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.

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