Ignatz Huber, one of the representative
business men of Rock Island city, engaged
in the brewing business, came to this place
in 1851, from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born
in Bavaria, Germany, Feb. 1, 1826, and emigrated
to the United States in 1849. His
younger days, until the age of 18 years, were spent
in school in his native country. It was in that country
also that he first learned the trade of brewer, besides
working on a farm. His father followed the
same vocation in life (that of a brewer), and it was
in his brewery that Mr. Huber, subject ofthis notice,
first learned the secrets of that business.
Coming to the United States in the year named,
Mr. Huber, having expended what little money he
had, and being of that disposition which would not
allow him to pass his days in idleness, even had he
the competency of a " Vanderbilt," he engaged to
work on a farm for the " magnificent " wages of 62%
cents per day for the first month! Leaving the farm,
he engaged to work in a brewery in Columbus, Ohio,
and followed that vocation for ten months ; then
worked at the same business in Cincinnati one year.
At this point of Mr. Huber's history, he came to
Rock Island city, and engaged in the brewing business
for one month, when he formed a partnership
with August Lettig, which partnership existed until
April 1, 1854, when Mr. Huber purchased the interest
of his partner and has since continued in the
business alone, coveiing a period of 31 years. Since
that time he has spent over $1oo,ooo in improvements.
He employs some 16 men and four teams on the
road. He also owns the beer-bottling establishment
on Third Avenue, and also his large brewery on Elm
Street, besides property in Milan and Moline. He
is a director in the People's Bank, and has been
such since its organization. Coming to Rock Island
city when that village was in its infancy, and locating
there with a firm belief in the future development
not only of the city, but also of the surrounding country,
and remaining as he did, and meeting with the
success he has, the latter can be but attributed to his
good judgment, energetic determination and active
co-operation of his good helpmeet. The extensive
brewing establishment and malt-house of Mr. Huber
is shown in the view accompanying this sketch.
Mr. Huber was united in marriage to Miss Catherine
Koehler, a native of Germany. Their children
are Amelia, Lillie and Otto, all of whom are living at
home.
Politically, Mr. Huber is a Democrat. He is one
of those men of whom it can be said he takes an interest
in any movement calculated to benefit the city
and community in which he resides, and that,
although he has met with success in his accumulations,
none can attribute to him any degree of selfishness.
He has a beautiful residence on Third
Avenue between 23d and 24th Streets, where he
owns a half block of land.

(Source: Rock Island County, 1885)

IGNATZ HUBER—Forty-six years have
1 passed since this gentleman took up his
residence in Rock Island, years in which he
has wrested from the hands of fate a handsome
competence for himself, while at the
same time he has in many ways promoted
the best interests of the city by his support
of measures calculated to prove of public
good and by his advancement of business
enterprises which, promoting the commercial
activity, have added to the general
prosperity.
Mr. Huber is a native of Bavaria, Germany,
born on the 1st day of February,
1826. He grew to manhood in his native
land and was educated in the German,
English and Latin languages. He then
learned the brewer's trade under the direction
of his father, and in 1849 sailed for
America, believing that he would find better
opportunities for advancement in the
new world. At Rotterdam, he boarded a
westward-bound sailing vessel and after a
voyage of forty-two days landed at New
York on the 16th of June, 1849. Going
westward to Canton, Ohio, he spent the
winter there, working as a farm hand, after
which he removed to Columbus, where he
was employed in a brewery for a time. His
next location was Cincinnati, where he was
engaged in the same line of business until
185 1 — the year of his arrival in Rock
Island.
On coming to this city Mr. Huber began
working in a brewery by the month, but on
the expiration of the first month he purchased
an interest in the enterprise and
after three years became sole proprietor.
He has since been alone, and from small
beginnings has increased his business until
it has now reached extensive proportions.
In 1893 he consolidated his business with
others in the formation of a stock company,
he and his son Otto being the principal
stockholders. He is now one of the directors,
while his son is secretary and treasurer
of the company. Mr. Huber is also a
stockholder and director in the People's
Bank and owns considerable valuable real
estate in Rock Island, Moline, Geneseo,
Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa, including
both business and residence property. He
is very successful in all that he undertakes
for he has the essential qualifications of the
prosperous business man, being energetic,
careful, earnest and determined. He came
to Rock Island with very limited means,
but has steadily worked his way upward,
overcoming all the difficulties and obstacles
in his path until to-day he stands on the
plane of affluence.
In October, 1854, Mr. Huber was united
in marriage to Miss Catherine Koeler, a
native of Germany, born and reared in
Hessen Castle. She came to America
when a young lady, and by her marriage
she has become the mother of three children:
Amelia and Lillie, at home; and Otto.
All have been provided with good educational
advantages and share in the esteem
in which their parents are universally held.
They also lost three children, two in early
childhood and one at the age of nine years.
Mr. Huber is a member of the Catholic
church, while his wife is an adherent of the
Lutheran faith. In politics he is a stanch
Democrat and warmly advocates the principles
of his party. He has never sought or
desired public office, but was elected alderman
and so acceptably filled the position
that he was twice re-elected. During his
long residence in Rock Island his history
has been familiar with the majority of its
citizens and his honorable record commends
him to their confidence and regard. His
life has been well spent in the faithful performance
of the duties of public and private
life, and his name is a synonym of all that
is honorable in business pursuits.

(Source: Rock Island County Biographical Record, 1897)