John Herman Kampmann
John Herman
Kampmann (deceased), of San Antonio, stands as one of the most
conspicuous examples of self-made man that this State can present.He
came to San Antonio in the robust health of youth, competent in his
profession and line of trade, but with scarcely money enough to pay for
a day's entertainment. At the close of his long life, he died leaving
monuments of wealth and hosts of friends, and no man to say
that by him he had lost a dollar, but rather that in many cases great
good had come to him by the aid and friendship of Mr. Kampmann. San
Antonio points to him with pride.
Our subject was born in Waltrop, Kreis
Beibinghausen, Munster, Westphalia, Prussia, December 25, 1818, a son
of John Peter and Elizabeth Selingshof. His father died when our
subject was fourteen years of age, but the mother lived to old age. Our
subject was educated in the elementary school, but in early youth went
to Cologne, and there worked in summer and attended the university
during winter. He early had a taste for all mechanical pursuits, with a
strong preference for architecture and building; so to fit himself
for that profession he-served successively as an apprentice to the
trades of carpenter, blacksmith, stone mason, plasterer, etc. About his
first work while still a youth, was as a stone cutter on the great dome
of the Cologne Cathedral. He was next associated with a Mr. Heiden, a
builder, and with him they erected many buildings along the river
Rhine. They were the builders of the Apollinaris Church, under the
direction of Count Furstenberg. He now became the Count's
superintendent of construction and architecture,
with whom he was on the most friendly terms. He served in the military
ser- vice for three years, and was appointed to an office in the
service at the expiration of the time. He again joined Mr. Heiden and
Couut Furstenberg, and was the superintendent of many buildings erected
by the count. Another effort was made to press him into the army, but
through the influence of Count Furstenberg he was granted a furlough to
go to England, and on his departure the count said: "I am afraid
Herman, you will never return." This proved true, for he did not. On
reaching England, he soon sailed for America. Arriving at New Orleans,
he went to Galveston, Texas, thence to Indianola, and thence in ox
carts, taking two weeks to make the trip, to New Braunfels. After
sojourning there a short time, he came to San Antonio, in 1848.
Absolutely without means, as a friend (?) in New Braunfels had borrowed
his money, he began life as a mechanic, on such building work as he
could secure. After a short time he joined Mr. John Fries, an early
builder in San Antonio. They soon secured several contracts, among them
to erect the land office at Austin and the courthouse at Bastrop. The
latter building was several years in construction, and during that time
he resided in Bastrop, but returned to San Antonio in 1852. In 1850 he
married Miss Caroline Bonnet, a native of Charlottenberg, Prussia, near
Coblentz on the Rhine. She came to Texas
with her parents, Henry Daniel and Maria Hennig, in 1845, landing at
Galveston January 1. They were of the colonists for New Braunfels, and
went at once to that place, but in three months came to San Antonio.
Here Mr. Bonnet bought teams and did carting, also engaged in
stock-raising, but had his home in the city during the remainder of his
life. Duing the latter twenty- five years he lived retired, and died
November 22, 1883, eighty-four years of age. His wife, to whom he had
been married fifty-five years, survived him
eleven months, she dying October, 1884.
About 1852 the partnership of
our subject and John Fries was dissolved, and subject from
that time on continued alone, erecting the best of such buildings as
were built in San Antonio before the war. At the outbreak of war,
subject raised a company of Germans, becoming Captain of a company that
was attached to the Third Texas Infantry. They were stationed at Camp
Verde for some time, and then ordered to Brownsville, where they served
on frontier defense for abont one year, then went to Galveston. Here
subject was promoted to Major, but his health was greatly impaired by
rheumatism, and he was detailed to start a hat factory at
La Grange, to make hats for the soldiers. Nearly every thing in the way
of facilities and appropriate tools, etc., was lacking, but by
employing mechanics from Mexico, he soon had the factory in good
working order, and made thousands of hats which were turned over to
Gen. Kirby Smith. He continued at that post till the end of the war. At
once he resumed building in San Antonio, soon erected a large factory
and planing mill for himself, to make doors, sash, blinds, etc., and
for this establishment brought the first steam engine to San Antonio.
