[From Find a Grave]
Henry Nanz (October 4, 1821 Stuttgart - April 26, 1891 Jefferson County KY) [dates differ in 1891 obituary]
Henry ("Harry") Nanz, Jr. (September 12, 1857 Jefferson County KY - January 8, 1923 Jefferson County), his son
Charles Neuner (ca. 1849 - June 18, 1900 Louisville KY)
Alfred Neuner (ca. 1860 - 1899). A Bouvardia jasminoides 'Alfred Neuner' was introduced in 1881.
[From The American Florist, May 7, 1891, Vol. 6, p. 742:] Henry Nanz, Sr., the pioneer florist and nurseryman of Louisville, Ky., died May 1. Mr. Nanz was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1819, and learned his trade in the famous nurseries and gardens of that place. He came to this country in 1847, landing at New Orleans. He first tried his fortunes in Texas, but sickness compelled him to find a better climate. He came north with the United States soldiers who were returning from service in Mexico. When he landed in Jeffersonville in 1848 he was penniless. He first found
employment at the famous Spring Garden, and after the collapse of that concern became gardener to the celebrated Ward family. Their conservatory soon showed the effects of his skill. He was in charge of it at the time when a mob endeavored to destroy the Ward property in 1853 and valiantly, but vainly, endeavored to save his floral treasures. By diligent economy and persevering activity be was enabled to lay the foundation for his now famous business, and bought an acre of land on Third street, between Breckinridge and Kentucky, then considered away out of town. The rapidly growing city and the ever increasing demand for his goods compelled Mr. Nanz to look about for more extended quarters, and he finally settled at St. Matthew's station (Gilman's Point, as it was formerly known), and there he purchased thirty acres of land which he proceeded to lay out, and which now is the nursery of the firm. ...when he had attained his seventieth year he retired from the active conduct of his business and transferred his interests to his son, Harry Nanz, and his son-in-law, Carl Neuner. During the course of his life he planted thousands of trees in all parts of the city, in the streets and in the yards of private residences, which will remain as so many beautiful monuments to his memory. He was laid to rest in Cave Hill Cemetery, the funeral being very largely attended.
[From The American Florist, January 27, 1899, Vol. 15 pt. 1, p. 752:] The death is announced of Alfred Neuner at a watering place in Germany, where he had been sojourning some months for the benefit of his health, Mr. Neuner was well known to seedsmen throughout the country. He was born at Stuttgart, Germany, about forty years ago, and coming to the United States entered Vick's establishment at Rochester, N. Y., as a boy, rising rapidly to an important position in the catalogue department. Later he was a member of the firm of Nanz & Neuner, of Louisville, Ky., but retired from that concern on the occasion of its reorganization a few years ago. Removing to Chicago he was employed at Vaughan's Seed Store about two years. Poor health compelled him to relinquish his position and he returned to Germany last January.
[From The American Florist, June 30, 1900, Vol. 15 pt. 2, p. 1459:] Charles Neuner, who had been ill for several weeks, died at Louisville, Ky., on June 18. Mr. Neuner was 51 years of age. He was best known as a member of the firm of Nanz & Neuner. He began the partnership in 1872 and continued until 1876, when he retired to take charge of extensive nurseries at St. Mathews. In 1889 he re-entered the firm and remained until 1895, when he became special agent of the German Life Insurance Co., which position he held at the time of his death. He leaves a wife and five children.
[From Notable Men of Kentucky at the Beginning of the 20th Century, ed. by Ben LaBree, 1902, p. 223:] HENRY NANZ. Secretary and Manager Nanz & Neuner, Inc., Florists, founded 1850. incorporated 1896. Louisville, Ky.
[From Roll Call: The Old Rose Breeder, p. 371:] Nanz & Neuner, Louisville, Kentucky U.S.A.
