Uihlein family
The Uihlein family is an American family associated with brewing, business ownership, conservative and liberal philanthropy, and related cultural and sporting activities.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Uihlein family is an American family of German heritage whose history is closely connected with Wisconsin, the brewing industry, private enterprise, philanthropy, and political activism. The family is not a single operating company or consumer brand; rather, the name describes a network of relatives whose activities have included ownership and management of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, the creation and expansion of the business-supplies distributor Uline, participation in conservative and liberal political causes, and involvement in design, sports, and civic institutions. The family's historical prominence began in Milwaukee's brewing economy. August Uihlein emigrated to the United States in 1848 and worked at the Krug Brewery, founded by his uncle August Georg Krug. After Krug's death, Krug's widow, Anna Maria, married Joseph Schlitz. Schlitz subsequently became associated with the brewery's name, and after his death in the sinking of the SS Schiller in 1875, management passed to four Uihlein brothers: August, Henry, Alfred, and Edward. Following Anna Maria Schlitz's death in 1887, the Uihleins acquired full ownership while retaining the Schlitz name. The family remained involved in the brewery for roughly a century, helping make Schlitz one of the best-known American beer companies. August Uihlein served as chairman for decades. His descendants also maintained links with brewing. His son Joseph became a vice president of Schlitz, while his grandson Robert Uihlein Jr. later became president in 1961 and chairman in 1967. Family connections extended to the Pabst brewing family: August's daughter Ida married Frederick Pabst Jr., and her grandson Augie Pabst later held leadership roles at Pabst Brewing Company after a career in automobile racing. A later business chapter began in 1980, when Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein founded Uline, a distributor of shipping, packaging, warehouse, office, and business supplies. The company was established with money provided by Richard's father, Edgar Uihlein, and the business became the principal source of the couple's substantial wealth. Their children have also held management positions at Uline, reflecting the family's continuing use of closely held, family-involved business structures. The Uihleins have also been visible in American political finance. Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein have supported Republican candidates and conservative causes, while earlier generations included political activity associated with the John Birch Society and financial support for George Wallace's presidential campaign. David Vogel Uihlein Jr. has been a vice chairman of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, a Milwaukee-based philanthropic institution that has supported conservative policy organizations and became involved in debates over election administration and efforts connected with challenging the 2020 election results. Political views within the wider family are not uniform: Lynde Bradley Uihlein has supported liberal causes and Democratic politicians, and other relatives have not supported Donald Trump. Members of the family have also participated in interior design, furniture, antiques, polo, football, hockey, and platform tennis. These activities broaden the family's public profile beyond its business and political associations. Because the Uihlein family is a lineage rather than a unified commercial enterprise, its identity is best understood through the institutions, companies, causes, and personal careers associated with different branches of the family.
History
The Uihlein family's documented American history begins with German immigration and the development of Milwaukee's brewing industry. August Uihlein arrived in the United States in 1848 and joined the Krug Brewery in Milwaukee, an enterprise founded by his uncle August Georg Krug. The brewery later became identified with Joseph Schlitz after Krug's death led his widow, Anna Maria, to marry Schlitz. When Joseph Schlitz died in 1875 in the sinking of the SS Schiller, his wishes placed brewery management in the hands of August, Henry, Alfred, and Edward Uihlein. After Anna Maria Schlitz died in 1887, the Uihlein brothers acquired complete ownership but preserved the Schlitz name. August Uihlein became the central figure in the family's brewing operation, serving as chairman from the 1870s until his death. His descendants continued to occupy important positions. Joseph Uihlein became a vice president of the brewery, and Robert Uihlein Jr., a grandson of August, later served as president from 1961 and chairman from 1967. Robert also served on the board of the United States Brewers' Association. Through marriage, the family was connected to another major brewing dynasty: August's daughter Ida married Frederick Pabst Jr., and their grandson Augie Pabst later took leadership roles at Pabst Brewing Company following an automobile-racing career. The family's commercial activities later expanded beyond beer. In 1980, Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein founded Uline, a company supplying shipping and business materials. The venture was financed with money received from Richard's father, Edgar Uihlein. Uline's growth made Richard and Elizabeth highly wealthy and created another family-managed business platform. Their children became involved in the company, with Duke Uihlein identified as manager of the Minnesota branch, Freddy Goldenberg as corporate planning manager, and Brian Uihlein as vice president of merchandising. Other branches developed careers in design and the arts. Steven Uihlein married Italian interior designer Alessandra Branca. Branca and her son Andrew Uihlein have operated an interior-design firm and furniture business, while Anna Lucia Uihlein has worked as an antiques dealer. Political engagement became another defining part of the family's public profile. Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein have been major Republican donors and conservative activists, continuing a tradition that included Richard's father and earlier support for the John Birch Society and George Wallace's presidential campaign. David Vogel Uihlein Jr. became a vice chairman of the Bradley Foundation in 2001. The foundation has played an influential role in conservative policy networks and in disputes involving election rules and efforts to contest the 2020 United States presidential election. Political positions differ within the extended family, however. Lynde Bradley Uihlein has supported liberal causes and Democratic politicians, demonstrating that the family cannot be treated as politically homogeneous. Uihlein family members have also achieved recognition in sport. Robert Uihlein Jr. won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 1951 and 1961. Mac Uihlein and Logan Uihlein played football at Northwestern University, while Mallory Uihlein played hockey at Pennsylvania State University. Brian Uihlein and Freddy Goldenberg have been associated with platform tennis; Freddy joined the American Platform Tennis Association board in 2013, and Brian has been inducted into the platform tennis hall of fame. The family's history therefore spans industrial enterprise, private distribution, political giving, cultural production, and athletic participation rather than a single corporate line.
- 2013
Freddy Goldenberg joins the American Platform Tennis Association board
[1]Freddy Goldenberg joined the board of the American Platform Tennis Association.
- 2001
David Uihlein Jr. becomes Bradley Foundation vice chairman
[1]David Vogel Uihlein Jr. began serving as a vice chairman of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.
- 1980
Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein found Uline
[1]The couple established Uline, a shipping and business-supplies company, using funds provided by Richard's father, Edgar Uihlein.
- 1967
Robert Uihlein Jr. becomes chairman of Schlitz
[1]Robert Uihlein Jr. advanced to the chairmanship of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.
- 1961
Robert Uihlein Jr. becomes president of Schlitz
[1]Robert Uihlein Jr. became president of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.
- 1961
Robert Uihlein Jr. wins the U.S. Open Polo Championship again
[1]Robert Uihlein Jr. secured his second reported U.S. Open Polo Championship.
- 1951
Robert Uihlein Jr. wins the U.S. Open Polo Championship
[1]Robert Uihlein Jr. won the U.S. Open Polo Championship, one of two victories later associated with his sporting career.
- 1887
The Uihleins acquire full ownership of the brewery
[1]Following Anna Maria Schlitz's death, the Uihlein family obtained full ownership while retaining the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company name.
- 1875
Management of the Schlitz brewery passes to the Uihlein brothers
[1]After Joseph Schlitz died in the sinking of the SS Schiller, management was assigned to August, Henry, Alfred, and Edward Uihlein.
- 1848
August Uihlein emigrates to the United States
[1]August Uihlein arrived in the United States and began work at the Krug Brewery in Milwaukee, establishing the family's direct connection with American brewing.
Products and positioning
A historically prominent American business family whose public identity combines Wisconsin brewing heritage, privately held commerce, political philanthropy, and family participation in cultural and sporting activities.
Beer and brewing
Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company
The family's principal historical commercial association was the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company in Milwaukee. The Uihlein brothers took over management in the nineteenth century and later acquired full ownership, continuing to operate the brewery under the Schlitz name. Descendants, including Joseph Uihlein and Robert Uihlein Jr., held senior executive positions.
Shipping and business supplies · 1980
Uline
Founded by Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein in 1980, Uline supplies shipping, packaging, warehouse, office, and other business materials. The company is closely associated with the family's modern business wealth and has included several Uihlein relatives in management roles.
Interior design and furniture
Alessandra Branca design and furniture business
A branch of the extended family has participated in interior design and furniture through Alessandra Branca and her son Andrew Uihlein. The activity represents the family's presence in design-oriented professional services rather than a mass-market product brand.
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