Frederick August Otto Schwarz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick August Otto Schwarz
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| Born | October 18, 1836 |
| Died | May 17, 1911 (aged 74) New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Clausen |
| Children | 7, including Herbert |
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Frederick August Otto Schwarz (October 18, 1836 – May 17, 1911) was a businessman from Germany. He moved to America and became famous for starting the well-known toy store, FAO Schwarz.
The Man Behind the Toys
Frederick August Otto Schwarz was born in 1836 in a town called Herford, in what was then Prussia (now Germany). When he was 20 years old, in 1856, he moved to the United States. He came with his three brothers, Henry, Richard, and Gustav.
From Stationery to Playthings
When Frederick first arrived in America, he started working in Baltimore. He worked for a company that imported stationery, like paper and pens. Sometimes, German companies would send toys along with the stationery to sell. Frederick noticed that the toys he put in the store window sold much faster than the stationery.
This gave him a great idea! By 1862, he decided to open his own shop. Instead of stationery, he focused on selling toys. His business grew, and in 1870, he moved his toy shop to Manhattan in New York City. This was the beginning of the famous FAO Schwarz toy store.
Family Life and Legacy
Frederick August Otto Schwarz married Caroline Clausen. They had seven children together: four sons and three daughters. Their children were Anna, Ida, Henry, George Frederick, Emilie, H. Marshall, and Herbert.
Frederick lived a long life and passed away in 1911 at his home in Manhattan. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery. His great-grandson, Frederick A.O. Schwarz Jr., later became a well-known lawyer and continued the family's legacy.
