Joseph Schaller was born in Baden, Germany.  He came to America at a young age and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio.  His first business venture was a partnership in a vinegar manufactory with an ex-Senator named John Schiff.   In 1850 the partners purchased the Eagle Brewery owned by William Lofthouse.  They became so successful that by 1854 they had outgrown the 4th Street facility and rebuilt a larger brewery at the intersection of Plum and Canal.  

In 1866 Schaller bought out his partner and sold a share in the brewery to John Gerke.  He sold the rest to Gerke in 1882 and retired from business at age 70.  Joseph Schaller died on the 25th of June, 1888 at the age of 76 years.