1870 United States census records show Jacob Dobmeier (age 24, laborer, born around 1846 in Germany) living with Mary (age 28) in Columbus, Ohio.
1875 Minnesota census records show Jacob Dobmeier (age 29, born in Bavaria) living with Anna Maria (age 32) in Otter Tail County, (township 137) Minnesota.
In a few days Mr. Dobmeier, proprietor of the Grand Forks brewery, will add largely to the present capacity of his brewery by the addition of a new brewing building 60×120 feet, at the rear of the present establishment, the addition to cost $3,000. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, January 16, 1883, Volume 2, Number 62, Page 4)
Mr. Dobmeier, of Grand Forks, after looking over the various lumber markets, decided to have his orders filled in this city (Stillwater, Minnesota). (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Monday Morning, August 27, 1883, Volume VI, Number 239, Page 4)
Mrs. Mary Dobmeier, wife of Jacob Dobmeier died last night at ten minutes past ten o’clock after a lingering illness, aged 41 years. The funeral will take place on Sunday at 2 p. m., at the Catholic church. The friends of the family are invited to attend. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday Evening, March 27, 1884, Page 1)
Jacob and Elizabeth Dobmeier were married in 1884.
A Marital Event. The whole city is discussing with considerable interest the event which will matrimonially transpire about the time the HERALD goes to press today. It is upon every tongue that Herr Jacob Dobmeier, the jolly proprietor of the Grand Forks brewery, is being married at 4 o’clock today, the fortunate woman being Miss Elizabeth Dastert. Invitations are said to be as thick as leaves in Valembrosa, about fifty turkeys have sung the gobble-gobble song for the last time, the nector – ines of old King Gambrinus are playing peek-a-boo behind the kegs, awaiting the bubble of festivity. The event was sought to be kept veiled, but everybody will be there and it is said the happy couple will be treated to an old fashion chari-vari. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Evening, November 29, 1884, Volume 7, Number 24, Page 1)
Wedding Festivities. There was a great commotion in the circles of hotel and saloon proprietors and keepers on Saturday, at the event of the wedding of Jacob Dobmeier, the proprietor of the Grand Forks Brewery, which is the leading institution of the kind in North Dakota. The wedding ceremony itself was a very quiet and unostentatious affair, having transpired at the Catholic church in the morning, Rev. Father Ahne officiating. The elaborateness of it came off in the evening, when the hotel and saloon keepers of the city headed by the Cadet Band formed at Byrne’s Office saloon and marched up Third street under command of Col. Brown, to Dobmeier’s residence, where a sprightly piece was played and the groom hailed at the door. Mr. Dobmeier promptly came to the fore and led to the hall on opposite side of the brewery, where congratulations and beer flowed freely for an hour, seasoned with music and speeches. On behalf of the serenaders, Geo. H. Walsh took the platform and in appropriate words presented to the wedded pair the fine tea set purchased by the liquor dealers, Mr. Dobmeier’s patrons. Mr. Walsh related how Mr. Dobmeier had come to Grand Forks seven years ago in a wagon, and after a brief residence at Acton, returned to this city, building up gradually the brewery which furnishes a home market for barley and is second to none of our manufactories. Three cheers were given by the crowd for Dobmeier, who took the center of a ring formed by men and women and “Auld Lang Syne” and a German ditty were sung, followed by an Irish jig, in which, Byrnes, Schroth, Ryan, Sulzback, Hanley and wife joined, as the Gold Standard Sextet.
