George Konig

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George Konig was a congressman for Maryland's 3rd congressional district between the years of 1911 and 1913. He was a member of the democratic party. He helped to pass many laws that helped immigrant populations. The Maryland Historical Society wrote an article about his life in its Fall 2006 issue.

[edit] Life

George Konig (the third,as his family likes to refer to him as) was born in 1856 to George Konig (the 2nd) and Caroline Forrester Konig. He grew up in Baltimore City, in the [[Fell's Point]] neighborhood. His father was a notorious Fell's Point rowdy, and George had to grow up around that, eventually overcoming it. He did not spend much time in the public school system, and eventually taught himself to read and write as an adult.

He worked as a shipyard caulker for several years, and eventually gained a desire to be a leader, not a follower. For a while, he followed the path of his father; drinking, spending money quickly, and being a rowdy. Then, he came to reject his infamous father's ways and went down a path to self-improvement. He made up for the education that he had missed by studying books every night. He went on to become the president of the ship caulker union and an official in District Assembly 41, Knights of Labor.

Over the next few years, he tried many jobs. He moved to Norfolk, Virginia for a time, but returned during an epidemic. He worked for the Baltimore Chrome Works and later became a police officer. He left the force in 1881, and became treasurer for the Ship Caulkers' Union for over 12 years. He then went into the sewage buisness.

In 1884, he married Margaret Schroeder, who was described being kind-hearted and possessing a lovable disposition. Over the next few years, they had four daughters: Mary (Carrie), Emma, Margaret, and Sarah (Sadie). They also had a son named George (the fourth)and two adopted daughters.

In 1892, his father died of natural causes. In 1895, he campaigned for the 1st branch of the Baltimore City Council and lost. That same year, he and his family moved to Canton. In May of 1903, Konig won the first ward seat of the first branch of the city council. He was re-elected to that seat in 1905. konig ran for a seat in the second branch in 1907, and won. This made him well known in the area that made up most of the third congressional district.

In 1910, he defeated the Republican incumbent for the seat in congress representing Maryland's third congressional district. He held that seat for the next three years, until his death in 1913. He contracted pneumonia in late may of 1913 and a week later on May 31,1913, he died after telling his family "I am ready to go."

The last house he lived in, 2733 Eastern Avenue, still stands. Until recently, it was owned by his descendants.

[edit] Family

Coming Soon

[edit] Credits

1.Maryland historical Magazine, Fall 2006, The Lost Lives of George Konig Sr.&Jr., A Father-Son Tale of Old Fell's Point

2.Family Knowledge