Introduction
JOHN C. DEMMERT was born in Germany around 1857. His father Christian Demmert was a jeweler, and with uncle August Demmert controlled South African diamond imports in Central Europe at one time. He came to America in 1875, and became a citizen in 1880, taking a position with a jeweler in Philadelphia. He married Bertha Noll about this time. Going into business for himself, he operated a store in Phoenixville PA. By March of 1890 he had purchased the jewelry store of Charles Stakeman, at 23 East State Street in Trenton NJ. He took a break from the jewelry business in 1895 and moved to Medford NJ, where he operated a hotel through at least 1898. He came to Camden in 1904.
A recognized expert in diamonds, John C. Demmert opened up a jewelry store at 504 Federal Street upon arriving in Camden. He remained at that location through at least 1929, before moving his shop to 216 Broadway.
During his tenure in the jewelry business, John C. Demmert was robbed six times. On March 7, 1933 he was mugged outside his home at 110 North 7th Street. His family believed that a blow to the abdomen during this incident contributed to his death three years later, on August 13, 1936. He was survived by his wife Bertha, sons Howard and Harold, and daughters Dorothy and Viola. John C. Demmert was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia PA.
Bertha, Dorothy and Viola Demmert were still living at 110 North 7th Street as late as 1947. Viola Demmert had remained in the jewelry business, conducting a shop at the 110 North 7th Street address selling gold, diamond and tungsten jewelry, while Dorothy Demmert was at that time a teacher at the George Washington Elementary School in the Cramer Hill section of Camden.
J. C. Demmert Dies, Victim of Robbers
Camden Courier-Post —
Jeweler’s Store Singled Out by Thieves More Than Any Other in City
John C. Demmert, 79, Camden’s oldest jeweler, diamond expert and a victim of more robberies than any other jeweler in the city, died last night at his home, 110 North Seventh street.
Injuries incurred when he was slugged by a highwayman three years ago resulted in his death, Howard Demmert, his son, said.
“They struck him in the abdomen with the butt of a revolver,” the son said, “and we believe the blow contributed to his death. We found him unconscious in front of our house.”
On March 7, 1933, he was attacked by two footpads as he was entering his home. The men were hiding in the shadows of the porch, seized him by the throat, struck him in the stomach and robbed him of $65. He had just returned from an automobile ride.
On March 11, 1929, his store at 504 Federal street, was ransacked and $3000 worth of watches, rings, bracelets and diamonds were stolen. Six thousand dollars worth of bonds taken from the safe were thrown behind a counter.
Twelve years ago Mr. Demmert was found bound and gagged in the same store, injured seriously. Several thousand dollars worth of jewelry had been taken. His store was robbed six times in 30 years. At the time of his death he was proprietor of another store at 216 Broadway.
Mr. Demmert was the last of a line of jewelers in the family continuous since the French revolution. He was born in Germany and came to this country when 16.
His father, Christian, and brother, August, controlled the South African diamond output in Central Europe. A great grandfather was a colonel in Napoleon’s army.
When the Demmert boy came to this country he went to work for C. R. Smith and Sons, Philadelphia jewelers. Later he opened jewelry stores in Phoenixville and Trenton.
He came to Camden in 1904 and opened the Federal street store. He was known as an expert on diamonds. He was a member of the Jewelers’ Alliance.
Mr. Demmert is survived by his wife, Bertha Noll Demmert; another son, Harold, a Philadelphia contractor, and two daughters, Dorothy, a Camden school teacher, and Viola.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m., Monday at the Joseph H. Murray and Son Parlors, 408 Cooper street. Friends may see the body Sunday night. Burial will be in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.