Edward Benz was born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.  He emigrated to America in 1868, at age 22, and settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  In 1870 he married Katherine Kohlmeier in a union that would produce four children.  In 1880 Benz partnered with Francis Fennel to found a brewery just south of town.  Within a few years  Charles Ekhardt (also spelled Eckert) replaced Mr. Fennel as partner.  In 1888, after a career of 18 years Edward Benz  sold his stake to Jacob Widman and purchased a hotel on Wyandotte Street.  After that he became employed by Lehigh University, a position he held until the day he died at age 46, on March 26th, 1914.

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Associated Breweries