JOHANN WAIZMANN / JOHN WAITZMAN: 

from Iron Miner to prosperous Beer Brewer

John Waitzman and his wife Katherine (nee Franz) in front of their house on Baltimore St. 

My Great grandfather Johann Waizmann / John Waitzman held the job title of "Engineer" for the Nick Thomas Brewery of Dayton Oh . The family story is that he was the "Brewmaster." Maybe it means the same thing?

In any case, it seems that he did pretty well; he hired a number of relatives and in-laws to work there. His home had one of the first flush toilets in the neighborhood; actually they plumbed the outhouse, and it was transformed into "the outhouse that flushed." He could afford the gold for his dental work; prominent gold teeth was considered a sign of wealth in those days. That's pretty good for a German immigrant who arrived in 1880, and had reached this level of success before the turn of the 20th century. His success - plus at least one documented return trip to Germany and back - must have influenced the other family members in Germany who ultimately came here.

Prior to landing this job at the brewery, he did odd jobs as a day laborer. Relying on his knowledge (and probably physical brawn) as a iron miner in Wasseralfingen (near Aalen) Germany, he worked at local Dayton iron foundries. One story is that he worked for Kramer Brothers Foundry, but that doesn't add up, as the KB Foundry dates back to 1895 when John had already been well-established at the Brewery.

Cast iron planter by Kramer Brothers Foundry, Dayton Ohio. We saw similar planters on display during our 2009 visit to Germany.

Old pre-Prohibition Nick Thomas beer bottle. Earlier versions used clear white glass and corks.

Nick Thomas Brewery in 1904. The family the story was that he would walk to the brewery after Sunday Mass at Holy Rosary Church to check on the place.

After the lifting of Prohibition, Nick Thomas beer brands came back after a number of business mergers and consolidations. That's all gone now, and the brewery facility was torn down.

It is now the year 2022: Some older folks (like, my age, who grew up in the 1950s-60s) might remember the huge billboard at the former brewery's location near Keowee and Springfield Streets that featured a giant 3D beer bottle. By the that time it was advertising a different brand of beer. I think it was Stroh's.