George Schneider (banker)

George Schneider
Born	1823
Died	1905
Occupation(s)	Journalist, financier, diplomat
Known for	Editor-in-chief of Illinois Staats-Zeitung; United States Consul in Elsinore; Collector of Internal Revenue for Illinois' 1st District

George Schneider (1823–1905) was a German-American journalist and financier, recognized primarily for his role as editor-in-chief of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung. During the Civil War, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to serve as United States Consul in Elsinore, and subsequently held the position of Collector of Internal Revenue for Illinois' 1st District. As a refugee from Germany and participant in the Forty-Eighters, Schneider significantly contributed to the political empowerment of German-American communities.

Early years

Born to Ludwig Schneider, a government official, and Josephine Schneider (née Schlick), he received his early education locally and embarked on a journalism career at age 21, working with German-language newspapers. A proponent of the 1848 revolutionary movements, Schneider escaped to Baden and then France before emigrating to the United States in 1849.

Neue Zeit

Together with his brother, Schneider launched the Neue Zeit in St. Louis, Missouri, catering to the city’s substantial German-speaking population by addressing critical topics such as slavery, which most readers opposed. Within a year, the newspaper’s office was destroyed by fire.

Illinois Staats-Zeitung

After a brief period teaching foreign languages near St. Louis, Schneider relocated to Chicago in August 1851 to take on the editorship of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung, acquiring half ownership by 1852. Under his guidance, the publication took a firm stance against the expansion of slavery following the 1854 repeal of the Missouri Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

In January 1854, Schneider organized Chicago’s inaugural public assembly opposing the extension of slavery into new territories. Despite facing threats from mobs targeting the newspaper, his careful planning helped preserve order. The Staats-Zeitung played a pivotal role in mobilizing German-American resistance to slavery and fostering their steadfast loyalty to the Union throughout the Civil War.

Republican politics

Schneider was a key participant in the establishment of the Republican Party in Illinois. He attended the Anti-Nebraska editors’ meeting held in Decatur on February 22, 1856, where he contributed to defining party principles as a member of the Committee on Resolutions. At the party’s first State Convention in Bloomington three months later, they nominated William H. Bissell for governor; Bissell won that November’s election.

With backing from Abraham Lincoln, Schneider influenced a resolution at Decatur advocating for religious liberty and freedom of conscience as a counter to the Know Nothing Party. These ideals were incorporated into platforms at Bloomington and at the inaugural Republican National Convention in Philadelphia on June 17, where Schneider served as a delegate. He also participated in the 1860 Republican national convention.

In 1861, Schneider helped convene Chicago’s first public gathering endorsing federal efforts against secession. Lincoln appointed him consul general at Elsinore, Denmark, where he worked to inform Danes about the conflict between the Union government and the Confederacy. After serving for one year, he returned to Chicago, sold his stake in the Staats-Zeitung, and assumed the role of Collector of Internal Revenue for Chicago for four years.

Later in his career, Schneider became president of the State Savings Institution until 1871 and subsequently led the National Bank of Illinois as president. In 1877, President Hayes nominated him as United States minister to Switzerland; however, he declined this appointment due to personal and business commitments. In 1880, he served as a presidential elector supporting Garfield.

Philanthropic Contributions

Schneider served as treasurer for the Chicago South Park Board in 1878 and held a directorial position with the Chicago Festival Association in 1885, where he played a key role in attracting musicians to the city. Additionally, he was a long-serving board member of the Illinois Humane Society.

Collapse of the Bank

At the end of 1896, the Illinois National Bank failed due to poor management by others, leading to its liquidation and resulting in substantial financial losses for Schneider. This marked the conclusion of a financial institution he had developed over a span exceeding 25 years. After this major setback, he mostly withdrew from active business life and spent considerable time with his daughter in Kansas City.

Schneider passed away on September 16, 1905, while convalescing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His interment took place at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, where numerous compatriots attended his funeral service.

References

• Selby, Paul. "George Schneider." Illinois State Historical Society, 1906. Papers in Illinois History and Transactions, pp. 331–333.

Attribution:

External links

• George Schneider Elementary School (brief biography)
• PictureHistory (portrait and brief biography)