BIOGRAPHY:Louis Hammerstein; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

PROF. LOUIS HAMMERSTEIN, one of the oldest and also one of the most successful
instructors in vocal and instrumental music residing in Newburgh, was born in
Palatine, Bavaria, Germany, near the historic city of Worms, the date of his
birth being October 13, 1840. Iris parents, John and Mary (Mapes) Hammerstein,
died in early life and left him, an only child, orphaned at the age of three
years. He was taken into the home of his godfather and was reared upon his
farm near Worms.

After completing the studies of the common schools, our subject entered the
seminary at Spier, where he began the study of music. His tastes inclining him
toward that art, he devoted himself assiduously to its study, and in a short
time became a proficient musician. He was graduated from the seminary at
Spier, and at the age of twenty became a teacher near Roxheim, where he
remained for two years. In 1865 he came to America, and after spending six
months in Washington, D. C., he proceeded to Orange County, settling first in
Cornwall, but removing to New-burgh after a short time.

Since coming to this city, Professor Hammerstein has engaged in giving
instruction on the piano and organ, and he and Professor Gehrig are among the
oldest teachers of the place. For five years he was organist in the Catholic
Church at Cornwall, and he held a similar position in the Calvary Presbyterian
Church. He was organist for the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church for two
years, and the Unitarian Church for two years. For several years he was leader
of the Maennerchor, and has always taken an active part in musical affairs.
Socially he is a member of the Knights of Honor, and also belongs to Jerusalem
Temple Lodge, F. & A. M. , at Cornwall, His political views bring him into
affiliation with the Republican party, but he has never been active in public
affairs, preferring to give his attention entirely to his chosen profession.