Moritz Georg "George" von Beschwitz^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}

1867 - 1945  (78 years)

• Name	Moritz Georg "George" von Beschwitz
  Born	31 Jan 1867	Alt-Hörnitz, Hörnitz, Sachsen, Germany
  Gender	Male
  Residence	1888/1892	Schmochtitz, Sachsen, Germany
  	Schmochtitz knight estate purchased for 298.000 Marks sold for 314.000 Marks
  Census	1910	2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois   [6]
  Naturalization	13 Feb 1919	Illinois   [7]
  Census	1920	537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois   [8]
  Census	1930	St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri   [9]
  Census	1940	537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois   [10]
  Occupation	Majestic Theatre, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
  	Concertmaster
  Died	8 Mar 1945	Chicago, Cook County, Illinois   [11, 12, 13, 14]
  Buried	12 Jul 1945	Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Cook County, Illinois   [15]
  Person ID	I129	Smoky Mountain Ancestral Quest
  Last Modified	9 Apr 2015

  
  

  Father	Wolf Leopold Moritz "Leopold" von Beschwitz,   b. 14 Nov 1826, Groß-Schweidnitz, Sachsen, Germany ,   d. 27 Nov 1888, Schmochtitz, Sachsen, Germany  (Age 62 years)
  Mother	Johanna Maria Magdalena von Schwemler,   b. 22 Jul 1834, Frankfurt, Oder, Germany ,   d. 7 May 1914, Blankenburg, Germany  (Age 79 years)
  Married	1 Nov 1852	Zittau, Sachsen, Germany
  Family ID	F46	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Maude Eleanor Elizabeth Wheeler,   b. 29 Aug 1873, Spencer Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York ,   d. 3 Sep 1961, Mercer Island, Washington  (Age 88 years)
  Married	22 May 1901	Chicago, Cook County, Illinois   [16]
  Children	+ 1. Milton Miles Beckwith,   b. 27 Sep 1901, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois ,   d. 25 Aug 1981, Dunedin, Pinellas County, Florida  (Age 79 years)   2. Willard Francis von Beschwitz,   b. 23 Nov 1903, Illinois ,   d. Jun 1976, Washington  (Age 72 years)   3. George Lester Beckwith,   b. 22 Oct 1907, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois ,   d. 6 Mar 1989, Redmond, Washington  (Age 81 years)
  Family ID	F48	Group Sheet

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 31 Jan 1867 - Alt-Hörnitz, Hörnitz, Sachsen, Germany Residence - Schmochtitz knight estate purchased for 298.000 Marks sold for 314.000 Marks - 1888/1892 - Schmochtitz, Sachsen, Germany Married - 22 May 1901 - Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Census - 1910 - 2729 Racine Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Naturalization - 13 Feb 1919 - Illinois Census - 1920 - 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Census - 1930 - St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri Census - 1940 - 537 Arlington Place, #60, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Occupation - Concertmaster - - Majestic Theatre, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Died - 8 Mar 1945 - Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Buried - 12 Jul 1945 - Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Cook County, Illinois  = Link to Google Maps   = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Moritz Georg "George" von Beschwitz at 17 or 18 years old
  		Schmochtitz
  		c0000129.jpg
  		Schmochtitz in 2005
  		d0000129.jpg Naturalization

  
  

• Notes

  Born in knight estate Alt Hörnitz 2 miles West of Zittau, Sachsen, Germany. Georg performed Felix Mendelssohn's violin concerto in a command performance before the King of Saxony at the age of 12. While in Vienna studying under the Hungarian violinist and composer Joseph Joachim (28 June 1831 - 15 August 1907), Georg was asked if he would like to join Joachim in a visit to the home of a close friend. The two descended steps to a basement apartment where they were greeted enthusiastically by Joachim's friend. The friend, in excited voice, asked the two to please be seated so he could play for them something he had just composed. The friend went to the piano and played "Brahms Lullaby". Thus Georg was presented a unique introduction to Johannes Brahms, one of the great classical composers of Europe during the latter part of the 19th century. Purchased Schmochtitz for 298.000 Marks in 1888. Was sold in 1892 for 314.000 Marks. http://www.benno-haus.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=84 At the age of 24, Georg migrated to the middle of the United States to the booming railroad city of Chicago. The reason for his migration is unknown but many at this time left for the new world to seek their fortune. George, as he was known in the U.S., was an accomplished violin and violist. He was first chair viola and one of the founding members of First Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also played for the Chicago Opera Orchestra. George was a pupil of the famous violin master, Pablo de Sarasate (10 Mar 1844 - 20 Sep 1908) and performed as a concert violinist in tours all over the world. During the interim between concert seasons, George was concertmaster at the Majestic Theatre in Chicago (now the Bank of America Theatre). The Majestic played vaudeville. George felt a great challenge in playing vaudeville since all music direction was in accordance to what the performers were doing on stage rather than from the music score. Every performance was unpredictable, particularly those involving animals. This presented a real challenge to the concertmaster, a challenge George enjoyed. ---------- References: Chicago Federation of Musicians letter. Chicago Sun obituary, 9 March 1945.