[From Congressional Record - Senate, June 13, 2002, p. 10334:] In 1850, the year Zachary Taylor died and Millard Fillmore became president of the United States, Henry Nanz decided to open a quaint little flower shop on Fourth Street in downtown Louisville. He cultivated his flowers on a one-acre suburban plot and in a 12′ x 20′ green house. In 1870, with business thriving, Henry Nanz packed his bags and moved the company to 30 acres of land in the St. Matthews area owned by a Mr. Charles Neuner. In 1872, Mr. Neuner made the decision to join the profitable company. For the next 82 years, the business was known as Nanz & Neuner. When in 1900 Nanz & Neuner celebrated their 50th anniversary, the St. Matthews site contained an astounding 60 greenhouses, a 15-acre nursery, and ten acres devoted to roses and other flowers, including Field Grown Roses, the company’s specialty. In 1954, Nanz & Neuner officially became Nanz & Kraft, changing names but retaining the same formula for success. Today, Nanz & Kraft’s main store is a 20,000 square foot building. There are three branch stores, and the business has about 125 employees, half full-time and the rest part-time. They are open every day of the year except Christmas and make more than 200 deliveries a day. Whether it be a birthday or a first date, Kentuckians can count on Nanz & Kraft to brighten up the occasion
[From the website nanzandkraft.com] Early in the year 1850, German horticulturist Henry Nanz immigrated to the United States and settled in Louisville, Kentucky. Nanz came from Stuttgart, in what was then the German state of Württemberg..... all the old advertisements and catalogues stated that Henry Nanz’s business had been established since 1850. As Henry’s son later wrote in the 1896 catalogue, the senior Nanz set up his business “in a humble way with one little greenhouse, size 10′ x 50′. At that time flowers were in little demand and the wants [of the populace] were supplied from this small establishment.” But the business soon grew larger, along with the city. In the U. S. census of 1860, Henry set his worth in real estate owned at $2,000. The 1861 Louisville city directory places the shop and family residence at 866 Third Street, between Breckinridge and Kentucky Avenues, near the present site of Spalding College. Nanz sold shrubs, ornamental and fruit trees, cut flowers, and hothouse plants. ..... The city directory of 1871 indicates that Nanz acquired a business partner that year. The commercial listing showed the new firm name of Nanz & Neuner, at 472 Third Street, near Kentucky. Immigration records prove that Carl Neuner and his younger brother Alfred arrived in the United States on 25 April 1868. They, too, came from Württemberg....This expansion out of the city was reflected in the 1873 city directory. Another full page advertisement stated that the plants, roses, trees, seeds and cut flowers were sold at the Fourth Street store, while greenhouses and a flower display garden could be found at Third Street, and there was a new nursery and additional greenhouses located at Gilman’s Point, the second station on the Short Line Railroad. The firm now had listings under two commercial headings: Florists and Seed Stores. The name of the firm was changed to Nanz, Neuner & Company, and showed three names as partners: Henry Nanz, Alfred Neuner, and Edward Wachendorff, yet another émigré from Württemberg....In 1893, the firm’s partners were published as Henry Nanz Jr., Alfred A. Neuner, and Charles Neuner....
According to the Louisville directories and U. S. census records, Henry Nanz continued in his position as Secretary and Manager of the firm through 1913, though his two sons chose different careers for themselves.....by 1914, the Kraft family had assumed full control over the business.....After the deaths of Henry Nanz and Henry A. Kraft, the latter’s grandson, Edward A. Kraft Jr., ultimately assumed ownership of the business. In 1945, the heirs put up a modern building on what is now Breckinridge Lane, a block south of Shelbyville Road. In 1958 the name of the firm was changed to Nanz & Kraft Florists, and in 1967, ownership passed to Edward Ramsey Kraft. ....Today Nanz & Kraft no longer operate their own nursery, nor do they grow all their own plants from seeds and cuttings. Roses are no more a specialty of this business than of any other modern-style florist. The firm employs a work force of 35 (45 during the holiday season) to handle flower orders and special floral designs of all types.
