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Name: BIEMER, Gedalia 'Gaston'
Birth Date: 1876
Death Date: 19 Oct 1944 Nairobi
First Date: 1913
Last Date: 1944
Profession: c/o S. Jacobs Ltd. Merchant
Area: Box 408, Nairobi
Married: Mushke b. 1876, d. 31 May 1960 Nairobi
Children: Dora; Sophie (Somen); Helen (Ruben)
Book Reference: KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Jambo 68, Red 22, Barnes, Glimpses, Red 19
General Information:
Jambo 68 - Sophie Somen - 1911-98 - Sophie came to Kenya with her parents (Mr & Mrs Biemer) and her two sisters Dora and Helen in 1913 and the family settled in Nairobi. Sophie was educated in Nairobi and in 1931 married Issy Somen. During the second World War Sophie ran the family furniture business and helped with various voluntary organisations. In 1955 Issy was elected Mayor of Nairobi and held office for 2 years and in her capacity as Mayoress Sophie held many innovative functions such as cookery demonstrations by the wives of High Commissioners in aid of charity and also an annual event in December when Children were asked to bring toys which were then distributed to children in need. Sophie was also District Vice President of EAWL Muthaiga Branch for several years and again organised many functions in her own home and other locations in aid of multi racial charities. Sophie and Issy left Nairobi at the end of 1969 and after a short spell in Switzerland they moved to London. They celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1981 and Issy passed away in 1984.
Red 22 - Box 255, Nairobi
Nairobi South cemetery - Mushke Biemer, died 31 May 1960 aged 84, "in loving memory of our beloved mother Mushke Biemer who died on the 31 May 1960 aged 84, forever in our hearts, Dora Helen and Sophia - Also Gaston Biemer who died 19 October 1944 aged 68, deeply mourned by his wife and children
Glimpses - Another pioneer family was the Biemers, Gedalia and Mushke who emigrated from Palestine to Kenya in 1913. Together with a partner, Hutchings, Biemer set up what became a well-known furniture shop, Hutchings Biemer. The Biemers came out with their little daughters, Dora, Helen and Sophie (just two at the time). Nicknamed "The Three Princesses" they all grew up to marry sons of Kenyan Jewish pioneer families and play prominent roles in the community.
Red Book 1919 - G. Beimer [sic] - The Dustpan, Nairobi
Red 25 - c/o Hutchings & Biemer
Gazette - Voters List 1936 - Gaston Biemer, Merchant, Box 408, Nbi
Gazette 28 June 1960 wife's probate