Charles Pfeiffer
Born: Germany, 1852
Died:
Fanny M. Pfeiffer
Born:
Died:
Charles Pfeiffer was born in Germany during 1852. [1] Charlie, as he was commonly known, first appears in Leadville via a general delivery letter waiting for him at the Leadville post office on February 8, 1879. [2] The first official record lists him as a baker working in the shop of J. A. Smith located at 424 Harrison Avenue during 1880. [3] Interestingly, the bakery also appears to house its employees, and although the store's marquee displayed “J. A. Smith,” the 1880 United States census lists a “J. Adamson” as its proprietor. Neither Smith nor Adamson are listed in the 1880 city directory. Another resident listed here is the bakery’s 20-year-old clerk, John Sengfelder, [4] who would soon become Charlie’s business partner. [5] The earliest documentation of that partnership is found in the November 25, 1880 edition of the Leadville Daily Herald:
The Carbonate Bakery was the only known kosher food outlet in the Leadville area and most likely functioned in this capacity for less than a year. Purchased by Charlie and John Sengfelder sometime in the autumn of 1880, Sengfelder did not remain involved for long because ads for the establishment ceased by mid-January of 1881. [6] By the time the 1881 city directory was published, Charlie had a new partner, Frank P. Andrus, and the bakery operated under the name Pfeiffer & Andrus at the same 424 Harrison Avenue location. [7]
The Pfeiffer & Andrus incarnation of the bakery was not advertised in 1882. The Carbonate Bakery was still in operation at 424 Harrison Avenue, but Charlie now operated a new bakery under his own name at 416 East 5th Street. [8] No residential address was listed, suggesting that he probably lived at the store. This venture was also short lived. By 1883, Charlie was employed by Frank Andrus as a cook at Andrus' restaurant, located at 213 Harrison Avenue, but he resided at 107 West 8th Street. [9] In 1884, Charles is listed as a cook for the Maine Hotel and resided at 215 West 7th Street. [10]
During 1885, Charlie is again listed as a “baker”, but the firm for which he worked is not identified. [11] It is also likely that Charlie married Fanny B. (maiden name unknown) in 1885. While the details of their nuptials are obscure, they probably did not marry in Colorado for no records of this event appear to exist. The first mention of Mrs. Charles Pfeiffer is a letter waiting for her at the Leadville post office on January 18, 1886. [12]
Advertisement for the Carbonate Bakery owned and operated by Charlie Pfeiffer and John Sengfelder. The Hebrew lettering at the top of the ad spells “Kosher” spelled out from right to left.
Kosher Sausages!. (Leadville, CO: Leadville Daily Herald). December 11, 1880. Page 1.
Charlie once again became a small business owner and was the proprietor of a fruit and candy shop at 514 Harrison Avenue [13] which by mid-summer of 1886 was listed as an ice cream parlor. That summer, an errant Independence Day skyrocket found its way to Charlie’s storefront and ignited a small fire that spread next door to the candy and fruit shop owned by Samuel Janowitz [14] and Sig Simon. [15] Heavy damages were not reported, and both enterprises were insured. [16]
During 1887, the couple moved to 605 East 4th Street and Charlie is once again listed as a baker for an unnamed firm. He is also recorded as a cook for the Maine Hotel. [17] By 1888, Charlie is classified as the proprietor of this hotel, where the couple also resides. [18]
The couple then moved to the St. James Hotel at 139-141 East 6th Street during 1889, and Charlie was listed as its proprietor. [19]
By 1890, Charlie owned an ice cream parlor across the street from the St. James at 136 East 6th Street. No residence is included. [20] It is probable that Fanny was operating the St. James property, which may have served as the couple’s residence, as a February 1890 court case suggests:
Beating His Board.
Saturday afternoon Mr. Charles Pfeiffer swore out a warrant before Justice Al Lynch against R. H. Brown, for beating him out of a board bill. Brown had been boarding with Pfeiffer for some time, and had run up a bill of $80. One day last week he left, and on Saturday Charlie found him gambling, and asked Brown for his money. He said he had not been paid. He was then asked for an order on the mine. This he refused to give. When arrested, Brown said he had no intention of beating his board bill, but that he had been out of work for some time and could not pay it. The case will be tried Thursday evening at 7:30 o’clock. [21]
The following week an announcement appeared noting that the trial venue had changed and that Justice Smith would now try the case on Tuesday, February 25. [22] There is no documented resolution for the complaint.
On July 5, 1890, Fanny returned to Leadville after a trip to Denver. [23] Charlie received his druggist’s certification in Denver on August 17, in compliance with Colorado’s new Pharmacy law that required them for the sale of medicine. [24] His intention for the certification in unclear because it does not seem critical to the operation of his businesses at any point.
Charlie drops from newspaper citations after 1890, although he remained in Leadville for years to come. This may reflect a change in his professional status from small business owner to an employee about this time. From 1891 to 1892, he was a cook for the Clinton Lunch Room while residing at 130 East 6th Street in 1891, [25] and 132 East 6th Street in 1892. [26] It is also unclear whether Charles was splitting his time between Leadville and Denver after 1893, or if he just moved there for a significant period. This seems to coincide with a decline in both Charlie’s personal and professional life. On August 17, 1893, he and Fanny were divorced at Denver. [27] He worked for a Denver restaurant during 1894 and 95 [28] and at the Denver Sheltering Home for Jewish Children in 1896 [29] before reappearing in Leadville as a laborer for the Vendome Hotel in 1897. [30] After this, Charlie Pfiffer disappears from the records. His fate remains a mystery.
