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Morris Horkheimer
Businessman and civic leader
-- from the Wheeling Intelligencer, May 23, 1912
GENERAL HORKHEIMER DIED AT SEASHORE
WAS ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN CITIZENS OF WHEELING
Deceased Had Been in Failing Health For Some Years -- Was a Staunch Republican
A telegram received last evening by Mr. Louis Horkheimer stated that the remains of the late General Morris Horkheimer, accompanied by the members of his family, would arrive in this city at 9:30 o'clock this morning from the east, and they will be removed to the family home at No. 800 Main street and arrangements made for the funeral.
The death of General Horkheimer occurred at 2 o'clock yesterday morning at Atlantic City, where he had been for some weeks past for the benefit of his health. For some years he had suffered from acute diabetes and for some months past it has affected him to such an extent as to make him a complete invalid. Some time ago he went to Atlantic City in the hope that the sea air would benefit his condition, and for a time, he seemed considerably improved. However, his long illness had weakened his vital powers, and his death came at the time stated. For some days past his condition was of a rather serious nature, and although death came suddenly it was not unexpected, but it came as a sad blow to the family and their many friends.
Wide Acquaintance
The news of the demise of General Horkheimer spread rapidly throughout the city and it brought countless expressions of regret. Probably no citizen of the city was any more respected or had a more wide acquaintance than General Horkheimer, and in his death each of his friends felt that they had suffered a personal loss.
General Horkheimer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 7, 1849, and at the time of his death was in his sixty-third year. He came to the United States in 1862, and located in this city, which was been his home ever since. He followed various mercantile pursuits for a number of years and in 1880 entered in the wool buying business. He founded the firm of Horkheimer Brothers, which was composed of himself and brothers Henry and Bernard, now deceased, Julius and Louis Horkheimer, and during the years of its existence it has grown to be one of the largest wool buying concerns in the country. The [..scratched microfilm..] and Julius and Elwood, sons of the general. He was also connected with the Baer Grocer Company and maintained a large interest in various industrial and financial institutions of the city.
Friend to Charity
As a citizen General Horkheimer was foremost in every movement that was a benefit to the community in any way and took a deep interest in charitable work, contributing largely of his means to every worthy cause. He was a great friend of the City Hospital and numerous other charitable institutions, and did much work of this character that the public knew nothing about. He was quiet and unassuming in his charitable work and its exact extent will never be known to no one but himself. He was also prominent in the affairs of the Eoff Street Temple, and was one of its founders, being chairman of the building committee. He took an active interest in its affairs and in his death the church loses one of its staunchest supporters and leaves a vacancy that will be hard to fill.
He possessed a sterling character and stood high in the business life of the city, and his position in life was largely achieved by his unwavering spirit of honesty and integrity in all his dealing with his fellowman, and in his passing the community loses on of its most prominent and beloved citizens.
Staunch Republican
In politics he was a staunch Republican and took an active interest in the welfare of his party both locally and in the nation. Although held in high esteem by the members of his political faith, he never aspired to office, preferring to do his work in the ranks. The only time he ever held office was in 1896, when the nomination for First branch of council from the Second ward was forced upon him and he was elected by a handsome majority. He served one year of his term and then resigned, and since time he has done valiant service for the party in the ranks. He was appointed colonel on the staff of Governor Atkinson in 1897, brigadier general on the staff of Governor White in 1901, and was reappointed to this position by Governor Dawson. In 1908 he served as a delegate to the Republican national convention. He was a warm personal friend of ex-Senator N. B. Scott, and was chairman of the First senatorial district committee. This committee will meet to-day at the McLure house to pass resolutions upon his death.
General Horkheimer was united in marriage early in the eighties to Miss Cecilia Hirsch, of Lancaster, Pa., and she survives him, in addition to three sons, Benjamin, Elwood and Herbert, and one daughter, Miss Florence. Two brothers, Julius and Louis, and three sisters, Mrs. Henrietta Baer, Mrs. Nanette Steinhauser of this city and Mrs. Rose Fleisher of Denver, Col., also survive.
No definite arrangements for his funeral will be known until this family arrives with the remains this morning, but it will likely be held to-morrow and the interment probably at Greenwood cemetery.
