Born: 9-May-1860
Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
Died: 6-Aug-1890
Location of death: Auburn, NY
Cause of death: Execution
Remains: Buried, Auburn Prison Cemetery, Auburn, NY

Gender: Male
Religion: Lutheran
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Criminal

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: First man executed by electric chair

Kemmler was first given a jolt of 2000 volts, sustained for 20 seconds, and presumed dead. Some minutes later it was discovered that his heart was still beating, and Kemmler began to groan. The current was reapplied and left on for a minute and a half, singeing his flesh.

Wife: Matilda Ziegler ("Tillie", common law)

    Murder Matilda Ziegler, with a hatchet, Buffalo, NY (29-Mar-1889)
    Caught Fire 6-Aug-1890
    German Ancestry
    Risk Factors: Alcoholism

Copyright ©2025