Jacob Windmuller

Information about Jacob Windmuller from the New York Times

Jacob Windmuller was a German immigrant to New York in the first half of the nineteenth century. He earned his living as an officer in a savings bank, promoted German-American causes in the city, and was active in the Democratic Party. He and Louis Windmuller had common interests and one common acquaintance so their paths may have crossed from time to time.

Here are some details of his life from reports that appeared in the New York Times.

1. In 1856 he was elected to the Standing Committee of the Young Men's Democratic Union Club. (NEW-YORK CITY. New York, N.Y.: Jul 1, 1856, pg. 1. "An enthusiastic meeting of the Republicans of the enghteenth Ward, was held last evening at the Guermsey House, Mr. WILLIAM D. CUASE, in the Chair, when the following officers were elected...")

2. In 1857 he was appointed a Customs House officer responsible for "Measures." (Custom-House Removals and Appointments. New York, N.Y.: Aug 3, 1857 pg. 1. "There was an immense jam all day Saturday at the Custom-House of parties anxious to learn about the removals and appointments to office by the Collector. The following is the official statement of the removals and appointments thus far, as approved by the Secretary of the Department...")

3. In 1868 he was elected to the office of vice president of The German Society. (GENERAL CITY NEWS. New York, N.Y.: Jan 30, 1868 pg. 1. "THE GERMAN SOCIETY.--The now Board of Directors of the German Emigrant Society met at their office in Battery-place, yesterday, for the purpose of organizing for the ensuing year. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, PHILIP BISSINGER; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. Sigismund Kanfmann and Jacob Windmuller...")

4. In 1869 he chaired a meeting of directors of the German Society to receive reports on German immigration to New York. (Emigration-The; German Society. New York, N.Y.: Jun 3, 1869 pg. 1. "The Directors of the German Society held a regular meeting yesterday afternoon at their office in Broadway, when, in the absence of Mr. BISSINGER, who is in Europe, Mr. JACOB WINDMULLER occupied the chair. From the monthly reports submitted, it appeared that of the whole number of immigrants during the past month, amounting to 50,280, 17,747 were Germans, the majority of whom arrived from the ports of Bremen and Hamburg..."

5. He joined other German-Americans in trying to set up German schools in New York. (A German Central School Committee. New York, N.Y.: Jun 21, 1869 pg. 1. "A number of leading Gorman citizens have just issued a call upon the Germans in this City to form in different wards school organizations, with a view of organizing a German Central School Committee, to be composed of delegates representing the school associations of the different wards, each association electing five delegates..."

6. He promoted and sold tickets for a fancy dress ball to be held on Valentine's Day. (Classified Ad: German Liederkranz. New York, N.Y.: Jan 30, 1871 pg. 1. "The annual Grand Fancy Dress Ball will take place at the Academy of Music, on Tuesday Evening, Feb. 14, 1871. Tickets are $15 each, admitting one gentleman and two ladies and are sold through members of the Society: Wm. Steinway, Steinway Hall; ... Jacob Windmuller, German Savings Bank, Union Square ..."

7. His name and occupation show up in a report of The German Savings Bank. (OUR SAVINGS BANKS. New York, N.Y.: Jan 29, 1872 pg. 1. "The financial statements of the City savings banks for Jan. 1, 1872, are continued this morning... German Savings Bank. This institution, situated at No. 2 Union-place, was established in 1859, and does the principal part of its business with our German fellow-citizens. Its principal officers are Mr. Philip Bissinger, President; .. Mr. Jacob Windmuller, Controller... There is a new building under construction at the corner of Fourteenth-street and Union-square. ...Assets: $7,510,851 ... During January assets have increased $8,000.00.

8. In 1884 he was an Elector on the Democratic ticket, Cleveland election. (OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE COUNTY. New York, N.Y.: Nov 20, 1884 pg. 1. "The Board of County Canvassers met for the last time yesterday afternoon, and after listening to the reading of the minutes of the previous meetings received from the County Clerk, they confirmed by the bare majority of the board present the official statement of the vote in this city for Electors and State and municipal officers..."

9. In 1885 he was elected an honorary member of the German Society. (CITY AND SUBURBAN NEWS. Officers re-elected at meeting of the German Society. New York, N.Y.: Mar 5, 1885 pg. 1. "The Hon. Jacob Windmuller, who has before been connected with the society, was chosen an honorary member..."

10. He died in 1889 and was given a funeral ceremony by members of the Liederkranz Club. (FUNERAL OF JACOB WINDMULLER. New York, N.Y.: May 28, 1889 pg. 1. "At the Liederkranz Club house, in Fifty-eighth-street, many distinguished German citizens assembled yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral services of Jacob Windmuller, who died Friday at his home, 164 West One Hundred and Twenty-third-street. [William Steinway was a pall bearer. Jacob Windmuller was praised for business ability, wise beneficence, advocate of music and art; sound integrity, sunny disposition.]