possibly a German or Austrian-American immigrant; scores show up as J. Caspar but probably? the composer/percussionist?/arranger referred to as John C. Scherpf. Friend of, dedicatee of the "Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel" variations (Op.389) by Charles Grobe. (Referred to on two scores in the 1840s or so (one from 1844) as a professor of piano and guitar.)