Encyclopedia Dubuque
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TSCHIRGI, Mathias
TSCHIRGI, Matheus "Mathias". (St. Gallen, Switzerland, Oct. 25, 1824-Dubuque, IA, Nov. 11, 1903). Matheus Tschirgi came to Dubuque in 1846. According to the book, "The Tenderfoot", he arrived in New Orleans and found passage up the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. The riverboat floundered and he was picked up bound for Dubuque, Iowa. He worked with Anton Gehrig at the DUBUQUE BREWERY from 1846 to 1847. He was trained as a brewer and a Catholic priest but decided to establish a brewery in Dubuque, the first in the state of Iowa called "Mathias Tschirgi" on Main between 6th and 7th Streets. That lasted from 1848 to 1850. In 1850 the company becomes M. Tschirgi and Co. on Julien St. in Dubuque. According to Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa, he ground the grain in a coffee mill and distributed his product to customers by wheelbarrow.
In 1855 Tschirgi formed a partnership with Jacob Schwind through which they developed the Western Brewery, one of the largest BREWERIES in Iowa, at the corner of Delhi and Julien avenues. Under the name of Tschirgi and Schwind, it remained in business until the consolidation of breweries that led to the DUBUQUE BREWING AND MALTING COMPANY. For the 1870 Census, he changed the spelling of his first name to Mathew. His oldest son, Mathew TSCHIRGI, Jr. (then 20) also changed his name.
In 1873 Tschirgi attended the Brewers' Convention in Vienna, Austria as a delegate of the United States Brewers' Association. He continued in the business until 1886 when he retired.
Tschirgi took an active interest in the careers of his sons. One son, Arnold, was established in the brewing industry of Sheridan, Wyoming. George and Frank were provided with improved ranches near that city. His daughter Catherine married Adam F. JAEGER while his second daughter, Louise, became the wife of J. Traut. His son, Mathew TSCHIRGI, Jr. remained in Dubuque as an influential member of the community.
Unlike others in the brewing business, Tschirgi was interested in inventing. He perfected beer reservoirs and coolers and received patents for them in 1865 and 1866.
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Source:
Gue, Benjamin F. Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa, p. 544
Tschirgi History Page - Tschirgi, Fred, www.tschirgi.net/history.html
"Matthew Tschirgi," Dubuque County Genealogy, http:www.rootsweb.ancestry.com