Franz (Frank) Balder was born in Kanitz, Schelisia, Prussia. After spending some time brewing in Milwaukee he moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota where he was the brewmaster in the Thierse & Balder Brewery. In 1880 a Mr. Weber was brought in as junior partner, as Balder took over as senior partner. Balder bought the brewery outright in 1884 and ran it until he died, on his birthday in 1889. He was 40 years of age. The brewery continued on without him for another eight years, finally closing in 1897.