Charles F. Orthwein

Charles F. Orthwein (1839–1898) was a German-born American businessman from St. Louis, Missouri.

Charles F. Orthwein
BornJanuary 28, 1839
DiedDecember 28, 1898
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Resting placeBellefontaine Cemetery
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse(s)Caroline Nulsen
Children6 sons, 1 daughter
RelativesWilliam D. Orthwein (brother)

Early life

Charles F. Orthwein was born on January 28, 1839. His father was Frederick Charles Orthwein and his mother, Louise Lidle. He emigrated to the United States in 1860, where he was soon joined by his brother, William D. Orthwein.[1]

Career

Orthwein was a grain merchant and "steel car magnate."[2] Orthwein co-founded Haenshen & Orthwein, a grain exchange firm in St. Louis in the 1860s.[1] In 1870, Orthwein co-founded Orthwein & Mersman, a grain commission firm, with Joseph J. Mersman.[3] The firm shipped grains to Europe from St. Louis, via New Orleans, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas. In 1879, Mersman left the business and he was replaced by his brother William.[3] As a result, the firm became known as Orthwein Brothers,[3] and it was in business until 1893.[1]

The St. Louis Mining and Stock Exchange was formed in St. Louis in the fall of 1880 with Orthwein as a founding member.[4] Orthwein was a member of the St. Louis Merchants Exchange.[5] With Corwin H. Spencer, Orthwein acquired the streetcar system in St. Louis.[5] He became a multi-millionaire.[5]

Personal life

Orthwein married Caroline Nulsen. They had six sons, Charles C. Orthwein, Max R. Orthwein, Ralph Orthwein, Lee Orthwein, William J. Orthwein, and Armin F. Orthwein, and one daughter, Ruth Orthwein Feuerbacher.

Death

Orthwein died of liver cancer on December 28, 1898.[2] He was buried at the Bellefontaine Cemetery.

References
  1. Stevens, Walter Barlow (1921). Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921. 5. St. Louis & Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 758–761. OCLC 1577514.
  2. "Charles F. Orthwein Dead". Independence Daily Reporter. Independence, Kansas. December 29, 1898. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Charles F. Orthwein, the millionaire grain merchant and steel car magnate, died at his home last night of cancer of the liver.
  3. Fisher, Linda A. (2007). The Whiskey Merchant's Diary: An Urban Life in the Emerging Midwest. Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press. p. xxix. ISBN 9780821417454. OCLC 76074264.
  4. Thomas Scharf, John (1883), History of Saint Louis City and County: From the Earliest Periods ..., Volume 2, retrieved September 24, 2017
  5. "Charles F. Orthwein Dying. Is One of the Heaviest Grain Exporters in Mississippi Valley". The Record Union. Sacramento, California. December 29, 1898. p. 7. Retrieved October 8, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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