Posted on: Oneida Co. NY Obituaries Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/OneidaObits?read=127 Surname: Matt, Bellosa, Gassner, Burns, Fitzpatrick, Moylan, Conroy, Mangan, Gaffney ------------------------- Utica Daily Press: Saturday June 28, 1958 "F.X. Matt, Dean of Businessmen, Dies" F.X. Matt, 99, dean of Utica Businessmen and industrialists, died June 27, 1958 in his home, 1910 Whitesboro St., after an illness of 10 weeks. Mr. Matt organized the West End Brewery 72 years ago and was chairman of its board at the time of his death. He was born in Igelschlatt in Schiechthal, Baden, Germany on Mar. 25, 1859, a son of Theodore and Johanna Matt. In 1878, Mr. Matt's parents came to the United States and Utica. His father opened a meat market at Schuyler and Green Sts. while F.X., as he was known to all, went to work in the brewery of Carl Bierbauer on Edward St. A year later, F.X. went to Canajoharie where he was employed in the brewery of Louis Bierbauer for seven years. He returned to Utica in 1886 and founded the West End Brewery, successor to the Carl Bierbauer Brewery. The latter firm catered only to local trade. Under Mr. Matt's management, the newly-organized business prospered and expanded its operations. In 1888 Mr. Matt became brewmaster and general superintendent. With 12 brewery workers and three salesmen, his firm produced and distributed 16,000 barrels of beer each year. By 1953, the firm had employed more than 350 persons on an annual payroll that exceeded $1 million. Its annual sales then amounted to about 400,000 barrels. In 1891, he was chosen treasurer of the company and in 1905 was named president. At the time of his death he also was treasurer. He was one of the Uticans who in 1911 formed the Hotel Utica Corporation and for years served continuously as a director of the company and later president. He had been president of the Utica Cutlery Co. which he helped organize and later chairman of the board for about 26 years. Mr. Matt was one of the organizers of the Utica Fire Insurance Co. in 1903 and served continuously as one of its directors 55 years. For many years he was a director of the First Bank & Trust Co., the Utica Knitting Co. and the Clayville Knitting Co. In both world wars, he worked in bond drives and for the local war chests. He actively served during World War 1 on the Home Defense Committee. When he was about 30, Mr. Matt married Miss Elizabeth Selbach of Utica, Oct 14, 1890, in Utica. The family had lived at 1910 Whitesboro St. for about 56 years. Mrs. Matt died Dec 13, 1942. A lifetime member of St. Joseph's Church, Mr. Matt was one of the organizers of its Holy Name Society. He was a member of the Yahnundasis Golf Club, City Club, Utica Lodge 33, BPO Elks, Utica Maennerchor and the Order of the Red Men. He was an honorary member of the Knights of St. George, held office for years in such one-time Utica groups as St. Joseph's Cemetery Assn., the Order of Harugari, Utica Lodge 242, the Deutscher Bund, the Baden Sick Aid Society and the Catholic Benevolent Assn. Surviving are two sons, Francis M. and Walter J., both of Utica, and a daughter, Mrs. Edwin B. Welch, Utica. There also are seven grandchildrena and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday morning at 8:45 from the home, and at 9:30 from St. Joseph's Church, where a solemn requium high Mass will be celebrated. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Members of the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph's Church and members of the Knights of St. John will be at the residnce Sunday evening at 8 to recite the Rosary. Members of the BPOE, Utica Lodge 33, will hold their ritual Sunday evening at 7:30.