Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Otto Gastmeyer[1]

Male 1859 - 1933  (74 years)


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  • Name Otto Gastmeyer 
    Born 9 Feb 1859  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] 
    Christened 12 Jun 1859  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173918078 
    Name Otto Gastmier 
    Residence 1861  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Luyheran 
    Residence 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Butcher 
    Residence 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Lutheran 
    Residence 1883  Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Illegible 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1901  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Butcher 
    Occupation 1911  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Constable 
    Residence 1911  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Lutheran 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-44881 
    Died 2 Mar 1933  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I44881  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father J. H. William "William" Gastmier,   b. 23 Sep 1831, Doberan, , Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Feb 1892  (Age 60 years) 
    Mother Mary Dorothy Steinfeld,   b. 11 Mar 1828, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Aug 1911  (Age 83 years) 
    Married 31 Dec 1862  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Family ID F11660  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Catherine Kleeberger,   b. 1864, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1911  (Age < 46 years) 
    Married 20 Nov 1883  Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 10] 
    Children 
     1. Dalles Gastimer,   b. 1884, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Nicholaus Dallas Gastmeier,   b. 2 Aug 1884, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Ada M. Gastmeier,   b. 8 Feb 1885, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. J. Anson Gastmeier,   b. Dec 1887, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Orson Jacob "Ory" Gastmeier,   b. 8 Dec 1887, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Feb 1953, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 65 years)
     6. Elizabeth Maude Gastmeier,   b. 20 Jan 1890, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Dec 1958, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years)
     7. Gertrude E. Gastmeier,   b. 22 Jul 1890, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. Maude Gastimer,   b. 1891, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F11661  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • The Departed

      Otto Gastmeier, a member of the county police staff in the early history of Waterloo county, passed away at his home, Frederick street, here early today. Mr. Gastmeier, who was a county constable for 47 years, was in his 74th year and had been ailing for some time. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Gastmeier who resided in a house where Woolworth's store now stands and used to pasture their cow in a lot now occupied by the Walper Hotel. Mr. Gastmeier was born in Kitchener, at that time Berlin, and was very well known in 'the district. In his police duties he was connected with Con. Gerbig and J. Winterhalt.

      Three children, Dallas Gastmeier of Allenwater, Northern Ontario, Rosin J. Gastmeier, Bridgeport, and Mrs. M. H. Schmidt, city, survive. Remains are at the Matz-Bechtel Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

      ____________________

      Paid the Penalty

      The Boy Murderer, Allison, Atones for the Death of Mrs. Orr With His Life.

      Friday, Feb. 4th, 1898, was a red letter day in the annals of Waterloo county's criminal history. It was the final winding up of the last chapter in the celebrated Orr murder case, in which James Alfred Allison, the buy murderer, rendered up his own life that the law of the land might be vindicated and to atone for the life of Mrs. Emma Orr, which he so deliberately wiped out on the morning of August 9th, 1897.

      The ending of this grave affair, was in one particular sense a great relief to the people, who have been almost daily from the moment the terrible crime was committed until the last act, furnished with about every trifling incident in the prison career of the condemned young man. Frequently intelligent remarks put forth in publie print as coming from the lips of the prisoner seemed almost incredible to people of ordinary common sense when they were confronted with the stern fact that he was a person intellectually. incapable of such productions, being a youth of a depraved mind and entirely devoid of the simplest rudiments of a common school education. I am inclined to think that the kind and accommodating officials of the jail somewhat overstepped the bounds of propriety in permitting energetic reporters to have too free access to the murderer's cell. However, these discrepancies can be overlooked in this case as it was the first instance in the history of the Waterloo County jail that a murderer awaiting execution was confined therein. They are also to a certain extent to be exonerated. for any oversight for the extraordinarily humane manner in which the execution was conducted. My long newspaper career on the other side of the border, and as a reporter on leading dailies, has frequently brought me in contact with such gruesome events, but I must candidly admit that not in all my experience have I witnessed an execution in which such great care was exercised in robbing the affair of its ghastliness as that which occurred last Friday morning. It seemed that every detail was looked after by the officials to bring this about, and that they succeeded most admirably will be admitted by every newspaper man present.

      HIS LAST NIGHT

      According to all accounts Allison passed his last night upon earth with calm indifference as to the morning when his soul would be launched into eternity. During the lonely hours of the death watch he slept soundly, after his spiritual adviser, Rev. Atkinson, had left him, which was about 10 o'clock. Some time about midnight be awoke and remarked to Otto Gastmeier, the death-watch, "I am hungry; can you get me something to eat His request was granted, and after partaking heartily of the food given him be again retired and slept until six o'clock without any apparent signs of restlessness. He then partook heartily of a breakfast consisting of eggs, toast and coffee.

