Jacob Manz

Jacob Manz, Jr. (October 1, 1837 – April 25, 1916) was, from 1855 until his death, a Chicago-based engraver and founding partner of J. Manz Engraving Company.[1]

Jacob Manz
Born(1837-10-01)October 1, 1837
Marthalen, Switzerland
DiedApril 25, 1916(1916-04-25) (aged 78)
Chicago, Illinois
Resting placeGraceland Cemetery
OccupationEngraver
Spouses
Carolina Knoepfli
​
​
(m. 1859; died 1866)​
    Johanna Hesse
    ​
    (m. 1867)​
    Children6

    Biography

    Jacob Manz was born in Marthalen, Switzerland on October 1, 1837, the oldest son of Jacob Manz, Sr.[2] He had been apprenticed to a firm for wood engraving in Schaffhausen, where he stayed until he was sixteen years old. Through the dissolution of partnership of his employers, he was unable to finish the prescribed term of his apprenticeship, but his natural ability and industry had already made him a skillful engraver. He immediately set out for America, crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel, and arriving in Chicago in the middle of July 1855. He soon found employment with S. D. Childs & Company, with whom he worked for six years; for the next five years he worked under W. D. Baker, a well-known Chicago engraver.[2] After a short period with Bond and Chandler, he formed a partnership with another engraver and formed a business partnership with him in 1866.[3]

    Maas & Manz
    Main article: Manz Corporation

    The firm, initially named Maas & Manz, and was first located at the corner of Clark and Washington Streets, and was two years later moved to Dearborn and Madison.[2] While there, Mr. Manz became the sole proprietor of the business, by purchasing the interest of his partner, and was a very heavy loser in the great fire of 1871, realizing almost nothing of insurance. He had faith, however, in himself and the city, and very soon opened a shop on West Madison Street, near Union, whence he shortly removed to Clinton and Lake Streets. He subsequently occupied locations on LaSalle, Madison, and Dearborn Streets, then Nos. 183 to 187 Monroe Street. The business was incorporated, becoming known as J. Manz & Company, of which Manz was president, F. D. Montgomery vice-president, and Alfred Bersbach secretary and treasurer.[2][3]

    Family
    Manz's grave at Graceland Cemetery

    Manz was twice married. On January 6, 1859, he married Carolina Knoepfli, who died September 7, 1866. She was a native of Ossingen, Switzerland. They had two children: Caroline Manz (1861–1913) and William Manz (1862–1904). On November 24, 1867, he married Johanna Hesse (1839–1911), who was born in Crivitz, Germany. Their children were Ida Manz Boerlin (1869–1934), Paul Henry (1874–1938), Adolph William, and Helen Manz York (1880–1961).[3]

    He died in Chicago on April 25, 1916, after falling from a window of his home.[1] He was buried at Graceland Cemetery.[4]

    References
    1. "Jacob Manz Dies After Fall Out Window in Dark – President of Engraving Company Came to Chicago in 1955". Chicago Tribune. April 26, 1916. p. 7. Retrieved November 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
    2. A History of the City of Chicago: Its Men and Institutions. Chicago Inter Ocean. 1900. pp. 284–285. Retrieved November 20, 2021 – via Google Books.
    3. Album of Genealogy and Biography, Cook County, Illinois with Portraits. 1895.
    4. "Manz". Chicago Tribune. April 27, 1916. p. 13. Retrieved November 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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