Paul Swessinger, Sandusky Businessman

According to an article in the April 15, 1916 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal, Paul Swessinger was one of Sandusky’s best known German-American citizens. He was born in Nemigen, Germany on January 15, 1849. After first residing in Kelleys Island, Mr. Swessinger settled in Sandusky, Ohio. In the 1880s and 1890s, he was a dealer in groceries and provisions at the southwest corner of Lawrence and Adams Streets. For a time he also operated a saloon and beer bottling works along with the grocery store. The 1900 and 1902 Sandusky City Directory listed him as the proprietor of the Imperial Cafe, a popular bar and restaurant at the northwest corner of Columbus Avenue and Water Street in downtown Sandusky. By 1904 he was also the president of the Swessinger Manufacturing Company.

The  company, on South Depot Street near Hayes Avenue, made and sold bank, office, bar and store fixtures. In 1910, Mr. Swessinger was operating an automobile garage on Jackson Street.  Besides the many business ventures already listed, around the turn of the twentieth century, Paul Swessinger operated a Sight Seeing Car at the foot of Columbus Avenue.

The vehicle had open sides, solid rubber wheels, and was about the same size as a streetcar. It met the incoming boats and trains, to provide tourists with a tour of the city of Sandusky. 

Paul Swessinger died on April 15, 1916. He was survived by his wife, a son, daughter, three brothers and two sisters, one still living in Germany. Funeral services were held at his home on Central Avenue, and burial was in Oakland Cemetery.