Born in
Memmelsdorf,
Bavaria, in 1839 he came with his older brother
Abraham to
New York City, where their older brother
Isaac was already living. The brothers learned English and then Nordheimer worked as a clerk. The two brothers moved to
Kingston, Ontario in 1840 and then settled in Toronto in 1844. They established a
piano importing business, A.& S. Nordheimer Co. The business prospered and expanded. It became Canada's leading publisher of
sheet music, and initially had the sole right to publish copies of
The Maple Leaf Forever. The company also opened branches in other cities across Canada. As well as continuing to import pianos, in 1890 the firm opened its own factory in Toronto and quickly became one of Canada's best known domestic piano brands. Nordheimer became a prominent member of the city's commercial class, serving on a number of corporate boards. In 1871, the year married Edith Boulton, Nordheimer completed work on a massive home named Glenedyth. It was located on Davenport Hill, near
James Austin's
Spadina House. While the house was demolished in the 1920s, the
ravine running by the site is still known as the Nordheimer Ravine. Nordheimer remained head of the company until his death, when the firm was taken over by his nephew Albert. Upon his retirement from the business in 1928, the firm was taken over by
Heintzman & Co. His legacy included a section of
Castle Frank Brook being named after him. == Family==