  
  

• Sources

  [S30] Genealogisches Handbuch Des Adels, Band 34 der Gesamtreihe, Adelige Hauser A Band VII, 1965, (C. A. Starke Verlag, Linburg a. d. Lahn), 9. [S29] Maude von Beschwitz notes, Maude von Beschwitz, (<1960>). [S32] Robert M. Beckwith notes, Robert M. Beckwith, 1998. [S85] Ellis Island Records, (http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/), page 33, line 31, 20 Jul 1896. Georg von Beschwitz Date of Arrival: July 20, 1896 Age on Arrival: 24 years Gender: Male Marital Status: Single Ship of Travel: Aller Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany [S85] Ellis Island Records, (http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/). Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Glasgow, Scotland, 1886. 5,217 gross tons; 455 (bp) feet long; 48 feet wide. Steam triple expansion engine, single screw. Service speed 17 knots. 1,240 passengers (150 first class, 90 second class, 1, [S112] Census, 1910. Name: George M Von Beschwitz Birthplace: Germany Relationship to Head of Household: Self Residence: Chicago Ward 25, Cook, Illinois Marital Status: Married Race : White Gender: Male Immigration Year: 1896 Father's Birthplace: Germany Mother's Birthplace: Germany Family Number: 144 Page Number: 7 Household Gender Age George M Von Beschwitz M 43y Spouse Maud E Von Beschwitz F 36y Child Milton M Von Beschwitz M 8y Child Williard F Von Beschwitz M 6y Child George Von Beschwitz M 2y [S33] Naturalization Papers. Name: George Von Beschwitz Event Type: Naturalization Event Place: Illinois Event Date: 1919 Birth Year: 1867 Birthplace: Germany "Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-20824-73121-7?cc=1838804 : accessed 9 April 2015), V-264 to V-526, Part B > image 2128 of 5497; citing NARA microfilm publication M1285 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). [S112] Census, 1920. Name: George Vonbeschuitz Residence: Chicago 23rd Ward, Cook, Illinois Estimated Birth Year: 1869 Age: 51 Birthplace: Germany Relationship to Head of Household: Self Gender: Male Race: White Marital Status: Married Father's Birthplace: Mother's Birthplace: Film Number: 1820334 Digital Folder Number: 4300485 Image Number: 00968 Sheet Number: 3 Household Gender Age George Vonbeschuitz M 51y Spouse Maud Vonbeschuitz F 42y Child Milton Vonbeschuitz M 18y Child Williard Vonbeschuitz M 16y Child George Vonbeschuitz M 12y Elanor Wheeler F 68y [S112] Census, 1930. name: Fred Mateer event: Census event date: 1930 event place: St Louis (Districts 1-250), St. Louis (Independent City), Missouri gender: Male age: 53 marital status: Married race: White birthplace: Illinois estimated birth year: 1877 immigration year: relationship to head of household: Guest father's birthplace: Pennsylvania mother's birthplace: New York enumeration district number: 0218 family number: sheet number and letter: 9A line number: 20 nara publication: T626, roll 1244 film number: 2340979 digital folder number: 4660836 image number: 00793 [S112] Census, 1940. name: George Von Besch Wetz titles & terms: event: Census event year: 1940 event place: Ward 44, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, Illinois, United States gender: Male age: 73 marital status: Married race (original): race (standardized): White relationship to head of household (original): relationship to head of household (standardized): Head birthplace: Germany estimated birth year: 1867 residence in 1935: Same House enumeration district number: 103-2799 family number: 65 sheet number and letter: 61A line number: 18 nara publication number: T627 nara roll number: 1009 digital folder number: 005459765 image number: 00681 Household Gender Age Birthplace head George Von Besch Wetz M 73 Germany wife Maude Von Besch Wetz F 68 New York son Willard Von Besch Wetz M 36 Illinois son George Beckwith M 32 Illinois son Milton Beckwith M 38 Illinois wife Majorie Beckwith F 36 Illinois son Robert Beckwith M 11 Illinois [S142] Newspaper Article, 9 Mar 1945. 1945-03-09Chicago Tribune (IL) VON BESCHWITZ Edition: Chicago Tribune George von Beschwitz, March 8, 1945, of 537 Arlington place, beloved husband of Maud, fond father of Milton, Willard, and George, dear grandfather of Robert Beckwith. Services at chapel, 2701 N. Clark street, Saturday, at 1 p.m. Interment Graceland. Record Number: 19450309dn097 [S142] Newspaper Article, 9 Mar 1945. 1945-03-09Chicago Tribune (IL) George Von Beschwitz. Edition: Chicago Tribune George Von Beschwitz, 78, former violinist with the Chicago Symphony orchestra and the Chicago Opera orchestra, died of a heart ailment yesterday in his home at 537 Arlington pl. A native of Berlin, Germany, Von Beschwitz began the study of the violin when he was 5. At the age of 9 he was an accomplished musicians and played before the king of Saxony in Leipzig. He came to America when he was 24. Records of the Chicago Federation of Musicians indicate that he joined the organization in 1899. He retired about 15 years ago. He is survived by his widow, Maude, and three sons, Milton, Willard, and George. Services will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the chapel at 2701 N. Clark st. Record Number: 19450309ob010 [S142] Newspaper Article, New York Times, page 19, 9 Mar 1945. George M. Von Beschwitz Special to The New York Times Chicago, March 8--George M. von Beschwitz, former violinist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Opera Orchestra, died of a heart ailment today in his home here. He was 78 years old. [S87] Death Certificate. name: George Von Bischwitz titles and terms (original): death date: 08 Mar 1945 death place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois gender: Male marital status: race or color: age: 78 estimated birth year: 1867 birth date: 31 Jan 1867 birthplace: Saxony, Germany father: father's titles and terms (original): father's birth place: Germany mother: mother's titles and terms (original): mother's birth place: Germany occupation: Musician, Retired residence: street address: spouse: Maud spouse's titles and terms (original): spouse's birthplace: burial date: 10 Mar 1945 burial place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois cemetery: Graceland informant: additional relatives: digital folder number: 4189498 image number: 2116 film number: 1983259 volume/page/certificate number: rn 7057 [S31] Memorial Park Cemetery. [S58] Marriage Certificate.