1 Lake County, US Census Index For 1860, 1870 And 1880. Historical Research Cooperative. (Leadville, CO; USA.) 1985.
2 Letters and Packages. (Leadville, CO: The Leadville Daily Evening Chronicle). February 8, 1879. P3.
3 TB Corbett, WC Hoye and JH Ballenger. Corbet, Hoye and Co’s First Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1880. (Leadville, CO: Democrat Printing Company. 1880). P293.
4 For more information on John Sengfelder, please visit: http://jewishleadville.org/sengfelder.html
5 United States Census, 1880. [database with images]. FamilySearch Charles Phiffer in household of I J Adamson. (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
6 Kosher Sausages!. (Leadville, CO: Leadville Daily Herald). January 9, 1881. P2.
7 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Second Annual City Directory: Containing A Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1881. (Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1881). P66.
8 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Third Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1882. (Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1882). P306.
9 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Fourth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms Etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1883. (Denver, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1883). P221 & 304.
10 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Fifth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1884. (Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1884). P202.
11 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Sixth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1885. (Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1885). P200.
12 List of Unclaimed Letters in the Leadville Postoffice, Jan. 18, 1886. (Leadville, CO: Carbonate Chronicle). January 23, 1886. P6.
13 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Seventh Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1886. (Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers). 1886. P209.
14 For more information on the Janowitz family, please visit: http://jewishleadville.org/janowitz.html
15 For more information on the Simon family, please visit: http://jewishleadville.org/simon.html
16 Last Night’s Fire. Leadville, CO: Carbonate Chronicle. July 5, 1886. P8.
17 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Sixth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1887. (Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1887). P217.
18 JH Ballenger and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Ninth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1888. (Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1888). P212.
19 JH Ballenger and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Tenth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1889. (Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers). 1889. P204.
20 JH Ballenger and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Eleventh Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1890. (Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1890). P209.
21 Beating His Board. (Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat). February 11, 1890. P5.
22 Change of Venue. (Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat). February 19, 1890. P7.
23 Some Social Nuggets. (Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat). July 6, 1890. P4.
24 An Important Meeting. (Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat). August 17, 1890. P2.
25 JH Ballenger and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Twelfth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1891. (Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers. 1891). P208.
26 JH Ballenger and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Thirteenth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1892. (Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1892). P214.
27 Jeffrey, James. Colorado Divorces: 1861-1941. (Denver, CO: Denver Public Library). 2014. P1371.
28 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Twenty-second Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Denver for 1894. (Denver, CO: Ballenger Publishers. 1894). P793.
29 TB Corbett and JH Ballenger. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Twenty-fourth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Denver for 1896. (Denver, CO: Ballenger Publishers. 1896). P839.
30 JH Ballenger and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Eighteenth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1897. (Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers. 1897). P232.
Bibliography
Ballenger, JH and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Ninth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1888. Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1888.
Ballenger, JH and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Tenth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1889. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1889.
Ballenger, JH and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Eleventh Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1890. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1890.
Ballenger, JH and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Twelfth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1891. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger and Richards Publishers. 1891.
Ballenger, JH and Richards. “Ballenger & Richard’s Thirteenth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1892”. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger and Richards Publishers.1892.
Ballenger, JH and Richards. Ballenger & Richard’s Fifteenth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City of Leadville for 1894”. Leadville, CO: Ballenger and Richards Publishers. 1894.
Beating His Board. Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat. February 11, 1890.
Change of Venue. Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat. February 19, 1890.
Corbett, TB, Hoye, WC and Ballanger, JH. Corbet, Hoye and Co’s First Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1880. Leadville, CO: Democrat Printing Company.1880.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Second Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1881. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1881.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Third Annual City Directory: Containing A Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms Etc. In The City Of Leadville For 1882. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1882.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbett, and Ballenger’s Fourth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville for 1883. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers.1883.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Fifth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1884. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1884.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Sixth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1885. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1885.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Seventh Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1886. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1886.
Corbett, TB and Ballenger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Eighth Annual City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms etc. in The City Of Leadville For 1887. Leadville, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1887.
Corbett, TB and Ballanger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Twenty-second Annual City Directory: Containing A Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms Etc. In The City Of Denver For 1894. Denver, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1894.
Corbett, TB and Ballanger, JH. Corbet, and Ballenger’s Twenty-fourth Annual City Directory: Containing A Complete List Of The Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms Etc. In The City Of Denver For 1896. Denver, CO: Corbet and Ballenger Publishers. 1896.
Jeffrey, James. Colorado Divorces: 1861-1941. Denver, CO: Denver Public Library. 2014.
Kosher Sausages!. Leadville, CO: Leadville Daily Herald. November 25, 1880.
Kosher Sausages!. Leadville, CO: Leadville Daily Herald. January 9, 1881.
Lake County, US Census Index For 1860, 1870 And 1880. Historical Research Cooperative. Leadville, CO; USA. 1985.
Last Night’s Fire. Leadville, CO: Carbonate Chronicle. July 5, 1886.
Letters and Packages. Leadville, CO: The Leadville Daily Evening Chronicle. February 8, 1879.
List of Unclaimed Letters in the Leadville Postoffice, Jan. 18, 1886. Leadville, CO: Carbonate Chronicle. January 23, 1886.
Some Social Nuggets. Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat. July 6, 1890.
United States Census, 1880. [database with images]. FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-LD1 : 19 February 2021). Charles Phiffer in household of I J Adamson. Leadville, Lake, Colorado: United States: Enumeration District ED 82, sheet 451C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
To cite any of the information in this biography, please use the following reference.
AUTHOR: Jeffrey P. Grant
EDITOR: William Korn
SOURCE: Jewish Surnames/Pfeiffer
PUBLISHED BY: Temple Israel Foundation. Leadville, CO; USA. 2021.
STABLE URL: http://www.jewishledville.org/pfeiffer.html
