Everything You Wanted to Know About St. Louis’ Most

Famous Family

Eberhard Anheuser• Came to America in 1843;

Came to St. Louis in Came to St. Louis in 18451845

• Started as a Soap MakerStarted as a Soap Maker• Came in control of a Came in control of a

brewery after debtor brewery after debtor could not pay back his could not pay back his

loanloan

Adolphus Busch• Born in 1839 in Germany;

comes to America in 1857comes to America in 1857• Beer business brought Adolphus in contact with

Anheuser• Busch sold Anheuser Busch sold Anheuser

brewing goodsbrewing goods • Adolphus also began

courting Eberhard’s daughter, Lilly Anheuser

Lilly Anheuser• Only child of Eberhard’s

• Married Adolphus in 1861 when she was 17

• Adolphus was 20 minutes late to his own wedding

(he had to close an important business deal

• In 1865, Busch bought out Anheuser’s 1865, Busch bought out Anheuser’s partner’s share of the brewery and partner’s share of the brewery and became partner with his father-in-lawbecame partner with his father-in-law; he was 26

• The original beer produced was not very good

• Anheuser and Busch began the practice of beer promotions

• Breweries began sponsoring saloons

• In 1875, Anheuser’s Brewery became incorporated

• 480 shares of stock was started out; 480 shares of stock was started out; Anheuser & Family owned 240; Anheuser & Family owned 240; Adolphus owned 238 & Brewmaster Adolphus owned 238 & Brewmaster Erwin Spraul owned 2 sharesErwin Spraul owned 2 shares

• In 1880, Eberhard died of throat cancer; Adolphus becomes President

• Descendants of Anheusers will be given company jobs but always underneath a Busch

• Adolphus began buying back stocks from Anheusers to increase his control, eventually gained 267 and Lilly’s to 116

• Once paid $60,000 for a single share

BUSCH’S Firsts

• Busch becomes 1st brewer to 1st brewer to pasteurize beerpasteurize beer; allows company to bottle and preserve beer for longer

periods of time• Busch become 1st brewer to 1st brewer to

nationally sell beernationally sell beer; first shipped to Texas

How did Busch come up with the name BudweiserHow did Busch come up with the name Budweiser• The name Budweiser was actually stolen

• Budweiser was originally produced by a Czech brewery Budweiser was originally produced by a Czech brewery in the city of Budweisin the city of Budweis; it was only sold in Europe.

• Anheuser Busch bought out a brewery run by C. Conradbrewery run by C. Conrad (who was later given a lifetime job w/ AB) and thought it

had gained rights to the name• When AB attempted to copyright the name in America,

Adolphus was taken to court by the Czech breweryAdolphus was taken to court by the Czech brewery• AB settled out of courtAB settled out of court and eventually bought the exclusive

rights of Budweiser

• Adolphus and #1 Busch Place

• Busch & Wine Taste Testing

• Busch & The Blue Ribbon Contest

• Busch & Money

• Adolphus Busch died on Oct. 10, Adolphus Busch died on Oct. 10, 19131913

• He burial was one of the most elaborate in St. Louis history

• When his coffin arrived in St. Louis, several hundred people were already lined up outside the Busch home ready to view the body

• 100 hotel rooms were reserved for out-of-town guests; there were 180 honorary pallbearers

• 5000 brewery workers were allowed to view the body; over 30000 viewed the body when it was open to the public

• 25 trucks were needed for the floral arrangements

• To honor Busch, St. Louis businesses halted business for 5 minutes at 2 pm

• The funeral procession began at the Brewery and went to Bellefontaine Cemetery; over 100000 people lined the route

• Originally buried with no markings on his grave; eventually a mausoleum was created

• The mausoleum cost $250,000The mausoleum cost $250,000; made from pink granite; it was made to resemble a German Gothic church

August A Busch Sr.• Was Adolphus’ 3rd child;

second son (oldest son died at 15)

• Originally wanted nothing Originally wanted nothing to do w/ brewery; wanted to do w/ brewery; wanted

to be a cowboyto be a cowboy

• Will eventually takeover business with the death of

father in 1913

• Known for building Grant’s Farm as personal Known for building Grant’s Farm as personal homehome (Busch estate is hidden in the middle of the park.)

• Guided AB throughout Prohibition by investing Guided AB throughout Prohibition by investing in:in:

-Non alcoholic beverages: BEVO-Non alcoholic beverages: BEVO-yeast & barely, malt syrup business-yeast & barely, malt syrup business-ice cream & soda business-ice cream & soda business-restaurant: Bevo Mill-restaurant: Bevo Mill

• Bought and opened Sunset Hills Country Club

CELEBRATING THE END OF PROHIBITION-1933

August (Gussie) Busch Jr• Was August Sr 4th child,

2nd son (Adolphus III will take over for 10 years)

• Married 4 times; known for his playboy lifestyle

• Worked his way up from Worked his way up from the bottom of the businessthe bottom of the business (worked in the malt, brew,

bottling houses, etc.)

• Known for his savvy business decisions:1. Regional breweries-Regional breweries- St. Louis, Missouri (North American headquarters)

• Baldwinsville, New York, Cartersville, Georgia, Columbus, Ohio, Fairfield, California, Fort Collins, Colorado, Houston, Texas, Jacksonville, Florida, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, Merrimack, New Hampshire, Newark, New Jersey, Williamsburg, Virginia

2. TV advertisingTV advertising3. Metal Container Corp.- aluminum cansMetal Container Corp.- aluminum cans

• Bought the St. Louis Cardinals & Sportmans Park in 1953; Bought the St. Louis Cardinals & Sportmans Park in 1953; will build Busch Stadium in 1966will build Busch Stadium in 1966

• Will open Busch’s GardensBusch’s Gardens in Florida & California• Bought Clyesdales for father to celebrate end of Bought Clyesdales for father to celebrate end of

ProhibitionProhibition• Had an incredible taste for Budweiser

-taste test story

August Busch III• Was Gussie’s 4th child, 1st

son; son of Gussie’s 2nd wife• Will take over company in a Will take over company in a

bitter power struggle w/ bitter power struggle w/ father.father.

-The Coup-The Coup• Accomplishments:Accomplishments:

-Bud Light-Bud Light-Drinking Education -Drinking Education

CampaignCampaign-Sea World-Sea World

• The Helicopter Test/Work Ethic

August (Auggie) Busch IV

• Is August III oldest son from 1st marriage

• Went to Parkway West after leaving MICDS• Known for his “problems” with the

law

• Parkway West Graduate-The Al Burr story-Stogesdill story

• “The Drug Bust”• “The Waitress”• Recent stories