James Hunter

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-125619

Other Events:

• Interesting: business, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-125612P
• Residence: 1853, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Elected Office: 1856, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve/Mayor
• Occupation: 1861, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1861, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Occupation: 1891, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Jacob Merner with his wife and family emigrated from Germany and settled on a farm miles west of New Hamburg in 1837. Several of the ten children still survive, among them being Mr. Christian Merner of whom a sketch appears elsewhere. Wm. Smith had the first blacksmith shop. It was here that the late Samuel Merner learned his trade. Jacob Brill was the first cooper and did a thriving trade in barrels, churns, &c. The pioneer weaver was John Oehm who made cloth for his numerous patrons on his hand loom. Theobald Seyler owned a frame hotel on the site of the present Queen's and John Boeckner did the cobbling and shoemaking for the neighborhood. The latter's shop was on the site of the present residence of Mr. D. Becker. Wendel Schuyler was the first teacher in 1838 or 1839. A portion of the first log schoolhouse still stands near the Cemetery and is used for a dwelling: Soloman Weaver was a miller in the early days and later became an evangelical minister. Business men who came a little later were Wm. Burkhold, who established a brickyard; Fred Merner who started a carriage business and Wm. Hunter, who had a general store. In the early 50's Sylvester Frank built a brewery. It was of brick and a portion of it is still in use in connection with the present brewery. The village has gradually increased in population and assessment with no particularly stirring events to mark its even progress. The great flood of 1883 due to a cloudburst is an event never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. On that occasion the water covered the streets up to the door of the Imperial hotel, and swept away the Rau, Hartman and Helmer bridges, thus cutting the village off from the outside world. In this its golden jubilee year, New Hamburg stands a community of contented, busy people, living in good homes and doing admirably their little share of the great world's work.

Special Industrial souvenir number of New Hamburg: containing a comprehensive review of the natural advantages and resources of the village of New Hamburg, 1908, Berlin Daily News, Berlin, Ontario

William married Nicolina Hastings 22 Sep 1853, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Nicolina was born 1830, , Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Nicolina Hunter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-125613
• Residence: 1853, North Easthope Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada