Josef Mariä Amstad
Josef Mariä Amstad | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Council of States | |
| In office 1884–1894 | |
| Member of the Grand Council of Nidwalden | |
| In office 1883–1901 | |
| Member of the Executive Council of Nidwalden | |
| In office 1877–1883 | |
| President of Beckenried | |
| In office 1874, 1901–1905 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 September 1846 |
| Died | 14 February 1926 (aged 79) |
| Party | Conservative Catholic |
| Spouse(s) |
Anna Maria Zürcher
(m. 1874; died 1890)Rosa Cattani (m. 1890) |
| Parent | Joseph Mariä Amstad |
| Relatives | Theodor Amstad (brother) Eduard Amstad (brother) |
| Occupation | Merchant, politician |
Josef Mariä Amstad (25 September 1846 – 14 February 1926) was a Swiss politician, merchant, and entrepreneur from Nidwalden. He served as a member of the Council of States from 1884 to 1894 and was instrumental in establishing the central purchasing organization for Sbrinz cheese merchants in 1885.
Early life and education
Amstad was born on 25 September 1846 in Beckenried, the son of Joseph Mariä Amstad, a cantonal ensign and cheese merchant. His brothers included Theodor Amstad and Eduard Amstad, who later became president of the cantonal court.[1]
After completing language study stays in Bellinzona (1863) and Courroux (1864), Amstad entered the family business.[1]
Personal life
Amstad married twice. His first marriage in 1874 was to Anna Maria Zürcher, daughter of Johann Melchior Zürcher, a physician in Zug and supporter of the Catholic press. Following her death, he married Rosa Cattani in 1890, daughter of Maurus Cattani, an innkeeper in Engelberg.[1]
Political career
Amstad began his political career as parish administrator in 1871. He served as a communal councillor (executive) and was president of the commune of Beckenried in 1874 and again from 1901 to 1905. He was appointed cantonal ensign in 1874.[1]
At the cantonal level, Amstad served as a conservative Catholic member of the Executive Council of Nidwalden from 1877 to 1883, followed by service in the Grand Council of Nidwalden from 1883 to 1901. At the federal level, he represented Nidwalden in the Council of States from 1884 to 1894.[1]
Business activities
In 1885, Amstad founded the central purchasing organization for Sbrinz cheese merchants, which played a significant role in the organization of this important Swiss cheese export product. He also secured special federal subsidies for the correction of torrents in Beckenried.[1]
Death
Amstad died on 14 February 1926 in Engelberg.[1]
References
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC-BY SA. Text taken from Josef Mariä Amstad, Peter Steiner, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland. Translated by André Naon.
Bibliography
- Nidwaldner Volksblatt, 17 February 1926
- Gruner, L'Assemblée, vol. 1, p. 335
- H. Lustenberger, "Sbrinz, das lukrative Exportprodukt", in Nidwaldner Sichten, 1992, pp. 87–92