"A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of the City of
Seattle and County of King, Washington." New York and Chicago: Lewis Publishing
Co., 1903.  p. 493.
 
ALVIN M. HEMRICH

     Practical industry wisely and vigorously applied never fails of success.
It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and
powerfully stimulates the actions of others.  It is this unflagging spirit of
industry that has laid the foundations and built the commercial greatness of the
northwest, and the career of him whose name initiates this paragraph illustrates
most forcibly the possibilities that are open to a young man who possesses
sterling business qualifications, and it proves that ambitious perseverance,
steadfast purpose and indefatigable industry, as combined with the observance of
sound business principles, will eventuate in the attaining of a definite and
worthy success.  Mr. Hemrich, who is president and manager of the Hemrich
Brothers Brewing Company, an important industrial enterprise in the city of
Seattle, is a young man of singular force of character and one who stands
representative of that insistent and well directed energy which has brought
about the development of the magnificent metropolis of the northwest.  That he
should be accorded specific mention in a work of this nature needs not be said.
     Alvin M. Hemrich was born in the town of Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin,
on the 14th of February, 1870, a son of John and Catherine (Koeppel) Hemrich,
both of whom were born in Germany.  The father was for many years engaged in the
brewing business at Alma, Wisconsin, and he was seventy-three years old when he
died, while his wife is still living.  Alvin passed his boyhood days in
Wisconsin and secured his early educational discipline in the public schools.
At the age of sixteen he assumed charge of the business founded by his father in
Alma and conducted the same for two years, becoming thoroughly familiar with all
details pertaining thereto.  At the expiration of the period noted he engaged in
the brewing business on his own responsibility in the town of Durand, Wisconsin,
and there he successfully continued operations until the year 1890, when he
disposed of his interests and came to Seattle, where his parents had located
some time previously.  After his arrival in Washington Mr. Hemrich proceeded to
Victoria, British Columbia, where for two years he held the position of manager
of the Victoria Brewing Company.  He then returned to Seattle and became foreman
for the Albert Braun Brewing Association, retaining this incumbency one year,
when the business was closed out, and he then took a similar position with the
Bay View Brewing Association, in whose employ he continued for four years, being
finally compelled to resign by reason of failing health, and he then passed some
time in travel, principally in California.  After recuperating his energies
through this period of rest and recreation Mr. Hemrich returned to Seattle and
here purchased the plant and business of the old Slorah brewery, located on
Howard avenue, between Republican and Mercer streets, and there he conducted
business for six months, at the expiration of which he became associated with
his brother Louis of whom mention is mad on another page, and with Julius Damus,
in the organization of the Hemrich Brothers Brewing Company, which was duly
incorporated under the laws of the state on the 4th of February, 1899, and under
the effective management of these interested principals the business has been
built up to a most successful standpoint, the equipment of the plant being of
the most approved modern type, while every detail of manufacture receives the
most careful and discriminating attention of the part of our subject and his
brother, both of whom are experts in this line of industry.  The result is that
the products of the brewery, including lager and porter, are of exceptional
excellence, thus gaining a popularity which augurs for the increasing expansion
and growth of the business.  From the brewery are sent forth each year about
thirty-five thousand barrels, and in the prosecution of the business in its
various departments employment is afforded to a corps of about seventy-five
capable workmen.  None but the best material is utilized in the process of
manufacture, the malt being secured from Wisconsin and California, and the hops
being the most select products from Bohemia and from the state of Washington,
whose prestige in this line is well known.  The present company  have made
important changes in the equipment of the plant, having installed the latest
improved accessories and having greatly augmented the productive capacity.
Alvin M. Hemrich has been president of the company from the time of its
organization, and the success of the enterprise is in large measure due to his
able and well directed efforts.  In November, 1901, Mr. Hemrich effected the
purchase of the property of the Aberdeen Brewing Company at Aberdeen, this
state, and he began the operation of the plant shortly afterward, having
organized a stock company, which was incorporated with a capital stock of sixty
thousand dollars, he himself being president of the company.
     Mr. Hemrich is well and most favorably known in connection with the
business activities of the city of Seattle, and is esteemed as a
straightforward, capable business man.  He has made judicious investments in
local real estate and is one of the most loyal admirers and enthusiastic
citizens of his adopted city.  His beautiful residence, which he erected in
1898, is located at 503 Melrose avenue, and is one of the most attractive of the
many fine homes for which Seattle is justly noted.  Fraternally Mr. Hemrich is
identified with the Sons of Hermann, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Red Men, and the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, while his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge of the Odd Fellows.
Mr. Hemrich enjoys marked popularity in both business and social circles, being
a man of genial presence and unfailing courtesy in all the relations of life,
and his home is one in which a refined hospitality is ever in distinctive
evidence.  On the 8th of May, 1890, Mr. Hemrich was united in marriage to Miss
Minnie Rutschow, who was born in Germany, being the daughter of Charles and
Minnie (Benecke) Rutschow, both of whom were born in Prussia.  Mr. and Mrs.
Hemrich have two sons, Elmer E. and Andrew L.

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Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in August 2005 by Diana Smith.

Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.