Kilian Kress was born in Grossentuder, Hesse, Germany.  He was a common laborer when he sailed from Bremen on the 24th of May, 1852.  He landed in the port of Baltimore on the 21st of July and within a week had made a new home in Wheeling, Virginia.

On August 10, 1862 Kress married Rosalia "Rosa" Scheibelhuth in a union that would produce eight children.  In around 1866 he became a driver for the Eagle Brewery (I suspect he had previously employed there as an untitled laborer).  In 1869 he was brought in to the firm as a partner with George Kinghorn and John L. Brown.

Kress was 11 years Kinghorn's senior and leadership naturally gravitated towards the oldest partner, even though he had almost no brew-house experience.  Brown soon dropped out of the firm,and Kinghorn followed him in 1876, selling Kress his share in the firm for a mere $5.

Kinghorn stayed on as brewmaster for another year, and Kress soon found two new brewers in John J. Kenney and Christian Blum.

On the 19th of June, 1886 Kress's wife Rosa died.  On October 15th 1887, at age 57, Kress followed her into the great beyond.

The brewery was sold the next year and purchased by long-time lessees Kenney and Blum.  Kenney's Ale had already earned the brewmaster a solid reputation and the firm was able to ride that success for another 13 years, finally closing in 1900.

The building still stands, occupied by the Mountain Aire Heating & Air Conditioning Company.

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Associated Breweries