Peter Staub

Johann Peter Staub colloquially Peter Staub (February 22, 1827 – May 19, 1904) was a Swiss-born American businessman, politician, and diplomat. Staub held several public offices, most notably as U.S. Consul to St. Gallen, appointed in 1885 by Grover Cleveland. Previously he served two terms as Mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee and as Consul of Switzerland in Tennessee from 1869 to 1884, promoting Swiss emigration to the Appalachian region. He was also an important colonizer who helped to established the town of Gruetli-Laager in 1869.

Staub, who was born in Glarus, Switzerland, emigrated to the United States with the trade of tailor in 1854, initially settling in New Jersey. Due to the climate which was not good for his health, he and his wife relocated to Tennessee in 1856. There he was primarily active as serial entrepreneur, opening a tailor shop and investing his profits in real estate. In 1872, he built and opened the city's first opera house, Staub's Theatre. In 1875, he founded the Knoxville Foundry Plant. He also served as trustee of the Lawson McGee Library and as chairman of the Knoxville Water Commission.