Born in Austria and orphaned at a young age, Ferdinand was apprenticed to a bookbinder. Despite harsh treatment he completed the training and felt that it gave him a strong work ethic. He spent the rest of his life trying to balance work and travel. He would take a job for a while until the wanderlust hit him and he would travel by foot over the Alps and around Europe. Eventually he saved enough money for third class travel to the United States. He ended up in Virginia City, Nevada where he worked in a hardware store which he eventually bought. As a successful older man his wanderlust returned. But this time he traveled in style.

Born in Austria in 1847. Ferdinand was the youngest of six children. His parents died when he was young and much of his youth was spent living with whomever his wealthy relatives could find to take him. His turbulent childhood created and hardworking and driven man who made his way to Virginia City, Nevada during the height of the Comstock Rush. He married and had two children and worked in a hardware store. After years of hard work, he bought the store and expanded it to include a gas station and auto repair shop. He became a successful husband, father, businessman and community leader. In his later life he traveled extensively throughout the world.