John Philipp Pfeiffer

John (Johan) Philipp Pfeiffer was born September 3, 1815 in Frankfurt, Germany (Bavaria), the son of Johann Georg Pfeiffer and Esther Maria Margaretha Eysin Pfeiffer. He emigrated to the United States around 1836, alone. On June 14, 1837 he enlisted in the Army from New York City, as a private, General Services, for a term of three years. His papers describe him as 21 years old, blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion, and 5' 8" tall. He was sent to Bedloe Island (where the Statue of Liberty now stands), and served with the 4th Artillery at the Fort Wood military post. He was reported absent for four months in 1839, he probably married Agnes Elizabeth Graham of New York at that time. On June 14, 1840 he was Honorably discharged.

On June 29, 1840 he once again enlisted in the Army, this time as a Musician. On July 9, he was transferred to the First Dragoons (company B) for Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He remained at Carlisle Barracks until November, 1842, when he was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Missouri (now Kansas) Regiment Band. His rank was Private. On June 29, 1845 he was once again Honorably discharged.

Sometime in 1847 he became member of J. Friedheim's orchestra at Lyceum theater in Boston, Massachusetts.

On March 1, 1848 he enlisted in the Navy as a Musician on the U.S. Receiving Ship "Franklin" at Charlestown (now Charleston), Massachusetts. He became the Band Leader aboard the USS Ohio, a receiving ship. In 1852 he was Honorably discharged, but remained as organist for the Navy Yard. In December of 1852 he was a member of Edward Thendall's band.

On February 4, 1853 he enlisted as leader of the newly formed U.S. Naval Academy Band, a position he held until 1861. In 1861 the Naval Academy, including the Band, moved to Newport, Rhode Island at oncoming of Civil War.

When the war ended, he returned to Annapolis and was re-hired as a civilian. On February 1, 1884 he was discharged because of failing eyesight. He had not been leader of the band since 1861, but remained a playing member after 1862. At that time he applied for a pension and was described as 5'8 ½", light complexioned, brown hair, blue eyes. His profession was "Dealer in music". He resided on Maryland Ave, just outside the Academy gate until his death on May 17, 1891. He and his wife had six children, Jane Augusta, John P., Jr., William Loftin, Theodore, Agnes Ida, and David Graham, the Grandfather of Dorothy Pfeiffer LaBorde, who compiled this biographical information. He is buried in St. Anne's Cemetary, Annapolis, in the Pfeiffer family plot next to wife, daughter Jane A., daughter Agnes Ida, and granddaughters Clara Eliza and Mary Louise.

"Thank you" to Dorothy Pfeiffer LaBorde for compiling this information.

HISTORY