm name of H.Molis & Co., and that connection continued until Mr. Molis' death, in March, 1884, since which time the business has been carried on under the old firm name, Henry Molis, Jr., representing the Molis estate.

In 1853 Mr. Beil led to the marriage altar Miss Anna C. Wiegand, their union being celebrated in Muscatine. The lady is a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and four children have been born to them, two sons and two daughters : Henry L., born Nov. 7, 1853, died May 7, 1855; Mary A., born April 19, 1855, was united in marriage, April 22, 1875, with Edward Barnard, of Muscatine, and died May 1, 1877; Helena A., born in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1861; William B.,born in Muscatine in 1867. Mr. Beil is a Democrat in politics, but has never been an active politician, though he served some years as Township Trustee in the early days of the county. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been connected with the order since the early history of his lodge, Muscatine Lodge No. 5. For seventeen years he has served as Treasurer, and is a consistant and active member of the society. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to which they have belonged since their youth. For forty-three years Mr. Beil has been permanently identified with the gunsmith business of this city, and is widely and favorably known as an expert workman, a conscientious business man, and a most worthy citizen.

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