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Author: smoerlein
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.ziegler/475.1.1.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Dan
You asked for info regarding Christian Moerlein. Following is a short history. You do not
indicate where you live now, but do you know that a line of Christian Moerlein beers has
been re-introduced (again). It have proved to be a "huge hit" in the Cincinnati
area according to my sister still living there. If you would like any further info, let
me know.
Name: Christian Moerlein Manufacturer of Lager Beer, was born in Truppach, Bavaria, May
13th, 1818, and is the son of Conrad Moerlein. After attending the village school until he
had attained his thirteenth year, he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and engaged in
farming with his father. His uncle being a brewer, he obtained a knowledge of the brewing
business, which proved ultimately to be of great service to him. At eighteen years of age
he began life on his own resources as a blacksmith, and during the succeeding five years
worked in that capacity for a Prussian dollar per week. Later, with a hundred guilders
given him by his father, he started on foot to Bremen, with his tools and knapsack, and
after travelling a distance of three hundred miles, reached his destination in safety. On
St. John's day the ship "Rebecca" was in port, and advertised to sail within
three weeks for America. While awaiting its departure he worked at his trade, and thus
secured sufficient money!
to enable him to defray his passage expenses. After a journey of fifty-eight days, he
arrived at Baltimore with a cash capital of twelve dollars, out of which sum he paid eight
dollars for a passage by canal and rail to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But failing to secure
work in this place, he started on foot for Wheeling, succeeding, however, in finding
employment at Hendricksburg, Belmont county, Ohio, at seven dollars per month including
board, which salary was increased afterward to fifteen dollars per month. He landed in
Cincinnati in 1842, where he was employed first in digging a cellar at fifty cents per
day. In the following October he commenced business for himself on Finley street, and in
1853 sold his blacksmith shop, and formed a copartnership with Adam Dillman, in connection
with whom he erected a small brewery. March 1st of the same year the partners sold their
first beer. A. Dillman dying in the ensuing May, he conducted the business alone for one
month, and the!
n formed a partnership with Conrad Windisch, a competent brewer. In 18
55 the manufacture of common beer was abandoned, and that of lager beer initiated. During
the winter of this year the product was about 2000 barrels, while, in 1866, 26,500 barrels
were brewed. In September of the latter year he purchased, for the sum of $130,000, the
entire interests of his partner, and two years afterward erected the main building of his
present works. To the nine cellars then constructed, with a capacity of 9000 barrels, he
has added four additional ones which, with the main structure, give a total capacity of
150,000 barrels. The building is 225 feet by 110, and four stories in height. In 1872 ten
other cellars were built, with a capacity of 1000 barrels each, making a total capacity of
35,000 barrels. He has floor room for 125,000 bushels of barley, and his cooperage is done
on the premises. He employs constantly a force of from 80 to 100 men, while from 35 to 50
horses are required to do the hauling for the establishment. In 1864 he erected three
large!
houses on the corner of Fifteenth and Elm streets, under which he built two cellars
capable of storing about 3000 barrels of beer. From 1866, when his sales amounted to about
25,000 barrels, down to the present time, his annual increase has been about 19,000
barrels. The sales of 1872 amounted to over 40,000 barrels; the sales of the current year
amount to over 70,000 barrels. His extraordinary success is due mainly to inflexible
integrity, unusual financial abilities, and a thorough knowledge of all the details
connected with his vast business. His superb mansion, 168 Mulberry street, Cincinnati, is
one of the noted ornaments of the city. In 1873 he was elected one of the Trustees of the
Water Works. July 4th, 1873, the first building, insured as a malt house, fell from the
weight of grain, over 20,000 bushels of malt being stored there. A new one was then
immediately erected, at a cost of over $80,000, with a capacity of 100,000 bushels. He was
married in 1843 to Sophia !
Adam, formerly of Strausburg, France, who died during the cholera seas
on of 1849, leaving three children, one of whom died in the same year, and another in
1853. John Moerlein, the surviving child, is now engaged in business with his father. He
was again married, in the fall of 1849, to Barbara Ochalso, a native of Bavaria, by whom
he has had nine children, seven of whom are now living. George Moerlein and Jacob
Moerlein, by his second wife, and John, by his first wife, are now engaged in business
with him.
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