1 BILGER, Ignatz b: 30 Jun 1828 in Baden, Germany d: 17 Jul 1878 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA Burial: Oak Ridge Cem, row 1, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA Note 4: Jun 1848 Baden, Germany to Buffalo, NY, age 19. Note 5: 1849 Went overland to the California gold fields. Note 8: 1852 Sailed from Calif to Louisiana, up Miss.Riv to St. L, age 24. Note 10: Bet. 1852 - 1854 Engaged in brewery business in St. L, learning more about the trade. Note 11: 1854 Moved from St.L to brewery business in Milwaukee.WI. Note 12: 05 Mar 1855 Naturalized in Milwaukee, WI. Note 13: Abt. 1857 WI to brewery business in Ft. Atkinson, Winn.Co.IA. Note 14: Abt. 1858 Started building brewery in Bk17, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA & married. Note 15: 1860 Census: Bk17, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA. Bilger: Ignatz33 brewer, $2k.200, wf Catherine25, dau Josephine1 & adj family of Hammond Andrus/Andreas33Baden brewer $700/100, Margaret34Wurtenberg, Wm2Wi. Note 16: Bet. 1862 - 1866 US.IRS.Tax: 1862=10.25 bls beer at 1$/bl; 1863=11.5bls beer at 60c/bl; 1864=11hogs at 6c/hog, 13.5bls beer at 60c/bls; 1865=7hogs at 10c/hos, beer $25; 1866=34.5bls beer at $1/bl. Note 17: 1867 Ad: First quality of Beer & Lager constantly on hand. Wanted 5k bls of barley, will pay port McGregor market price. Note 19: Also fed out hogs & cattle on brewery by-products. Note 21: 1868 West.Union.IA paper: The Auburn correspondent toured Bigler's Brewery, the building is a massive structure of latest & most approved plans. Note 23: 1870 Census: Auburn village, Fay.Co.IA. Bilger: Ignatz42 brewer, $30k/2k, Kate36, Josaphine11, Amelia10, Kate7, Geo4, Charlie1, Eleanoria1, Barney Heverly26 brewery worker; Hiram Belknapp70 family adj. Note 24: 1870 Ag.Census: Igntaz Bilger; Horse Malt Mill, $1500, 4600bu@$2200; Hops 3klb@$600; Brewer, beer 1500bbls@$12,000. Note 26: Bet. 1870 - 1880 Iowa had 80-100 taxed brewers; the IA prohibition of the mid1880's 'ran' brewers & distillers out of business eliminating a local market for products. Note 27: 1878 Ignatz's Will: Wf Katherine received control of brewery estate; in 1889, upon Elenora reaching age, 1/3 of estate to wf & 2/3 divided between children. Note 28: Aft. 1878 Wife Katherine ran the brewery & business after husb's death. Note 29: 1880 Census: Auburn, Fay.Co.IA. Bilger: Mary45 widow, Josephine21, Emma19, Geo14, Charles11, Elonora11.

.. +KUTHAR, Mary Katherine b: 1834 in Wuerttemberg, Germany d: Aft. 1897 Burial: Possibly unmarked with husb. at Oak Ridge Cem, Auburn, Fay.Co.IA? bz/2009. m: Abt. 1858 in Auburn?, Fay.Co.IA or Ft. Atkinson? Winneshiek.Co.IA. Note 11: 1880 Census: Auburn, Fay.Co.IA. Bilger: Mary45 widow, Josephine21, Emma19, Geo14, Charles11, Elonora11. Note 12: 1880 Ag.Census: 5 tilled, 1a woods, 30a unimproved, farm value $5k, live stock $300, $50 farm production, 3 horses, 5 cows, 3cattle, 2calves, 8 purchased & 9 sold, made 100# butter, 11 hogs, 28 poultry, 30doz eggs, 1a corn 20bu, Note 13: 1880 Ag.Census (con't): 6gal maple surup, 1a potato 50b, 1/2a apples 20trees 20bu val$8, val of forest products $40. Note 14: 1885 Census: Bk17, North Auburn, Fay.Co.IA. Bilger: MaryC51 widow, Geo20 day laborer, Charles17, Lora17. Note 15: 1885 Census: Louis Ostenberger, listed brewer, living adj to Mary Bilger, was likely running the brewery for the Bilger family. Note 22: Dec 1897 Last land transaction found for Katherine Bilger in Auburn.IA, bz/2009. Note 24: 1900 Census: could not find in 1900 census, possibly deceased bet. 1898-1900?, bz/2012.

