Parents: Gerhardt Bernard Henrich Niemeyer and Anna Maria Rohling

Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898
Name: Bernard Henrich Niemeier
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 31 Dez 1822 (31 Dec 1822)
Baptism Date: 1 Jan 1823
Baptism Place: Katholisch, Rheine, Westfalen, Prussia
Father: Bernard Niemeier
Mother: Anna Maria Rohling
FHL Film Number: 864341

+++

Los Angeles Times, CA, Thursday, October 1, 1891, p5

STRUCK BY THE TRAIN
Fatal Accident Near Wolfskill Depot Yesterday
Henry Niemeyer. One of the Best-known Wine Men in the county, Killed--
The Cause of the Disaster.

The Santa Ana Train that arrived in this city at 9:20 o'clock yesterday morning ran into a wagon near the Wolfskill depot, on Seventh street. The wagon was being driving by Henry Niemeyer, one of the best known wine-men in Southern California. It seems that Mr. Niemeyer was driving down Seventh street, and as he is hard of hearing he did not hear the train as it neared the crossing, and drove straight ahead.

Before the engineer could bring his train to a standstill, the cowcatcher plunged into the old man's team. The horse was killed instantly and the driver was thrown fifteen or twenty feet from the track. When picked up it was found that his legs were badly crushed and his skull was fractured in several places. The patrol wagon and the Coroner were sent for, as it was believed he was dead, but when Coroner Weldon arrived he found that the old man was still alive, and ordered him removed to his home, No. 927 Central avenue, near by. Four or five physicians were called in, and everything possible was done to save his life, but he died at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and an inquest will be held this morning.

Deceased is an old resident of this city and leaves a large estate. He had a wife and several children.

+++

San Francisco Bulletin, CA, Thursday, October 1, 1891, p3

Killed at a Crossing

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30--Henry Neimeyer, a wealthy winery-owner, was struck on a crossing by the Southern Pacific train today and killed. He was sixty-nine years old and leaves a family. He came here from Iowa many years ago.

+++

Los Angeles Times, CA, Friday, October 2, 1891, p7

NIEMEYER - In this city, on Wednesday at 12:40 p.m. September 30, 1891, at his home. Henry B. Niemeyer, a native of Prussia, aged 67 years, 9 months. Funeral from his home, 927 Central Ave. at 9 a.m. Friday. Friends and acquaintances invited without further notice.

+++

Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA, Thursday, October 10, 1891, p7, c4

Henry Neimeyer, a wealthy winery owner, was killed by a train in Los Angeles, Sept. 30.

+++

50 YEARS LATER
Early Days in Los Angeles from Files of The Evening Herald and Express, September 30, 1941.

50 YEARS AGO TODAY: Henry Niemeyer, the well-known winery man, met with a horrible accident this morning that resulted in his death a few hours later. Driving along Seventh street he failed to hear an oncoming train on Alameda street. His horse was killed and Niemeyer, thrown out, was horribly crushed. Decedent leaves a large estate.

+++

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BY J. M. GUINN, A.M., CHAPMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO, 1902. pages 583,584.

HENRY NIEMEYER. From the time of his arrival in California in 1873 until his death in 1891, Mr. Niemeyer was identified with the vineyard interests of the vicinity of Los Angeles. Born in Prussia in 1820 [sic/1822], he learned the merchant tailor's trade in boyhood and followed the same for some years. When twenty-two years of age he came to America. After a short sojourn in Cincinnati, Ohio, he went to Guttenberg, Iowa, where he conducted a merchant tailoring establishment. From there he came to California and embarked in the wine manufacturing business, buying a vineyard on Central, between Ninth and Twelfth streets. Somewhat later he bought a tract in the Eagle Rock district and also planted it in grapes.

At Guttenberg, Iowa, April 28, 1866, occurred the marriage of Henry Niemeyer to Mrs. Mary Anne (Weber) Schmees, who was born in Bavaria, September 20, 1836. Her father, Nicolas Weber, who was a weaver in Bavaria, brought his family to America in the spring of 1837 and followed gardening in Cincinnati for eight years. In 1845, while Iowa was still a territory, he settled at Guttenberg and began to farm near that town. The remainder of his life was passed in that place. His wife, Catherine (Roth) Weber, was born in Bavaria and died in Iowa. Of their one son and four daughters, Mary A. was second and she alone of all the family now lives in California. Of the voyage to America she has no recollection, being only an infant when the family spent sixty-four days on the ocean, finally landing in New Orleans. In the schools her education was limited, but in that great school of experience, usefulness and labor, she had an abundant education, and thus were developed traits of kindliness, good will, energy and perserverence which have stood her in good stead through all her life. When sixteen years of age she left her father's home for that of her husband, becoming the bride of John Schmees, a native of Hanover, who came to America about 1845, and for a time was cutter in a tailoring establishment in St. Louis. In 1852 he settled in Guttenberg, where he was proprietor of a merchant tailor shop until his death in 1861. Three children were born of this marriage, two of whom are living, namely: William N. Schmees, who resides with his mother at Verdugo; and Mrs. Salome E. Obdulia Delaney, of Los Angeles. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neimeyer were born four children, now living, viz.: Eleanora, Mrs. Markey, of Los Angeles; Atalus, proprietor of a winery on Central avenue, Los Angeles; Catherine, Mrs. May, of Los Angeles; and Linus, who enlisted in the First California Heavy Artillery and was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he served until the expiration of his term of service.

At one time, Mr. and Mrs. Niemeyer had ten acres in Los Angeles, six being in vines and the balance in an orchard. Of this they gave thirty feet to Central avenue and a similar amount to Twelfth street, and also gave sixty feet to Eleventh street. In the possession of Mrs. Niemeyer is retained three and one-half acres on Central, between Ninth and Eleventh streets, and on this property stands the family residence. In addition she owns Eagle Rock vineyard, comprising fifty-eight acres, of which forty-one are in vines, producing wine and table grapes. The property is under the personal supervision of Mrs. Niemeyer and its thrifty appearance proves her careful and capable oversight. The name "Eagle Rock" was given by Mr. Niemeyer on account of the proximity of the tract to the famous Eagle rock. At the time they bought here there were no orchards below except one owned by Mr. Crow, and no attempt had as yet been made to raise grapes, the entire land for miles around being used as a sheep range. All of the subsequent improvement she has witnessed and has contributed thereto by the capable supervision of her property, thus encouraging others in making similar investments. In religion she is a member of Cathedral parish of Los Angeles.