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SCHLICHTING, George M. V., Jr.,
Merchant, Soldier in World War.
That this is the name of one of the most
aggressive of South Norwalk's business
men of the younger generation is some-
thing of which Mr. Schlichting's fellow-
citizens do not need to be informed. It
may be added that he is equally well
known as a patriotic American, having
made a most honorable record of active
service in France during the late World
War.
George M. V. Schlichting, father of
George M. V. Schlichting, Jr., was born
in Freiburg, on the Elbe, Germany, and
there received his education. When about
sixteen years of age he came with his
parents to the United States, settling in
Brooklyn, New York, where he attended
night school, thus completing his formal
education and at the same time acquiring
a knowledge of the English language.
After a brief experience as clerk in a
grocery store he went into the cracker
business on his own account, and from
the beginning was successful, building up
an extensive trade. Upon the organization
of the National Biscuit Company
they purchased his business and he became
their general manager in Brooklyn,
New York. This position he retained
until about ten years ago, when he re-
tired, later becoming a resident of Darien,
Connecticut. He is a Republican, and in
1916-17 served as selectman of Darien.
Mr. Schlichting married Frieda Seeliger,
and they are the parents of the follow-
ing children : Bertha, married Frank R.
De Courcy, of Darien ; Henry C, of
Darien, who was in the 56th Artillery
and served nine months in France;
George M. V., mentioned below ; and
Frieda. The family are members of a
German Lutheran church in Brooklyn.
George M. V. Schlichting, Jr., son of
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
263
George M. V. and Frieda (Seeliger)
Schlichting, was born November 24, 1887,
in Brooklyn, New York, and received his
education in the public schools of his
native city and in those of Darien, Con-
necticut. He then entered the service
of the National Biscuit Company and had
been with them about six years when his
father resigned the position of manager.
During the next two years Mr. Schlicht-
ing was employed first in a hardware store
and then in a grocery store, serving one
year in each.
After getting acquainted with these
different lines of business, Mr. Schlicht-
ing purchased a store in Darien, which in
1918 was destroyed by fire. It was re-
built by Mr. Schlichting, Sr., and in 1915
the business was sold to the Walter
Stewart Company.
In 1916 Mr. Schlichting, Jr., went into
business at Hickory Bluff, a summer
resort in South Norwalk, Connecticut.
At first he rented his present quarters,
but in 1920 purchased the entire property,
including the store, a fine bathing beach
and about eighty bath houses. He added
to the bath houses, which he rents by the
season, and also rents canoes and boats.
The business has flourished continuously
since its inception, thus proving Mr.
Schlichting possessed of a large amount
of initiative and also of the executive
talent which causes that initiative to re-
sult in marked and substantial success.
Always a good citizen, Mr. Schlichting
gave conclusive evidence of his loyalty
when his country stood in need of his
services as a soldier. In December, 1917,
he was drafted and became a member of
the 102nd Company, 26th Division. On
March 18, 1918, he was sent to France,
and had been there only about six weeks
when he was assigned to Company D. He
saw in all thirteen months' foreign service.
Company D, it may be mentioned, was