Paul F. Beich

Oil painting on canvas: portrait of Paul F. Beich in double breasted blue suit with blue & red striped tie; greenish blue hankerchief folded in breast pocket; both hands placed in front suit pockets. Painted by Frederic Nigard; mounted in gold frame. "1864 * Paul F. Beich * 1937" engraved on metal plate nailed to bottom center of frame.

Originally from Prussia, Paul Frank Beich emigrated to the United States at the age of eighteen in 1887. He first worked as a traveling salesman but then he and Oscar Buffe bought the Lancaster Caramel Company from M.S. Hershey. The candy factory employed over 400 people and Bloomington was considered one of the city’s leader industries.