Michael Diversey

Michael Diversey (born Diversy as shown on his grave in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Chicago; December 10, 1810 – December 12, 1869) was an American beer brewer, owner of the Diversey Beer Brewery. Diversey was an immigrant from Illingen Saarland, Germany. He landed in the US in 1830, and went into partnership with English immigrant William Lill around 1841. The company changed its name and became the Lill & Diversey Brewery, also known simply as The Chicago Brewery. It was destroyed in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire

Michael Diversey
Chicago Alderman[1]
In office
1856–1858
Serving with Samuel McKay (1856–1857)
Philip Conley (1857–1857)
Preceded byMorgan L. Keith
Succeeded byBenjamin Carpenter
Constituency6th Ward
In office
1844–1845
Serving with Buckner Stith Morris (1844)
James H. Rees (1844–1845)
Preceded byGeorge W. Dole/ J. Marback
Succeeded byMahlon D. Ogden/ Richard C. Ross
Constituency6th Ward
Personal details
Born(1810-12-10)December 10, 1810
Germany
DiedDecember 12, 1869(1869-12-12) (aged 59)
Spouse(s)Angela
OccupationBeer brewery owner

Michael Diversey was a philanthropist. He was also a Chicago alderman (1844–45; 1856–1868). During the 1850s, Diversey was active in the antiprohibitionist crusade that sought to repel the influence of temperance reformers who attempted to ban the sale and manufacture of alcohol.[2]

The Diversey Parkway in Chicago is named after him. St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Chicago was built on land donated to the parish by Michael Diversey. Until 1885, St. Michael’s was the tallest building in Chicago.

Michael Diversey was married to Angela Diversy (June 10, 1810 – November 9, 1883). Oil portraits of Michael and Angela Diversy are in the collection of the Chicago History Museum.

References

  1. "Centennial List of Mayors, City Clerks, City Attorneys, City Treasurers, and Aldermen, elected by the people of the city of Chicago, from the incorporation of the city on March 4, 1837 to March 4, 1937, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the years during which each official held office". Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  2. Volk, Kyle G. (2014). Moral Minorities and the Making of American Democracy. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 167, 173. ISBN 019937192X.


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