Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer

b. 15 September 1821, d. 4 March 1913

Anna Eliisabetha Dexheimer Kämerer, 1821-1913
  • Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer was born on 15 September 1821 in Biebelnheim, Rheinhessen.
  • The 18 September 1821 baptism of Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer was recorded in the Reformed churchbooks of Biebelnheim, Rheinhessen. Sponsor was Anna Elisabetha, unmarried daughter of Nicholas Becker, local citizen.
  • She was known as Elizabeth.
  • She married Johannes Kämmerer, son of Valentin Kämmerer and Anna Maria Manz, on 8 January 1849 in Biebelnheim, Rheinhessen.
  • Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer arrived in the Port of New York on 2 May 1851, accompanied by Margaretha Kammerer, Adam Kammerer and Philip Ebling aboard the ship South Carolina (burthen 580 tons, master James Stewart), from Rotterdam. It may be significant that the passenger on the manifest immediately following the Kammerers was brewer Philip Ebling, age 21.
  • Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Margaretha Kammerer, Adam Kammerer, Elizabeth Kammerer, Susanna Kammerer, Jacob Andrea Kammerer and Philippina Kammerer.
  • She was a tailoress, according to the 1860 census.
  • She was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Susanna Elizabeth Borth on 6 January 1868 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara, Niagara County, New York.
  • Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Adam Kammerer, Susanna Kammerer, Jacob Andrea Kammerer, Philippina Kammerer, Katrina Franziska Kammerer, Anna Marie Kammerer and Helen Kammerer.
  • Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1875 in Niagara County, New Yoirk. Other members of the household included Adam Kammerer, Jacob Andrea Kammerer, Philippina Kammerer, Katrina Franziska Kammerer, Anna Marie Kammerer and Charles Otto Ernest Ford. While John, Elizabeth, Adam and Jacob "Kimmerer" are recorded at the bottom of page 51, daughters Phebe, Katie, Mary and Helen "Kimmerer" are enumerated 10 pages away at the top of page 62, appearing to be daughters of Daniel and Elizabeth Ott.
  • Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Suspension Bridge, New York. Other members of the household included Katrina Franziska Kammerer, Helen Kammerer and Jacob Andrea Kammerer.
  • Sisters Elisabeth Dexheimer Kammerer and Magdalena Dexheimer Scheck posed for a photographic portrait sometime during the 1880s.
  • She was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Lorenz Valentine Frank on 5 August 1883 at in the house of Cornelius Frank in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York; by August Oscar Gallenkamp, pastor at Suspension Bridge, according to the Zion church register.
  • The following appeared on 20 September 1897 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr and Mrs John Kammerer celebrated their golden wedding and the birthday of their son, Adam Kammerer, at their home on Lockport Street yesterday afternoon. The occasion was a [illegible] and the gathering will be a memorable one for those who attended. There were 61 guests present and of these 53 were relatives of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Kammerer were the recipients of valuable presents, and congratulations were showered upon them. Their 50 years of married life have been peaceful and prosperous and productive of much good. Yesterday they were surrounded by their children, grandchildren and other near relatives and the meeting and the memories it awakened must have been very pleasant to them. In the evening a supper was served.
  • Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at 2211 Lockport Street.
  • A four-generation photographic portrait was made about 1902 of Elizabeth Kammerer, her daughter Maggie Borth, granddaughter Rose Boehner, and great granddaughter Margaret Boehner.
    Four generations: Maggie Borth, Elizabeth Kammerer, Margaret Boehner, Rose Boehner, circa 1902
  • In a letter dated 8 May 1906 to Anna Maria Christina Borth, Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer wrote from Suspension Bridge, New York:
    Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman,
         I, your dear grandmother, and grandfather, we both congratulate you on your wedding day. We wish you health, peace, and happiness and God’s blessing on all your paths your life long. May the dear Lord grant you this.
         Warm regards and kisses from both of us to all your wedding guests from your loving grandparents, Elisabetha and Johann Kammerer.
    Letter from Elisabeth Dexheimer Kammerer to granddaughter Mate Borth at her marriage, 7 May 1906
  • In a postcard to Elsa Vorwerk, Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer wrote:
    Dear Älse, This card is sent to you from your great-grandmother Kämmerer, who loves you. Written in the year 1909.
    Postcard from Elisabetha Dexheimer Kammerer to her great-granddaughter Elsa Vorwerk, 1909
  • Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2307 Lockport Road. Other members of the household included Ruth Hamilton. Ruth Hamilton Hannigan, boarding in the household, was employed as a private nurse by the elder Kammerers; her son Sylvester "Buzz" will marry their granddaughter Louise Ford.
  • John and Elizabeth Kammerer were photographed about 1910.
  • This photograph was published at some later date in the Niagara Falls Gazette as an historical item: This old home on the Lockport road, now in the city limits, was known as "Butcher's Home." A sign bearing that name may be seen on the roof of the varandah. The place was for years the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Kammerer who may be seen in the dooryard. This photograph was taken in 1919 [sic] at which time Mrs. Kammerer was 90 years old and her husband was 84." [Caption from undated clipping from family files; photograph likely taken about 1911.]
  • Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer became a widow at the 6 February 1912 death of her husband Johannes Kämmerer.
  • In a letter dated 18 February 1912 to Philippina Kammerer, Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer wrote from Suspension Bridge, New York:
    Dearly beloved daughter, son-in-law, and children,
         With a deeply troubled heart I take up my pen to write you the sad news of your dear father. He died after 5 weeks of grave illness. He had lost his mind. Oh, you dear ones, you can’t imagine the trouble we had with him. He knew no one except his dear mother. This was his consolation. Oh, he was so terribly ill, it was painful for all of us. Your brothers and sisters did so much for him. Now the . . .
         The good Lord has taken him home. Now he rests with his two dear children. He suddenly became deathly ill on January 3, and he died on February 5 at half past four in the morning. Peace to his ashes. Now he rests in the cool lap of the earth, free from all pain and suffering. Now he rests in the cool lap of the earth until one day we see each other again with delight before the throne of God. Sleep well, sleep well.
         Dear daughter, you said you’d like to have something of your father’s that he often carried/wore. I thought I would send you his kabe? He carried/wore this every day. Oh, how it hurts me to write this. Oh, dear daughter, I could write it with my tears, but I must console myself. Your sisters are all so good to me. That consoles me. I think your sisters will write to you. How is your dear Schali. Is his foot getting better? I hope you are all well.
         I want to end my letter with warmest regards to all of you from your loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
         God’s blessing in closing. Your loving mother.
    Mrs. Hannigan also sends her regards. She is still with me. Read the enclosed. Amen. Write soon.
  • Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer died on 4 March 1913 at age 91 in Suspension Bridge, New York.
  • She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 7 March 1914 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The funeral of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Kammerer, who died at her home Tuesday, March 4th, was held yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from the residence on Lockport street, and at 2 o'clock from the Zion Lutheran church. Mrs. Kammerer was one of the oldest residents of the city, and the funeral was largely attended. 
         The following men acted as pallbearers: Fred Borth, Jr., George Barnett, Jr., Carl Kammerer, F. Ford, George Cooley and George Benning. The body was interred in Oakwood cemetery. 
  • Photographs of present-day Biebelnheim.
  • Last Edited: 26 Jan 2017

Family: Johannes Kämmerer b. 16 November 1827, d. 6 February 1912