The Life of Werner von Buelow 

Werner von Buelow, was born on October 31, 1881 in Chicago, Illinois to Bodo and  Henrietta (Nethe) von Buelow, German immigrants. His father died when he was only 16 years old, and he was left to support his mother and his sister, Elizabeth, and his brothers. He became an apprentice in the diamond firm of Juergens and Anderson in the down town business section of Chicago. After several years he graduated from being an apprentice and became their main master craftsman in designing and creating diamond jewelry. These were the years when all the wealthy class of people wore diamond jewelry and it was in great demand.

Werner married Elsie Jager in 1909 and they moved to Park Ridge, a suburb of Chicago. It was there that he rented a very small building in back of the hardware store in Park Ridge. He worked alone making fine diamond jewelry for Juergens and Anderson. As the economy became more affluent, the diamond business increased to the extent that Werner had to hire four more assistant craftsmen to help him in his work. This necessitated in moving his shop to a much larger space on the second floor of the Ridge Theater in Park Ridge. Business was so good that he was able to purchase (for cash) a lovely new home in the finest residential section of Park Ridge. It was here that he and Elsie raised their three children: Elizabeth, the oldest; then Anita; and then Robert, the youngest.

After about five years the Pickwick Theater was built in the middle of the Park Ridge business district. It was the finest and largest building in Park Ridge. Since Werner needed more room for his shop, he rented quite a large space on the second floor of this building. Here he also had a private viewing room in which to show his own customers his hand-crafted diamond jewelry. This business was very lucrative and life was both rewarding and good.

In the middle of these GOOD TIMES, the big depression of the 1930’s began. Diamond jewelry was no longer a luxury worn by the wealthy; it was an extravagance no one could afford. Since this business no longer existed, Werner opened a Jeweler and Silversmith store on the first floor of the Pickwick building. Here he made, and sold, some jewelry but he mostly sold sterling flatware and hollowware. This kept him able to support his family during these difficult years.

As times improved, he moved to a larger store in the same building. In 1942 Werner needed more help in his store and he offered his son-in-law, Robert Cooper Brown, a position in the business. Bob, as he was called in those days, accepted this offer. He moved with his wife, Anita, and their four children: Valerie, Patricia, Robert Cooper II, and Judith, to the first home they had ever owned in Edison Park, a suburb of Chicago.

Bob worked for his father-in-law for about ten years. At this time Werner decided to retire and sell the business to his son-in-law and his daughter, Anita. Werner and Elsie retired to California and Bob and Anita took over running the business.

After spending all his working years as a jeweler, Werner had few hobbies besides golf. When he retired it meant starting a completely new life. He and his wife, Elsie, moved to California, bought a new home, and began their new life. Werner took up leather tooling, woodworking and cabinet making. One of his  most beautiful creations was a glass-topped coffee table with the von Bulow crest designed in colored stones embedded under the glass. He was very proud of his von Buelow heritage, and made the table into a work of art.

After many happy years of retirement, Werner died in 1967 in Coalinga, California. His wife, Elsie, died in 1977.