John Schimpf
John Schimpf was born in Dreihausen, Germany in 1865. He came to America at the age of 15. After working in a North Dakota lumber camp and as a government stage driver, he came to Camden NJ. A John Schimpf is listed in the 1890–1891 Camden City Directory as living at 234 Burns Street, in the Poet's Row section of North Camden. He was then working as a shovelmaker in Philadelphia.
Shortly before the 1896 City Directory was compiled, John Schimpf moved to the Cramer Hill section of Camden, where he went to work as a driver for Christopher L. Dietz, who had founded the Crescent Bottling Company on River Avenue at Fulton Street (present-day North 25th Street) in 1893. John Schimpf eventually took over management and ownership of the business. Christopher Dietz passed away in September of 1900.
John Schimpf married Louisa Ortlepp, and they had a son named Louis, born August 19, 1903. Sadly, Louisa Schimpf passed away February 3, 1909, ten days short of her 31st birthday.
John Schimpf was very active in the civic and business life of Camden. He was a director of the Broadway Merchants Trust Company bank, and, with Dr. C.F. Hadley and Frederick von Nieda among others, co-founded the East End Trust in 1905. He was a member of Mozart Lodge No. 121 F&AM, the Germania Maennerchor, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Lincoln Club, and the Elks.
At the time of the 1920 Census, Louis Schimpf was working with his father in the bottling business. Seeing an opportunity in the auto repair business, the Schimpfs founded the Crescent Garage auto repair business in the 1920s. This business remains a successful garage today, and has been known popularly since the 1930s simply as Schimpf's.
John Schimpf passed away on December 3, 1935 after a short illness. He was buried at Bethel Cemetery in Pennsauken NJ. Among his pallbearers were Camden Mayor Frederick Von Nieda, and many other members of Camden's German-American community. He was survived by a sister, Anna, in Germany, and his son Louis.
Crescent Beverage
Crescent Beverage — February 1, 2004
Death Notice — Louise Schimpf
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SCHIMPF.—On the morning of February 3, 1909. LOUISE SCHIMPF (nee Ortlepp), beloved wife of John Schimpf, aged 31 years. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services, on Sunday, February 7, at 2 o'clock, at her late residence, 25th and River ave, Camden, N. J. Interment private.
Crescent Bottling Co.
Camden City Directory — 1913
Named: CRESCENT BOTTLING CO., Twenty-Fifth Street and River Avenue, Camden, N. J., Bottlers of Lager Beer, Ale and Porter and All Kinds of Soft Drinks. Bell Phone 565-L, and Eastern Phone, Camden 570. John Schimpf, Prop..
Crescent Bottling Co.
Camden City Directory — 1917
Named: CRESCENT BOTTLING CO., Twenty-Fifth Street and River Avenue, Camden, N. J., Bottlers of Lager Beer, Ale and Porter and All Kinds of Soft Drinks. Bell Phone 2468, and Eastern Phone, Camden 570. John Schimpf, Propr..
Crescent Beverage Deposit Seltzer Bottle
Crescent Beverage Deposit Seltzer Bottle
Schimpf's Garage
Camden Courier-Post — 1934
Named: Best equipped shop in South Jersey! “Line Up” With Schimpf, Phone Camden 2468, Wheel Alignment, Chassis Repairs, Axles Straightened, and 25th St. and River Rd., Camden.
Louis E. Schimpf, Inc.
Louis E. Schimpf, Inc. — February 1, 2004
John Schimpf Dies, Veteran Bottler
Camden Courier-Post —
East Camden Business Man Took Active Interest in Civic Affairs
John Schimpf, 60, proprietor of the Crescent Bottling Company, died yesterday after an illness of a few days.
Mr. Schimpf, husband of the late Louisa Schimpf, established the bottling company at 1011 North Twenty-fifth street many years ago. He was one of the organizer of the East End Trust Company and was a former director of the Broadway Merchants Trust Company and was active in civic affairs.
He was a member of the Mozart Lodge, No. 121, F. and A. M.; Lincoln Club, Elks and Pavonia Maennerchor.
He is survived by a son, Louis, operator of the Crescent Garage, and a grandson.
The funeral will be held at 1 p. m. Saturday at 804-06 North Twenty-seventh street. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.
Schimpf Funeral Set for Saturday
Camden Courier-Post —
Established Bottling Company Here in 1893; Fraternal and Finance Leader
Funeral services for John Schimpf, 60, veteran Camden bottler, who died Tuesday, will be held at 1 p. m., Saturday, at 804–806 North Twenty-seventh street. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will include Mayor Frederick von Nieda, Albert Reich, Julius Schrieber, Fred Geissler, William Molt, Theodore Koerner, William Schmidt, John Blaufuss, John Kauderer, George Spicks, Arthur Oehlschlager, Charles Goeltz, George Cadwalader, George Stiefel, Gottlieb Mayer.
Mr. Schimpf, proprietor of the Crescent Bottling Company, was born in Dreihausen, Germany, and came to this country at the age of 15. After working in North Dakota in a lumber camp and as a government stage coach driver, he moved to Camden. He established his bottling company in 1893.
He was one of the founders of the East End Trust Company. He was a director of that institution and also of several building and loan associations. He was a member of the Germania Maennerchor, Mozart Lodge of Masons, Red Men, Elks and several other organizations.
He is survived by a son, Louis, of Camden, and a sister, Anna, in Germany.