JOSEPH W. B. KAMERER is a popular physician of Greensburg, whose many years of skillful and successful practice have made him distinguished in his profession. He was born three-fourths of a mile east of Penn station, in Hempfield (now Penn) township, Westmoreland county, Pa., September 29, 1845, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Smith) Kamerer. Among the worthy German pioneer settlers of Hempfield township was Dr. Kamerer’s paternal great-grandfather, who came with his family from Morrison's Cove, Bedford county, in 1780. He settled about the time that the Clines, Detars, Drums, Mechlings, Turneys, Walthours, Byerlys and numerous other staid, hardy, thrifty and intelligent German families came into the country, and these German pioneers to a large extent gave character to the township, and from them have descended many honorable and honored citizens of Westmoreland and adjacent counties. The doctor’s grandfather, Adam Kamerer, was born in Bedford county and came with his father, Lewis Kamerer, to Westmoreland in 1780. He married a Miss Smith, and one of his sons, Joseph, was born July 14, 1803. Joseph Kamerer was a very successful farmer; an active democrat, an earnest member of the German Reformed church, and who died April 6, 1851. At his death he left considerable wealth, all of which he had acquired by hard work and good management. On January 4, 1817, he married Elizabeth Smith, who was born December 16, 1806, and passed away October 17. 1879. They had nine children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living. Mrs. Kamerer's father, Simon Smith, was of German descent and a soldier of the war of 1812. His wife was a member of the Whitehead family, who were pioneer settlers near Irwin station, this county.
Dr. Kamerer received his education in the common schools, Irwin and Harrison City academies, and learned the languages under a private tutor, who was a fine linguist. At twenty-one years of age he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. M. Stevenson at Adamsburg, now of East End, Pittsburg, Pa., matriculating in the fall of 1869 in Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, from which well-known institution he was graduated March 12, 1871. Immediately after graduation he commenced practice at Larimer's station, Westmoreland county, Pa., and there followed his profession with fair success for about one year. In 1873 he removed to Penn station, where he remained for over a year. Since 1874 he has been a practicing physician at Greensburg.
On July 24, 1879, Dr. Kamerer was united in marriage to Miriam E. Trauger, a daughter of Solomon Trauger. They have one child, a son: Paul Trauger Kamerer, who was born April 28, 1883.
Dr. J. W. B. Kamerer is a member of Energetic Lodge, No. 76, Knights of Honor, Westmoreland Lodge, No. 518. A. Y. M., and Centennial Lodge, No. 100, A. O. U. W. He is a democrat who believes implicitly in the cardinal principles of the Democratic party and is an attendant upon the services of the Presbyterian church. His practice is extensive and he commands the confidence of the public.
