The Guenther & Zerweck Brewery was formed after Fritz C. Guenther sold his share of the Guenther Bros. Brewing Co. to Herman Zerweck, a brewer from Württemberg, Germany, in September 1911 (source: La Porte County Historical Society).
John Jacob Guenther
According to U.S. Census and burial records, John J. Günther was born on October 29, 1864, in Haiterbach, Germany. He was the son of Johann Jacob Günther (1832–1876) and Heinricke Christiana Rapp (1840–1867). He married Sophie Keller in 1893, and they had one child, Ralph Carl Guenther (1904–1992). John Guenther died on June 3, 1930, and is buried in Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte.
Herman Frederick Zerweck Sr.
According to U.S. Census, burial records, and family records, Herman F. Zerweck Sr. was born on January 9, 1880, in Haslach, Herrenberg, Württemberg, Germany. According to the New York, Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels, 1897–1902, he immigrated to the United States in 1900. He filed his Declaration of Intention to become a naturalized citizen in 1909.
His World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918, noted that he was a brewer and a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Sometime after the brewery closed in 1918, Herman became manager of the Zorn Products and Cold Storage Co. (formerly the Ph. Zorn Brewing Co.). In an article dated February 25, 1922, titled “Big Supply of Beer Found in Michigan City,” authorities reported that thirty-two thousand gallons of beer were discovered and Zerweck was arrested. More details can be found in the Articles tab.
This was not the end of his brewing career, however. He later became a brewmaster for the Liebman Brewing Co. in New York, and then a brewmaster for the Goebel Brewing Co. in Detroit, Michigan, before officially retiring on September 1, 1950, according to an article from the Detroit Free Press.
He married Sophia Ulhaas on January 15, 1926, and they had one child, Herman Zerweck Jr. (1928–2001).
He died at the age of 71 on December 25, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan.
The Guenther & Zerweck Brewery
The brewery was located at the corner of Lake and Tyler Streets and was in operation for about seven years. Indiana enacted statewide prohibition on April 2, 1918, following several years of local “dry” laws that had already reduced or closed many breweries. Nationwide prohibition followed two years later, in 1920.
An article published July 5, 1924, in the South Bend Tribune reported that a canning factory was being prepared for operation in the old brewery building, where it would manufacture “Home Brand” canned foods (see photo below). According to files from the La Porte County Historical Society, the building was razed in 1932 to make way for a highway department garage, marking the end of La Porte’s pre-Prohibition breweries as only a memory.
We currently have an example of only one of their bottles. Unfortunately, we have no labels from the brewery to share. We also need a good photograph of their metal “Indiana Gold” beer tray.
Articles about Herman Zerweck
1) BREWERY MAN GOES INTO MILK BUSINESS
LAPORTE, Ind., April 7. – From beer to milk, is the move of Herman Zerweck, who for several years was associated with J. J. Guenther in the operation and management of the local brewery.
Zerweck is goin to enter the retail milk business at Indianapolis, and will be associated with Joseph Scholl in his new line of liquids. The Brazil Times, April 7, 1919.
2) BIG SUPPLY OF BEER IS FOUND IN MICHIGAN CITY
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Feb. 25.— Six prohibition agents raided and seized the brewery of the Zorn Products and Cold Storage Co., here, late Friday. Fred Vullmann, president, and Herman Zerweck, manager, were arrested. The plant was placed under government seal. Thirty-two thousand gallons of beer were found and a search of the president’s home was made, where more was found, according to prohibition officers. The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, February 25, 1922.
3) BOOZE STOCK LAND 2 IN FEDERAL COURT
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Feb. 25. —Fred Vullmann, president, and Herman Zerweck, manager of the Corn Products & Cold Storage Co., of this city, are under $5,000 bonds following the seizure by federal agents of more than 30,000 gallons of “real” beer at the company’s plant. They face 25 charges.
The seizure followed the raid on the Atlaska Brewing Co plant two weeks ago, which resulted in the fining and sentencing of the president and truck drivers of the concern. They are to be re-arrested and haled into federal court in Indianapolis. Chronicle Tribune, February 25, 1922.
4) BREWER FACE WITH 61 CHARGES
Faced with sixty-one counts for violation of liquor laws, Fred Vullman, president, and Herman Zerweck, manager of the Zorn Products and Cold Storage Co., of Michigan City, went on trial yesterday afternoon in the city court of Michigan City.
They came prepared to plead guilty, but when they found that the number of counts against them would bring fines and costs well past the $5,000 mark, they decided to fight the case. Evidence was heard and the court decided to take the matter under advisement until today before making his decision.
The men were charged with manufacturing, taking liquor out of warehouse without permit, having it in their possession, and about every other angle that Prosecutor Earle Rowley could dig up. They came in as individuals and as members of the corporation. The Times, March 4, 1922.
5) MICHIGAN CITY MAN APPEALS LIQUOR FINE
Special to The News-Times. LAPORTE, March 5. — An appeal has been taken by Herman Zerweck, manager of the Zorn Products Cold Storage Co. of Michigan City, to a fine imposed upon him as the result of the seizure of Products Co. some weeks ago. Seventy-three affidavits have been filed against him and Fred Vullmann, president. If convicted on each, which is probable, according to officials, they will pay minimum fines of $22,000 each in addition to jail sentences. Nearly 20,000 gallons of beer were found in the brewery. South Bend News Times, March 6, 1922.
La Porte Directories
1913 – Guenther & Zerweck, (John J. Guenther, Herman Zerweck) Brewers at Tyler St. north east corner of Lake Street.
– Guenther, John J. (Guenther & Zerweck), residence at 1306 Main St, (Sophie).
– Zerweck Herman, (Guenther & Zerweck), rooms at 1103 Jefferson Ave.
1923 – Guenther John J, residence at 1306 Lincolnway (Sophia).
Michigan City Directory
1921 – Zerweck Herman, manager Zorn Products & Cold Storage Co., residence at 523 E 8th St. (not listed in 1923).
Home Brand Canned Foods plant / La Porte Machine & Tool Co., located at 1211 Lake Street in La Porte, 1920s. The site was formerly the Guenther & Zerweck Brewery, and before that Guenther Bros. Note the La Porte Machine & Tool Co. sign; the company was incorporated in 1920. Slide from the Michigan City Public Library / La Porte County CETA Special Projects program.. The building was razed in 1932.
