Fleischmanns Saddlers & General Merchants

Mr Johan Fleischmann emigrated from Germany in 1857. On arriving in Ipswich he worked for C. Gorry, a saddler. About 1859 (they celebrated 70 years in business in 1929) he founded his saddlery and harness business in Ipswich in the lane between Nicholas Street and Ellenborough Street. They also made bridles and collars. This lane is now known as Bottle Alley. After this he rented a small brick shop in Nicholas Street and then some years later bought the premises of I. Sutton which was next door. (Sutton's property had previously been used as a grocery by himself and then as a bakery by P. Donegan.)

In 1876 the growth of business dictated construction of a new 2 storey building.  In 1907 volume of business once again necessitated a move to newly erected premises. 

His son Charles Henry Fleischmann became a business partner in 1890. Fleischmanns was a family business with 3 generations eventually working it.  Son of Charles, Harold Victor Fleischmann gave his occupation as saddler when he enlisted for the First World War. When he returned from the conflict he joined his father and brothers, Ambrose, Frederick William, and A.E. Fleischmann, in the saddlery business. After their deaths, Harold became the sole owner of Fleischmanns Saddlery on 18 September 1950. He retired in 1954 when the building was rented to Rockman’s. These premises were next to Whitehouse's Cafe.  In the early 1980s First Provincial Building Society was located there.

The house at 4 Arthur Street, Woodend (now called Shilliday) was built for Charles Fleischmann in the late 1870s.