Johann Friedemann Greiner

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Johann Friedemann Greiner (born March 3, 1761 in Limbach in the former Duchy of Saxony-Meiningen ; † February 1, 1841 ) was a German glassworks owner, porcelain manufacturer and member of the state parliament.

Life

Johann Friedemann Greiner was the second son of Gotthelf Greiner (1731–1797), owner of the glassworks and founder of the porcelain factory in Limbach, and Johanna Sophie Dorothea, née. Froebel (1736-1792). He first tried to get a scholarly education. But since the exaggerated severity of his teacher spoiled his desire to study and also his father's funds, which were no longer so plentifully used by the costly experiments which the nascent porcelain factory made necessary, for those necessary for a higher office To enable training, Greiner decided to devote himself to the factory and to support his father. He now received lessons in drawing, painting and chemistry in order to get to know the coloring of the porcelain mass and the glaze preparation thoroughly.

After Greiner had acquired the knowledge necessary to run a business independently, he took over the management of the porcelain factory in Großbreitenbach in the Thuringian Forest, which had been abandoned by its previous owner, Major von Hopfgarten, due to a lack of the necessary knowledge and funds . Greiner's father bought this company from the major in 1782. Although the technical process used here was very different from the one in Limbach, Greiner managed to expand the scope of the business through activity and prudence and to manufacture a product that found a profitable sale in Holland , but especially in Turkey . He also succeeded in producing the English Wedgwood ware in beautiful imitation and doing good business with it. In 1802 he invented the black color, which gives the porcelain, which is soaked with it under the glaze, a wonderful appearance. The business flourished mainly around the time of the Continental Blockade , when there was a ban on imports of English goods into mainland Europe. Later, when many foreign goods came to Germany again and trade was made more difficult on all sides, the reverse occurred and an earthenware factory founded by the Greiner brothers in Glücksthal was closed.

At the end of 1784 Greiner married the eldest daughter of the judiciary and bailiff Kämpf in Gehren, from whom two sons and two daughters survived him. His wife was always at his side, helping and encouraging, and contributed significantly to the establishment of his prosperity.

Greiner was constantly striving to increase and correct his knowledge. He bought many new books announced in public papers, which he found to be worth reading, for example in relation to teaching. He studied the scriptures he had acquired and extracted what was useful to him, never neglecting to insert into the book his doubts about various points and his own experience-based corrections. His library counted over 2100 volumes, including rare and expensive works, e. B. the encyclopedia by Versch and Gruber . He also enjoyed spending time in his library and with his family. That is why he was only seen in public when special occasions or celebrations led him there.

In 1797, Greiner received the title of Kommerzienrat from the Prince of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen in recognition of his achievements . He was also later made a member of several associations by his fellow citizens, such as the agricultural association in Langensalza and the trade association in Saalfeld. He indented not-for-profit news and articles about his business and several related branches in magazines. He was in lively correspondence with his childhood friend, the Chief Finance Councilor Emmerling zu Darmstadt , until the end of his life. He had previously joined the Freemasons' Association .

After the death of his father in 1797, Greiner and his brothers Daniel (1758–1827), Florentin (1764–1844), Ferdinand (1768–1821) and Michael Gotthelf (1780–1844) took over the porcelain factories in Limbach, Großbreitenbach and Veilsdorf Monastery . At the end of the 1790s, the brothers bought the Weitersrode, Schwarzbach, Brattendorf and Großmannsrode manors in Saxony-Hildburghausen , which they jointly owned and managed for many years. These possessions prompted the election of Johann Friedemann Greiner as a member of the knighthood, which he retained until 1832, following the introduction of the state constitution in 1817. No less than in his business, he demonstrated lively zeal and honest concern for the well-being of his fellow citizens. He regularly attended the rural estates' meetings, which were held first in Hildburghausen and later in Meiningen, and sometimes even led the presidium. In 1816 he was elected permanent director of the Schützengesellschaft zu Breitenbach and celebrated his 50th anniversary with a ceremony in 1833.

Greiner's work, however, did not get the recognition it deserved, as he never unconditionally adhered to the views of a party and at his lonely place of residence on the heights of the Thuringian Forest had no opportunity to gather a crowd of like-minded friends around him. Although he was a loyal supporter of the Princely House, he also zealously defended the rights of free-thinking people, which is why he was often misunderstood and tried to be suspected. Proof of the warmth he played in the later constitutional system in Germany is provided by his instruction for citizens and country folk about the rural constitution (Ilmenau at BF Voigt, 1831). His endeavors to provide employment and food for the poor were known in his immediate vicinity. He also tried to inspire his employees for music in addition to their normal work . He even formed a music association from them, which was able to perform symphonies by Beethoven , for which he generously acquired the necessary instruments and music. Greiner's passion for music was connected with an interest in the natural sciences , and his knowledge of physics , chemistry, mineralogy and botany often astonished the experts who came into contact with him. He corresponded with several German scholars.

Greiner enjoyed good health well into his old age. In his last lifetime he read the history of mining in Ilmenau, published by Bergrat Voigt and given to him by his son, the court bookseller Voigt zu Weimar . Shortly before his death, he also formed a small porcelain vessel to store paints for his grandchildren. He died at the age of 80 on February 1, 1841 of complications from pneumonia .

literature

personal data
SURNAME Greiner, Johann Friedemann
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German glassworks owner, porcelain manufacturer and member of the state parliament
DATE OF BIRTH March 3, 1761
PLACE OF BIRTH Limbach in the former Duchy of Saxony-Meiningen
DATE OF DEATH February 1, 1841