Walter R. C. Reiner

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-164297
• Residence: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-52216
• Occupation: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Forman
• Occupation: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant & Manufacturer, Woolen & Knitting Goods
• Residence: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Edward — Wilhelmina Emma "Emma" Fleischauer. Wilhelmina (daughter of John J. Fleischauer and Margarethe Peter) was born 25 Sep 1880, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1964; was buried , First St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Wellesley Village, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Emma Fleischauer
• Name: Wilhelmina Emma "Emma" Reiner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-164295
• Residence: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64179800
• Interesting: pioneer, business, mill, military
• Name: George J. Reiner
• Occupation: Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; woollen and knitten goods manufacturer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-52214
• Military: 1848
• Immigration: 1850, , Canada
• Immigration: 1852
• Residence: 1860, Neustadt, Normanby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1867, 1063 Doering St, Wellesley, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Naturalization: 1867
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Manufacturer
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Naturalization: 1875, , Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Business: 1900, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant Store
• Occupation: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacture Woolens
• Residence: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Immigration: 1921, , Canada
• Occupation: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant & Manufacturer, Woolen & Knitting Goods
• Residence: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

When John George Reiner (1832-1926) arrived in Berlin on October 18, 1852, he was glad his journey had ended, because he had walked from Hamilton. Born in 1832, in the Black Forest, Germany, he had just emigrated to Canada. He spent his last shilling for lodging in Gaukel's Tavern, where the Walper House was later built.

Reiner worked at Mannheim, manufacturing fanning mills and furniture, and then built houses and barns in the United States. In 1858 he returned and again demonstrating his ability to endure lengthy journeys on foot, walked from Goderich to Neustadt, where he built a dam across the Saugeen River and a sawmill. In 1863 he went to Smithville, later Wellesley, operated a flour mill and a sawmill, and altogether during his residence there erected thirty-two buildings, including a woollen mill and general store.

He also organized the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society.

Waterloo County Hall of Fame

_________________

John George Reiner - Autobiography

I was born in the year 1832 in what is known as the Black Forest or Schwarzwald in the Duchy of Baden, Germany. In the fall of 1849, after the revolution in Baden, I went to France, where I spent three years. From there I emigrated in 1852 to Canada, coming directly to Hamilton, Ontario.

The revolution in Baden broke out actively in the latter part of 1848, and continued until toward the end of 1849. One of the main leaders was Carl Hecker, supported by Strube and Brentano, members of the diet. The Grand-duke Leopold fled to Prussia and secured the help of Prince William, grand-father of the present Kaiser, who at the head of a Prussian force invaded Baden in 1849, and defeated the insurgents. It may be interest ing to state here that with the Prussians were Hesse and Nassau soldiers, among whom were John Ulner, who lived here and worked for me in Wellesley for almost half a century and the late Christian Meisner of Kitchener. Hecker, after one of his sharp shooters had killed the Prussian general, during a parley, escaped to Switzerland and from there emigrated to Illinois where he died some years ago. I drilled on the side of the republicans under Hecker in 1849, but was not in any of the engagements.

From Hamilton, I, with two companions, walked to Kitchener (then Berlin) in Waterloo County, arriving there on the 18th day of October, 1852, sixty-five years ago. There I spent the night at George Gaukel's tavern, a small frame hotel on the corner where the Walper House now stands. I paid my last York shilling (l2 l / 2 cents) for my lodging and left the next morning without break fast, walking to Mannheim where my father, who had preceeded me to this country, was working for one Isaac Shantz, making fanning mills and furniture, in which I assisted. Mannheim at that time was a more important place than it is at present. Mr. Shantz had a saw-mill there and a second one was operated by Mr. Jacob Bricker, who, after leaving Mannheim, started the foundry business in Waterloo, which developed into the large implement business there. (Now the Waterloo Manufacturing Co.)

About one year later my father returned to Germany and I went to Michigan and from there to Illinois, being occupied chiefly in building houses and barns. In 1858 I returned to Ontario, going to Neustadt in Grey County. I walked from Goderich, via Lucknow and Walkerton, the trip requiring 2 y 2 days hard travel, mostly through bush with plenty of mosquitoes and few roads, which to me was quite a change from the prairies of Illinois. I remained in Neustadt and the surrounding country for about eight years, and there, among things, I built a dam across the south branch of the Saugeen River, and a sawmill.