Mr. Walsh then presented to Justice Cutts and lady two beautiful silver cups and saucers. The justice being absent, Wm. Hanley responded cautioning the boys that they must be careful what they drink or they would get the usual $7.05; Mr. Walsh then presented an elegant Sultan’s pipe to Dobmeier for the saloon men. More speeches were made by Col. Brown, Hon. J. S. Eshelman, Citizen Sullivan, Maj. Hamilton and Commissioner Christiani, after which all proceeded to the banqueting hall where such a feast was spread as made one’s palate ache. All the luxuries of the season were provided, meats, oysters, fruits, pyramids of rich cake, pastries, coffee, sauer kraut and what not? The feast was partaken of by Mayor McCormack and wife, other city officials, county officers and several hundred ladies and gentlemen besides. The remainder of the night to 12 o’clock was spent in the mazy whirl of the dance at Gotzian Hall, Hrr. J. Rindskopf admirably personating Gen. Hancock, for the occasion, Alderman Maloney calling off and everybody, orchestra and guests enjoying the festivities, as the Gold Standard and Dobmeier’s best circulated gratuitously to testify to the exuberance of joy on this occasion. The HERALD adds its best wishes to the newly wedded couple and hopes while barley grows and beer bubbles in Grand Forks county there may be no alloy in their happiness. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Monday Evening, December 1, 1884, Volume 7, Number 25, Page 1)
Merry Wedding. The marriage of Jacob Dobmeier, the owner of the Grand Forks brewery, the chief institution of the kind north of Fargo, was one of the most lively incidents of a social character known in that region. All the people who admire the flowing beverage, which left out a few of the preachers and others, marched to the residence with bands, and Geo. H. Walsh, the member of the legislature, acted as orator, and presented fine presents from various combinations and congratulations, and beer flowed like a river. Then there was a grand banquet and the dance and more beer filled the night. The mayor and all the county and city officials, with hundreds of ladies and gentlemen of all ranks and conditions shared the jollity. It was the unanimous wish that Jacob might marry often. (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Friday Morning, December 5, 1884, Volume VII, Number 340, Page 2)
The 1885 Dakota Territory census shows Jacob Dobmeier (age 39, brewer from Germany), married to Elizabeth (age 32, from Luxembourg), and living in Grand Forks. The parents of Jacob, Frank (age 69, from Germany) and Monica (age 69, from Germany) also lived in Grand Forks.
The Grand Forks and North Dakota Manual for 1885 showed Jacob Dobmeier, proprietor of the brewery, living at 820 South Third Street in Grand Forks. Frank also lived at the same residence. (Grand Forks and North Dakota Manual for 1885, William L. Dudley, Plaindealer Book and Job Rooms, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1885, Page 79)
In each annual review of the business of Grand Forks, the HERALD has not neglected to notice in its proper place the importance of the far-famed brewery of Grand Forks, owned by that enterprising citizen Jacob Dobmeier, who first planted stakes here in 1877, and built the brick block now occupied by Hankey Bros. Mr. Dobmeier during the past season erected a commodious malt house as an addition to his large brewery, which cost $10,000. It is a substantial brick structure and has a capacity for malting 75,000 bushels of barley next season. The output of the brewery in beer, the best made in the west, not excepting Milwaukee, was 12,000 barrels for the season just past. The sales have been quite encouraging for the future, under the direction of the genial Herman Wolff. But it is the intention of Mr. Dobmeier to push the bottling department with special energy next season, and of this fact he wishes the trade of Dakota and Minnesota to take particular notice at this time. There will be no need to pay heavy freight bills on bottled beer imported from the east or south. In fact, the same process will be employed by Mr. Dobmeier as is used in the production of the matchless Bavarian beer, which when imported drives the German soul to ecstasies. This bottled beer will be without a rival. It will not be refined to such a degree as can not be approached by any manufactory in this country, and extra inducements will be made to all who crave this wholesome and delightful beverage. It will prove an important addition to what is already an enormous industry and Mr. Dobmeier’s hosts of friends everywhere will heartily wish him success to exceed his most sanguine expectations. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, December 19, 1886, Volume 11, Number 42, Page 3)
To the Legislature of the State of North Dakota: We, the undersigned petitioners, residents of the city of Grand Forks, N. D., believing that the State is morally bound to make restitution for any and all property, goods or things taken by it for use or depreciated in value by any act done under and by authority of the State, and believing that all persons that have hitherto engaged in the business of brewing within the confines of what is now the State of North Dakota, did so engage in said business with full authority and sanction of the law of the then Territory of Dakota, and believing further that the business of brewing beer or other liquors is in itself a legitimate business and is only made illegal by virtue of some law of the State; and WHEREAS, One Jacob Dobmeier did heretofore and during the period of time when the brewing business was supposed to be and was legal and legitimate, engage in the business of carrying on a brewery for the purpose of brewing beer in the city of Grand Forks aforesaid, and has heretofore and has now invested in said business for kegs $35,000, tubs and hogsheads, $3,940; kettle and mash tubs and cooler, $1,800; engine, boiler, pumps and elevator and mills, $7,700; malt and barley on hand, $10,000; real estate, $50,500; manufactured stuff on hand, $10,500; and bottling establishment, $4,000.
