My Genealogy Hound

JOHN BIRKENSTOCK, proprietor of the Eagle Brewery in Allentown, was born in Germany in 1841. There he spent the first fourteen years of his life, and then crossed the Atlantic, determined to make a fortune in the New World. He landed in New York City, whence he went direct to Philadelphia, Pa., and attended school for a time in that city, thus becoming conversant with the English language. His next venture was to learn the cooper’s trade, and after working as an apprentice three years, he abandoned it for a time in order to enter the ranks of the Union army.

In the fall of 1863 our subject became a member of the Forty-sixth New York Infantry, commanded by Colonel Beckern. They were sent to join the Army of the Potomac, and, forming one of Burnside’s corps, our subject participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Yellow House. They then made their way by means of the James River to Petersburg, and fought the battle at that place, after which Mr. Birkenstock was taken sick. Receiving a furlough, he returned to New York, and for some time was confined in the hospital. In September, 1864, however, he was sufficiently recovered to return to his regiment, and October 12 participated in the battle which occurred near Petersburg. He continued in the service until the surrender of Lee, when he was discharged in Washington, D. C., in August, 1865. Young Birkenstock returned to Philadelphia and accepted a position in the brewery of J. G. Ball, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of the business.

In 1873 our subject was made assistant manager of Ball’s Brewery, which he held until 1888, when he became general manager. That he gave perfect satisfaction is shown by the fact that he remained with Mr. Ball until 1891, when he came to Allentown and purchased the Lieberman Brewery, and changing its name to the Eagle Brewery, has conducted it successfully since. It is a large brick building, located at the corner of Sixth and Union Streets, and is equipped with all the latest apparatus for the manufacture of beer. The plant has a capacity of eleven thousand gallons per day. Mr. Birkenstock is an expert in his business, being thoroughly acquainted with all the detail work, and when he left the Quaker City there were, only two brew-masters in the United States who were older.

The original of this sketch is a Democrat in politics, and socially belongs to Kensington Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M., at Philadelphia. He also belongs to Kensington Chapter No. 233, R. A. M.; Kensington Commandery No. 54, K. T.; and Lulu Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia.

Mr. Birkenstock was married in 1868 to Miss Elizabeth Scholl, of Philadelphia, and to them have been born three children: Gertrude, Jacob and John F.