2 BILGER, Josephine 'Josie' b: 1859 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA Note 9: Abt. 1885 Moved to Albert Lea, MN, shortly after marriage.

.... +THOMPSON, James b: 1851 in West Union, Fay.Co.IA m: 13 Apr 1884 in Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA. Father: George THOMPSON Mother: S. KELLY Note 9: Saloon keeper in Albert Lea, Freeborn.Co.MN, at time of marriage.

2 BILGER, Amelia Emma Amy b: 1861 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA Note 9: 1881 Emma took over Mrs. M.A. Glimes Millinery & Fancy Goods on Main.St, West Union, Fay.Co.IA.

2 BILGER, Katherine 'Katie' b: 09 Sep 1862 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA d: 06 Oct 1878 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA Burial: Oak Ridge Cem, row 1, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA

2 BILGER, George E. b: 13 Oct 1865 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA d: 20 Sep 1926 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL Note 8: 1888 IL.Voter Reg: in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Note 11: 1910 Census: Cottage.Grove.Ave, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: GeoE44 store salesman, Corac38, lodger Albert S. Niedlinger 22 theater electrician. Note 13: 1920 Census: Salmon River, Challis, Custer.Co.ID. Bilger: GeoE53 farming, Cora47.

.... +UNKNOWN, Cora C. b: 1872 in ID d: Aft. 1940 in MA? Father: UNKNOWN Note 8: Father b.MI, mother Canada. Note 12: 1940 Census: Mill Pond Rd, Truro, Barnstable.Co.MA. Clase E. Lombard66 wid & sister Cora A. Bilger67 wid.

... 3 BILGER, No Children

2 BILGER, Charles Frederick b: Oct 1868 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA d: Aft. 1930 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL or Winnebago.Co.WI? Note 9: 1892 IL.voter Reg: in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Note 11: 1900 Census: Lake.Ave, Chicago, Hyde.Park.Twp, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: CharlesF31 undertaker, MaryF27, GeoW4, HellenA11m. Watkins: m/law Eliz61, Rose24, AblertE16. Note 15: 1910 Census: Lake.Ave, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: CharlesF40 undertaker, MaryF37, GeoW14, HelenA10, CharlesF7, b/law Albert Watkins26 clothing salesman, ThomasW Riley45 undertaker helper. Note 17: 1920 Census: Lake.Ave, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: CharlesF50 undertaker, Mary48, Helen20, Charles16. Note 21: 1930 Census: Lake.Ave, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: CharlesF27 undertaker, CharlesF58, Mary55, Albert Watkins45 embalmer.

.... +WATKINS, Mary F. b: Jun 1872 in England m: 06 Jun 1893 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL Father: Unkown WATKINS Mother: Elizabeth UNKNOWN

... 3 BILGER, George William b: 13 Oct 1895 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL d: 09 Jun 1955 in Winneconne, Winnebago.Co.WI Burial: Winneconne Village Cem, Winnebago.Co.WI Note 8: 1920 Census: 54th St, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: GeoW24 manager Bilger funeral home, Irma26. Note 11: 1930 Census; Park.Ave, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger: GeoW34 proprietor undertaking parlor, Irma34, GeoW6. Note 14: 1940 Census: Park.Ave, Chicago, Cook.Co.IL. Bilger44 proprietor undertaking parlor, IrmaR44, GeoSW16. Note 15: 1942 Draft.Ret: 5205 Lake Park Ave, Chicago.Cook.Co.IL. Charles F. Bilger & Sons Furneral Home.

