Today is the birthday of Joseph Warr Ibach (February 17, 1832-January 24, 1908). He was born in Leiberstung, Buehl, Baden, Germany, but moved to the U.S. as a young man and opened a short-lived brewery in Mankato, Minnesota known as the Joseph Ibach Brewery in 1878. Two years later he inexplicably re-named it for his wife, the Mrs. Margaret Ibach Brewery. In 1887, it was destroyed by fire and was not rebuilt.

This biography is from the “History of Blue Earth County and biographies of its leading citizens,” by Thomas Hughes, published in 1909:

IBACH, JOSEPH. This retired brewer and substantial citizen of Mankato is a native of Baden, Germany, born February 17, 1832, the son of Joseph and Celestia (Spier) Ibach, also born in the Fatherland. The father died before he had reached middle age, leaving different members of the family to make their way in the world according to their abilities and foresight. The mother afterward came to the United States, and of her two sons one was drowned.

Under such circumstances it is but natural that Joseph’s education should have been limited, and that he should have commenced to earn his own living at quite an early age. In 1853, when he had just passed his majority, he came to the United States, and, in company with several companions, reached Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa, in search for some permanent means of livelihood. At the latter place the friends entered into a debate whether they should journey north or south, the majority deciding in favor of a northward course. They therefore started up the Mississippi River for St Paul, and while enroute the captain of the boat offered Mr Ibach a position as fireman at fifty dollars per month. This offer was eagerly seized and resulted in extending his career as a boatman on the river and the Great Lakes over a period of five years.

Mr Ibach settled down as a landsman in 1858, when he located at Preston, Minnesota, and there engaged in the brewing business until 1874, when he disposed of his plant and removed to Mankato. He then purchased the brewery of the late Stephen Lamm, and, after operating it for a year, sold out and rented the Pete Welsh establishment, which he conducted for three years. In 1878, Mr Ibach established a brewery near what is known as Tinkcom’s Addition and operated it profitably until it was destroyed by fire in 1887. The plant was not rebuilt, but since that time he has been engaged in taking care of his property and enjoying the comforts of a business man, who by many years of arduous labor has earned a period of rest in the declining years of his life.

Mr Ibach was married September 4, 1860, to Miss Margaret Kreamer, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Kreamer, of Stratford, Ontario, Canada and by this union has had the following children Louisa, wife of Anton Oberly, of Decoria Township, Blue Earth County; Savina, now Mrs Thomas Lewis, a resident of Judson Township this county; Antilla, Mrs Walter Anderson, of Mankato; Herman, living in Washington, District of Columbia; Andrew, of Chicago; and Rudolph and Arthur, both residents of Mankato.

Mr Ibach is one of the staunchest and oldest Democrats in this section of the county, casting his first presidential vote for Pierce in 1852; in local affairs, however, he considers the personal qualifications of the candidate rather than party affiliations. Fraternally he is a member of the I00F.

And this is from the Blue Earth County Historical Society:

Ibach Brewery was a little-known brewery was once located on James Avenue at the present site of Jefferson School in Mankato.  Joseph Ibach was born on February 17, 1832, in Baden, Germany, one of 12 children.  In 1853 he emigrated to America whereupon he and several companions reached Davenport, Iowa, and Dubuque.  They started up the  Mississippi to St. Paul and while on the way the boat captain offered Joseph a position as a fireman at a salary of $50 a month.  His work thus began on the river and the Great Lakes for five years.  Joseph’s education was limited by the necessity of supporting his widowed mother and his brother in America.

Joseph settled for a time in Preston, Minnesota, where he met his future wife, Margaret Kramer.  They were wed in Preston and six children resulted from this union.  One son, Rudolph, was engaged as an agent for the Mankato firm of Rosenberger and Currier Confectioners.  He preceded Joseph in death.  While in Preston, Joseph entered the brewing business until 1874, then sold it and moved to Mankato.  He purchased the brewery owned by Stephen Lamm and operated it for a year, sold out, and leased the Peter Welsh brewery, located at the crossing of the Blue Earth River in West Mankato for three years.

In 1878 Joseph purchased a brewery located on Fairfield Street in Tinkom’s Addition for Anton Jacoby and operated it for him.  Soon Joseph bought the brewery outright.  Back of the Ibach brewery, in the steep hill, was a man-made cave, lined with brick, and it was used to store the product, beer.  Joseph built his home, a huge mansion which he named “Chateau D’Amour”, across the street from his brewery.  The house had both a magnificent interior décor as well as wonderful architecture without.  The brewery lasted until 1887 when it was destroyed by fire.  On January 28, 1908, Joseph Ibach passed on from La Grippe (influenza) and anemia.  The funeral service was conducted in German and English, and the Twentieth  Century Band rendered several selections.