Adolph Schoeninger
Adolph Schoeninger (January 20, 1833 - December 13, 1900) born in Schwaben, Germany and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was an 19th century industrialist who owned Western Wheel Works in Chicago Illinois. His company became one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world.[1]
Adolph Schoeninger | |
|---|---|
 Adolph Schoeninger 1897 | |
| Born | January 20, 1833 |
| Died | December 13, 1900 (aged 67) |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Industrialist |
| Years active | 1866-1893 |
| Known for | Bicycle Manufacturer |
Notable work | Western Wheel Works |
| Spouse(s) | Augusta Reichmann |
| Children | 3 |
| Signature | |
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Early life
His parents were Joseph A. and Anna M. (née Eble) Schoeninger.[2] Schoeninger was educated in Germany, and moved to the United States with his brother in 1854. He lived in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.[1]
Military service
When the American Civil War began, Schoeninger was offered a command of a company in the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania.[1] He served as a Captain under (then) Colonel Henry Bohlen from 1861-1864.[3][4]
In 1864 he returned to Philadelphia after the war, destitute.[1]
Career
In 1865 he moved to Chicago and opened a furniture business. But in 1866 he was again left with a great financial loss when the factory burned down. In 1866 he then took over another factory which produced toy and baby carriages and named it Western Wheel Works.[1] His partner was a man named F. Westermann and they started out manufacturing toys and other novelties under the name Western Toy Company.[3]
He ran the company until the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed his business.[2] He did not have the proper insurance on his buildings, and was again left with a great financial loss. By 1872 he obtained financing from European banks and rebuilt the factories.[1]
By the mid 1890s bicycles were very popular, and his company began building bicycles and was renamed Western Wheel works. By 1899 they employed 1500 people and produced 350 bikes a day.[1]
In 1893 Schoeninger transferred his ownership of the Western Wheel Works to his two son in laws. He returned to making toys and baby carriages by starting a new company which he called the Home Rattan Company.[1]
Personal life
He was married to Augusta Reichmann April 20 1857. They had three children: one boy and two girls.[2] His only son died and left him without an heir.[1]
Mayor Harvey Doolittle Colvin appointed Schoeninger to serve a three year term on the Chicago Board of Education.[3] He served on the committee on reception when the 1892 Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago.[5]
Death
He spent winters in Los Angeles, California.On December 13, 1900 he died of a lung ailment in Los Angeles.[6]
Reference
- Unrivaled Chicago. Chicago and New York: Rand McNally and Company. 1897. pp. 69–70. ISBN 978-0484513128. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- Moses, John (2010). Biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of the representative men of. Chicago Illinois: The Lewis Publishing company. p. 521. ISBN 978-1149752647. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- La Touche, Royal L. (January 1, 1892). Chicago and Its Resources Twenty Years After 1871-1891 A Commercial History Showing the Progress and Growth of Two Decades from the Great Fire to the Present Time. Chicago Illinois: The Chicago Times Company. p. 143. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- Grant, Ulysses S. (1967–2012). The papers of Ulysses S. Grant. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. p. 288. ISBN 978-0809324996. Retrieved December 11, 2021.CS1 maint: date format (link)
- Dickinson, Edward B. (1892). Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention. Chicago Illinois: Cameron, Amberg and Co. p. xiv. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- "In Death". Waukegan News-Sun. December 14, 1900. Retrieved December 12, 2021.