Adam Kammerer

b. 21 September 1849, d. 27 April 1911

Adam Kammerer, 1849-1911
  • Adam Kammerer was born on 21 September 1849 in Biebelnheim, Rheinhessen.
  • Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer arrived in the Port of New York on 2 May 1851, accompanied by Adam Kammerer, Margaretha 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 Adam Kammerer, Margaretha Kammerer, Elizabeth Kammerer, Susanna Kammerer, Jacob Andrea Kammerer and Philippina Kammerer.
  • 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.
  • He married Ursula Weiler, daughter of Balthasar Weiler and Anna Walter, on 28 November 1876 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • Adam Kammerer and Ursula Weiler appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Suspension Bridge, New York. Other members of the household included Elizabeth Susanna Margaret Kammerer and Ada Anna Kammerer.
  • He was a [railroad] car inspector, according to the 1880 census.
  • The following appeared on 18 March 1931 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Old Timers, Do These Faces Conjure Up Happy Memories? [large photo] This photograph represents the police force of the village of Suspension Bridge in the year 1880 with a few friendly loiterers when the camera was snapped. Left to right, standing, they are Felix Nassoly, August Weber, Frank Miller, who afterward became sergeant on the city force, Jacob Keller, and Adam Kammerer. Seated, left to right: George Seitz and James Madigan, known in those days as "Frosty" Madigan. And wasn't "Frosty" a terror to the bad boys of the village days. "Look out, here comes Frosty Madigan," was the warning of the lads who tossed the cabbages at the front doors on Hallowe'en in those days. But he was a good old soul at heart.
    Adam Kammerer, far right.
  • Adam Kammerer and Ursula Weiler appeared in the New York state census of 16 February 1892 in Niagara, New York. Other members of the household included Ada Anna Kammerer, Elizabeth Susanna Margaret Kammerer, John Balthasar Kammerer, Lucille Christine Kammerer and Helen Georgine Kammerer.
  • He was a grocer, according to the 1892 census.
  • The following appeared on 18 February 1897 in The Daily News: Adam Kammerer walked into an elevator shaft in the Niagara Falls Power-mill Wednesday night and fell a distance of thirty feet, striking on a cement floor. His right foot was broken and his side injured.
  • Adam Kammerer and Ursula Weiler appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at 1366 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Ada Anna Kammerer, John Balthasar Kammerer, Lucille Christine Kammerer, Helen Georgine Kammerer, Marie Katherine Kammerer and Carl Adam Kammerer.
  • He was a saloon keeper, according to the 1900 census.
  • Adam and Lucy Kammerer and their family were photographed during 1902 in their front yard at 1366 Ontario Avenue.
  • He appeared in the '1902-1903 Niagara Falls section of the Johnson's Business & Professional, New York, Directory at 1364 Ontario Avenue, Niagara Falls as "Liquors and Pool Room.".
  • The following appeared on 23 March 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Messrs. Adam Kammerer, John B. Kammerer and Martin Mayle spent yesterday in Buffalo with relatives and friends.
  • Adam and Lucy Kammerer and their family posed for a photographic portrait during May 1903, of which two versions survive.
  • The following appeared on 22 May 1903 in the Buffalo Evening News: What seemed to be one of the prettiest and most successful launchings ever made on Lake Erie had a disastrous ending yesterday when the new steel steam yacht, WALLER, owned by Adam Kammarer of Niagara Falls, was loosened from her dry-dock at the foot of Genesee Street. The yacht was built by the Empire Shipbuilding Company at a cost of about $10,000 for the private use of Mr. Kammarer. Yesterday afternoon the neat little craft, about 80 feet long and 20 feet beam, was ready to take to the water. At 3 o'clock a party of interested persons gathered at the dry-dock and the yacht was cut loose. Mrs. Adam Kammarer, wife of the owner, broke a bottle of champagne on the bow of the boat, christening it the "WALLER."
