Louis C. Graeter

In the mid 1800's, the Graeter family emigrated from Germany to a farm in Madison, Indiana. At 17, Louis Graeter left home and wound up in Cincinnati, where he began making ice cream by hand at the base of Sycamore Hill. Later Louis, his brother Fred and Fred's wife Anna began making candy in addition to his famous ice cream. In 1879. In 1899 Louis Married Regina Berger who also joined the ice cream business.

After Louis died, Regina ran the business until she died in 1955 when her oldest son Wilmer took over the business. In 2003, the 134 year old ice cream company transferred ownership to its fourth generation of Graeters, continuing the fine tradition started by Louis.

Currently the Graeter family operates 12 stores in Cincinnati neighborhoods and has 24 franchised stores located in Columbus, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, Lexington and Louisville. On December 31st 2003, the 134 year-old ice cream company officially transferred ownership to its fourth generation of family members Chip, Bob and Richard Graeter. Lou, Dick and Kathy remain fully involved in the day to day operation of the Business. According to industry experts, only 3% of family businesses survive to the fourth generation of family ownership. In spite of this daunting fact, the fourth generation fully intends to pass on Cincinnati's historic and beloved ice cream company to Louis Charles Graeter's great-great grandchildren, who will be taught to make French Pot ice cream the way he did, two gallons at a time.