An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL. 1893 ROBERT NIEDERGESAESS, general manager of the Seattle Brick and Tile Company, was born in Germany in 1846. He was carefully educated in the Von Crousaz Institute in Silesia. Later he devoted his attention to mechanical engineering, and especial attention was paid to the brick manufacture. In 1866 he began the practical part of brick-making in his father's little brick-yard near Glogau, Silesia, and there developed and built up a very successful business, which is still continued by his brother Julius, and annually pays very handsome dividends. In that year our subject constructed the first brick machine in that part of the country. The impetus given to trade after the Franco-German war enabled him to engage largely in building operations in various provinces and to spend his spare time in traveling. In 1874 he went to Gleiwitz, accepting the management of a large manufacturing establishment, which he soon placed upon a sound financial basis. He was married in Stow-Bedon, England, in 1875, to Miss Caroline P.R. Godfrey, and resided near Gleiwitz until 1877; then removed with his family to Wellington, New Zealand, and started a small brick-yard, and later engaged in mining and building kilns, brick and pipe machinery, remaining until 1887, when he decided that the country was insufficiently developed to give proper scope to his progressive ideas, and he would visit America. Upon arriving in the United States he was quick to see the opportunities which the country offered, and, learning of the difficulties attending the manufacture of brick in the free flow of clay from the machine, his inventive genius evolved the "lubricating die," which remedied the evil, and is now in general use throughout the United States. Applying to the Frye, Sheckler Company of Bucyrus, Ohio, Mr. Niedergesaess sold them his patent and found ready employment in the adjustment of brick machines throughout the interior, creating a large demand for his improved machine and in making for himself a wide reputation. In the fall of 1887 he went to Germany on a visit, returning to America in the spring of 1888. He then came to the Pacific Northwest in the interests of Frye, Sheckler & Co., and after improving their trade at Portland he came to Seattle and found the brick business in an undeveloped condition, owing to the inability to work the clay to advantage. With his invention and experience he set the machinery running for the Seattle Brick and Tile Company, and was then offered an interest in the business, which he readily accepted, as he could foresee the great possibilities in that line of manufacture. He was made general manager for the company, the yard being situated on Smith's cove, and rapidly increased the business. After the fire of 1889 they started the yard in South Seattle, where they have valuable property and extensive works. To meet the increased demand for superior brick in 1891 Mr. Niedergesaess erected a continuous kiln after his own invention, which has been steadily running for years. In July, 1892, Mr. Niedergeaess was one of the organizers of the Everett Electric Brick Company, and was made treasurer of the company and manager of the manufactory. The latest of the many inventions of Mr. Niedergesaess is an elevator, which for practicability and usefulness is a great labor-saving machine. Thus has scientific knowledge and practical work developed and built up one of Seattle's manufacturing interests, which is self-sustaining and prosperous, - one which opens employment to many men, and one which has been built up to its present standard by business thrift, integrity and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Niedergesaess have five children, three sons and two daughters. They are all receiving a practical education, and the boys are developing inventive ideas which are being fostered and characterized under their father's watchful guidance, their chief aim being the perfection of steam engines and other motors by the direct application of heat for obtaining the nearest approach to its equivalent, i.e., power either by the agency of steam, gas or electricity. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * 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.