         For several minutes the yacht rode gracefully on the water and drifted out about 200 feet. Then someone noticed that her bow was settling. It was not long before it was clear the boat was filling up with water, and the cry, "She's sinking," was given. Three men, who were on the yacht for the launching, threw a line to shore and pulled the boat in as near as possible. She was only a foot above water when a small tug threw a line to her and pulled her still nearer. The yacht then swung around against a large steamer and both her spars were snapped off about three feet from the top.
         It was thought the yacht had settled to the bottom and the three men aboard were getting ready to leave her when suddenly there was a rush of water and the yacht settled still deeper, leaving only two feet of her smoke stack above water. The three men on board then had to seek safety. John Grady, the mate, and James Martin, captain, reached the stack and sat upon it. Chief Engineer Thomas Gray was in the stern of the boat when she settled. He swam to a big floating log to which he clung, while William Swisher made for him in a small ferry boat. When Swisher reached him Gray was nearly exhausted. He was pulled aboard. The other two men were taken into the rowboat and landed.
         Those who watched the launching said the yacht struck an old sunken spike which tore away some of her steel plates, and made the big hole which caused the yacht to sink.
  • The following appeared on 23 May 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: On Thursday afternoon the steam yacht "Waller," owned by Adam Kammerer of this city, and valued at $15,000, sank in the Erie basin near the yards of the Empire Shipbuilding Company at Buffalo. The boat was recently constructed and the hour of launching was scheduled at 3 p. m.
         Mrs. Kammerer, wife of the owner, broke a bottle of champagne over the bow, christening the boat, and it slid into the water well out into the basin as gracefully as any boat that was ever built. Several of the harbor tugs sounded their whistles when it was noticed that the bow was settling. An effort was made to get the boat as near the dock as possible and she was well up in the harbor before she sank.
         James Martin, captain of the boat, Thomas Gray, chief engineer, and John Grady, second mate, who were aboard at the time of the launching, narrowly escaped drowning, especially Gray, who had to swim a considerable distance before reaching a floating timber and was in the cold water several minutes before a boat came to his rescue. Gray was so exhausted that he could do no more than cling to the boat and it was with difficulty that he was pulled aboard by "Collodore" William Swisher, who runs a ferry at the foot of Genesee Street. Capt. Martin and Gate Grady were more fortunate and clambered to the top of the smokestack, which remained above water.
         The yacht is of steel construction and one of the best boats which the Empire Shipbuilding Company has turned out. Its length is 96 feet and beam 14 feet [sic]. Its engines were in place and everything in readiness to give her a trial spin, had this launching proved a success.
         It is supposed that a plate was torn from the bottom by a spike or some projection near the dock. The extent of the damage cannot be determined until the Waller is raised. It was said at the yards of the Empire Shipbuilding Company this morning that this would prove expensive and take several days. To add to the Waller's ill luck, both masts were snapped short by running foul of a propeller as she was sinking.
  • The following appeared on 24 May 1903 in The Illustrated Buffalo Express: [photo caption] A Too-Successful Launch: The Sinking of the Steam Yacht Waller. This yacht was launched, after rebuilding, in the Erie Basin in Buffalo, on May 21st. A few minutes afterward she filled with water and sank. It was said that she might have struck a sunken pile and so tore a hole to her hull. The Waller will belong in Toronto.
  • Some background information on the Waller:
         According to Maritime History of the Great Lakes, the steam yacht Waller (U.S. No. 81221, 56 tons gross, 28 tons net, 80.6x14.9x7.2, crew of 3) was built in Buffalo in 1887 by David Bell. During 1890, she was regularly advertised for sale, and for an occasional excursion departing from the foot of Genesee Street.
         On 9 August 1894, the following appeared in The Buffalo Express: The work of removing the steamer Waller from its old resting place at the brink of the gorge was begun this morning. The boat will be launched into the canal basin and thence will reach the river at Port Day. The owners are desirous of selling her. In spite of the two years of idleness out of the water, the Waller is apparently in good condition. Her steel hull was well protected with paint and not damaged by exposure to the elements. Her engines and boilers are in good condition.
