Rev. Donald Stroh

Other Events:

• Employer: Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; The Kitchener-Waterloo Record
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53620
• Occupation: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Walter Stroh Special to The Record

Conestogo - Walter M. Stroh of Conestogo died Saturday at K-W Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 76. A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Stroh, he was born near here March 25, 1894, and had been a life-long resident of the district. Mr. Stroh was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and a past member of the church council. He was a former member of Woolwich township council. He worked with The Record several years as district correspondent. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by two brothers and one sister. Surviving are his wife, the former Hilda Libutzke, whom he married in 1921; three sons, Russell and Lester, both of Conestogo and Rev. Donald of St. John's Nfld. The body will be at the Dreisinger Funeral Parlor, Elmira, until Tuesday at noon. The service will follow at 2: 30 p.m. in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church with burial in the adjoining cemetery. Rev. Harold Brill will officiate. Donations to the Canadian Bible Society or missions will be accepted as expressions of sympathy.


Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Dec 28, 1970, p. 25

______________________

Walter worked the farm with Noah and also raised Purebred Yorkshire Pigs on his own. He was active in the Lutheran Church, serving for many years as Secretary of the Church Council and also keeping the Cemetery records. He served on Woolwich Township Council for several years and later as Deputy Reeve.

https://robstroh.tripod.com/history.html 2014

Walter married Hilda Philippine Libutzke 30 Mar 1921, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Hilda (daughter of Herman Libutzke and Mary Catherine Hartwig) was born 2 Jul 1898, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1988; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Hilda Philippine Stroh
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56794
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53615P
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1875, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1906, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, own Farm
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

George married Catherine Schierholtz 30 Mar 1875, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of Henry Schierholtz and Elisabeth Winter) was born 16 Jan 1856, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Oct 1930, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Stroh
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26656P
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Died/ At her late home east of Conestogo on Mon./ Oct. 13th 1930/ Catharine Schierholtz,/ Relict of the late Geo. O. Stroh, aged 74 years/ 8 months and 27 days.// The Funeral/ Will be held on Thurs. Oct. 16, at 2 P.M. from/ her late home to St. Matthew's Lutheran/ Church and cemetery, Conestogo, for service and interment.// Friends and acquaintances will please accept this/ intimation


Funeral Card of Catharine Schierholtz

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-168385
• Immigration: 1873
• Naturalization: 1873
• Immigration: 1890
• Occupation: 1896, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Naturalization: 1901
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm Laborer
• Occupation: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Herman married Mary Catherine Hartwig 7 Jan 1896, Floradale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Christian Hartwig and Elisabeth, daughter of Christian Hartwig and Annie Elizabeth "Elizabeth" Wehnes) was born 14 Aug 1869, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Apr 1929; was buried , Saint James Lutheran Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Catherine Libutzke
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-168386
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1917, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/241660671
• Interesting: pioneer, story, sports
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-115896
• Immigration: Sep 1837, New York City, New York, USA.
• Residence: 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1840, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1848, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; yeoman
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

November 10, 1899

Death of One of the First Settlers of Woolwich

On Friday the 13^th ult., there died at the home of his son George east of the village of Conestogo, Mr. Conrad Stroh, one of the old pioneers of Woolwich. Deceased was born in Lehrbach Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Oct 3^rd, 1811 and was consequently a little over 88 years old when he died. With his three brothers he left the Vaterland and after a voyage of 47 days reached America and came on to Berlin, where he made his home for a short time. Here he was married by Rev. Bindemann, in 1839 to Miss Annie Marie Oswald who shared his joys and sorrows for some 55 years and predeceased him about 5 years. Afterwards he took up land near West Montrose and a little later a couple of miles east of Elmira and finally he got possession of the homestead opposite the junction of the Conestogo and Grand rivers, where by preserving energy and thrift he and his partner in life succeeded in carving out of the rich virgin forest a comfortable home. Here he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of a few years prior to the death of his wife when they lived in Conestogo. Deceased enjoyed robust health until about a year and a half ago when he had a severe attack of the grippe from which he recovered but which left him in much feebler condition. A few weeks ago he was taken sick and gradually sank until released by death. During this time he had the best attention and care from his son and daughter-in-law for which he expressed his gratitude during his last days.

Deceased possessed many good qualities and as a mark of esteem his remains were followed to their last resting place in the Lutheran cemetery at Conestogo by a large concourse of relatives, neighbours and friends. He was one of the founders and a life long member of the Lutheran congregation at Conestogo [St. Matthews] and a staunch Liberal in politics. He leaves behind him four sons and two daughters, all married, 28 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren also three brothers, Yost of Woolwich aged about 77 years, Henry of Waterloo aged 81 years and John of Berlin aged nearly 91 years.

