Born in Sélestat, Wackenthaler belonged to a large family of Alsatian organists:
His grandfather, François-Joseph Wackenthaler, became organist at the St. George's Church, Sélestat around 1800 and remained so until his death in 1828.
His father, François-Charles Wackenthaler, 8th child of Franz Joseph, succeeded him, after his death in 1828, as organist at Saint-Georges de Sélestat Church and remained so for 31 years until his death in 1859.
His uncle, François-Louis Wackenthaler, 10th child of Franz Joseph, was appointed organist at the St. Faith's Church, Sélestat around 1830 and held this position until his death in 1849.
From 1853 to 1859, Wackenthaler studied at the École Niedermeyer de Paris where he was a student of Louis Dietsch and. In 1858, he won the Grand Prix for composition and the second prize for organ. From 1858 to 1876, he was employed at the École Niedermeyer as an organ and improvisation teacher. On 19 February 1859 in his 19th year, he succeeded his late father as organist at the St. George's Church, Sélestat. On 31 January 1867, in Geispolsheim, he married Catherine Nuss. In 1869 he settled in Dijon as a piano teacher. A young priest, Father Trub, was subsequently appointed as organist at the St. George's Church of Sélestat. In 1875, he was appointed organist of the great organ of the Dijon Cathedral succeeding thus Jacques-Reine Pâris and he took office on Sunday, November 21. In 1909, when he was ill, he resigned from his position as organist. After more than two years of vacancy at the console of Saint-Bénigne, his successor, Émile Poillot, was appointed on 21 December 1911. He died in Dijon, at his home at 12, rue de la Liberté, on May 19, 1913, at the age of 72. According to the testimony of his contemporaries, Wackenthaler was more appreciated as an instrumentalist and as a teacher than as a composer. His organ works were sometimes attributed to his more famous uncle Joseph, because he often published them under the first name Joseph.
Works
L’adoration des bergers, fantaisie pastorale pour les fêtes de Noël, à Madame la Comtesse de Bresson.
Communion, dédiée à M. R. Grosjean.
Fugue pour Orgue, dédiée à son ami M. l'Abbé Trub.
Introduction et Fugue en ré mineur, à la mémoire de L. Niedermeyer, son illustre et regretté Maître.
Noël varié, variations sur le Noël On dit que dans une étable.
Offertoire, dédié à son oncle Jg. Wackenthaler, de Dieuze.
Offertoire brillant, dédié à M. le Chanoine Naegelen, Curé de St. Georges à Schlestadt.