After selling out in Neustadt I came to Smithville, now Wellesley, in mid-summer of 1866, 51 years ago, and started to build the first unit of the present woollen mill. To this I added from time to time building nearly every year, as both labor and material were very cheap at that time. Sometime after I bought the flour mill located here from one Lorenz Doering. The Doerings were well known as early settlers in this part of the County and pioneers in Wellesley.

Christopher and Henry Doering, from Phillipsburg, laid out the village of Wellesley and built the flour mill and a sawmill, the dam and water power having been developed by a man named Smith after whom Smithville was named. The Doerings also built and operated a general store and it was this development and their enterprise that induced others to come here and start business, among them Alexander Meyer, tinsmith; Chas. Achtenberg, tailor; John Zoeger from Petersburg, who built a store and a hotel; Peter Berdux and one Freeborn and a man named Smith, all three of whom built hotels. Every one seemed to want to have a hotel. All of these early settlers have long since departed and, hale and hearty, at 85 years of age, I feel as if I were about the only one that is left.

After operating the woollen mill and flour mill a few years, I also built another sawmill and a stave and heading plant, and the first part of the present general store. I may state that I put up 32 structures of one kind and another here in connection with my business.
Among other things, I organized the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society, buying the site and putting up the building for the same.

All the different enterprises I helped to develop have been disposed of, except the woollen mills, which have been increased and added to from time to time, and the general store and hardware business, all of which employ in the neighborhood of 100 hands and are carried on by the firm of Reiner Bros. & Co., Ltd.

First Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 Kitchener, Ontario, pg 64

___________________________


Mr. J. G. Reiner, pioneer merchant and manufacturer, of Wellesley, passed away last Friday in his 94th year. The deceased was born on February 11th, 1832, in Black Forest, Duchy of Baden, Germany, and emigrated to Canada in 1852. Since 1863 he was a resident of Wellesley Village, where he spent an active and industrious life, retiring only three years ago. He started the Wellesley woollen mills, build the saw mill and stave and heading plant, and started the first general store. He erected 32 of the buildings in the community during his lifetime. He started the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society and for many years was untiring in his efforts to secure railway connections for the village. The deceased was widely known and highly respected. He leaves 3 sons and one daughter, G. J. Reiner, Toronto, E. K. Reiner and A. E. Reiner, of Wellesley, and Mrs. E. C. Wagner, Winnipeg. The funeral took place at Wellesley on Monday and was largely attended.

New Hamburg Independent, January 22, 1926

______________

J. G. Reiner.

To those in this vicinity who are intimately acquainted with him personally and his business career, the assertion that Mr. Reiner is the father of Wellesley village will not appear as savoring a particle of vain flattery. From a humble beginning with a small capital he succeeded in building up an industry that in extent has no counterpart in Waterloo county, outside of Waterloo, Berlin and Galt, and I doubt if there is an industry of its size entirely under the control of one individual in any of those towns. Mr. Reiner was born in Germany in 1832 and came to this country in 1852 He commenced business here about thirty-two years ago, having at the time a small woollen mill doing custom work exclusively Being of an enterprising nature, combined with good judgment, foresight and economical traits he gradually made additions as the years went by. To-day he can justly claim that he has reached the goal his ambitious spirit sought, the completion of a mammoth wholesale manufacturing establishment. Mr. Reiner is not possessed of a surplus stock of egotism, and when in conversation pertaining to his successful achievement is not inclined to refer to it as something not beyond the fortune of any ordinary human being. That he is popular with his wage-earners there is unquestionable evidence. During the busy season there are from fifty to sixty persons in his employ, and many of them have been with him for twenty years, and several are now working in the factory who engaged with him thirty years ago. Not only has Mr. Reiner given employment to a large number of its working people, but he has in many ways been instrumental in extending the growth of the village. Now in the 66th year of his age he is taking business life more moderate, though he still adheres to his old time custom of being on hand early and late in case his attention or counsel is required. He has valuable assistance in his three sons, Messrs Edward, Eckhardt and Albert, and metaphorically speaking, they are chips of the old block in a business way.

