John Syz
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23 March 1859
John Syz | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Council (Switzerland) | |
| In office 4 June 1917 – 1 November 1919 | |
| Constituency | Canton of Zurich |
| Member of the Cantonal Council of Zurich | |
| In office 1909 – 1917 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Syz 23 March 1859 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 27 March 1939 (aged 80) Zurich, Switzerland |
| Party | The Liberals |
| Spouse |
Clara Schindler (m. 1891) |
| Relations | Hans Syz (nephew) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Businessman, association functionary, politician |
John Syz (23 March 1859 – 27 March 1939) was an American-born Swiss businessman, association functionary and politician who most notably served on the National Council (Switzerland) for The Liberals from 1917 to 1919.[1] He previously served on the Cantonal Council of Zürich from 1909 to 1917.
Through his business activity, as the proprietor of cotton weaving mills, Syz became a negotiator of international trade deals with Woodrow Wilson in 1917 regarding the export of copper, cotton, grain and other commodities, for Switzerland. He later also presided the Zurich Chamber of Commerce and served on several company boards.
Syz was born 23 March 1859 in Brooklyn, New York, the fourth of six children, to Johannes Syz (1822–1883), a merchant and consul, and Anna Syz (née Landis). His father hailed from the well established Syz family originally from the Freiamt of Affoltern (presently Affoltern District).
In 1861, the family returned to Switzerland, where his father purchased the Haus zum Greifenstein, where he and his siblings were raised. He spent all his vacations with his grandparents in Richterswil on Lake Zurich. After completing the Matura, he studied at Ecole de Commerce in Lausanne, followed by a commercial apprenticeship at Cramer, Frey & Co. He then spent several years abroad in Paris, London and the United States.[2]