Matthias Hitz was born in Prussia.  He came to America at age 29 in 1832.  From the port in New York City Hitz made his way west to Detroit.  By 1840 He was starting a family in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  In 1850 he was listed as a Blacksmith in Chicago.  He started one of the first breweries in that town in 1854 which he ran until 1861.  Matthias Hitz died on the 15th of September, 1873 at age 69 years.