MUELLER, ERNST W. (13 Oct. 1851-15 Jan. 1931) was a prominent local German-American civic leader and one of Cleveland's leading brewers.
Mueller was born in Alsenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. His father, Peter, took the family to America in 1856, settling in Cleveland where 3 of Peter's brothers (including JACOB MUELLER) already lived.
In 1887 Mueller established the Cleveland Brewing Company which produced what became recognized as "the best Cleveland beer." In 1897 his firm merged with 10 other breweries to form the CLEVELAND-SANDUSKY BREWING CORP. Ernst became president of this "syndicate" in 1898. After leading this company on to success, he left in 1907 to found the CLEVELAND HOME BREWING COMPANY.
Mueller was a founder and leader of the Turnverein Vorwaerts, a German-American cultural and gymnastic group. He was captain of the prize Turnverein gymnastic team at the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876.
Mueller married Agathe Leick in 1879. He was survived by 3 sons, OMAR, Curt, and Lynn. Mueller is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
Mueller, Werner D. and Gardiner, Duncan B. To Cleveland and Away: Of Muellers, Reids, and Others (1993).