Woolwich at the Turn of the Century: 1900, (Woolwich Historical Foundation, Woolwich Township, Ontario, Canada, October 2001), p. 42

_____________________________________

CONRAD STROH was one of the mighty hunters of by-gone days. He lived on the banks of the Grand River, about one mile east of Conestogo, and died at the good old age of 87 some eight years ago. Conrad was an unerring marksman, and when he pulled the trigger of the old flint lock the bullet sped with undeviating accuracy to the objective point. A friend and companion of Conrad's was Jacob Benner, of West Montrose, who was also a Nimrod who had won his reputation by practical and visible results. He, too, was a keen-sighted marksman and prided himself on never missing his aim. Although the two were fast friends there existed a little good-natured rivalry between them regarding the supremacy of marksmanship. One day a test of skill was determined on. Each was to fire at a spot on a certain. tree. Both fired, but on examination only one bullet hole was found. Both claimed it, and a dispute arose which cooled their friendship and threatened an open rupture. In those days the settlers made their own bullets and lead was scarce. Some days afterwards Benner, passing the spot where the trial had taken place, thought to save the lead by cutting out the ball embedded in the tree. Imagine his surprise when he found both bullets in the one hole. Benner communicated the discovery to his friend and the warm comradeship was resumed that was never afterwards broken.

Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 100 Years of Progress in Waterloo County Canada Semi-Centennial Souvenir 1856-1906 (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 1906) pg 26

____________

CONESTOGO PIONEERS.

An Interesting Interview with Venerable Pioneer-Mr. Conrad Stroh now in His 86th Year -Scraps of Early History.

From our Special Correspondent.

Since learning that my epistle about Conestogo three weeks ago has been digested by those interested without any apparent symptoms of unfavorable effects I will venture an additional sketch regarding its early history. A renewal of this subject is also partly due to the fact that I unintentionally omitted mentioning the names of a number of those who were identified with the business and industrial pursuits of its early days, and for the reason that I have concluded to make the attempt, at least, of furnishing the vast army of CHRONICLE readers with as interesting and reliable a biographical and historical sketch of the entire township of Woolwich as it is within my power to produce.

A few days ago I called at the home of the venerable Conrad Stroh, about a half mile east of the village on the bank of the Conestogo river. He lives with his son George, who has charge of the farm. Time appears to have dealt kindly with him, for he is yet a robust man at the advanced age of eighty six years. He finds it somewhat difficult to converse in English, but with my limited knowledge of the German tongue I succeeded in drawing from his yet well preserved mind a good deal of interesting data pertaining to his early life. Though at first he appeared reluctant he resumed a friendly attitude and conversed freely after he had been assured that I was simply an emissary of the CHRONICLE. He was born in Hesse-Darm-Stadt, Germany, in 1809, and came to this country in 1837, landing at Quebec, and finally reaching Berlin, his destination, after walking almost the entire distance through a trackless wilderness in which lurked dangerous obstacles and extreme hardships had to be endured.

At that time-sixty years ago- Berlin was only a small village of twenty-five or thirty frame and log houses, mostly located on King and Queen streets. It contained & brewery operated by one Rebecher, harness shop owned by John Roat, hotel with one Gaukel as proprietor, and a few small mercantile establishments. The late John Peterson was then a Justice of the Peace and attended court, which at that time was held in Guelph. The late Rev. Benj. Eby was also a conspicuous figure in the pioneer village when Mr. Stroh arrived upon the scene.

From Berlin he plunged into the wilderness near Elmira and commenced cleaning up the farm now occupied by Adam Harman. This farm contains about 157 acres, and in the task of bringing it out of its primeval state into one more congenial to civilized man Mr. Stroh performed what would have probably brought to a premature grave or discouraged nine out of ten of the young men of to-day. In addition to the limited frugal nourishment the pioneer home could afford, he would be compelled to watch his burning log heaps frequently twenty-two hours out of the twenty-four.

At that time the nearest human habitation to his present home were a couple of log houses at Winterbourne, one being a log tavern kept by one named Schmidt. He also carried the mail from Winterbourne, occasionally in the winter season taking his route down the Grand river on the ice. Onå morning he had his legs so severely frozen that he was compelled to give the work up to his son for several months. There was no bridge nearer than Bridgeport, which rendered it rather inconvenient for travelling in high water times. The people in Mr. Stroh's neighborhood at that time had no church nearer than Berlin, and when they attended divine service they were either required to walk or be conveyed over a corduroy road by ox teams, a distance of twelve or thirteen miles. When any of the settlers wanted something in the way of luxuries, such as apples and other domestic fruits and they had the necessary cash, a trip by ox team to the Twenty, a distance of fifty miles, would be in order, and by this same primitive conveyance they would also bring their flour and other supplies from Dundas.

Mr. Stroh says he is still able to walk to Berlin and back, but admits that he cannnot make the trip quite as quick as he could fifty years ago. He has three brothers who are also living at advanced ages. John Stroh, aged 89, of Waterloo township; Henry, of Waterloo, aged 80; Yost, near Elmira, aged 83. Their combined ages make total of 338 years. The farm upon which Mr. Stroh now resides contains about 230 acres, thirty acres of which he cleared himself. It was formerly owned by a man named Crooke who obtained it from the government, but his inability to make both ends meet compelled him to finally relinquish it. The old log house, built many years prior to Mr. Strob's ownership, is still standing, but is not used as a dwelling now as the family are sheltered beneath the roof of a commodious brick residence. The old land mark is one of the oldest in this section.