That after having invested said sums in said property, as aforesaid, the electors of the State of North Dakota did on the first day of October, A. D. 1889, a majority of them so cast their votes that the said business of conducting a brewery in the said State of North Dakota is now illegal. That on account of the said votes being so cast, the said business is now illegal, the properties hereinbefore mentioned have been very materially depreciated in value, so that the present time they are worth and of the value of no more than the following amounts, to-wit: Kegs, $14,000; tubs and hogsheads, $1,500; kettle and mash tub, cooler, $800; engine and boiler, pumps, elevator and mills, $3,000; real estate, $25,000; manufactured stuff, $5,000; bottling establishment, $1,500; making in all a total depreciation of $121,940. Now, therefore, we, your petitioners aforesaid, in consideration of all the facts above stated would respectfully petition and urge upon your honorable body to refund and make restitution to the said Jacob Dobmeier for such depreciation in his said property, as aforesaid, to-wit: The sum of $72,640. L. B. Richardson, And 71 Others. (State of North Dakota, Journal of the Senate of the First Legislative Assembly, Tribune, Printers and Binders, Bismarck, North Dakota, Monday, January 20, 1890, Page 275)
Bismarck Tribune: The petition from Grand Forks that a brewer be indemnified for losses sustained because of prohibition is remarkable in at least one respect. It is signed by a large number of prohibitionists, and some of them give reasons why they believe the injured party should be indemnified. The question naturally arises, however, is not the brewer, who has thousands invested, as able to stand the loss as the hundreds of small saloon keepers who have all they possess and all means of a livelihood for themselves and their families invested in bar fixtures and buildings that will, after July 1st next be practically worthless? (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Evening, January 28, 1890, Volume XVII, Number 74, Page 2)
In Re Dobmeier. Communication From the President of the County W. C. T. U. Protest Against the Dobmeier Petition. To the Editor of the Herald. Permit me though the columns of your paper to say a few words in regard to the petition that was presented by Senator McCormack to the senate on Monday last. The petition alluded to is the one that was published in the Sunday Morning Plaindealer. It is a petition from the leading citizens of Grand Forks, among them many of the leading prohibitionists, asking the state to reimburse Jacob Dobmeier for losses he must sustain on account of prohibition. We were shocked and amazed when we read some of the signatures to this bill and thought they must have been procured through fraud, or else they must belong to that class called in the Bible, “Double minded and unstable in all their ways.” The same good book says you cannot serve God and mammon. In other words, you cannot be for prohibition and against it at the same time. Prior to this we have been surprised to find citizens who worked earnestly for local option and afterwards served as bondsmen for saloon-keepers, but the signatures on this petition are the most startling of all. This petition urges upon this honorable body to refund and make restitution to the said Jacob Dobmeier for the depreciation in his brewery, and its surroundings, to the amount of $72,640. He asks among other things to be reimbursed for malt and barley on hand to the amount of $10,000. If I understand this petition, they ask the state to reimburse him for the depreciation in his property and leave the stock in his hands. I wonder if this keen-sighted brewer who could invent and manufacture that simple drink called “Mumm” and dispense it so freely throughout our city, as well as the county, during local option, couldn’t have discerned the signs of the times enough so that he might have bought less barley and made less malt.