  • The following appeared on 29 May 1903 in The Buffalo Express: News of Great Lakes. Minor Maritime Notes. . . . The work of raising the steam yacht Waller, which sank shortly after she was launched last week, is being rushed at the Empire Shipbuilding yards. Chains have been put around the vessel and it is expected she will be raised today.
  • The following appeared on 24 June 1903 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Adam Kammerer's $15,000 steam yacht Waller, which sank after she had been launched at the Empire Shipbuilding Company's plant on May 21st, was raised on Monday and replaced in drydock.
         The damage which the Waller has sustained is the result of an accumulation of sediment on her surfact, the slight settling of her cabin and the cutting of a couple of holes in her bottom.
         The work of raising the boat was delayed somewhat by the difficulty in getting the necessary apparatus. When all the preliminary work was disposed of, everything progressed rapidly, Diver J. W. Turpell being in a great measure responsible for the success of the undertaking. Without the aid of an assistant he speedily patched the holes in the boat and did whatever else was necessary before she could be raised.
         A maritine man, referring to the variety of experiences the Waller has had lately, jocosely remarked today that the fact that she had sunk three times, led him to believe that she was originally intended to be a submarine boat.
  • The following appeared on 6 August 1904 in The Lockport Journal: County Clerk's Transcripts (Mortgages) . . . Adam Kammerer to Frank Rieger, $1,000.
  • The following appeared on 23 November 1904 in The Lockport Journal: County Clerk's Transcripts (Mortgages) . . . Adam Kammerer to Frank Rieger, $1,500.
  • Adam Kammerer and Ursula Weiler appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1266 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Ada Anna Kammerer, John Balthasar Kammerer, Lucille Christine Kammerer, Helen Georgine Kammerer, Marie Katherine Kammerer and Carl Adam Kammerer.
  • He was a saloon keeper, according to the 1905 state census.
  • He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Charles Adam Benjamin Ford on 27 September 1908 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • Adam Kammerer and Ursula Weiler appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1366 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Lucille Christine Kammerer, Helen Georgine Kammerer, Marie Katherine Kammerer and Carl Adam Kammerer.
  • He was a saloon proprietor, according to the 1910 census.
  • Adam Kammerer died on 27 April 1911 at age 61 in Niagara Falls, New York.
  • Ursula Weiler became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 28 April 1911 in the Suspension Bridge Journal: Adam Kammerer, one of the best known business men of the north end of the city, succumbed to a stroke of apoplexy at his home, Ontario avenue and Fifteenth street, about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He was a native of Germany and moved to this country when a child. He is survived by a widow, his aged parents, and seven children. Mrs Charles Woolcock, Mrs August Vorwerk, Mrs Fred Hartwig, the Misses Helen and Marie Kammerer and Carl of this city and John B Kammerer of Albany. The funeral will probably take place on Sunday. Mr Kammerer was born in Bieblenheim, Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, September 21, 1849. With his parents, John and Elizabeth Kammerer, who live in Lockport street, he came to this country in 1851 and for five years resided in New York city. He was married November 28, 1876, to Ursula Weiler. Mr Kammerer was a member of the volunteer firemen, was one time a trustee of the village of Suspension Bridge, and also served as a supervisor many years ago. When a young man he was a car inspector for New York Central railroad, remaining with the road for 14 years. Later he was with the Erie railroad and for a time worked across the river. A serious injury to his eyes necessitated his giving up railroading and he entered into the hotel business in Ontario avenue where he made his home. He was a member of Niagara Falls Lodge No 81, IOOF, and was one of the best liked men in the fraternity. Mr Kammerer was devoted to his family. For some time it was known that his heart was weak. For several days he had been busily engaged in trimming his garden. Yesterday he was working near a rosebush when he was stricken. He was carried into the house and Dr Talbot was summoned, but there was no hope. Coroner W A Scott was called and pronounced the cause of death to be apoplexy. Mr Kammerer is also survived by the following brother and sisters: Mrs. Fred Borth and Mrs George Barnett, Buffalo, Mrs. O Young, Mrs. Louis Eimer, Mrs Albert Hoffman and Mrs Charles Ford, this city, Mrs C Frank, Devil's Lake, ND, and J A Kammerer, Toronto, Ont. He was a member of Zion Lutheran church. Four grandchildren, Elsa and Fred Vorwek [sic], and Marion and William Wolocock [sic], also survive. Funeral will be held from the family residence at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and at 2:30 from Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev Herman Brezing officiating. