Today is the birthday of Anton (or Anthony) Benitz (July 17, 1802-November 10, 1858). He was born in Endingen (full name: Endingen am Kaiserstuhl), which is located in southwest Germany, near the border of France. He came to the United States in 1838, settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when he was 35, along with his wife Maria and his brother Johann. In the early 1840s, they built a brewery and tavern at 137 Wood Street, along with two additional partners, Augustus Hoeveler and John Miller (who was a Cooper). Unfortunately, Benitz died not long afterwards, in 1858, and his partners bought out his family’s share of the business, which continued to grow and eventually became known as the Iron City Brewing Co. (and also Pittsburgh Brewing Co.) in 1861.