Herman F. Niessner
Herman F. Niessner was born on March 8, 1891, in Pennsylvania to German immigrant parents. His father, Frederick Niessner, worked as a machinist for Baldwin Locomotive in Philadelphia and moved the family to the Cramer Hill section of Camden in 1894. That year, Frederick purchased a lot from Alfred Cramer and built twin houses at 1226 and 1228 DuPont Street.
As a teenager and young adult, Herman was active in team sports in East Camden and Cramer Hill, playing baseball, football, and basketball until at least 1914.
Around 1910, Herman married Mattie Schiller, the daughter of Camden political figure Jacob Schiller. The couple lived at 36 North 21st Street in East Camden when their first child was born in 1911. By 1914, the family had moved back to Cramer Hill, residing at 927 North 27th Street, where Herman worked as a printer.
By the time Herman registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, another child had been born, and the family was still living at 927 North 27th Street. The 1920 Census shows the family, now including son Herman W. and daughters Flora and Gladys, living at 907 North 32nd Street. Another son, Elmer, was born shortly after the census. At that time, Herman worked as an engraver in a print shop.
Their neighbors at 917 North 32nd Street were the Oliver Purnell family, whose son, Private Oliver R. Purnell, had died of combat-related injuries during World War I. Charles F. Sorg, active in Camden politics, lived at 925 North 32nd Street by 1924. By April 1930, Camden police officer Marshall Thompson lived a few doors away at 943 North 32nd Street. The 1924 and 1929 City Directories list the Niessner family at 907 North 32nd Street, and the 1929 Directory notes Herman's work in real estate. The family remained at this address through at least 1942. Across the street, the Harry C. Sharp Elementary School opened in October 1922.
Herman became politically active as a Socialist, running for various offices. He was the Socialist Party candidate for U.S. Representative from New Jersey's 1st District in 1920, for Governor of New Jersey, and for U.S. Senator from New Jersey in 1932.
In 1924, Herman attended the Socialist Party of America's Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, as a delegate from New Jersey along with Alfred Altert, George Bauer, Charlotte Bohlin, James B. Furber, George H. Goebel, and Leo M. Harkins. He also represented New Jersey at the 17th National Convention of the Socialist Party of America in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1932.
After World War II, Herman moved to Washington, DC. His son, Herman W. Niessner, was living at 2910 Adams Avenue in Cramer Hill when the 1947 City Directory was compiled. Herman F. Niessner spent his final years in Pennsauken, NJ, and passed away from leukemia in April 1966.
