Joseph Sporer

Joseph Sporer

• Father: Johannes Sporer
• Mother: Magdalena (?)

• Joseph Sporer was born in February 1851 in Ulm, Württemberg.
• Joseph Sporer arrived circa 1871, according to the 1905 census.
• Joseph Sporer appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York, boarding in the household of boot and shoe dealer John Kramer.
• He was a shoemaker, according to the 1880 census.
• He married Anna Maria Schömbs, daughter of Johann Babtist Schömbs and Anna Maria Finger, on 28 June 1881 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Sacred Heart.
• Joseph Sporer became a widower at the circa 1887 death of his wife Anna Maria Schömbs.
• He married Christina Grassly, daughter of Michael Grassly and Barbara Stahly, on 9 April 1888 in Niagara Falls, New York, at Sacred Heart.
• Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly appeared in the New York state census of 16 February 1892 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Anna D. Sporer, Rose A. Sporer, Magdalene C. Sporer and August J. Sporer.
• He was a shoemaker, according to the 1892 census.
• Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 713 Linwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Anna D. Sporer, Rose A. Sporer, Magdalene C. Sporer, August J. Sporer, Gertrude C. Sporer, Francis A. Sporer and Agnes M. Sporer.
• He was a shoemaker, according to the 1900 census.
• Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2240 Whirlpool Street. Other members of the household included Anna D. Sporer, Rose A. Sporer, Magdalene C. Sporer, August J. Sporer, Gertrude C. Sporer, Francis A. Sporer, Agnes M. Sporer and Clarence W. Sporer.
• He was self-employed as a shoemaker, according to the 1905 census.
• The following appeared on 1 December 1905 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Covered with blood, and reeking with the odor of rum, Patrick Delehanty, bowed with the weight of 70 years, was assisted into headquarters this morning and locked up in a cell. When he is sufficiently recovered from the crazing effects of the liquor he will be arraigned before Judge Banks to answer to a charge of assault in the second degree in stabbing Joseph Sporer.
       That Delehanty is not now a murderer is a miracle, and certainly he owes it to no care of his own that he is not facing death in the electric chair at his advanced age in life.
       Joseph Sporer, who is 54 years old, is the proprietor of a small cobbler shop on Niagara avenue, a few doors from Main. Delehanty was employed by him, and until the trouble this morning, both men had been on the best of terms. Delehanty did not appear for work this morning at the usual hour. At 9 o'clock he entered the cobbler shop and asked the loan of a dollar from Sporer. It was given him, and then he invited Sporer out for a drink. Sporer was busy and declined.
       In his left hand Delehanty held a pound of butter. He passed it back and forth in a tantalizing manner beneath Sporer's nose, at the same time applying provoking epithets and inviting Sporer to eat the butter.
       Finally Sporer arose, and taking hold of Delehanty, told him to leave the place. In an instant the demon in the man was aroused. He grabbed up a shoemaker's knife and made a plunge at Sporer. The blow fell true, and the blade sank an inch and a half in Sporer's neck on the left side. Sporer grappled with Delehanty, but before he could grip the knife hand, the blade had descended a second time, and laid open the flesh on the left side of Sporer's face for two inches, making a very nasty would.
       A man passing the door saw the two men struggling inside. Sporer was bleeding profusely from the wound in his neck, and Delehanty's hands and clothing were soaked in blood. The man called to Patrolman Hogan, who was near, and the officer rushed inside just in the nick of time. Delehanty had secured the upper hand of Sporer and was standing over him and about to deliver another blow with the knife when the officer grabbed him. He was taken at once to headquarters. Dr. Dennis was summoned to attend Sporer. He placed three stitches in the wound in the neck. An examination showed the wound to be an inch and a half deep and in very close proximity to the jugular vein. It was made with a blunt knife, which makes the wound even more serious. The injury to the face is painful, but not serious, the gash extending from the top of the nose about two inches along the cheek.
       Sporer, after having his wounds dressed, went to the poliice headquarters and laid information against Delehanty before Judge Banks. Delehanty will be arraigned this afternoon, if he is sufficiently sober.
• Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 2240 Whirlpool Street. Other members of the household included Magdalene C. Sporer, Gertrude C. Sporer, Francis A. Sporer, Agnes M. Sporer and Clarence W. Sporer.
• He was proprietor of a shoemaker shop, according to the 1910 census.
• Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1915 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 2240 Whirlpool Street. Other members of the household included Magdalene C. Sporer, Gertrude C. Sporer, Agnes M. Sporer, Francis A. Sporer and Clarence W. Sporer.
• He was self-employed as a shoemaker, according to the 1915 census.
• Joseph Sporer and Christina Grassly appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 2240 Whirlpool Street. Other members of the household included Gertrude C. Sporer, Francis A. Sporer, Agnes M. Sporer and Clarence W. Sporer.
• He was proprietor of a shoemaker shop, according to the 1920 census.
• Joseph Sporer became a widower at the 11 July 1929 death of his wife Christina Grassly.
• Joseph Sporer appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1856 Weston Avenue. Other members of the household included Francis A. Sporer.
• He was proprietor of a shoe repair shop, according to the 1930 census.
• Joseph Sporer died on 1 January 1935 at age 83 in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York, at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.
• He was interred at St. Mary's Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
• The following appeared on 2 January 1935 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Joseph Sporer, of 1856 Weston avenue, oldest member of the Niagara Falls Exempt Firemen's association, died in Mount St. Mary's hospital last night, following an illness of two weeks. He was 83 years old.
       A native of Germany, Mr. Sporer had lived in the north end of this city for more than 60 years. He conducted a shoemaking establishment in Niagara avenue for many years. He was widely known and had many friends. He is survived by four daughter, Mrs. Robert Ellis, Mrs. Fred Masser, Mrs. John Focazio and Mrs. Norman Kumm, and three sons, Frank, Clarence and Lawrence Sporer, all of this city. Eleven grandchildren also survive.
       Plans for the funeral were being completed today.
• The following appeared on 3 January 1935 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: [Died] In St. Mary's hospital, Jan. 1, 1934, Joseph Sporer, aged 83, father of Mrs. Robert Ellis, Mrs. Fred Masser, Mrs. John Focazrio, Mrs. Norman Kumm, Frank, Clarence and Lawrence Sporer, all of this city. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren. Funeral from the home, 1856 Weston avenue, Friday at 8:30 and 9 o'clock from Sacred Heart Church. Interment in St. Mary's cemetery.
• The following appeared on 8 January 1935 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The family of the late Joseph Sporer wish to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to all friends and enighbors for their kind expressions of sympathy, spiritual offerings, flowers and the use of cars during their recent sad bereavement, the loss of their father. (Signed) Sons and Daughters.

• Last Edited: 28 Dec 2013