Jakob Heusser-Staub

Jakob Heusser-Staub (3 March 1862 – 23 August 1941 as Jakob Heusser) was a Swiss industrialist and philanthropist. Born and raised in the village of Irgenhausen, Heusser-Staub made Uster his home. With the support of his wife, Berta, he founded the Heusser-Staub foundation.

Early life and education Born in the hamlet of Irgenhausen in the municipality of Wetzikon, he was the son of Luise née Schellenberg and Caspar. He attended Sekundarschule (pre-college level) in Wetzikon and was a citizen of Pfäffikon. From 1877 to 1879, he attended the Industrial School in Zürich. Afterwards he received practical and commercial training at his father's business. His father, Caspar Heusser (1836–1910), was a cotton manufacturer who sold his products in Kempten and the surrounding area.

His professional success enabled him to purchase the Spinnerei Stauber in Kempten (with 1,200 spindles) in 1869 and to introduce mechanical weaving with 36 machines. In 1883 he bought a cotton mill in Bubikon (6,000 spindles, 80 workers), where he also added a weaving factory. Heusser expanded to Winterthur and St. Gallen, leaving a considerable fortune.

He lived from 1880 to 1882 in Lyon and from 1882 to 1883 in England to gain professional experience. From 1883 to 1897 he served as trade merchant in his father's business in Bubikon, from 1897 independently as his own factory. It was given to the citizenry of Uster to establish the "Heusser-Staub-Stiftung". In the same year, Heusser and his wife Berta were appointed honorary citizens of Uster.