Conestogo was founded by David Musselman, who, I am informed by those of unimpeachable veracity, the first white man to cross the river at this point. Mr. Musselman had the plot of the village surveyed and laid out in building lots some five of six years prior to 1850, and soon after erected the flouring mill Mr. Musselman was born in Pennsylvania, April 18th, 1789, and with his wife, to whom married in 1821, came to Conestogo in 1819, The dates relating to his birth, marriage and arrival I obtained from the well worn pages of the old family Bible which was printed in Philadelphia in 1816. Some of his descendants still live here Peter Musselman, the eldest son lives on a farm near the village. David is a veterinary surgeon now living in Berlin.

An oat meal mill was one of the early industries In was established by Mr. Wm Hendry, now manager of the Ontario Mutual Life of Waterloo. The enterprise was not a success, owing to doubt, to the sparsely settled farming country around. The building was some time after used as a paint mill by two men named Goodworth and Sills. If I am not incorrectly informed they manufactured mineral paints, etc., and procured the raw material from paint beds near Winterbourne. The business flourished for a few years when it was abandoned. The building was finally destroyed by fire.

Tradition has it that these paint beds were discovered and utilized by the Indians long prior to the advent of white men in this region, it being used for the decoration of various articles and for the purpose of preparing the hideous facial expressions of the warriors when they were about to proceed on the war path.

One of the early industries at the village was a foundry. It was built by Thomas Mulheron, afterwards of Waterloo. It was subsequently owned and operated by Mr. Solomon Kauffman, now of Washington, Oxford County, who exchanged it for a farm to A. G. Gottwaltz, of Hanover.

Hiram Newcombe

Waterloo Chronicle, 25 Nov 1897, p. 4


___________

Zur Erinnerung an Conrad Stroh Gestorben den 13ten Oktober 1899 Im Alter von 88j. 10t. [verse in German]

[Translation: In Memory of Conrad Stroh Died 13th of October,1899, aged 88 years, 10 days.]

Funeral Card

Conrad married Anna Maria "Mary" Oswald 9 Jul 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Philip Jacob Oswald and Margaretha Becker) was born 23 Apr 1821, Wilgartswiesen, Rhein-Baiern, Germany; died 3 Sep 1894, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, Conestogo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/241662240
• Name: Anna Maria "Mary" Stroh
• Name: Maria Oswald
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-115897
• Residence: 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Zur Erinnerung an Anna Maria Stroh Holy Bible Gestorben den 3ten September 1894 im Alter von 74J., 4M., 1(4) T. [verse in German]

[Translation: In Memory of Anna Maria Stroh, Died the 3rd of September,1894, aged 74 years, 4 months and 1(4) days.]

Funeral Card

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-91651
• Residence: 1844, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; weaver
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Directory: 1884, Woolwich Township German Company Tract 053, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1886, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; weaver

Henry married Elisabeth Winter 24 Nov 1844, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elisabeth (daughter of Johannes "John" Winter and Anna Christina Wilker) was born 18 May 1825, , Germany; died 18 Jul 1916, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery (formerly Oswald or Hoffer), Woolwich Tw., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Elizabeth Winter
• Name: Elisabeth Schierholtz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-55732
• Residence: 1844, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Elisabeth reportedly was born in Grebenau, Alsfeld, Hessen, Germany, documentation needed.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54954

John — Eva Dobbrick. Eva was born Abt 1830, Of, Ontario Or Russia; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Eva Libutzke
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54955

Other Events:

• Name: Christian Hardwig
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-173412
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Christian is reported to have been born in Klinck Micklenburg, Deu (Germany), documentation needed.

Christian — Annie Elizabeth "Elizabeth" Wehnes. Annie was born CALC 24 May 1836, , Germany; died 21 May 1917, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Elizabeth "Elizabeth" Hartwig
• Name: Elizabeth Wehnes
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-173411
• Immigration: 1850
• Immigration: 1856, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Mrs. Hartwig, Sr. Passed Away

On Monday, there passed away at her home in Kitchener a former resident of Woolwich in the person of Elizabeth Wehnes, relict of the late Christian Hartwig. Her husband died many years ago, but nine children survive her. They are Elizabeth (Mrs. Fred Lasche) Floradale; Catharine, at home with her mother; Caroline (Mrs. Ezra Lasch), Floradale; John, in Elmira; Mary (Mrs. H. Lebutski), Conestogo; Christian, N. Woolwich; Charles, of Kitchener; Annie and Philippena, at home. She had reached the ripe old age of 81 years, less three days. The funeral service will be held in St. Paul's church, Kitchener, on Friday afternoon, after which the remains will be brought to Elmira. It is expected that the cortege will reach Elmira Union Cemetery about 4 o'clock and local friends will then be given an opportunity to have a last look at the deceased.


Elmira Signet 24 May 1917