Peter Stenger was born in Geiselbach, Germany. In 1852, at age 53 years, Peter and his family fled the political unrest in Prussia for a better life in America. They settled in Naperville, Illinois where Peter purchased Jacob Englefriedt's brewery. One of his employees was a young Adolph Coors, who served as brewery foreman before establishing his own brewery in Golden, Colorado.. 

Peter apparently retired from business in 1856. The Stenger family continued the successful venture for another 37 years, at which time they sold to the Chicago trusts. They closed the brewery down in 1896. Peter Stenger died on the 14th of June 1874.

Johann "John" Michael Stenger was born in Gramschatz, Germany. In 1845 he arrived in New York City on the ship Charleston. He worked as a cabinetmaker's apprentice for a while but in 1849 he was lured to California for the Gold Rush. Apparently it was a successful trip because by 1850 he was back east in New York taking his wedding vows. Immediately afterwards the couple travelled to Naperville to join John's father and brother in the brewery business. The Stenger Brewery existed under that name until 1890 when the family sold out to the Chicago syndicate. John Stenger died on April 26, 1911 at age 85 years.

Nicholas John Stenger was born in Gramschatz, Germany. In 1845 His father brought his family to America to escape the political unrest in Prussia. In 1848 they settled in Naperville Illinois, where his father used the money from selling his farm in Germany to purchase a brewery. As his older brother Johann was in California for the Gold Rush, Nicholas, younger son, was engaged in management. In 1854 Johann "John" joined his father and brother in the Naperville and the brewery. At this time their father, Peter, retired. The two brothers ran the brewery for ten years until Nicholas died, at age 35, on the last day of 1864.