News
25th March 1809
25th March 1809
George Steil was a farmer, born in Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany. He emigrated with his family in May of 1854, arriving in the port of New York. They settled in Dodge County in the Wisconsin Territory where he took up his former occupation in the township of Beaver Dam. He may or may not have had a hand in his son Xavier's brewery.
George Steil was a farmer, born in Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany. He emigrated with his family in May of 1854, arriving in the port of New York. They settled in Dodge County in th... View More
News
26th April 1839
26th April 1839
George Aman was born in Bavaria. He emigrated alone at age 20 on October 23, 1854 on a ship named the Milwaukee. He settled in the Territory of Wisconsin in the town of Beaver Dam. In 1859 he became junior partner with Charles Schutte in his Farmers Brewery on Madison Street. They dissolved their partnership in 1864.
It was a crowded field for brewers in Beaver Dam. It was a town of only about 3000 people yet it already boasted two well-established and sizable breweries. Nonetheless Aman sought to establish his own firm under his own name. He bought two lots west of Goeggerle's brewery and moved an old Sash factory onto them then converted the building into a brewery. He was up and running by the summer of 1864. But the business apparently did not suit him and in July of 1866 he sold out to partners Berthold & Schmidt for $5000. In September the brewery burned to the ground and Aman kept the unpaid deed for the now empty lots. George Aman never returned to the brewery business.
In 1868 Aman married Anna Kraus, and with that they began a new life. In 1868 he sold the land to his brother-in-law Frank Xavier Steil, who rebuilt the brewery on the ruins of the old one. Steil ran the brewery for fifteen years until fire once again claimed the business.
Aman and Anna relocated to a farm in Westford Wisconsin. In 1885 they moved again to Kossuth County Iowa, where they lived the rest of their lives. Anna died on January 17th, 1908. George followed her on the 2nd of October. He was 69 years of age.
George Aman was born in Bavaria. He emigrated alone at age 20 on October 23, 1854 on a ship named the Milwaukee. He settled in the Territory of Wisconsin in the town of Beaver Dam. ... View More
News
23rd November 1842
23rd November 1842
Franz Xavier Steil was born in Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany. He emigrated to America with his family in May of 1854. It is possible that Xavier worked in the Farmer's Brewery (the future Binzel Brewery) on Madison Street, as here he would have both learned the art of brewing and become aquainted with his future brother-in-law George Amann.
On October 13th, 1866 Steil joined Amann's sister Frances Amann in matrimony. It was a union that would produce seven children as well as a new career path for the groom. George Amann was apparently keen to leave the business of brewery ownership and he sold out in July of 1866 to partners Berthold & Schmidt. Under their management the brewery promptly burned down, and Aman reclaimed ownership for the unpaid deed.
In 1868 Aman sold the empty property Franz Xavier Steil, who (quite possibly with his father George Steil's monetary assistance) rebuilt the brewery from the ground up. The firm was called the New Brewery and it managed to eek out a market share in the crowded Beaver Dam brewery scene. Steil ran the firm for a decade and a half and then it was all over.
On the 29th of June, 1885 a fire once again consumed the brewhouse on Spring Street. Xavier and Frances escaped with their newborn out a second floor window. Their three older children who were sleeping in another part of the residence died in the flames.
Franz Xavier Steil never rebuilt the brewery. He found employment at the Goeggerle brewery as a "Day Laborer" according to the census. He died on September 20, 1909 at the age of 66.
Franz Xavier Steil was born in Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany. He emigrated to America with his family in May of 1854. It is possible that Xavier worked in the Farmer's Brewery (the... View More
1864 FoundedGeorge AmanSpring Street (now Madison)
1866 Berthold & SchmidtSpring Street (now Madison)
1868 New Brewery, Pfestel (probably Steil)Spring Street (now Madison)
1875 New Brewery, Franz Xavier (aka: George?) SteilSpring Street (now Madison)
News
29th June 1885
29th June 1885
Three of Xavier Steil's four children died when his brewhouse burned to the ground in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Three of Xavier Steil's four children died when his brewhouse burned to the ground in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
1882 ClosedNew Brewery, Franz Xavier (aka: George?) Steil