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Antti Ahlström (7 November 1827 – 10 May 1896) was a Finnish businessman, who foundedAhlstrom-Munksjö. He was one ofFinland's influential and wealthy 19th-century businessman. In addition, Ahlström was an industrialist,ship owner,patron,commercial counselor and legislator.[1][2][3]
Ahlström was born on 7 November 1827, inMerikarvia, and was a socially active citizen, representing the bourgeoisie of the Town ofPori at the Diet of the Estates in 1877–1878 and in 1894. He was awarded the highly distinguished honorary title of Commercial Counsellor in 1881. Ahlström and his wife made considerable donations to public schools and to public education to further the national interest, and to the arts, for instance to theFinnish National Theatre and theFinnish National Opera. The Ahlströms were also patrons to several Finnish artists, includingAkseli Gallen-Kallela.[4]
Between 1866 and 1874, Ahlström's big business was shipping; he became the largestshipowner inPori in 1871. It was in shipping that he earned the starting capital which he subsequently used to build his sawmill empire.
The purchase of the manor and iron works inNoormarkku in 1870 was a milestone in Ahlström's career: the purchase sealed his status as an important businessman and a 'lord of the manor'. One month after the deed of sale was signed, his wife Margaretha died of a sudden illness. In 1871, Antti Ahlström married again, this time to a woman 20 years his junior, Eva Holmström.[5]
Ahlström's business grew rapidly through major acquisitions, such as the iron works inKauttua,Leineperi andStrömfors and the sawmills inHaminaholma,Suursaari andTampere.
When Ahlström died on 10 May 1896, aged 68, inHelsinki, he left behind a fortune estimated at 11.4 millionFinnish markkas, which wasFinland's largest at the time. Although difficult to estimate, this would likely be the equivalent of billions ofEuro today.[5]
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