William Sturzenegger

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The manufactory of Mr. STURZENEGGER is one of the important business enterprises at Chester and is owned and conducted by William STUZENEGGER, who is well known as a shrewd and intelligent citizen. He is descended from sturdy Swiss stock and was born in New York City, March 11, 1871. He is a son of David and Regina (SCHOOP) STRUZENEGGER, both natives of Switzerland, where was solemnized their marriage and whence they immigrated to America in the year 1860. Mr. STUZENEGGER died in the year 1890. In 1875 Mrs. STUZENEGGER opened up a factory in New York for embroidery work. In 1892 that plant moved to Chester, New Jersey, where it has since been located and where it is now conducted by the subject of this review. The mother died in March, 1909, and she and her husband are both buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City. To them were born three children:

Edmund,
William,
Elizabeth, wife of Henry PAUL, of New York City.

In the New York public schools William STURZENEGGER received his preliminary educational training. At the age of fourteen years he went to Switzerland and there completed a course of studies equivalent to the American high school curriculum. He also attended textile schools of note in that country and there thoroughly familiarized himself with the embroidery business. He made two separate trips to Switzerland, remaining in that country for an aggregate of four years. After entering upon his business career in the United States he was in the weaving department of Schwarzenbach, Huber & Company in West Hoboken, New Jersey, for one year, and in 1891 engaged in his present line of business in company with his brother, Edmund. As noted above the concern was removed from New York to Chester in 1892 and here it has gradually increased in proportions so that a force of sixty workers are employed when the plant is running full force. In the summer time about twenty-five employees are kept busy. The plant formerly turned out all kinds of embroidery work and now makes a specialty of handkerchiefs. The output of the company is marketed in New York and other large cities and a large trade is controlled all over the United States. Mr. STURZENEGGER is also associated with several concerns in New York City, among which we will mention J. W. Eshleman & Company, 1113 Walker street, manufacturers of fine hemstitching, embroideries, etc.

Mr. STURZENEGGER has been twice married. In 1893 he wedded Ida CHAPPI, born and reared in Switzerland and who came to America in 1891. She died in January, 1906, and buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery in Chester. She is survived by two children,

William and
Werner.

In 1907 Mr. STUZENEGGER married Dora Augusta PAUL, a native of New York City. This union has been prolific of two children:

Doris Elizabeth and
Gregory Albert.

Mr. STURZENEGGER maintains an independent attitude in his political convictions and he does not participate in local politics further than to exercise his right of franchise. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with Prospect Lodge, No. 24, F. and A. M. of Chester, and Dover Lodge, B. P. O. E.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).