Prussian Eastern Railway
His father was a construction manager who briefly served as the Mayor of Elbing. He initially studied art history at the University of Königsberg, passed the surveyor's examination and was involved in building a section of the Prussian Eastern Railway. From 1854 to 1856, he studied at the Bauakademie in Berlin and passed the construction manager examination. He was awarded the for engineering twice; in 1860 and 1861.