Waltke

Biography of Louis H. Waltke

Louis H. Waltke, president of the firm of William Waltke & Company, soap manufacturers, succeeded his father as the head of the business and has since given his attention to administrative direction and executive control of one of the important productive industries of St. Louis. In this city he was born June 1, 1855, a son of William and Anna (Kohring) Waltke, extended mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Louis H. Waltke was educated in the Lutheran parochial schools and at Walther College, from which he was graduated in 1872. Subsequently he attended the Jones Commercial College and … Read more

Biography of William Waltke

William Waltke (1824–1916) was a prominent soap manufacturer in St. Louis, Missouri, and founder of William Waltke & Company. Born in Germany, Waltke emigrated to the United States in 1849 following military service in the 1848 German war. Settling in St. Louis, he initially worked for Becker & Brand, a soap manufacturer, before establishing his own soap business around 1860. His company grew substantially, eventually occupying a large factory on East Grand Avenue and distributing products nationally and internationally. Waltke incorporated the business in 1900 and led it until his death. He was a committed Lutheran and esteemed figure in St. Louis business circles.