August A. Jekel, secretary and treasurer of the Reliable Life & Accident Insurance Company of St. Louis, was born in Germany, April 22, 1867, his parents being Henry and Katherine (Maeser) Jekel, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married, the father there following the occupation of farming. Their family numbered five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom all are living, namely: Katherine, the wife of George H. Velten of Germany; Mrs. Bertha Hechler, a widow, living in Germany; August A., who is the third in order of birth; Eliza, the wife of Adolph Lind of Germany; and Carl, who is married and makes his home in Germany.
August A. Jekel was educated in his native country, his training being equivalent to that of a high school education in America. He afterward worked at the butcher’s trade in Germany to the age of twenty-six years, and then resolved to try his fortune in America. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and on the 12th of November, 1894, arrived on the shores of the new world. He made his way first to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was employed as a butcher until May 20, 1900. He then became agent for the Prudential Insurance Company of Louisville, Kentucky, and proving his capability and efficiency in that position was promoted to assistant superintendent on the 9th of February, 1902. Mr. Jekel was advanced to the superintendency February 13, 1905, and came to St. Louis, having charge of their No. 4 office. He continued to act in that capacity until December 1, 1911, when he associated himself with Bernal L. Tatman and Dr. Charles L. Mattes and they organized the Reliable Life & Accident Insurance Company, a Missouri corporation, with headquarters in St. Louis. He was made secretary and treasurer and so continues to the present time, bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control in the position which he now fills. He has been instrumental in promoting the success of the corporation, which writes accident, health and life insurance. Mr. Jekel does not confine his attention alone to this line, however, for he is also president of the Werner Film & Protector Manufacturing Company of St. Louis and is a director of the Ka Dene Medicine Company of Nashville, Tennessee.
On the 16th of October, 1396, Mr. Jekel was married in Louisville, Kentucky, to Miss Katie M. Glanz, a daughter of Henry and Dorothy Glanz, the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jekel have become parents of five children, a daughter and four sons: The eldest. Alfred H., served with the marines during the World war. He was in the service for a year and a half, being on overseas duty in France and afterward with the army of occupation in Germany; the daughter Katherine M., is the wife of Claude R. Chamberlain, a farmer of Anderson, Missouri; Alfred H. and Oscar H. are planning to enter the Michigan University in the fall of 1921; Karl A. is now a high school student in Kirkwood; Louis G., the youngest of the family, is also attending the Kirkwood high school.
Mr. Jekel was a candidate for the school board of Kirkwood in April, 1921, and was elected by a big majority. In politics he has always been a republican. Fraternally he belongs to Kirkwood Lodge, No. 484, A. F. & A. M.; Rabboni Chapter, No. 131, R. A. AL, of Webster Groves; Missouri Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R.; and Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of St. Louis. He is also a member of the Million Population Club and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Kirkwood Presbyterian church, of which he is serving as one of the trustees. He has deep interest in all affairs of public concern and his activities have been direct forces in the matter of public progress and improvement.
