Soon
after arriving in America, Caspar Biele started a business manufacturing
cases. His son Charles
F Biele joined Caspar's showcase business and took over after
Caspar's death in 1875. Working with his brothers and later his sons,
Charles F grew the business into a premier showcase, metal working, and mouldings
company. The business later known as Charles F. Biele and Sons
manufactured custom showcases for the top museums and private collections
of the day. (See
this New York Sun article from 1938 for
a great description of the business.)
The
first business address for the family is in 1871 at 59 Canal with a single
listing for Caspar Biele with occupation as "cases". This
was near Caspar's residence on Rivington Street in the lower East Side on
Manhattan in New York City. From 1872 until 1876 (just after
Caspar's death), the business address was 219 Centre.
In
1880, Charles F is listed with an occupation of "cases" at 112
West Broadway, in 1885 and 1890 at 42 West Broadway and in 1895 at 143
West Broadway. His brother Emil is also listed as being in the cases
business in 1885 and 1890 at the 42 W. Broadway address. In 1890
there is also a listing for a "C. F. & E" company at 45 West
Broadway.
(see
the New York City Directory for
these and other Biele business and residential listings)
In
1898, the business moved to 379-381 West 12th Street and 120 Jane in the
Greenwich Village area of New York City and remained there for the next 28
years. During this period, Charles F was joined in the business by
his sons Carl and Eduard. In 1910, the company was incorporated in
the state of New York as "Charles F. Biele & Sons Co."
Charles F. was the President and Treasurer of the company, Carl the Vice
President, and Eduard the Secretary. Ewald (Charles F's youngest
brother) is listed as a foreman or superintendent for the business from
1895 to 1910.
In
the 1926, after a fire, the business moved to its final location at 33-39
Bethune Avenue just a block over from the prior location. 33-37
Bethune, a large commercial building, housed the operations and 39
Bethune, an adjoining townhouse, housed the offices. (Both
structures survive to this day. 33-37 Bethune later housed a
business known as Pickwick Papers and was finally converted into
residential lofts called Pickwick Place. 39 Bethune is now a
residential townhouse.)
Charles
F. led the business until his death in 1930. Carl then became
President and Eduard the Vice President. Other family members also
worked in the business at various times including Carls' son Charles and
Eduard's son Edward.
Eduard
left the business in 1938 and after
enduring the hardships of the Great Depression, the business went under in the early 1940's.
Carl is listed as President on the 1943 papers of dissolution.