....... +RILEY, Irma R. b: 14 Sep 1893 in Winneconne, Winnebago.Co.WI d: 15 Jun 1974 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL Burial: Winneconne Village Cem, Winnebago.Co.WI Father: Harry C. RILEY Mother: Lois F. UNKNOWN

..... 4 BILGER, George W. b: 1924 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL

... 3 [1] BILGER, Helen A. b: Jun 1899 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL d: 1967 in Muskegon, Muskengon.Co.MI Note 11: Bef. 1929 Divorced from Raymond F. Delano. Note 12: 1930 Census: Muskegon, Muskebon.Co.MI. Wood: HaroldA29 funeral director, HelenA30 & dau Mary jane Delano9. Note 14: 1940 Census: 1751 Aerk.St, Muskegon, Muskegon.Co.MI. Wood: Harold39 funeral director, HelenA40, MaryJ19 shipping office stenographer.

....... +DELANO, Raymond F. b: 1898 m: 01 Mar 1920 in Cook.Co.IL

..... 4 DELANO, Mary Jane b: 1921 in IN

... *2nd Husband of [1] BILGER, Helen A.:

....... +WOOD, Harold Arthur b: 14 Jun 1900 in IL d: 14 Jan 1981 in Muskegon, Muskengon.Co.MI m: Abt. 1929

... 3 BILGER, Charles Fredrick b: 01 Feb 1903 in Chicago, Cook.Co.IL d: Apr 1978 in Edgelwood, Arapahoe.Co.CO Note 22: 1978 Last SS benefit, Muskegon, Muskegon.Co.MI. Note 23: 1978 Last residence, Englewood, Arapahoe.Co.CO.