Its advent was a great day for the city then. It was a most successful
venture, and for a long time it afforded employment for many men, often
150. Mr. Kampmann did the work on the Menger Hotel, which later became
his by purchase, when he completed this fine building to its present
design; it still belongs to the estate, and has long been known as one
of the best hotels in the United States. The following is quoted from a
newspaper article on the completion of the Kampmann Block,
"The
style of architecture in San Antonio, when Mr. Kampmann came to this
city, was almost entirely Mexican. This
soon changed, however, with the buildings designed and planned by Mr.
Kampmann. While the contractor he often
worked upon them himself. His first house was built on Alamo
Plaza, and was the Bitter house, and is still standing. The
next, the Stomberg house, had to make way for the Menger Hotel, and
from that time dates the development of San
Antonio, and with it the building of more substantial houses; so much
so that Mr. Kampmann found it advisable to lay
aside the pick and trowel, and go into that business as a contractor
and builder. He later built many houses for himself,
and his last work was the erection of a large four story block on the
corner of Main Plaza, West Commerce Street and Solidad Street. The only
fault connected with it is that owing to the narrow street
the beautiful facades do not come to
that prominence which they so richly deserve. Nevertheless Mr. Kampmann
has built himself a monument that will remind future generations of its
projector and builder, and also recall to them the first and
most successful contractor and builder
of San Antonio."
In 1883 he with Mr. Edward Hoppe formed a stock
company to erect a brewery. From this the Lone Star Brewery was
constructed in 1884, at a cost of $150,000. He was the first President
of this institution. He was also one of the projectors and organizers
of the San Antonio Gas Company, and was President of this company till
his death. He was the first to introduce electric
bells in San Antonio. He began the erection of his handsome home, where
his widow still resides, in 1854, but it was not completed till after
the war. It now stands as one of the handsome homes in San Antonio. He
was most sympathetic with all workmen, and he often started some work
to give the needy ones work, when there was no regular employment. He
erected St. Mark's Episcopal Church. This work was long delayed, but
the present handsome church was at length completed. He became a member
of the Masonic order, Alamo Lodge No. 44, in 1855, was quite an active
Mason during all the succeeding years. Resolutions of condolence and
sympathy, passed by the lodge and presented to his widow, bear this
high tribute to his worth:
"His
business life was successful, and he was highly esteemed for probity
and upright dealing. By energy, prudeuce and foresight he attained a
position among the business men of Texas, second to none. Socially he
was urbane, courteous and polite; respected by all who knew him. As a
Mason he was zealous and true, and as a husband and father he was
affectionate, kind and indulgent.'
In the latter years of his life he lived retired, and
devoted some time to raising high grade Jersey cattle. He bought a
tract of land adjoining the town, where he erected a summer home, and
where he seemed to delight to spend quiet days attending to his stock.
Since our subject's death his son Herman, drilled an artesian well on
this place, which has a strong flow of highly impregnated sulphur
water; it has proved to be most valuable for many ailments, and is
destined to become much more popular as it becomes better
known. Mrs. Kampmann, who has visited many noted springs in the United
States and Europe for her health, has found a nearly total cure, for a
long and deep-seated affliction. He died at Colorado Springs, Col.,
while on a visit to that resort for Mrs. Kampmann s health, September
6, 1888, and was buried at San Antonio, September 13. He left a widow
and three children: Ida, was educated in Europe, in 1875
married Dr. John Herf, a brilliant young physician. He died, leaving
one child, John Herf. After seven years of widowhood, she
again married to Theodore Meyer, vice-president, and one of the
partners of Meyer Bros. Drug Company, of St Louis. To this union there
are two children: Theo and Elizabeth. Herman, who was educated at
Philadelphia, Pa., and Troy, N.Y. He is married to a most estimable
lady, Elizabeth Simpson. They have four children: Herman, Jr., Isaac,
Ida and
Robert. Since his father's death he has managed the Kampmann estate,
and is besides interested in several individual enterprises, has been
the promoter of many things for San Antonio's benefit and is one of the
leading business men of the city. Gustav, was educated in Virginia and
Tennessee. Mrs. Kampmann is an active member of St Mark's Episcopal
Church, and a worker ; is a member of the German Ladies Aid Society,
and greatly interested in works of charity.
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