Jacob Manz

Jacob Manz, Jr. was the creator of J. Manz Engraving Company.

The oldest son of Jacob Manz, Sr, Jacob Manz was apprenticed to a firm for wood engraving in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where he stayed until he was sixteen years old. Through the dissolution of partnership of his employers, he was unable to finish the prescribed term of his apprenticeship, but his natural ability and industry had already made him a skillful engraver. He immediately set out for America, crossing the ocean on a sailing-vessel, and arriving in Chicago in the middle of July, 1855. He soon found employment with S. D. Childs & Company, with whom he worked for six years; for the next five years he worked under W. D. Baker, a well-known Chicago engraver. After a short period with Bond and Chandler, he formed a partnership with another engraver and formed a business partnership with him in 1866.

The firm was known as Maas & Manz, and was first located at the corner of Clark and Washington Streets, and was two years later moved to Dearborn and Madison. While here, Mr. Manz became the sole proprietor of the business, by purchasing the interest of his partner, and was a very heavy loser in the great fire of 1871, realizing almost nothing of insurance. He had faith, however, in himself and the city, and very soon opened a shop on West Madison Street, near Union, whence he shortly removed to Clinton and Lake Streets. He subsequently occupied locations on LaSalle, Madison and Dearborn Streets, and is now established at Nos. 183 to 187 Monroe Street. The business, in the mean time, has kept pace with the growth of the city and the improvements in the art of engraving. It is now conducted by an incorporated company, known as J. Manz & Company, of which Mr. Manz is President, F. D. Montgomery Vice-President, and Alfred Bersbach Secretary and Treasurer. Every process of engraving adaptable to the printing-press is carried on, and about one hundred people are employed in the establishment.

He was twice married. On January 6, 1859, he married Carolina Knoepfli, who died September 7, 1866. She was a native of Ossingen, Switzerland. They had two children: Caroline Manz and William Manz. On November 24, 1867, he married Johanna Hesse, who was born in Crivitz, Germany. Their children are Ida, Paul, Adolph and Helena Manz.

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