2 BILGER, Eleanora Laura b: Oct 1868 in Bk 17 brewery, N.Auburn, Auburn.Twp, Fay.Co.IA

Article: 'Old Fayette Country, Early Auburn,' Elgin.IA paper, 1896Sep03.
...One visiting the town of Auburn which has never enjoyed the distinction of having a post office of its own name, the name of the same having always been Douglass, would have little idea of the prominence which attached to that town in the early days of Fayette County.
...The first dwelling erected at Auburn, was that of James B. Earle, built in 1849 and in that year he commenced the erection of a saw mill on the banks of the Turkey river and afterward built a grist mill there, and in 1851, a flouring mill in which the first grist was ground in Sept. 1851.  Prior to that time the people of Fayette and the southern part of Winneshiek County , had been compelled to go to the mill at Elkader in Clayton.Co.  Earle's Mill afforded them facilities which caused them to feel that they had almost all needed advantages at their door. 
...James B. Earle was assisted in his undertaking by his sons Morris B. Earle, Hiram W. Earle and Nehemiah B. Earle, all active men.  Their mill became the pont at which the grinding of grain was done for the counties of Fayette, Chickasaw, Howard, Mitchell and territory in Minnesota, extending as far as the town of Austin. 
...In about 1851, John A. Griffith, a nephew of James B. Earle, located in Auburn, also Samuel Hull, Hiram Hoagland, Hull Hoagland, James Boale, S.D. Helms, plus some others. 
...In connection with the mill, the Earles established a general store.  Hoagland erected a cabinet shop and started a turning lathe (powered by the mill), and furnished most of the chairs and bedsteads for the early settlers.  The Earles are now (1896) all dead.  Morris B. Earle having died only a short time since at Lamar.MO.  They were all active, enterprising business men and for those times did an immense amount of business.  Nearly every person that came to mill with their grists also patronized their store and they soon became known far and near as honest, square dealing men with whom it was for the benefit of the people to do business.
...The Earles continued business until the panic of 1857, and made a large amount of money, but having done a large credit business, when the hard times came, those in their debt were unable to pay for the goods which they had bought upon time and the Earles were unable to meet their obligations, consequently failed.
...John A. Griffith, who was associated in business with the Earles, removed to Fayette village, and was there engaged in the dry goods trade, was post master of the town, and became a prominent man, but he also failed. 
...Hoagland, in company with James Boale, established a dry goods store at Auburn, a little later, and did a good business in the same, and afterward purchased a large farm in the Auburn.Twp, was for several years member of the Fayette.Co board of supervisors, and died universally respected.  Of all those whom we have names, Hull Hoagland, is the only one still living.  he left Auburn and located at Oelwein, several years ago, engaged in the mercantile business with John Jamison, who is now a banker in Oelwein, did a good and prosperous business, and finally having a daughter who was located at Emmettsburg, he sold his interests at Oelwein, and is now located at Emmettsburg. 
...In 1851, Z. McGunkin built a hotel in Auburn, the Iowa House, which is still in very near the same condition it was when first erected by him; it was afterward purchased and owned by Edson & Hill. 
...A drug store was opened about 1853, by A.L. Dunn & Bros. 
...Ignatz Bilger built a brewery which was afterwards enlarged and at one time worth $10-15k, but now stands as an illustration of the effects of the prohibition laws within the state.
...The first school house in Auburn was erected in 1854 and was the best school house in the county.  It has long since been superseded by a brick building well constructed and of a capacity for a large number of pupils.  The old school house still stands however. 
...Black smith shops, clothing store and tailoring shops and other business places were erected and occupied in Auburn in 1853-1855.  In 1855, Auburn was the most business point in the country doing then a much larger business than did West Union, which was the country seat.
...The mills drew people, and its business men by being reasonable in their prices and accommodating to their customers, held all trade to which they were entitled and acquired some which would naturally have belonged to other points. 
...Auburn's first doctor was Dr. Ware, and he was succeeded by Dr. W.A. Chase. 
...Another saw and grist mill was built at West Auburn within a half mile of the village of Auburn. (Note: this was Earle's mill, the first grist mill in the area, thus paper editor is confused with some points of history).  The mill is still in operation conducted by Charles Haege.  James Austin, we think, was the builder of that mill (incorrect, he build the mill just upstream from the Auburn bridge and across from the brewery) and ran it for several years during the time a controversy arose between him and the owners of the mill at Auburn, regarding the water power.  Austin claiming that the lower mill backed the water on to him.  It was a closely contested case both parties spending considerable money in the contest.
...About 1856, the dam at thelower mill was burned out with quick silver or rather a hole was made in it and Daniel McDuffe as early settler there was arrested on the charge of having committed the act, but he was discharged and that was the end of the Matter.
...For several years the people of Auburn thought that a railroad would be built up the Turkey river and meetings were held for the purpose of encouraging such an enterprise but their hopes all proved vain. 
...In an early day the justices of the peace in Auburn township were kept busy settling differences between the people there and the old dockets will show that more business was transacted before the justices in Auburn township than before those of any other township in the county.  But within the last five years (1890-1895), it is safe to say there have not been a half dozen suits in the township. 
...Like Goldsmith's beautiful village of Auburn, Auburn in Fayette County, is a thing of the past.  Its mills are gone, the dam which was built across the Turkey to furnish the water for the mill has bee removed.  The people who resorted there for business or pleasure go there no more.  The hotel seldom sees a customer and all that remains of Auburn is Jenni McClerry, who is post mistress, has a general store, is a druggist and hardware merchant and supplies the wants of the few people who remain in Auburn.  Its residences which were in early days tasty and well painted are not old, faded and decayed and the enterprise which formerly characterized Auburn, had departed.  This is not due to any fault of its early settlers but from the fact that from its location it was deprived of the benefits of railroads and ceased to be upon any thoroughfare connecting it with other points.

...1862 US IRS Tax Assessment:  Ignatz Bilger, 10 ¼ barrels of beer, rate $1/barrel, amount of tax $10.25.
...1862Sep09, 3rd child is born, Katherine 'Katie' Bilger 1862-1878Jan06, buried in Oak Ridge Cem, Fay.Co.IA

...1863Jul20,  NE of NE, ex.#1, sec 35, Ignatz Bilger bought from Walter Whitbeck.
...1863 US IRS Tax Assessment:  Ignatz Bilger, 11 ½ barrels of beer, rate 60c, amount of tax $6.90.