It may look very plausible to some for this brewer to ask for remuneration for beer kegs, manufactured stuff on hand, hogsheads, cooler, engine, pumps, elevator, bathing establishment, and other things too numerous to mention, but for some of our best citizens to sign it looks like an article of another color. We feel confident that our senators and representatives are too wise and just and will prove themselves too true to their constituents to allow such a petition to have any weight with them. After our national government saw fit to abolish slavery and the hand of Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, why didn’t we as a nation reimburse every slave holder for the loss he sustained. Why don’t some tender hearted signers circulate a petition to reimburse the saloon keepers for the loss they have sustained by the way of refrigerators and bar fixtures? I wonder who is to remunerate this county as well as other counties of the state for the misery and woe that this brewery has been the originator of? Who is going to remunerate our county for the care and expense it has been put to on account of this same brewer? His best customers are buried at the county’s expense. If the signers of this petition wish to buy this brewery and its surroundings and remodel it into a starch or oatmeal factory or dispose of it in any manner that will give humanity honest employment, then we will bid you God speed and assist you in any honorable manner. Your, for Home Protection versus Brewery Protection. Co. Pres. W. C. T. U. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Evening, January 28, 1890, Volume XVII, Number 74, Page 4)
A Bismarck dispatch to the Minneapolis Journal says: Prominent citizens of Grand Forks, Richardson, Budge, Edison, Swan, Viets, Holmes, Rucker, Luke, Woodruff, Corbet, Clifford, Bennett, Stokes, Elton and others have petitioned the legislature to compensate the big brewer, Dobmeier, to the extent of $72,640. Prohibition has undoubtedly embarrassed Mr. Dobmeier, but this is a bad time for the statesmen and citizens of Grand Forks to ask for compensation. This is the brewer who would not contribute anything to the fund to defeat prohibition and after the election was the first fellow to “squeal.” He telegraphed to Bismarck to hold back the returns on the Missouri slop, and when it was too late was ready to engage in a campaign of self preservation. It restitution is right for the brewer why is it not right for the poor saloon keeper? Financially, the brewer will have something left when he quits, but the saloon keeper will hardly have enough to get out of the state. North Dakota will have to raise her debt limit before she begins the work of compensating the brewers. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Evening, January 28, 1890, Volume XVII, Number 74, Page 4)
Mr. Haggart moved to amend Section 1, line 2, by striking out the figures “$72,640” and substituting the following: “That each and every man owning a brewery in North Dakota receive the sum of $5,000.” Which amendment was adopted. (State of North Dakota, Journal of the Senate of the First Legislative Assembly, Tribune, Printers and Binders, Bismarck, North Dakota, Saturday, March 15, 1890, Page 907)
New Brewery. Jacob Dobmeier has decided to build a brewery on the Minnesota side of the river and has purchased at site of E. B. Fredericks, between the Northern Pacific and DeMers avenue bridges, in the rear of the Stearns property and will at once erect a substantial structure of solid brick. The work of cutting off the standing timber began yesterday afternoon, and construction will be pushed as rapidly as possible. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, March 22, 1891, Volume XX, Number 118, Page 4)
Jacob Dobmeier, proprietor of the East Grand Forks Weiner brewery and saloon, announces a grand opening to-morrow night. The HERALD acknowledges receipt of a courteous invitation to be present. Many thanks, Jake! (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Friday Morning, July 31, 1891, Volume XX, Number 223, Page 5)
Brewery Burned. Brainerd, Minn., Feb. 24. – The Brainerd brewery was totally destroyed by fire tonight. The blaze started at 10 o’clock. Its origin is unknown. The building was constructed in 1885 at a cost of $8,000, and was owned and operated by J. Dobmeier, of Grand Forks, N. D. The structure was insured for $4,000. (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Friday Morning, March 25, 1892, Volume XIV, Number 85, Page 1)
Monica Dobmeier (Jacob Dobmeier’s mother) died August 22, 1892. She was born May 4, 1817 in Germany. She was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Jacob Dobmeier, Proprietor Weiner Brewery and saloon, 102 DeMers ave (East Grand Forks). (Pettibone Directory Co’s East Grand Forks City Directory 1893-94, Page 190)
Evaded The Tax. Mr. Dobmeier Made and Sold a Lot of Beer. East Grand Forks, Minn., Dec. 15. – Deputy Revenue Collector John North of Omaha to-day seized the brewery of Jacob Dobmeier, in this city, for alleged evasion of the Government taxes on malt liquors manufactured since the prohibition law in North Dakota took effect. The brewery has been ostensibly closed and Dobmeier has been operating in East Grand Forks, Minn., just across the river. It is alleged that he has been making large quatities of beer and other liquors, bottling and distributing it through the State. The amount of which the Government has been defrauded is thought to be in the thousands. (The Morning Call, San Francisco, Sunday, December 16, 1894, Page 9)
