Mr. August Bätzhold first saw the light of the world on December 31, 1833 in Damsbrück near Langenfalza in Saxony. He apprenticed in the honorable trade of carpentry and joinery. As a youth at the age of 19 he came to the New World and settled immediately in Buffalo. After being employed in his trade for over 10 years he opened a small liquor store on Main Street in the Cold Springs District in 1863. The business grew rapidly and he was forced to find a larger facility in the building at 346 Ellicott Street. But this space also became too small so in 1872 he bought the Odd Fellows Hall at 567 - 571 Michigan Street, which he remodelled and renovated from the ground up at great expense.

Mr. August Bätzhold Sr. also played a significant role in social and political life. He was a prominent member of the Order of the Free Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Maccabees, the Buffalo Orpheus, the Sängerbund, the Gymnastics Club, and many other organizations. In 1877 and 1878 he was alderman of the old 6th Ward. Furthermore he was one of the directors of the German American Bank and director of the old Excelsior Brewery. He was also State Treasurer of the New York State Wholesale and Retail Liquor Dealers Association for many years.

After his death his business was taken over by his sons, August Bätzhold Jr. and Theodor Bätzhold, who were chief assistants in the firm and helped the business to prosper for years.

Mr. August Bätzhold Jr. is a chip off the old block and currently head of the firm. He was born on May 17, 1859 in Buffalo, received a good school education and then went into his father's business. Today he is considered among the most respected citizens and businessmen in the city. He's well liked and esteemed in all the circles in which he travels. He is a prominent Free Mason, a member of the Buffalo Orpheus, the Buffalo Gymnastics Club, and many other organizations. He is also a member of the local, state, and national Liquor Dealers Association. On April 26, 1911 his wife Natalie, nee Kuster, died. During their 26 year marriage the couple had 4 children: Eugenie, Jenny, August C., and Howard. Mr. Bätzhold has found August C. to be a capable assistant in the business.

Mr. Theodor A. Bätzhold was born on October 3, 1860. After leaving school he went into his father's business and then became a travelling representative for the firm, introducing the firm and increasing the clientele base in all parts of the country. He belongs to the Order of the Elks, the Free Masons, and he is a treasured member of the Buffalo Orpheus, the Sängerbund, and the Buffalo Gymnastics Club. He married Miss Jenny Hitschler 26 years ago. The happy union has been blessed with 2 children: Alma and Arthur. The latter is employed in the family business and contributes his efforts so that the firm of August Bätzhold & Sons may prosper and flourish for a long time to come.

The firm of August Bätzhold & Sons enjoys a fine reputation, procuring the best wines from the Rhineland, from Hungary, Spain, and France. They also import the finest liquor. The firm carries the best wines from California and other wine-producing regions of America and their spirits are thoroughly first class goods. They are the sole owners of the famous Deer Run and Santa Fe brands of whiskey. The firm of August Bätzhold & Sons is built on strictly honest business practices and it is one of the largest and best known firms of its kind in this part of the country.

From "Buffalo and Its German Community," an illustrated text published by the German-American Historical and Biographical Society in 1912.  The text was printed in German but was translated and made available online at www.archivaria.com by Susan Kriegbaum-Hanks.
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