Charles F. Orthwein
Born(1839-01-28)January 28, 1839
Württemberg, Germany
DiedDecember 28, 1898(1898-12-28) (aged 59)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Resting placeBellefontaine Cemetery
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse
Caroline Nulsen
​
(m. 1866)​
Children6 sons, 1 daughter
RelativesWilliam D. Orthwein (brother)
Signature

Charles F. Orthwein (January 28, 1839 – December 28, 1898) was a German-born American businessman from St. Louis, Missouri.

Early life

Charles F. Orthwein was born in Württemberg on January 28, 1839, to Frederick Charles Orthwein and Louise Lidle.[1] He emigrated to the United States in 1860, where he was soon joined by his brother, William D. Orthwein.[2]

Career

Orthwein was a grain merchant and "steel car magnate."[3] In the 1860s, Orthwein co-founded Haenshen & Orthwein, a grain exchange firm in St. Louis.[2] In 1870, Orthwein co-founded Orthwein & Mersman, a grain commission firm, with Joseph J. Mersman.[4] The firm shipped grains to Europe from St. Louis, via New Orleans, Louisiana, and Galveston, Texas. In 1879, Mersman left the business and was replaced by Orthwein's brother William.[4] The firm was renamed Orthwein Brothers[4] and operated until 1893.[2]

In the fall of 1880, Orthwein helped found the St. Louis Mining and Stock Exchange.[5] Orthwein was a member of the St. Louis Merchants Exchange.[6] With Corwin H. Spencer, Orthwein acquired the streetcar system in St. Louis.[6] He became a multi-millionaire.[6]

Personal life

Orthwein married Caroline Nulsen in 1866. They had six sons, Charles C. Orthwein, Max R. Orthwein, Ralph Orthwein, Lee Orthwein, William J. Orthwein, and Armin F. Orthwein, and two daughters, Ruth Orthwein Feuerbacher and Fannie E. Smith.[7]

Death

Orthwein died of liver cancer on December 28, 1898.[3] He was buried at the Bellefontaine Cemetery.

References

  1. ↑ Conard, Howard L., ed. (1901). Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri. Vol. V. The Southern History Company. p. 25. Retrieved July 22, 2023 – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 Stevens, Walter Barlow (1921). Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921. Vol. 5. St. Louis & Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 758–761. OCLC 1577514.
  3. 1 2 "Charles F. Orthwein Dead". Independence Daily Reporter. St. Louis, Missouri. December 29, 1898. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2023 – 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. Open access icon
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. ↑ Thomas Scharf, John (1883), History of Saint Louis City and County: From the Earliest Periods ..., Volume 2, retrieved September 24, 2017
  6. 1 2 3 Written at St. Louis. "Charles F. Orthwein Dying. Is One of the Heaviest Grain Exporters in Mississippi Valley". The Record Union. Sacramento, California (published December 29, 1898). December 28, 1898. p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ↑ Conard, Howard L., ed. (1901). Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri. Vol. V. The Southern History Company. p. 27. Retrieved July 22, 2023 – via Google Books.
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