Among the public-spirited men of the community in which he resides is Charles A. Wittemeier of Fort Hunter, for he gives his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the place. He was born in Tribes Hill, New York, on September 7, 1868, his parents being Frederick and Louise (Wessel) Wittemeier. Frederick Wittemeier was born in Minden, Germany, on September 13, 1833, and died in Tribes Hill, on January 27, 1899. He was a farmer and manufacturer of brooms and brushes. He came to America in 1847, when only fifteen years of age, settling first in Schenectady, New York, and saw the Fort Hunter suspension bridge built about 1850. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Christopher Wittemeier, came to America from Germany a number of years later and died in Burlington, Iowa, and was buried there. His wife lived and died in Germany. Louise (Wessel) Wittemeier, mother of Charles A. Wittemeier, was born in Minden, Germany, on September 4, 1833, and came to America at about the age of fifteen with relatives. She was married about ten years later to Mr. Frederick Wittemeier, who had been one of her schoolmates in Minden, Germany.
Charles A. Wittemeier acquired his early education in the public schools of Tribes Hill and at the age of seventeen began farming with his father and also assisted in the manufacture of brooms and brushes. Here he remained until he was thirty-two years old, and then moved to Fort Hunter, where on April 1, 1901, he and his brother, Frederick C. Wittemeier, began manufacturing brooms under the firm name of F. Wittemeier Sons, and continued until 1914, when upon the death of his brother, Mr. Charles A. Wittemeier sold his interest and since that time has not been actively engaged in business.
Mr. Wittemeier has been twice married. His first wife was Emma Auspelmeyer, whom he married on October 30, 1895. She was born on May 5, 1873, and died on January 2, 1907. Her parents were William and Mary (Whitmeyer) Auspelmeyer. William Auspelmeyer was born in Germany and died in Amsterdam, New York. He was a farmer and also manufactured brooms on the farm. His wife, Mary (Whitmeyer) Auspelmeyer, was born in Germany and died in the town of Florida, New York. To Charles A. Wittemeier and his first wife three children were born: Warnick Wittemeier was born on November 20, 1896, and died on November 30, 1916; Helen Wittemeier was born on July 25, 1898, and is now doing stenographic work in Washington, D. C.; Elmer Wittemeier was born on August 29, 1901, and is now associated with the Amsterdam City National Bank of Amsterdam, doing clerical work. On February 3, 1916, Mr. Charles A. Wittemeier was united in marriage to Miss Louise Dufel, who was born on December 31, 1888, and is the daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Kruge) Dufel. Henry Dufel was born in Hillier, Germany, on February 6, 1857, is now living in Tribes Hill, and by occupation is a farmer. His wife, Wilhelmina (Kruge) Dufel, was born in Minden, Germany, on December 1, 1856. They met for the first time as children on the steamer crossing the Atlantic and both were in the care of relatives and friends. Mrs. Charles A. Wittemeier was educated in the district schools in the town of Mohawk. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fort Hunter, and in politics is a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Wittemeier have one child, Edward Henry Wittemeier, born in Fort Hunter on February 24, 1919.
For four years Charles A. Wittemeier was justice of the peace for the town of Florida, and he is a member of Fort Hunter Lodge, No. 637, I. O. O. F., of Fort Hunter; Schoharie Tribe, No. 125, Improved Order of Red Men of Fort Hunter, and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 100, of Amsterdam. His church associations are with the Fort Hunter Methodist Episcopal church, where he is a deacon and trustee. He votes the republican ticket and finds great enjoyment with the radio. The daily life of Mr. Wittemeier has indeed inspired confidence in others, and the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him far into important relations with large interests.