Bicycle Baron. He was born in Hardheim, Germany. As a teenager he began working for bicycle maker Heinrich Kleyer. His work impressed Kleyer and soon he was promoted to designer and manager of his factory. In 1891 he immigrated to Chicago, Illinois and four years later he, along with Adolph Arnold, founded Adolf-Schwinn and Company. The company sold over twenty-five thousand bicycles in its first year. In 1908 he bought out Arnold. While his focus was bicycles he also experimented with other modes of transportation. From 1897 to 1902 he built twelve experimental automobiles. In 1911, he bought the Excelsior Motorcycle Company molding it into one of the top three motorcycle manufacturers in the United States. The depression forced him to give up his motorcycle company but he continued to excel in the bicycle business until his death. (bio by: Bigwoo)  Family links:  Spouse:  Helen Wagner Schwinn (1863 – 1932)* *Calculated relationship