Alewel, Louis Emil (1878-1955)
Dates
- Existence: 1878 - 1955
Biography
Louis Emil Alewel was born on 16 September 1878. His parents, both natives of Germany, were Henry (1853-1943) and Augusta (1856-1892). Alewel came from a family of five children; his brother, Frank, and three sisters, Emily, Augusta, and Edwin. He was educated at Bethany Parochial School of the Bethany Evangelical and Reformed Church. He also attended Jones Commercial College and the City Embalming School. He married Olivia Emily Elizabeth Beckmann on 25 October 1911. They had two daughters, Louise and Norma.
As an undertaker, he operated an establishment in St. Louis, Mo., in partnership with his father. After the death of his father in 1943, he became a salesman for the bakers' and confectioners' supply company operated by his father-in-law, W.E. Beckmann.
Alewel was also a songwriter. In 1925, he published the lyrics to "The Tale of a Tail" and "Fox Trot Song", with music by H. Dallmayer. In 1944, he published the lyrics to "Me And Lindy Lu", with music by his wife. Alewel also wrote both the music and lyrics to "Where Our Country's Longest Rivers Flow Away", published in 1945, and "So 'Tis Writ", in 1946. In 1953, he wrote "The Destiny Of Our Country, a patriotic song.
Alewel was a Mason, a member of the Cornerstone Lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the Liederkranz Club, the Steuben Society, the Cosmos Club, and St. Louis House. He was the last surviving member of the Order of the Sons of Hermann, and he belonged to the Druids Laclede Grove No.9, and the Knights of Honor. He founded the St. Louis Relief for Central Europe, and he was instrumental in the planning for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Louis Emil Alewel died on 19 February 1955.