Gottlieb Storz
Gottlieb Storz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1852 Benningen, Wurttemberg, Germany |
| Died | 1939 |
| Occupation(s) | Brewer, business leader |
| Known for | Founder of Storz Brewery |
Gottlieb Storz (1852–1939) was an influential business leader in Omaha, Nebraska, recognized as the founder of the Storz Brewery. Originating from Benningen, Wurttemberg, Germany, Storz played a prominent role within Omaha’s German immigrant community and the local brewing sector, earning a reputation as a major figure in the brewing industry.
Biography
Storz emigrated to the United States in 1870 and relocated to Omaha by 1876, where he assumed the position of foreman at a brewery established in 1863. His brewing expertise was developed through experiences in Wurttemberg, New York, and at the William Lemp Brewing Company in St. Louis. After Joseph Baumann passed away in 1876, Storz took charge of Baumann’s brewery operations and eventually leased the facility himself.
In 1891, he established the Omaha Brewing Association and became its president. The following year, 1892, saw the construction of a state-of-the-art brewery located at 1819 North 16th Street in North Omaha, close to Sherman Avenue and Clark Street.
Storz owned multiple saloons, often called "tied houses," including one situated next to his brewery. When Nebraska enacted the Gibson Law in 1907 prohibiting breweries from owning saloons, he transferred their ownership to the Independent Realty Company. Nevertheless, a 1914 decision by the Nebraska Supreme Court determined that these establishments remained effectively under control of Storz Brewery due to close ties between company officials and the Storz family.
The brewery received awards at significant exhibitions such as the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition held in Omaha, the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland, Oregon, and an event in Paris in 1912.
In 1905, Storz commissioned a residence at 3708 Farnam Street, which is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nebraska introduced statewide prohibition in 1917 and ratified the Eighteenth Amendment two years later in 1919. Following repeal in 1934, Storz Brewery quickly resumed production, reaching an output of up to 150,000 barrels annually.
Gottlieb Storz passed away in 1939. The brewery continued its beer production until ceasing operations in 1972.
Family
Gottlieb’s brother Charles constructed a distinguished residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as is Gottlieb’s own home. His eldest son, Adolph Gottlieb Storz, was born in 1884.
His adopted daughter Louise entered into a brief marriage in 1912 with Carl Hans Lody, noted as the sole German spy publicly tried for espionage during either World War. Lody was executed at the Tower of London in 1914. Their marriage ended swiftly amid divorce proceedings citing assault; although initially withdrawn, the divorce was finalized by March 1914.
His sons Arthur Charles Storz (born 1890) and Robert Charles Storz (born 1898) carried forward the family heritage. Robert’s son, Todd Storz, is credited with pioneering the Top 40 radio format and establishing a successful network of AM radio stations.
See also
External links
- Historical photograph of Gottlieb Storz