...1864 US IRS Tax Assessment:  Ignatz Bilger, 13 ½ barrels of beer, rate 60c/barrel, 11 hogs at 6c/hog, total amount of tax $8.76

...1864before, the size of the brewery grounds had increased substantially to include large limestone brewery, brew cellar, malt house, livestock & other out buildings, large brick home & beer hall.
...The Bilger Brewery was a large, major operation for the area/times.
......The Bilger brew cellar was a vaulted limestone room of about 12ft wide by 30ft long by 8ft high.  The brew cellar was probably made by forming a dome of digging away soil to create a dome onto which a tight fitting limestone shell would be laid.  After the key-stones at the crown of the dome were laid, the soil would be packed over the limestone dome, after which the soil in the dome would be removed.  The procedure was commonly used by European builders.  Then the floor would be created by laying tightly fitted flat limestone several feet below ground level. Generally no lime mortar was needed for this type of construction, which was very long lasting.  The brew cellar would be warm enough in winter to keep beer from freezing and cold enough in summer to for aging and storing beer.
...German and Bohemian brewer's like Ignatz Bilger primarily produced a lager (lighter style) of beer, as opposed to the heavier ales which the English produced.  Lager beer was generally brewed in the fall and early winter, then stored (lagered, lagering was fermentation at lower temperatures when the weather became cooler) undisturbed to age in a cool location.  By spring time, after the beer had 'worked' it would be ready for sale/dringing.

Brewing Beer (summary)
...Barley was steeped in warm water for 2-3 days.
...The steeped barley was spread out on a wooden floor to germinate/sprout increasing sugars from the starches.
...Sprouted barley was dried, then roasted, becoming 'malted barely' higher in sugars.
...Following a curing period, the malted barley would be crushed to make it more soluble in a 'malt-mill' powered by an oxen or horse.
...Crushed, malted barley was mixed with water, 15gals/bushel; hops added for flavor & preservation.
...The mash of barley, water hops was then cooked, then added to a large wooden vat.
...Yeast was added to the vat and allowed to ferment and clarify, then kegged.
...The kegs of beer would be moved to the cool brew cellar for additional aging and clarifying, which was the lagering process.
...About 18gal of beer could be produced from a bushel of barley and 1/2lb of dried hops flower heads.
...About 1870, barley was 50c/bhl, hops 25c/lb, then the cost of wood, barrels, laborer.
...Beer sold in wooden barrels or buckets for about 30c/gal wholesale, up to double retail.

...1865 US IRS Tax Assessment: Ignatz Bilger, (appears beer production had increased to at least 24 barrels), 7hogs at 10c/hog, total  amount of tax $25.
...1865Oct13, 4th child is born, George E. Bilger 1865-1926Sep20/Chicago, saleman/farmer, married Cora Unknown b.1872/ID.

...1866Feb28, S1/2 of N1/2 of S1/2 of NE1/4, sec 35, Ignatz Bilger bought from Isaac Robinson
...1866 US IRS Tax Assessment: Ignatz Bilger, 34 ½ barrels of beer, rate $1/barrel, amount of tax $34.50.

...1866Oct02, Dubuque.IA paper:  Auburn, Fayette.Co.IA, 1866Sep28.   Douglas is the name of the post office but the town is called Auburn.  Located on on both sides of the Turkey river, surrounded by a chain of high bluffs interspersed with giant trees and huge rocks that tower up in majestic grandeur and sublimity.  Aside from its wild  and attractive scenery it is a town of some importance du to its splendid water facilities and the farming country around.  There are two excellent flouring mills, situated a short distance apart.  The upper one owned by McCeery and the lower on by Gardner & Son.  Both do custom and merchant work, and supply a large section of the country with the finest quality of flour.  There is also a good hotel, the Iowa House, kept by Mr. John Hadley, one drug store, two grocery stores, two dry goods stores, the principal one  being kept by Fox & Son, and embraces, at least $20k worth of goods, one cooper shop, two blacksmith shops, one pottery,  one brickyard, two lime kilns in operation, a first class chair & furniture shop, owned and conducted by that good fellows and good democrat, and one of the largest and most convenient breweries in all northern Iowa.  Mr. Ignatz Bilger, formerly a brewer in Dubuque, is the proprietor of the brewery, and manufactures lager that has a reputation far and near.  As a class, the people of Auburn are honest, industrious and intelligent.  Twenty copies of the Dubuque Herald are taken to Auburn, and an effor is being made to increase the circulation to fifty.  The number of voters in Auburn is over 200.  The democratic majority is never less than 50 and sometimes reaches 75.