Today is the birthday of Warren Marti (October 23, 1920-February 2, 1993). He was born in Minnesota, and was the son of Alfred Marti, and the grandson of George Marti, who was the husband of Emma Schell, whose father August Schell started the Schell’s Brewery in 1860 in New Ulm, Minnesota. He was raised in the family business, and when his father Alfred retired in 1969, Warren became president of the business. Warren Marti ran the brewery until 1985, when he retired, turning over management of the brewery to his son Ted.
This is both his obituary and a short history of the brewery from his Find-a-Grave page:
Warren Alfred Marti the Past President of August Schell Brewing Company married Carolyn (Casey) Victoria Case on July 20, 1947.
The brewery continued to flourish under George Marti’s leadership until Prohibition was signed into law in 1919. Prohibition laws banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States. Wisely, Marti responded by shifting the brewery’s production to “near beer,” soft drinks, and candy. When Prohibition laws were finally repealed in 1933, Schell’s brewery easily made the transition back to brewing malt beverages. The brewery was fortunate; during that time period, approximately 1,300 breweries in the country went out of business.
The next generation, represented by Alfred Marti, took over brewery management in 1934 after George Marti passed away. The younger Marti added entertainment to the brewery’s local allure by establishing the Schell’s Hobo Band, which still performs in the community today. In 1969, Alfred Marti retired, passing on leadership to his son Warren.
Warren Marti expanded the product line, adding new types of beer such as Schell’s Export and Schell’s Light. He also collaborated with Arneson Distributing in nearby Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to make 1919 Root Beer, which the brewery still produces.
Beer cans also were introduced during Warren Marti’s tenure as head of the business. The company made its products more attractive to consumers and collectors by putting scenic designs on Schell’s beer cans. When Marti retired in 1985 the company was flourishing despite the growth of large breweries throughout the country, which were dominating the industry and squeezing market share from small regional breweries.
This portion of a history of the August Schell Brewery, from Funding Universe, mentions Warren Marti and his role in the company:
The next generation, represented by Alfred Marti, took over brewery management in 1934 after George Marti passed away. The younger Marti added entertainment to the brewery’s local allure by establishing the Schell’s Hobo Band, which still performs in the community today. In 1969, Alfred Marti retired, passing on leadership to his son Warren.
Warren Marti expanded the product line, adding new types of beer such as Schell’s Export and Schell’s Light. He also collaborated with Arneson Distributing in nearby Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to make 1919 Root Beer, which the brewery still produces.
Beer cans also were introduced during Warren Marti’s tenure as head of the business. The company made its products more attractive to consumers and collectors by putting scenic designs on Schell’s beer cans. When Marti retired in 1985 the company was flourishing despite the growth of large breweries throughout the country, which were dominating the industry and squeezing market share from small regional breweries.
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