Falk Brewing Company
Compiled and Edited by Michael R. Reilly, copyright 1996
Last Revised 04/20/2010
FALK, Otto Herbert, one of the leading young business men of Milwaukee, and one, who, in connection with the Wisconsin National Guard, has rendered the state valuable service, is a native of Milwaukee, and was born on the 18th of June, 1865. His father, Franz Falk, was born in Mittenberg, Bavaria, August 10th, 1824, came to Milwaukee in 1848, became master brewer in the old Melms brewery, and, later, established the Falk brewery, which, at the time of his death, August 5th, 1882, was one of the leading breweries of America. The Falk Brewery company was consolidated with the Pabst Brewing company in 1893. Young Falk's mother, whose maiden name was Louise Wahl, daughter of Christian Wahl, Sen., and a sister of Christian Wahl, president of the Milwaukee board of park commissioners, was also a native of Germany. Both the Falk and Wahl families were persons of influence in their native land, many of whom were in the government service.
Young Falk was educated in the German- English Academy, Milwaukee; the Northwestern University, Watertown, Wis., and the Allen Military Academy in Chicago, which exerted a marked influence in developing his taste and natural abilities for military affairs. From this school he graduated as ranking captain. He began business at the age of twenty, as an apprentice in his father's brewery, afterward becoming assistant secretary and treasurer of the Falk, Jung & Borchert breweries. After the consolidation of this company with the Pabst company, Mr. Falk was with the latter and is still a stockholder in it, although not directly connected with its management.
Other Reference Sources: American Breweries II by Dale P. Van Wieren; The Register of United States Breweries 1876-1976, Vol. I & II, by Manfred Friedrich & Donald Bull; The Pabst Brewing Company - The History of an American Brewer by Thomas C. Cochran; Breweries of Wisconsin by Jerry Apps; Badger Breweries: Past & Present by Wayne L. Kroll.; Men of Progress. Wisconsin. (pages 115-149) A selected list of biographical sketches and portraits of the leaders in business, professional and official life. Together with short notes on the history and character of Wisconsin.