The Buchheim family of Albany, New York, descend from a line of ancestors long seated in the Rhine provinces of Germany. The immediate ancestors of the American emigrant were usually people of education and substance.
(I) The first of the line to settle in Albany was William Joseph Buchheim, born in Siegburgh, Rhine province, Germany, in 1836, died in Albany, New York, October 22, 1891. His father was a well-educated man and by profession a teacher in the German schools. William J. also was well educated, served the required number of years in the German army, and during the Franco-Prussian war served as a private. He participated in several of the engagements of that conflict including the battle of Sedan. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war. In 1882 he came to the United States and settled in Albany, New York. He had learned the trade of a dyer in Germany and followed that occupation after coming to Albany. In 1888 he established a shop and business for dying and cleaning, in which he conducted a very prosperous business, later removing to more commodious quarters at 76 Central avenue. He remained in active business until his death. He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church (Roman Catholic), and belonged to the various German orders and singing societies. He was a Democrat in politics. He married, in Germany, Christina Bellinghausen, born in the same province as her husband in 1849, died in Albany, New York, June, 1908. After the death of her husband she continued the business with the aid of her sons, William H. and Peter A., and at her death she bequeathed the business to them. Children, all born in Siegburgh, Germany:
- Katherine, born November, 1870, came to the United States in 1883, with her mother, the father having preceeded his family in 1882. She married, in Albany, E. Herbert Ketchum, a broker of Albany, and has
- Florence A., born 1902.
- William H., born October 8, 1874, was a part of the family emigration in 1883; was educated in parochial schools of Albany and learned the dyer's trade with his father. Upon the death of his mother he became partner with his brother in the conduct of the business, later disposing of his interest to Peter A. Buchheim, for whom he is now manager. In 1893 he enlisted in the New York National Guard and during the Spanish-American war served as a private of Company C, Tenth Regiment, New York Infantry. During his period of service he spent eight months in Honolulu. He subsequently rose to the rank of first lieutenant and served until February 10, 1910, when he resigned. He is a member and commander of the Order of St. John, member of Our Lady of the Angels Church (Roman Catholic), and an Independent in politics, unmarried.
- Peter A., of whom further.
(II) Peter A., son of William Joseph and Christina (Bellinghausen) Buchheim, was born in Siegburgh, Rhine province, Germany, February 2, 1883. He was an infant in arms when brought by his mother to Albany, where he was educated in the public and parochial schools, graduating from the commercial department of the Christian Brothers Academy, class of 1901. He assisted his mother in the management of the business after the death of his father, continued the same in association with his brother, later becoming and now continuing the business as sole proprietor. He is a vocal musician of note, member of the church choir of Our Lady of the Angels Church, and of the Maener Quartette, Cecelian Singing Society, Listz [Liszt?] Choral Club, and of the Albany Vocal Club. He is an Independent in politics. He is unmarried.