The New York herald., 1878-07-09
OBITUARY.
DIR. WILLIAM scHIRnER.


Dr.. William Schirmer, an ex- coroner Of this city
died at his house in Greenwich, Conn. yesterday
morning. He one Of the best known Of our
German physicians. He came this city In 1885
from Germany, whence ho driven by his bold ad-
vocacy OF the IDEAS OF the liberal party. then in It's
infancy. lie Was born In the elect orzic OF Hessc
about the year $685. and graduated at Mar5urg in
1882 receiving his degree OF Doctor Medicine IRON
that university. The young doctor settled in this
city. AT nrst he found IL very difficult TO OBTAIN
practice among SO many com petitors but by
diligence and Gttehtion no succeeded In establishing
himself He resided succsssively IN Duane, Broone,
Houston. Amity aud Seventh streets, moving up Town
with the families who were gradually crowded away
iro the lower parts OF the cy by the arowDg wants
orade. His wisdom IN this was apparent, Tor by SO
doi3g he always retained his former practco and
constantly aduhs 10 II. Az 'he time no moved 10
seventh street. he was considered Of tue most
popular ply hyscians IN that warJ.
Dr. Schirmsr was also actively engaged IN poics
on tho side OF tho democracy. In ls5b he stumped
me State OF rennsylvan,a III the cause oi That
party at The timo OF tho caadiaacy OF James
buchanan In 1885 no became member
the TAmmauy Hall General Committee, and held
tnat position until the downfall oil Tweed IL 1855 he
WAS first elected Coroner ou the democratic ticket
serving until 1861. In the latter year he also DO
came member of the German Democratic Central
Committee. He was cundidato tor tho presidency
OF that organization, bal beiag defeated IN tins
he with John j. Freedman now Judge OF the su pc rlor
Court Magnus Gross, Wiiiian sceUacn aud others
boiled aud oryanized tue German Union Democratic
Comulttec opposed 10 the Central C,mmittoe
They were IA iavor OF Tue continuance OF The war,
while the centras were OF tho peace price"
party La 1865 Schirmos again ran tor Coroner, but
WAS dsfeaod Ny Edwari Collin, tne repubDcan candi-
date. rne latter dod ip 1866, ana Governor Feutou
appointed Edward Naumaup 10 Hi the uncxp rcd
term. the ail election however Schlrmer rau
uiono for Coroner on the democratic cket and tuers
being no opposition he was. OF course. declared
elected The question then mooted whet ther Nau-
mann would have to retire aud leave Schrme ON
pcie the uuexpired whether the latter should
serve iuli Z I'm OF three years Anorg those who
maintained thus sdc OF the question was Ar. Oakey
Hail. The Court OF Appeals decided that his
the right one, 80 the custom obtained that three
cor0ners nre elected year aud tho fourth
tue following tall Mr. Schrmer again ivr
Coroner In The year 1869 and was again
elected, serving the Iuii term oi three years,
maE,ag total oi nino years. service IA the Coroners
office. During MS career he was engaged IN many
porant cases. Among them That of Ailcc
Bowsby. who was murdered by R,zenzwei4, ths
abortionist The Coroner showed great dotectlve
abilty iu working up this case Th. last inquest In
which he was engaged Was that OF thc eleven servant
girls sunocateG ~ the nre 10 the Fitn Avenue Hotel
on The l0ih OF December, 1872. Dr. Scuirmcr
the family physician OF WiiIam n Tweed lie
married, but leaves chudren. He al NJ. La
East Fiity-eigntn street, nut had country seat
Greenwich, where he died. He was u momber OF tho
New ork Medical society and also Of the Academy Of
Medicine.