Long before Duchy Furstenthum Schaumburg-Lippe joined the union of states now forming the great Empire of Germany, the family of Kaufman was prominent in that principality. They were engaged in trade, followed the professions, rendered efficient military service, and were tillers of the soil. While the Amsterdam family of Kaufman cannot claim early residence, their representatives are men of substantial and local prominence. The father of Edward Kaufman, with whom this record begins, was born in Buckenburg, duchy of Furstenthum Schaumburg-Lippe, and there passed his life.
(I) Edward Kaufman was born in the city of Buckenburg, Duchy of Furstenthum, and after completing his education learned the business of glove making, establishing himself in his native city, where he enjoyed the patronage of the duke of the kingdom. He was so engaged for many years, living to a good old age, honored and respected. He married Olga Hoppe, who bore him three children. The family were members of the Lutheran church. Children, all born in Buckenburg, duchy of Furstenthum Schaumburg-Lippe:
- Edward, entered the army, where he was accidentally killed at the age of twenty-four years;
- Sophia, deceased at age of twenty years;
- Karl, mentioned below.
(II) Karl, youngest child of Edward and Olga (Hoppe) Kaufman, was born February 1, 1813. He received a good education and pursued special studies on architecture and became the leading architect of the duchy. He married Dorothy, born August 27, 1812, in Hagenburg, and died November 21, 1874, daughter of Wilhelm and Dorothy (Schwartz) Hugo, of Hagenburg. Wilhelm Hugo was manager of a large estate left by his grandfather, William Hugo, who by will provided that it should not be divided nor sold, but that each descendant should retain his legal proportionate interest, and the entire estate be managed by some member of the family who should either be chosen or appointed. Each heir held his interest solely on tenure of good conduct, and any breach of the law meant disinheritance. Children of Karl and Dorothy (Hugo) Kaufman:
- Sophia, born September 20, 1843; married Fred Rust, an official of the post office department of Hagenburg, who died October 16, 1908; she survives him with children Dietrich, Karl, Sophia and Wilhelmena.
- Lieutenant Karl (2), born February 2, 1846; entered the German army, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant; served during the Franco-Prussian war, and in the battle before Metz, August 14, 1870, was wounded. On that day he performed a gallant deed — a rescue of the Duke's son, who rewarded him with a medal of honor and a liberal pension, also the iron cross of the Prussian army. After recovering from the wounds he was made inspector at the Sonderhausen barracks, and later was placed upon the officer's retired list of the German army. He resides at Barbara, a beautiful suburb of Sonderhausen. He married Lena Rutther, deceased. Children:
- Lieutenant Karl (3), is in the postal service as postmaster; is married;
- a daughter Olga married a musician in the German military band.
- Frederick, born November 14, 1849; served his time in the army, studied architecture, and later was in the government service, department of transportation, serving as train dispatcher. In 1895 he came to the United States, locating in Washington, D. C., and afterward removed to Philadelphia, where he is a contractor. He married Marie Hartz, of Schleswig-Holstein, and has a son William Henry, an optician of Philadelphia.
- Henry, born August 31, 1852; became a designer of artistic furniture and a celebrated cabinet maker. At the Vienna Exposition in 1874 he was awarded both gold and silver medals for artistic and beautiful designs. In November, 1874, he came to the United States and was at once employed by the government. Much of his work decorates and furnished the White House. Subsequently he established his own business in Washington. He married Elizabeth Schmertz, born in Washington, D. C., of German parentage. Children:
- Rebecca, an employee of the treasury department;
- Elizabeth, wife of Herman Ermentraut, a government employee in the bureau of engraving, and has a daughter;
- Henry, a designer and frame maker of Washington.
- William, mentioned below.
(III) William Henry, youngest son of Karl and Dorothy (Hugo) Kaufman, was born in Hagenburg, Germany, October 6, 1855. He was educated in the military school, specializing later in instrumental music. In 1872 he came to the United States, sailing from Bremen on the steamer "Sallia," arriving in New York, September 26, 1872. He proceeded to Washington, D. C., where he became a member of the famous Marine Band, but illness prevented his remaining. This necessitated a change in his plans and he learned the catering business, remaining in Washington. From 1872 until 1879 he was manager of the Hotel Netherwood, New Jersey, afterward of the Sea View House, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, the Windsor restaurant at Albany, New York, and in 1882, at Utica, New York. After these years of experience he settled in Amsterdam, New York, and in 1884 opened the Vienna Bakery in that city. This place entered upon an instant and continuous success and has thoroughly justified the wisdom of its establishment and the genius of its proprietor as a caterer to the public taste. In politics he has been of local prominence. In 1904-06 he represented the first ward in the board of aldermen of Amsterdam, and in 1906 was elected mayor, as candidate of the Republican party. In church relationship he is an active member of the German Lutheran church, serving on the church council as trustee nine years and treasurer eight years. Since 1893 he has been the church representative to the General Synod of the United States. He served Hardwick Lutheran Seminary as trustee, trustee of the City Hospital, and member of the city Board of Trade. In fraternal association he is connected with the leading orders of the city. In the Masonic order he is a Chapter, Commandery and Consistory member, holding the thirty-second degree of Masonry. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine; a charter member of the Independent Order Red Men; a charter member of and for six years treasurer of the Royal Arcanum; is a Knight of Pythias, and for eighteen years has been treasurer of the Pythian Association, and trustee for the three lodges; a member of the Independent Order of Foresters; a member of Montgomery Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; a member of Sarabella Lodge, No. 98, O. O. H.; is an Elk; was president of the first German Celebration (a local organization) and German Alliance; member of Bronson Benevolent Society; an honorary member of the German Veteran Association of the New York Bezirk; also an honorary member of the German Veterans, Third Company, at North Adams, Massachusetts. In all these bodies he is a popular and most useful member.
He married, in Amsterdam, May 8, 1883, Minnie M. Rietz, born in Buffalo, New York, July 1, 1862, and educated at Washington, D. C. She is a daughter of Rev. Gustav L. Rietz, M. D., minister of the German Lutheran church, and physician, born at Falke, Saxony, Germany, February 5, 1841. He was educated for the ministry, came to the United States in 1860, and settled in Buffalo, New York, where he married Minnie Harnisch, born in Gera, December 18, 1843. Rev. Rietz was in charge of various pastoral fields, including Washington, D. C., where he took a course in medicine, not to adopt that as a profession, but that he might be of added usefulness as a minister of the Gospel. In 1879, he took charge of the German Lutheran church at Amsterdam. Here he was remarkably successful, ministering both to the souls and bodies of his parishioners. His medical practice was purely charitable, and of great value to his Christian work. He laid the cornerstone of the present beautiful church edifice on Spring street, in May, 1887, but did not live to see it completed, passing away August 29, 1887. His wife survives him, residing with her daughter. Rev. and Mrs Rietz were the parents of the following children:
- Minnie M. (Mrs. William H. Kaufman).
- Bertha, born November 6, 1872; married William A. Nadler, of Amsterdam.
- Moritz G. L., born March 24, 1874, a dry goods merchant of Albany, New York; married Emma Belzer.
- Harry, born December 4, 1876, a machinist of Amsterdam; married Effie Newman and has sons, Harry and Gilbert.
Children of William H. and Minnie M. (Rietz) Kaufman:
- Minnie E., born June 7, 1884; organist of the German Lutheran church and the Jewish Synagogue.
- Nellie L., born July 5, 1885; a vocalist of note; member of the choir of the German Lutheran congregation and Emmanuel Presbyterian church of Amsterdam; she is now a student at the Troy Conservatory of Music. She is at present the director of the choir of Trinity Reformed church on Mary street.