piper was born in kissingen, bavaria around march 1826. he was educated as an artist, and emigrated to america in 1847 at age 19. in new orleans he met wilhelmina ("minna") hausman (june 1834 – 1930), who was from the hanover area of germany, and had come to america in 1853. the 1900 census showed they had been married for 48 years, since around 1852, or else they were married a little later, in san francisco in 1853, crossing the isthmus of panama to get to california. they lived in san francisco for 20 years, and their first five children were born there. piper attended the san francisco mechanics' institute, receiving a certificate for "best specimens of ornamental sugar work" dated september 1857.