Many will remember the Wakefield-based bakers Hagenbachs. But did you know that contrary to popular belief the founder Charles Hagenbach originated from Switzerland and that he lived in Horbury? One of the company’s many shops was located here.
Charles August Hagenbach was born in Aarburg, Switzerland in 1872. He married Jessie Macdonald in Northumberland in 1900. Their first son, Charles Edward was born in Switzerland in 1901. They had three more sons, William Banks born 1903, Arnold born 1904 and Thomas Macdonald born 1910. In 1909 Charles August Hagenbach was naturalized as a British Subject. The 1911 census shows the family living at ‘Stonebridge House’, Benton Hill, with housekeeper Emily Wallhead and general servant Minnie Moseley, Charles is described as a confectioner & caterer. Charles Hagenbach was the caterer of choice for many public functions of the time, such as the opening ceremonies of Horbury library & Ossett Town Hall.