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Business & Money • Entrepreneur

Frederick Trump

Frederick Trump was a German-American businessman and the patriarch of the Trump family.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Frederick Trump was a German-American businessman and the patriarch of the Trump family. Born Friedrich Trump in Kallstadt, Bavaria, he immigrated to the United States in 1885 and later made money in the Pacific Northwest and Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. He is the grandfather of Donald Trump.

Early life and immigration

Frederick Trump was born Friedrich Trump in Kallstadt, Kingdom of Bavaria, on 14 March 1869. He immigrated to the United States in 1885.

Business career

After arriving in North America, Trump began speculating in real estate in Seattle in 1891. During the Klondike Gold Rush, he moved to Yukon, Canada, where he operated a restaurant and a brothel for miners in Whitehorse. These hospitality and entertainment businesses proved profitable.

Family

Trump became the patriarch of the Trump family. He is the grandfather of Donald Trump.

Historical significance

Trump is remembered as an immigrant entrepreneur whose activities helped establish the family fortune that later became associated with the Trump name.

Key facts

  • Trump was born in Kallstadt in the Kingdom of Bavaria.
  • He immigrated to the United States in 1885.
  • He began speculating in real estate in Seattle in 1891.
  • During the Klondike Gold Rush, he operated a restaurant and a brothel in Whitehorse, Yukon.
  • He was the grandfather of Donald Trump.
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Canadian context

Frederick Trump lived and did business in Yukon, Canada, during the Klondike Gold Rush, where he operated a restaurant and a brothel in Whitehorse.[1][5]

Frequently asked questions

Who was Frederick Trump?
He was a German-American businessman and the patriarch of the Trump family.
Where was Frederick Trump born?
He was born in Kallstadt, in the Kingdom of Bavaria.
When did Frederick Trump immigrate to the United States?
He immigrated in 1885.
What businesses was he involved in?
He speculated in real estate in Seattle and later operated a restaurant and a brothel in Whitehorse during the Klondike Gold Rush.
How is Frederick Trump related to Donald Trump?
He was Donald Trump’s grandfather.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Trump
    Supports: Birth in Kallstadt, immigration in 1885, Seattle real-estate speculation, and Yukon/Whitehorse business activities.
  2. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Trump
    Supports: German-language biographical details, business activities in the U.S. and Yukon, and family relationship to Donald Trump.
  3. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Trump
    Supports: Immigration, fortune-making in Alaska/Yukon gold-rush towns, and business background.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Trump
    Supports: Fred Trump as New York real-estate developer and father of Donald Trump; used here only to distinguish from Frederick Trump where relevant.