Charles Pfizer
| Charles Pfizer | |
|---|---|
 Pfizer, c. 1894 | |
| Born |
Karl Gustav Pfizer March 22, 1824 Ludwigsburg, Kingdom of Württemberg |
| Died |
October 19, 1906 (aged 82) Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Residence | Clinton Hill, Brooklyn |
| Nationality | German-American |
| Occupation | Chemist |
| Years active | 1849—1900 |
| Known for | Founder of Pfizer alongside his cousin, Charles F. Erhart |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Hausch (m. 1859–1906) |
| Children | 5 |
Karl Gustav Pfizer (March 22, 1824 – October 19, 1906), known as Charles Pfizer, was a German-American chemist who founded, with his cousin and future brother-in-law Charles F. Erhart, the Pfizer Inc. pharmaceutical company in 1849 as Charles Pfizer & Co.
Life and career
Pfizer was born in Ludwigsburg, Kingdom of Württemberg (now Germany), the son of Karl Frederick Pfizer and Caroline (née Klotz). He immigrated to the United States in October 1848.[1] The next year, he borrowed $2,500 from his father to buy a building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They produced santonin, used to expel parasitic worms, and expanded into other chemicals.[2]
Pfizer remained at its head until 1900, when the company was incorporated and Charles Pfizer, Jr. became its first president. When Charles Jr. retired, his brother Emil succeeded him in his post.[2]
He made frequent trips to Europe, and met his wife, Anna Hausch, whom he married in 1859, in his hometown of Ludwigsburg. They had six children, five of whom survived to adulthood: Ann Pfizer (died 1876), Charles Jr (1860–1928), Gustavus Pfizer (1861–1944), Emile Pfizer (1864–1941), Helen Julia (born 1866, who later married Sir Frederick Duncan, 2nd Baronet)[3] and Alice (who married Baron Bachofen von Echt of Austria; 1877–1959).[4]
When Pfizer's partner, cousin and brother-in-law Charles F. Erhart died in 1891, their partnership agreement stipulated that upon the death of one partner, the surviving partner could buy the other’s share of the partnership for half its inventory value. Pfizer promptly exercised this option, paying his partner’s heirs $119,350 for Erhart's half of the business. However in 1900, Pfizer distributed the stock of the company as follows: Charles Pfizer Jr. (334 shares), Emile Pfizer (333 shares), William Erhart (333 shares).[2]
He died at his summer home, Lindgate, in Newport, Rhode Island; his year-round home was in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. His death came a few weeks after a fall down stairs in which he broke an arm and was otherwise badly injured. Two daughters, Alice, Baroness Bachofen von Echt and Lady Helen Duncan, were with him when he died.[5]
References
- ↑ U.S. Passport Application for Charles Pfizer, May 1899; National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, 1795-1905; Roll #: 525; Volume #: Roll 525 - 11 May 1899-19 May 1899
- 1 2 3 "History: Charles Pfizer". Pfizer. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ↑ "Sir Oliver Duncan". The New York Times. September 26, 1964.
- ↑ "Charles Pfizer". Immigrant Entrepreneurship. 1 January 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ↑ "Charles Pfizer". The New York Times. October 21, 1906.
External links
- Charles Pfizer at Pfizer.com
- Stevenson, William. "Charles Pfizer." In Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies, 1720 to the Present, vol. 2, edited by William J. Hausman. German Historical Institute.
- Charles Pfizer at Find a Grave