Emil Steinhorst is well known in business circles of Utica as president of Emil Steinhorst & Sons, Incorporated, which is the largest concern in central New York engaged in roofing, heating, ventilating and all kinds of sheet metal work. He was born in Germany, on the 29th of March, 1860, and was a lad of twelve years when in 1872 he accompanied his parents, Carl and Wilhelmina Steinhorst, on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Utica, New York. His education was obtained in the public schools of this city, and after putting aside his textbooks he was apprenticed to learn the trade of tinsmith in the service of William E. Henry, who was then located at Whitesboro and Cross streets. Subsequently he worked as a journeyman in Utica in the employ of Joe Henry and also with the Carton Furnace Company, while for thirteen years he was with Frank L. Jones. It was in 1905 that they formed the Hesse-Steinhorst Company for the conduct of a business in sheet metal work, his associates in the corporation being Albert Hesse, Herman Peterson and William C. Doolittle. Three years later he sold his interest in that concern and embarked in business independently, opening a small shop, sixteen by twenty-four feet, at No. 423 Square street. Under the stimulus of his capable workmanship and efficient management the enterprise steadily grew until it had attained extensive proportions. In 1923 Mr. Steinhorst erected his present up-to-date shop of two stories at No. 1158 Mohawk street, where he has a floor space of seventeen thousand seven hundred square feet. He furnishes employment to about sixty workmen and is now at the head of the largest enterprise of its kind in central New York. The business is conducted under the corporate name of Emil Steinhorst & Sons and has the following officers: Emil Steinhorst, president; Fredrick Steinhorst, vice president; William Steinhorst, secretary; and Theodore Steinhorst, treasurer.
In 1884 Mr. Steinhorst was united in marriage to Miss Albertine Schultz, daughter of Michael Schultz of Utica. Mr. and Mrs. Steinhorst have ten children, eight sons and two daughters, namely: Theodore, Fredrick, George, Henry, Edward, William, Emil, Jr., Herbert, Augusta and Henrietta. All of the sons are associated with their father in business.
Mr. Steinhorst is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Faxton Lodge No. 697, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of Harugari Lodge, No. 242, and of the Cornhill Benevolent Association. The period of his residence in Utica covers more than a half century and he has long been numbered among the prosperous and representative business men as well as highly esteemed citizens here.