Charged With Evasion. Special to the Globe. GRAND FORKS, N. D., Dec. 15. – Dobmeier’s brewery of this city has been seized by Revenue Collector North, of Omaha, and is in charge of Deputy Leiber. Dobmeier is charged with evasion of taxes on malt liquors. (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Sunday Morning, December 16, 1894, Volume XVII, Number 350, Page 18)
Jacob Dobmeier and Fred Lautenschlager, who were indicted for allowing gambling devices in their places of business in East Grand Forks, were fined $200 each. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Sunday Morning, July 21, 1895, Volume 14, Number 226, Page 2)
Dobmeier Gave Too Good Measure. Grand Forks, N. D., March 9. – The United States grand jury, in session at Bismarck, found a bill against Jacob Dobmeier, the East Grand Forks brewer, charged with putting more beer in barrels than the stamps attached called for. This is the second or third time Dobmeier has been before the courts charged with crookedness in his Weiner brewery. (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Tuesday Morning, March 10, 1896, Volume XIX, Number 70, Page 6)
Uncle Sam a Strict Creditor. Grand Forks, N. D., April 29. – Some time ago Jacob Dobmeier, the brewer, was charged by the government with using a larger barrel than the stamp attached called for, and then bottling the beer. The matter was dropped on a promise of settlement. It was not done, and this afternoon Deputy Collector Lieber secured a warrant and seized some personal property and the Weiner brewery. The taxes and penalty amount to $1,060. Enough of the property will be sold to satisfy the claim, unless a prompt settlement is made. (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Thursday Morning, April 30, 1896, Volume XIX, Number 121, Page 3)
The Dobmeier brewery is under water yesterday (during the record Red River Flood of 1897) and the kegs are being rescued. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Thursday, April 8, 1897, Page 4)
Jake Dobmeier has a skiff in which he visits the brewery. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday, April 10, 1897, Page 4)
Jake Dobmeier’s big ice house went down stream yesterday (during the record Red River Flood of 1897) and he will lose 1,500 tons of ice. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday, April 13, 1897, Page 1)
1900 United States census records show Jacob Dobmeier (age 54, farmer, born in Germany in December 1845) married to Elizabeth (age 47, born in Germany). Children were Francis (age 14, born in North Dakota), Mary (age 13, born in North Dakota), Elizabeth (age 10, born in North Dakota), Jacob (age 8, born in North Dakota), and Philomena (age 5, born in North Dakota). The family resided in Brenna Township, Grand Forks County, North Dakota.
FRANK DOBMEIER DEAD. Father of Jacob Dobmeier died at Park River Sunday Morning at the Age of Ninety Years. Frank Dobmeier, aged 90 years, father of Jacob Dobmeier of this city, died Sunday morning (September 9, 1906) at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George, at Park River, where he had been living since 1897. The remains were brought to Grand Forks last night and the funeral will be held from St. Michael’s church at 10 o’clock this morning. Interment will be at the Catholic cemetery. Frank Dobmeier was born in Bavaria, Germany (December 16, 1817), and came to the United States in 1871, and to North Dakota in 1879, making his home in Grand Forks a number of years. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Morning, September 11, 1906, Volume XXV, Number 272, Page 6)
1910 United States census records show Jacob Dobmeier (age 64, farmer, born in Germany) married to Elisabeth (age 57). Children were Frank (age 24, born in North Dakota), Mary (age 23, born in North Dakota), Elisabeth (age 21, born in North Dakota), Jacob, (age 18, born in North Dakota), and Philomena (age 15, born in North Dakota). The family resided in Brenna Township, Grand Forks County, North Dakota.
1925 North Dakota census records show Jacob Dobmeier (age 79) married to Elizabeth (age 72). Children were Frank (age 39), Mary (age 37), Elizabeth (age 35), Jacob (age 32), and Philomena (age 30). The family resided in Brenna Township, Grand Forks County, North Dakota.
1930 United States census records show Jacob (age 80) married to Elizabeth (age 78). Children were Frank (age 44), Mary (age 42), Elizabeth (age 40), Jacob (age 38), and Philomena (age 34).
PIONEER WOMAN OF GRAND FORKS DIES. Mrs. Jacob Dobmeier Sr., 80, Succumbs to Long Illness at Farm Home. Mrs. Jacob Dobmeier Sr., 80-year-old pioneer resident of Grand Forks, died early Friday morning (July 7, 1933) at her farm home west of the city after a protracted illness. Born in the grand duchy of Luxemburg, May 17, 1853, Mrs. Dobmeier came to Grand Forks in 1881 and has made her home in this vicinity since that time. In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters, Elizabeth and Philomene; two sons, Frank and Jacob Dobmeier Jr.; one grandchild, Mary Beth Dobmeier; a sister Mrs. Catherine Pyle of Seattle and a brother, Peter Dostert of Larimore. Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:30 A. M. at St. Michael’s pro-cathedral with Rev. Fr. William McNamee officiating. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joseph Mahowald, John Nuss, Percy Wilder, John Kennedy, Arthur Dubuque and Louis J. Andraschko. (Grand Forks Herald, Saturday Morning, July 8, 1933, Volume 52, Number 216, Page 10)