Philip Ludwig (Louis) Beithaupt was born in Allendorf an der Werra, Kurhessen, Germany on November 8, 1827 to parents Liborius Breithaupt and Barbara Catharina Goetz. The family moved to Buffalo, N.Y. in 1843, where his father owned a sheep skin processing factory. After the death of Liborius in 1851, Louis, as he was known, continued his father's business and spent time working as a carpenter. On a visit to Berlin, Ontario he met Catherine Hailer, to whom he was married February 8, 1853. Together Louis and Catherine had ten children, seven of whom survived to adulthood, and some of whom played an instrumental role in the growth and development of what is today Kitchener, Ontario.

The family lived in Buffalo until relocating to Berlin in 1861, where Philip established a leather business followed by the establishment of a tannery. He became one of the leading businessmen in Berlin, serving as Mayor from 1879 until his death in1880. He was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.