Charles H. Wacker

• Name — Charles H. Wacker • Birth Name — Charles Henry Wacker • Born — 29 August 1856 • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois • Died — 31 October 1929 • Place of death — Lake Geneva, Wisconsin • Resting Place — Graceland Cemetery • Alma Mater — University of Stuttgart University of Geneva • Occupation — Businessman, philanthropist • Office — Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission • Term Start — 1909 • Term End — 1926 • Appointer — Fred A. Busse • Predecessor — office established • Successor — James Simpson

Wacker was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 29, 1856.[1] His father Frederick Wacker, a brewer, was born in Württemberg, Germany.[2] Charles Wacker was educated at Lake Forest Academy (class of 1872) and thereafter at the University of Stuttgart and the University of Geneva.[3] He worked in a commission house until 1880, when he started work in his father's malting firm. After his father died in 1884, Wacker became president of the Wacker and Birk Brewing and Malting Company. He was later president of the McAvoy Brewing Company, and director of the Chicago Heights Land Association, Corn Exchange National Bank, Chicago Title and Trust Company, and South Elevator Company, and was part of a consortium of Chicago brewers who underwrote the methods that facilitated the commercialization of refrigeration machines.[4] • Illustration — Wacker's grave at Graceland Cemetery Wacker was a director of the 1893 Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. He died at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on October 31, 1929, and was buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.[5] Wacker Drive, built as part of the Burnham Plan, and Charles H. Wacker Elementary School are named in his honor.[6]