Glass manufacturer.

Immigrated to Philadelphia (1717), where he initially manufactured buttons. Established a glass factory at Wistarburg, Salem County, West Jersey (1738-40), which produced bottles, windowpanes, scientific glassware, and tableware decorated in the German style. It was the first successful cooperative factory in America; Wistar furnished the raw materials and the workers received one-third of the profits. Although the Wistarburg factory failed during the Revolutionary War, Wistar’s former employees spread the “South Jersey style” throughout the United States.

Son of Johannes Caspar and Anna Catharina Wüster of Wald-Hilspach, Baden, near Heidelberg. Joined Society of Friends (1725). Married Catharine Jansen (1726); seven children.