According to his obituary, Herman J. Greening was born in Prussia, Germany, on June 13, 1865, and came to South Bend at the age of 14. He married Pauline Raissle in South Bend in 1891.
The 1896 South Bend directory lists him under saloons as “Raissle & Greening” at 930 Vistula Ave.
The earliest listing we could find of him owning a saloon by himself is in the 1899 South Bend directory, where he is described as a “dealer in a fine line of liquors, wine, cigars, etc.; bottling works in connection,” at 842 E. Sample St.
An article from The South Bend Tribune dated January 9, 1905 reported that his saloon at 842 E. Sample St. was robbed. See the article tab above for the full article. By 1906, he had moved his saloon to 845 Vistula Ave.
By the 1914 directory, he is listed as a confectioner. See the directories tab for more details.
He died at the age of 68 due to complications from diabetes on December 20, 1933.
We’re unsure if there are other variations or a pint version of this embossed bottle. It’s definitely a unique Indiana beer bottle, though!
1) BLOW SALOON SAFE
GREENING PLACE IS ROBBED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.
Burglars Get Nearly $200 and Escape Without Attracting Attention—Police Have no Clew to Work on.
Safe blowers put in a night’s work at the Herman J. Greening saloon at 842 East Sample street early Sunday morning and got away with $192. The burglary took place between 1 and 3 o’clock and although the rear door was broken open with a sledge hammer and the safe was blown with a charge of nitroglycerine the work of the robbers was not heard and they got away without leaving a clew.
The safe or strong box in which the money had been placed was blown into small pieces, the end of the liquor case was smashed and the knob of the front door was blown off by flying pieces of the safe.
After completing their job the robbers escaped by crossing the Sample street bridge and going towards Mishawaka on Mishawaka avenue. This was learned from a man who traced footsteps from the saloon to the east side of the bridge. All other tracks were covered with snow.
Of the money secured by the robbers $45 was in five cent pieces and $13 in pennies. Detectives Cutting and Derrant are working on the case and they have in their possession a sledge, a cold chisel and a monkey wrench which the robbers left behind.
It is reported that the police made three arrests in connection with the robbery to-day. The South Bend Tribune, January 9, 1905.
2) CLOSE UP SALOONS
HERMAN J. GREENING’S LIQUOR LICENSE IS REFUSED.
County Commissioners Act on Remonstrances—Westphal and Jakeway Out of Business—Newlant Case.
As the result of proceedings in the county commissioners’ court Wednesday afternoon Herman J. Greening, who conducts a saloon on East Sample street near Vistula avenue, was placed out of business. A remonstrance filed by Seventh ward residents against his place of business was declared effective and his application for a renewal of his license was refused. The order becomes effective at once. Greening immediately appealed his case to the circuit court.
Two remonstrances were filed against the Greennig saloon. He is charged with violating the Nicholson law by allowing minors to congregate in his place of business, in selling liquor over a holiday or Sunday bar for which he has no license, in allowing girls of tender years in his place of business, in operating gambling devices and in keeping open after hours and on Sundays and holidays by use of a side entrance.
Robert Westphal, who conducts a saloon on South Michigan street, withdrew his application for a license and in consequence his saloon in the business district is closed.
Ami Jakeway, of Mishawaka, came into the commissioners’ court, read a remonstrance against his place of business, and decided to withdraw his application. His place of business is also closed to-day.
Frank Newlant, who conducts a saloon in Mishawaka, will have his hearing to-morrow afternoon at 2 o’clock in the commissioners’ court, a remonstrance having been filed against his place of business.
The South Bend Tribune, December 7, 1905.
3) OBITUARY.
Herman J. Greening.
Herman J. Greening, aged 68, of 838 South Marietta street, died at 7 o’clock Wednesday evening in his residence after two years’ illness with diabetes mellitus. Born in Prussia, Germany, June 13, 1865, he came here when he was aged 14. He was married in South Bend to Pauline Raissle, who survives. He leaves also four daughters, Mrs. Anna G. Imhof, Mrs. Helen Innis and the Misses Ida and Marie Greening, all of South Bend; two grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Greening, of South Bend, and Theodore, of New Mexico, and a sister, Mrs. Pauline Beyrer, this city. The body will lie in the Forest G. Hay chapel, where the funeral will take place at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. Waldemar Goffeney, of Zion Evangelical church, officiating. Burial will be in Bowman cemetery. The South Bend Tribune, December 21, 1933.
1896 — Greening Herma (Raissle & Greening), home over 930 Vistula Ave. (saloon)
1899 — Greening Herman J, Dealer in fine line of liquors, wine, cigars, etc.; bottling works in connection, 842 E Sample St, residence is the same.
1901 — Greening Herman J (Pauline) (Wiser & Greening), proprietor “The Club” sample rooms, fine fines, liquors and cigars, 842 E Sample, residence is the same.
1903 — Greening Herman J, 842 E Sample St. (saloon)
1904 — Greening Herman J (Pauline), proprietor The Club, 842 E Sample, residence 819 S Marietta.
1906 — Greening Herman J (Pauline), sample room 845 Vistula Ave, residence at 838 Marietta.
1908 — Greening Herman J (Pauline), sample room at 845 Vistula Ave, residence at 838 Marietta.
1912 — Greening Herman J (Paulina), proprietor The Green Tree (sample room), residence 838 Marietta.
1914 — Greening Herman J (Pauline), confectioner, 845 Vistula Ave, residence 838 Marietta.