      "Before seven o'clock most of these who had permits to witness the execution were on hand, eager to get inside The piercing cold atmosphere of the early morning was somewhat over looked by those present on account of the gravity of the occasion. High constable Klippert, who represented Sheriff M. Springer, (the latter bring indisposed by a severe cold) and deputy Cyrus Moyer guarded the doors of the jail kitchen through which the privileged spectators would first be permitted to enter in gaining access to the jail yard. Mr. Klippert showed consideration for the newspaper men by announcing that they would be allowed to enter first.

      The latter room was a small apartment in which the spectators were rather uncomfortably crowded for about ten or fifteen minutes, awaiting admission to the jail yard and the vicinity of the small stone woodshed in which the grim death apparatus had been constructed a day or two previous. Once in the jail yard the crowd had room for expansion, and, despite the weird and solemn aspect of the occasion an occasional joke would be indulged in by members of the newspaper fraternity.

      At about four or five minutes to eight o'clock, Radcliffe, the executioner, entered the cell of the condemned man and with a strap bound the prisoner's arms to his sides. During this ordeal the latter did not utter a word but calmly followed his executioner into the corridor, where the solemn death march to the scaffold was formed. Mr. Alfred Boomer, J. P., of Linwood, and jailer Cook headed the solemn procession, followed by Dr. Webb, coroner, Dr. Bowlby, the jail surgeon, Rev. Atkinson and Otto Gameier, the death watch.

      As they entered the jail yard, the spectators formed a lane, and with uncovered heads watched the approach of the doomed youth. While it appeared to some who were evidently worked up to a pitch of excitement over the sad spectacle, that Allison did not show. symptoms of faltering, to the more cool-headed and experienced he gave evidence of nervousness and deep concern. As to the smile on his countenance, referred to by some, the writer failed to notice anything of the kind.

      When the procession was marching to the scaffold, Rev. Atkinson slowly and solemnly uttered the following words:
      "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender
      mercies, blot out my transgressions,"

      The last minute of Allison's life was while he stood upon the deadly trap and Radcliffe drew the back cap over his head and placed the fatal noose around his neck, the knot being under the left ear. Just before the bolt was drawn that ushered his soul into eternity, Rev. Atkinson began to pray: "O, Almighty God, we humbly pray thee to receive the soul of this, one of thy children, for whom thy Son". It was but a second after the last syllable was uttered and the head of Allison, which could only be seen by a few who were fortunate enough to have a place near the wood shed door, shot out of sight,and save a heavy-like thud, nothing further occurred to indicate that the executioner had not made a clean.
      and successful job. Dr. Bowlby, the jail surgeon, pronounced death almost instantaneous, the neck being broken, although the heart continued to beat about eight minutes after the drop. The official report was that "death resulted from compression of the spinal cord in the cemical region." The jury empanelled brought in the usual verdict, "that James Allison died from process of law."

      The body was placed in a plain. black coffin and buried in a deep grave in the jail yard.

      H. N.

      Waterloo County Chronicle, 10 Feb 1898, p. 8

  • Sources 
    1. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 29 Nov 1883.
      Nov. 20, 1883 Otto Gastmeyer & Katharina Kleeberger, both of Bridgeport, were married in Waterloo by Pastor Braun.

    2. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library, pg 42.
      Otto Gastmeyer son of Wilhelm and Maria Steinfeld, born 9 Feb 1859, bapt 12 Jun 1859, sponsors John Kinzi, Paul Schmitt

    3. [S132] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1901, Waterloo C-3 Page 8.

    4. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div 1 Page 45.

    5. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div. 1 Page 9.

    6. [S214] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1911, Div. 3 Page 15.

    7. [S2042] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1891, Section 3 Page 4.

    8. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Sect. 2 Page 8.

    9. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Wilhelm Gastmeir b. Germany res: Berlin Age: 32 born abt 1830 father: Wilhelm mother: Anna Maria Ohlegger married Anna Maria Steinfeld Age:: 33 born abt 1829 b. Germany father: Tobias mother: Maria Pagels married 31 Dec 1862 county: Waterloo

    10. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), Nov. 29, 1883.
      Nov. 20, 1883 Katharina Kleeberger and Otto Gastmeyer, both of Bridgeport, were married in Waterloo by Pastor Braun.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 9 Feb 1859 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChristened - 12 Jun 1859 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Luyheran - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Butcher - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1883 - Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 20 Nov 1883 - Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Illegible - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Butcher - 1901 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Constable - 1911 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1911 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 2 Mar 1933 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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