Reference
X888
Title
Papers of the Steinmetz family of Bedford, deposited in November 2001 and subsequently
Admin/biog history
The history of the Steinmetz family and their Bedford connections is largely covered by the obituaries of Hermann Steinmetz (Beds Times 13 May 1893 page 8 col. 3) and his son Major Arthur B.S Steinmetz (24 April 1931 p.8). A summary follows. Hermann Steinmetz was born at Sachsenhausen, in the Principality of Waldeck Germany and took a degree as a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Jena. He was also interested in the Kindergarten movement and was in a school conducted by one of Froebel's assistants.
In January 1857 Hermann Steinmetz obtained a travel permit from Germany (see X 888/1/1) and in March 1858 he was appointed German master at Bedford Grammar School (now Bedford School) a position he kept until his death. He married Ellen Maria Samler at Bedford St Paul's church on 27 June 1860. He was Honorary Secretary and a founder member of Bedford Musical Society (X 888/1/7) from 1867 and an active member of the Bedford Literary and Scientific Institute, as well as the local Horticultural Society and Whist Club. He left a widow, four sons and a daughter. Two of the sons were teachers in Switzerland, and another, Arthur B S Steinmetz, was at the Britannia Iron Works.
Arthur Bernard Samler Steinmetz, (1873-1931), was a manager at the Britannia Iron Works for much of his life, but most of the photographs in this collection reflect his military career (X 888/2/3-6). He served with the Bedford Grammar School Cadets, 1888-1890, then with the 2nd Tower Hamlets Royal Engineers Volunteers, before joining the Bedford RE Volunteers on their formation in 1900. He volunteered for service in South Africa and was promoted captain in 1901 and major in 1908. Meanwhile, in 1906 he unsuccessfully applied for the post of Chief Constable of Bedford Borough (X 888/1/9). By 1914 he was commanding the 2nd Field Company of the East Anglian Royal Engineers and served at Gallipoli in 1915, being mentioned in despatches and promoted temporary Lieutenant Colonel later that year. In July 1916 he was seconded for service with the regular Royal Engineers on the Suez Canal defences before returning to his unit. He was invalided home in 1917. After the war he took a keen interest in the Old Comrades Association (X 888/2/10).
Arthur Steinmetz married Bessie Muriel Wilcox and a son, Lawrence Wilcox Steinmetz, is mentioned in his obituary. Lawrence Steinmetz served with the Royal Signals TA (X 888/2/9,11-13) and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in 1968 for service with the Post Office as a draughtsman (X 888/1/12)
Level of description
fonds