Frank J. Offermann

Gottfried Offermann

Research by Barbara Townsend






Gottfried Offermann
Reprinted from Find A Grave
(online Jan. 2017)

Originally Created by: Phyllis Meyer
Maintained by: B. Townsend


Birth:   Apr. 12, 1846; Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Death:  Jul. 17, 1914; United German and French Cemetery, Cheektowaga, New York

Gottfried Offermann: Manifest no. 179547 arrived August 4, 1862 from Cologne, Germany on the ship ARISTIDES, embarkation port was Antwerp; destination was Pittsburgh, PA. He travelled as a cabin passenger. After making his way to NYC from Pittsburgh he joined the Civil War army (lying about his age as 18 years when in fact he was 16 years old)

Personal notes from Barbara Offermann Townsend (grt granddaughter):
  • Married Genofeva (aka Genevieve) Sarah Barth from Williamsville, NY at St. Mary's Church at Broadway Buffalo, NY (has since been torn down)
  • 1893 Buffalo City Directory notes that Gottfried Offermann had a saloon at 300 Pine Street.
  • 1880 Buffalo City Directory p.534 lists Gottfried Offermann , butcher, 24 Clinton Mkt., h. 77 Bennett.
Spouse:  Genevieve Sarah Barth Offermann (1848 - 1935)
 
Children:
  Anna Offermann Morbusch (? -1940)
  Magdalena Offermann Schunk (1870-1951)
  Frank J. Offermann (1876-1935)


Gottfried Offermann
Reprinted from "Buffalo and Its German Community
Copyright 1912 by Jacob E. Mueller



Anyone who's looking for a genuine German bistro where you'll find lots of prominent German citizens must go to Offermann's. If you're looking for true delicatessen items of fine quality, go to Offermann's. Incidentally, Mr. Gottfried Offermann is the head of a double business counted among the best in Buffalo.

Mr. Offerman, a German through and through, first saw the light of the world on April 12, 1846 in the splendid city of Cologne on the Rhine. He was the son of master butcher Mathias Offermann and his wife Katharina, nee Frenger. He attended the elementary and public schools in his district. He apprenticed with his father and learned the trade from the ground up. When his apprenticeship ended and he was 16 years old, the enterprising young man decided to seek his fortune in America.

He landed in New York in the Summer of 1862. He did not arrive in a peaceful land. The Civil War had broken out and the business climate was depressed. Gottfried Offernamn, who was unusually strong and powerful for his age, didn't think about it long before he decided to fight on the side of the Union for the ideal of true freedom and humanity. He volunteered for service. He was at the battles of Chanclersville [sic], Gettysburg, and Lookout Mountain. He was also involved in smaller squirmishes. He distinguished himself with his bravery. When the war ended in 1865 and he was honorably discharged he came to Buffalo. He's been in this city ever since.

Mr. Offermann first found work with Richard Bullymore. He became self-employed in 1870 with a small butcher shop at the corner of Ash and Sycamore Streets. He had success with this business until 1878. After that for a time he was employed as a cattle dealer. He was foreman in Christian Klinck's slaughterhouse. He was there until 1891 when he took over the position of manager in the slaughterhouse of Danahy Co. He stayed there until 1899.

Mr. Offermann bought the delicatessen next to the inn belonging to the Fuchs brothers at 504 Main Street. The business has prospered and grown.

Mr. Offermann is a prominent Elk, a member of the Buffalo Orpheus, the Teutonia Liederkranz, the Harugari Frohsinn, and other associations like the Butchers Association No. 1. He is not only a respected citizen and businessman. He has played an important role in local politics. He was Deputy Streets Commissioner under Mayor Diehl for 4 years.

On October 23, 1865 Mr. Offermann married Miss Genofeva Barth. The happy marriage was blessed with 7 children, of whom 4 have died. The ones still living are Mr. Frank Offermann, Mrs. Lina Schunk, and Mrs. Anna Morbusch."









Left: Mini stein/match striker. for Gottfried Offermann's saloon in Buffalo, NY writing says:"Wenn's bayrisch Bier regnet und Bratwürste schneit dann wollen wir Gott bitten dass die Witterung so bleibt." Translation:"If it's raining Bavarian beer and bratwurst snowing then let us ask God that the weather remains"

Right: An ad that appeared in a program for the Shea's Garden Theatre during the 1903/1904 season.


A political Ribbon


Page by Chuck LaChiusa in 2017
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