Charles Kottmann
Karl "Charles" Kottmann (1844-1890) was a watchmaking businessman active in Langendorf, having taken over management of his uncle's watchmaking factory, Uhrenfabrik Langendorf.
Karl "Charles" Kottmann was born on October 20, 1844 in Solothurn. He was the son of doctor Karl Joseph Kottmann and Maria Magdalena Katharina Munzinger. In 1879 Charles married Anna Friederika Munzinger, daughter of Arnold Munzinger.
His uncle Johann Viktor Kottmann founded a tobacco factory in Langendorf and later switched to production of ebauches there. In 1880 Charles took over the management of the watch factory as his uncle's health suffered. The factory then employed about 800 workers but was facing closure. He soon re-established it with a focus on worker support. He founded a food cooperative for workers, established a disability insurance fund, and added a preschool, a gymnastics club, and the music company.
From 1887 to 1890 Karl Kottmann sat on the Solothurn Cantonal Council, including the 1887 Constitutional Council.
Charles Kottmann died on January 16, 1890 at the age of 45. He had long suffered from a bowel disease and ultimately succumbed to it. Management of the factory fell to his business partner Lucien Tièche through the 1890s, but his nephews Ernst and Rudolf joined by the turn of the century and managed the company through World War II.