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 29 April 1911 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: [Died] In this city, Thursday April 27, 1911, Adam Kammerer, aged 57 years. Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, John B. of Albany, N. Y., and Carl A., of Rochester, N. Y; five daughters, Mrs. August Vorwerk, Mrs. Chas. Woolcock, Mrs. C. S. Hartwig, Helen G. and Marie K., all of this city. Funeral from the residence, 1366 Ontario avenue, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and 2:30 from Zion Lutheran Church, Rev. Mr. Brezing officiating. Burial Oakwood cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 1 May 1911 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Borth, Mr. and Mrs. Schalcraft [sic], Mr. and Mrs. Louis Boehner, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. George Barnett and Mr. Charles Werler [sic] of Buffalo attended the funeral of Adam Kammerer yesterday afternoon. . . . J. A. Kammerer of Toronto, Ont., was in town yesterday attending the funeral of his brother, Adam Kammerer.
  • A biographical sketch of Adam Kammerer (1849-1911) appears in Niagara County, New York: One of the Most Wonderful Regions in the World, published in 1921
         Adam Kammerer in his day ranked with the foremost citizens of the village of Suspension Bridge and the city of Niagara Falls, and was known to be honest and upright in business and in other activities for many years of a busy life. Born Sept. 21, 1849, at Biblenheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, he was a son of John Kammerer, who came to this country in 1851 with his wife and family, then consisting of two children, Adam and Margaret. His first location was in New York City where he remained until 1855, in that year settling in Niagara Falls, where he was among the early residents. After following his trade of tailor here for a few years he engaged in the butchering business, in which he continued to the close of his active period. He lived to the age of eighty-four years, the father of a large family: Adam, Margaret, Elizabeth, Susan, Jacob, Phoebe, Catherine, Mary and Helen.
         Adam Kammerer was a child when the family came to reside at Niagara Falls. After his school days were over he entered railroad work, which he followed for about twenty-five years in the service of the New York Central road, giving it up to embark in the grocery and liquor business. Eventually he discontinued the grocery branch and gave all his time to his other interest, and through good management, he developed a prosperous hotel business at Ontario avenue and Fifteenth street. During his long association with his fellow citizens as a business man, he became well known to a large number at Niagara Falls, and he held the confidence of his associates in every walk of life. He served as trustee of the village of Suspension Bridge and one term as supervisor, was active in the old Volunteer Firemen's organization, was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, and was active in many benevolent connections. His death occurred April 27, 1911.
         In 1876 Mr. Kammerer was united in marriage with Lucy Weiler, daughter of Balthaser Weiler, and born in 1855 in Niagara Falls, where her father settled in the year 1853. Mr. Weiler was a native of Wurttemberg, Germany. Mrs. Kammerer continues to make her home in Niagara Falls, residing at No. 1638 Ontario avenue. Of the children born to this union: Ada married Charles Woolcock; Elizabeth is the widow of August Vorwerk; Lucille married Fred Hartwig; John B. married Grace B. Molony, of Sharon, N. Y; Helen G. married George Shipston; Marie K. married Otto J. Jacoby; Carl A. employed by S. M. Ryder & Son, is organist of Zion Lutheran Church, with which religious organization the family have long been associated. The last named was a second lieutenant in the United States service during the World war, and was stationed at Camp Devens, Mass., when the armistice was declared.
  • Photographs of present-day Biebelnheim.
  • Last Edited: 12 Jun 2015

Family: Ursula Weiler b. 4 July 1855, d. 24 June 1924