The last reveille sounded on Sunday for William Kaiser, one of Berlin’s Veteran musicians.

First leader of the Berlin Band

Death removed from among our citizens one of the veterans, in the person of Mr. Wm. S. Kaiser, early on Sunday Morning. The death took place at his home, King St. E. at the ripe old age of 82 years. He had been ailing for fully a year, but latterly he suffered from la grippe and complications which his enfeebled constitution could not throw off.

The deceased Mr. Kaiser was born in Hamm, Westphalia, Prussia, Germany in 1822 and came to the continent in 1835. He went first to Detroit as an instructor in the city band. After being in the City of the Straits a short time, he organized a military band, which was highly successful. During that period he was also instructor of a band in Windsor.

In 1868 Mr. Kaiser came to Berlin to teach the Berlin band and he has lived here ever since, in the house where he died, which was purchased from Mr. H. Rathman. He opened an Hotel which he conducted for a long term of years. While he was the Berlin band master he also taught the bands at Preston, Elmira, and new Germany (Maryhill) and for a time the Waterloo band. Among the musicians under Mr. Kaiser in those early days was Noah Zeller, the present talented leader of the 29th Regimental band. He succeeded Mr. Kaiser. The deceased gentleman was a master artist on almost every instrument and gave lessons at his home until recently, when he became too weak. During the last week or two, three prospective students had applied and he gave them encouragement that as soon as he became stronger he would begin their tuition. At his wish, a phonograph was secured just lately, to satisfy his longing for music. Mr. Zeller and a few of the band men arranged to go to his house on Sunday and play for him, and he had been looking forward to their visit with keen pleasure. But the final reveille sounded for him before they came.

In religion he was a Lutheran and a staunch Conservative in politics. His wife predeceased him on February 5, 1904, but the following children survive; Mrs. M. Smith, and Mrs. Geo. Lippert, Berlin; Mrs. Eph. Runstedler, Walkerton; Wm. Kaiser, London; Albert Kaiser, Walkerton; Mrs. J. McKenzie, Buffalo; and Charles Kaiser, at West Branch, Michigan.

The funeral will take place on Wednesday at 2 p.m., from the family residence to Mount Hope cemetery.

BAND WILL PLAY. The band will turn out Wednesday and play at the funeral of the late Wm. Kaiser, the first leader of the band and "The father of band music in this town."

LAID TO REST. The funeral of the late Wm. Kaiser was held on Wednesday, the remains being convened from the residence to Mount Hope Cemetery. The members of the 29th Regiment band turned out and played The Dead March. The service was conducted by Rev. E. Hoffman.

CARD OF THANKS. On behalf of the family of the late Wm. Kaiser, we desire to extend our sincere thanks and express for the many acts of kindness expressed bestowed during Mr. Kaiser’s illness and death. We thank especially, Mr. Zeller and the members of the band for playing for the funeral.