Biography.guide
Home › People › Businessperson › John William Kiser
Portrait of John William Kiser

John William Kiser

1857 – 1916

19th-century American industrialist

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About John William Kiser

Lived 1857 – 1916 (aged 59). John William Kiser was an American businessperson and industrialist.

John William Kiser (June 20, 1857 – October 31, 1916) was a 19th-century industrialist who owned the Monarch Cycle Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois. His company became one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world.

Early life Kiser was born in St. Paris, Ohio, June 20, 1857. His parents were farmers George R. Kiser and Margaret Ellen (née McVey) Kiser. In 1884 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wittenburg College. The building was designed by John Mills II.

In 1892, Monarch Cycle had only 35 employees and made 150 bicycles. By 1896 the company had 1200 employees, and they were producing 50,000 bicycles. At its peak, the Monarch Cycle employed around 400 engineers.

In 1902 he became the treasurer of the Phoenix Horseshoe Company of Chicago. By 1907 he was made president of the company. He was also the director of the First National Bank and the Miehle Printing Press. The 375-ton vessel was purchased by the Maritime Commission and was used in the navy during World War II.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Wittenberg University
Also known as
John W. Kiser

People in John William Kiser's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John William Kiser's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John William Kiser?

19th-century American industrialist

When was John William Kiser born?

John William Kiser was born on 20 June 1857 in St. Paris, Ohio.

When did John William Kiser die?

John William Kiser died on 31 October 1916 in Chicago.

What was John William Kiser's occupation?

John William Kiser was a businessperson and industrialist.

What nationality was John William Kiser?

John William Kiser was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John William Kiser

· Wikidata: Q110243715

· DBpedia: John William Kiser

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John William Kiser. https://biography.guide/john-william-kiser/

MLA: "John William Kiser." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-william-kiser/.

Chicago: "John William Kiser." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-william-kiser/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:11 UTC