John J Wagner was born in Herxheim am Berg, Germany. In the late 1840s he followed his half brother Peter Gabel to America and settled with him in Houston Texas. In 1851 Wagner and Gabel opened up a brewery in that town on the corner of Preston & Caroline Streets. Wagner struck out on his own around in 1870, but the partnership reformed a few years later. Gabel left the business in 1875 to pursue real estate. Wagner continued the brewery with partner Charles Herrmann. He retired from brewing in the late 1880s and for the rest of his life tended bar in his son's saloon. John J Wagner died on August 7th 1891, aged 73 years.

Learn more at the links below

Associated Breweries