Bender Brewery, New Ulm, Minnesota

JACOB BENDER BREWERY
NEW ULM, MINNESOTA

The 'Bender Brewery', built by Jacob Bender, opened for business in 1866. The brewery was completely destroyed by fire on November 28, 1869, but Bender rebuilt the brewery and reopened for business the following year, 1870. The Bender Brewery was quite small, having no employees, leaving Jacob and his family to all the work. In fact, in 1889, the Jacob Bender Brewery production was at 200 barrels of beer per year, compared to 6,000 barrels per year being produced by both the August Schell Brewing Co, and the John Hauenstein Brewing Co.

Different sources place the Jacob Bender Brewery at different locations on Front Street in New U lm, Minnesota. Some indicate the corner of 3rd South and Front, some indicate the corner or 2nd South and Front, other give addresses as 212 South Front, 216 South Front, and 218 South Front. Obviously, the Jacob Bender Brewery was located between 2nd and 3rd South Front Street. One must also keep in mind that in the late 1800's and early 1900's many street addresses were being changed. As housing increased, a new numbering of houses (addresses) needed to be incorporated.The brewery and residence were adjoining.

INFORMATION ON WILHELMINA BENDER, WIFE OF JACOB BENDER

Wilhelmina Bender, nee Jacobs, was born April 23, 1841, in Bockenen, Hanover, Germany. In November, 1849, the family immigrated to America where they made New Orleans their first home (many of the German immigrants came via the 'Southern Route' to America, coming through the port at New Orleans, rather than Ellis Island, New York). Wilhelmina's family remained in New Orleans until about April,1850, when they moved to St. Louis. From St. Louis they came directly to New Ulm, arriving here the 14th of June, 1857. It is interesting to note that Wilhelmina was married twice. She married her first husband, Adolph Steimle, in 1858. Mr. Steimle was wounded during the Dakota Conflict of 1862, and died a short time later in St. Paul, Minnesota. One daughter was born to this marriage (Louisa) who died about 1881. Wilhelmina married Jacob Bender in 1869 (same year the brewery was destroyed by fire), and to his marriage, six children were born . . . four boys, and two girls. When Wilhelmina died on March 5, 1911, the only surviving children were her two daughters, Miss Emma Bender, and Mrs. John Gewerth, both of New Ulm. All four of her sons, Charles, George, Hermann and Robert, preceded her in death. She was also survived by one brother, George Jacobs, of New Ulm. Her funeral was held from the Bender residence on Front Street. She was 70 years old.

INFORMATION ON JACOB BENDER

Jacob Bender was born December 10, 1834, in Muehlhausen, Baden, Germany. He came to America in 1865, first locating in Philadelphia. From Philadelphia he moved to Columbus, and then to St. Paul. In January, 1866 he moved to New Ulm. Shortly after he came to New Ulm, he was employed by the August Schell Brewing Co. He worked for the August Schell Brewing Co. for about one year, and then decided to start his own brewery ( this is also the year he and Wilhelmina were married). He located his home and brewery on South Front Street, between 2nd and 3rd South. For thirty years prior to his death, he had been afflicted with asthma, which gradually grew worse. Jacob died on February 5, 1913, only two years after the death of his wife. Several years prior to his death he turned his brewery business over to his son-in-law, John Gewerth. The brewery, however, could not compete, and on January 1, 1912, the brewery was closed. At the time of Jacob's death, he was survived by his two daughters, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Ritter, of Columbus, Ohio (another sister, Mrs. Catherine Fierling, died in 1912). His funeral was also held from his home on Front Street, with interment being in the New Ulm City Cemetery. He was 78 years old.

It has been said that the beer produced by the Bender Brewery was the "poor man's beer" because anyone could afford to buy it, and it was less expensive than the other local beers. 'Customers' came with pails to purchase the beer, also less expensive than having to purchase the beer in bottles. The Bender Brewery was one of seven breweries that existed during New Ulm's history. The August Schell Brewing Co. is the only one of the seven still in business.

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