August Uihlein

Georg Karl August Uihlein
Born	Wertheim am Main, Grand Duchy of Baden
Died	October 11, 1911(1911-10-11) (aged 69) Heligoland, Germany
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, brewer, horse breeder
Known for	Leadership of Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, horse breeding

Georg Karl August Uihlein (born August 25, 1842 – died October 11, 1911) was a German-American entrepreneur, brewer, and breeder of horses.

Early life

Born as Georg Karl August Ühlein in 1842 in Wertheim am Main, located in the Grand Duchy of Baden (present-day Germany), August Uihlein was part of a family including siblings such as Henry Uihlein and Edward Uihlein. The family managed the Gasthaus zur Krone inn. Following a flood in 1850 that damaged the inn’s cellar, his grandfather George Krug took him to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, Krug’s son, August Krug—Uihlein’s uncle—owned a brewery and tavern. During their Atlantic crossing, their vessel caught fire mid-ocean; they survived by holding onto a wooden crate until rescued by the American bark Devonshire.

In Milwaukee, Uihlein attended the German-English Academy and subsequently pursued studies at St. Louis University between 1855 and 1857.

Career

From 1857 until 1867, Uihlein was employed at the Uhrig Brewery in St. Louis. Upon returning to Milwaukee, he became involved with the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, previously known as the Krug Brewery established by his uncle August Krug in the 1840s. After Joseph Schlitz passed away in 1875, leadership transitioned to Uihlein and his brothers. Full ownership was secured by the Uihleins following Mrs. Schlitz’s death in 1887. Throughout his tenure from 1874 to 1911, Uihlein held positions including secretary and chairman of the board. His business interests extended into banking, real estate, and various other enterprises within Milwaukee.

Horse breeding and philanthropy

Uihlein operated an extensive breeding farm near Kenosha, Wisconsin, specializing in purebred racehorses, with notable ownership of Harvester. He was also a prominent benefactor to institutions such as the German-English Academy and the Milwaukee Public Library.

Personal life

He fathered six children: three sons—Erwin, Joseph, and Robert—and three daughters: Ida Pabst, Mrs. W. C. Brumder, and Paula Uihlein. His eldest daughter Ida married Frederick Pabst Jr., thereby uniting two influential brewing dynasties. After becoming widowed in 1910, Uihlein moved to Heligoland, Germany, where he passed away in 1911. At the time of his death, his estate was valued at around US$4 million and was distributed among his six offspring.

See also

• Eberhard Anheuser
• Jacob Best
• Valentin Blatz
• Adolphus Busch
• Adolph Coors
• Gottlieb Heileman
• Frederick Miller
• Frederick Pabst