Johann George Pfaltzgraff

Johann George Pfaltzgraff (Pfaltzgraf) is credited to be the first potter in the Pfaltzgraff family of potters in the United States. Pfaltzgraff Pottery Co. is known as the oldest pottery company in the USA. Lifetime Brands purchased the business in 2005.

Born in Frielendorf, Germany on May 5, 1808 he moved to Foustown in York County, Pennsylvania in 1833. He came to the United States with his wife Hedwig Eleonore (Elenora) Bramer right after they were married on May 27, 1833 in the town of Frielendorf. Elenora was a commoner by German standards while Johann came from a family of great distinction and the upper class as his family owned a pottery company. The marriage was frowned upon by his family in Germany so Johann decided that a move to the United States was in the best interests of himself and Elenora.

After they settled in to the Foustown, PA community, Johann began his new life as a farmer. He also started his trade that he mastered while in Germany by designing and creating his own pottery. He almost immediately began making stoneware from clay that he would purchase from Ohio. He also used the local lands in the Foustown area to gather his own clays as this region of Pennsylvania is rich in clays. Later, at least three of his sons learned the trade from him. There were: John Bramer, George Bramer, and Cornelius. Today, some of the oldest pieces seen in galleries and private collections are from John Bramer Pfaltzgraff.

Johann and Elenora had 10 children:

John Bramer,George Bramer,Elizabeth,Emma,Annie,Sarah,Lydia,Cornelius,Henry,Isaac

Johann George died January 7, 1873 and is buried in a private cemetery at 1881 Loucks Rd, York, PA. Elenora died on January 8, 1896 and is buried in the same cemetery.

References

Ethel Jennings Bergdoll transcripts and theJohannes Schwalm Historical Association- Member PA Federation of Historical Societies