Henry Sippel

Henry Sippel

• Father: Valentin Sippel b. 18 April 1835, d. 13 August 1879
• Mother: Maria Kreuger b. 10 July 1834, d. 18 April 1909

• Henry Sippel was born circa November 1864 in Niagara County, New York.
• Valentin Sippel and Maria Kreuger appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1865 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Henry Sippel. Also boarding in the household was wheelwright Henry Sipton (age 22.)
• Valentin Sippel appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York. Other members of the household included Henry Sippel, Maria Sippel, Johann Adam Sippel, Clara Sippel and Friedricka Theodora Sippel. Mary Kreuger Sippel is not enumerated in the household.
• Valentin Sippel and Maria Kreuger appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1875 in Niagara, New York. Other members of the household included Henry Sippel, Maria Sippel, Johann Adam Sippel, Clara Sippel, Friedricka Theodora Sippel and Elizabeth D. Sippel.
• Maria Kreuger appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Suspension Bridge, New York. Other members of the household included Henry Sippel, Maria Sippel, Johann Adam Sippel, Clara Sippel, Friedricka Theodora Sippel, Elizabeth D. Sippel, George Peter Sippel and Peter Valentine Sippel.
• He was a blacksmith, according to the 1880 census.
• He was a sponsor at the baptism/christening of Lucille Christine Kammerer on 4 September 1887 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara County, New York; in Suspension Bridge.
• He married Theresa Frombgen, daughter of Henry J. Frombgen and Katrina Schwind, on 30 October 1894.
• The following appeared on 31 October 1894 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Henry Sippel of this city and Miss Theresa Frombgen of Lockport were married yesterday.
• Henry Sippel died on 15 June 1900 in New York.
• Theresa Frombgen became a widow at his death.
• The following appeared on 15 June 1900 in The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Yesterday morning between 8 and 9 o'clock Henry Sippel, a blacksmith, fell off of the cantilever bridge on the American side of the river at Niagara Falls, and tumbled to the slope or abutments below, being instantly killed. At the time of the accident Sippel was engaged in assisting in putting in the new columns and truss on the cantilever. He was working on a platform and in some manner lost his footing or balance and made the plunge to death.
       One reason assigned for the accident is the fact that Sippel was up nearly all last night to welcome a little baby born to him, and it is thought that the loss of rest and the strain of the high position may have had much to do with the terrible fall to death.
       Sippel was about 35 years old, and six years ago he married Miss Grace Fromegan [sic], of Lockport. They have three children, and live in Highland court. He had always resided in Niagara Falls, and was very well known. Owing to his wife's condition, the body was removed by instruction of Coroner Slocum to the undertaking rooms of Cornell & Daggett on Niagara avenue.
• On 15 June 2012, Nik Wallenda, seventh generation of the legendary Great Wallendas high-wire act, crossed some 1,800 feet in the air on a wire cable strung over Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. According to Buffalo's NPR news station WBFO 88.7, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster says he didn't tell Wallenda before the walk that his great-grandfather [Henry Sippel] fell from a bridge under construction across the gorge 112 years ago to the day.

• Last Edited: 26 Dec 2014