Fischer, G. E.

Late-deafened. Born on his father's ship at sea; went to sea himself at age 10 as a cabin boy, rising to first mate of a clipper ship. When the Civil War broke out, joined the Union Navy. Lost his hearing in 1863 from "ship fever" and reassigned to shore duty until the end of the war. Took a position as steward and diver on his brother-in-law's ship postwar until 1879, when an accident damaged his health. Eventually moved to Omaha, NE and opened a wholesaling business. Married Angeline Ashby Fuller (q.v.)