At one time Mr. Reiner owned and operated the grist mill and a saw mill and stave mill, but he finally sold out those branches of his industrial interests in order to give his undivided attention to his factory and mercantile establishment. The latter was built in 1877 and is a commodious brick structture filled from top to bottom with general merchandise, such as dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hosiery, groceries, &. In this building there is a first class tailoring department where suits of the latest style made from the best foreign and domestic fabrics can be obtained. In the rear of the stores a large two-story frame building, quipped with knitting machines, weaving looms, &c. In this building s a fine millinery emporium and the department for the manufacture of children's cloaks. Of the latter Mr. Reiner makes a specialty for the wholesale market, and he annually manufactures thousands of them. They are of hand some design, there being something like fifty different patterns of fabric used, and all of which are manufactured on the premises. In this department are manufactured hosiery, bicycle hose, sweaters, cardigans, mittens and lumbermen's socks. The latter is also a specialty, of which I noticed stacks completed and ready for shipment, in addition to those in the course of completion. Mr. Reiner also turns out large orders for blankets, horse blankets and tweeds. A good deal of his product in the former line has found its way to the Klondike. In fact the scope of his market extends from Atlantic to Pacific.

Opposite this building on the other side of the street is the old original woollen mill with additions that were subsequently added. Herein are the large spinning jacks, carding machines and other machinery requisite in the modern woollen mill. It also contains a 75 horse power boiler, a 35 horse power engine and a powerful force pump, the latter being used as a protection against fire. Excepting small quantities of fine imported yarns, necessary in the manufacture of certain goods Mr. Reiner produces all the yarn required in the manufacture of his different classes of goods. While be purchases all the Canadian wool that comes to his factory he imports a large amount from Australia and other foreign countries. Across the street from the old woollen mill is the large warehouse. Here I found large stacks of boxes packed with various goods and labeled ready for shipment.

In conclusion I will give the reader some idea of the extent of this industry by simply giving the dimensions of the different buildings which are occu- pied to their utmost limits with either goods or machinery: The old woollen mill, a two-story brick structure, 120 x 30 feet: two story brick storeroom and frame factory, 175 x 30 feet; warehouse two stories and 60 x 30 feet, and a new dye house 25 x 40 feet.

Waterloo County Chronicle, 14 Jul 1898, p. 8


Historic Building:
Reiner/Schmehl House, 1063 Doering Street, Wellesley (formerly 19 Doering Street)

This house was built by John George Reiner, known as the "builder of Wellesley," in 1867. It retains much of its original form except for an addition at the rear.

While maintaining a distinctive Georgian style, the house also has some Classical Revival and Victorian highlights.

The entrance, with its sidelights, transom and fluted pilasters is Classical and the protruding bay window is a nod to the dominant Victorian styles of the day.
Designated March 7, 1984.

Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society - Heritage Wellesley. (2016). Wellesley Township Heritage & Historical Society. Retrieved 26 November 2016, from https://www.wellesleyhistory.org/heritage-wellesley.html

John married Elizabeth Koehler 7 Mar 1867, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of Heinrich "Henry" Koehler and Anna Margaretha "Margaret" Mess) was born 15 Jan 1844, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 2 Oct 1925, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Wellesley Village, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64179908
• Name: Elizabeth Reiner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-52215
• Immigration: 1851
• Immigration: 1852, , Canada
• Immigration: 1853, , Canada
• Residence: 1867, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Naturalization: 1875, , Canada
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

The funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Reiner, beloved wife of Mr. J. G. Reiner of Wellesley was held from her late residence yesterday afternoon from St. Paul's Lutheran church. A pioneer of Waterloo County, Mrs. Reiner passed away Friday after an illness of about five years duration. Deceased was in her 82nd year and had been a resident of Wellesley Tp. since early childhood, coming to this section of the county from Germany when a child of eight. She was married to her bereaved husband 59 years ago. Surviving her besides her husband are three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Emily Wagner, Edward K., Albert E. and George J. Mrs. Reiner was an active church worker and her passing will be deeply regretted by a large circle of friends

October 6, 1925. Page 11

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64103215
• Name: J. J. Fleischauer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-31758
• Residence: 1867, East Zorra Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wagon Maker
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wagon Maker
• Occupation: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ? Maker
• Residence: 1911, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

J. Fleischhauer.

In the carriage and wagon manufacturing industry Wellesley village is fortunate in having an institution of that character well worthy of the patronage of the people. Mr. Fleischhauer has been in business here about thirty years, in fact he has been engaged in Wellesley village the greater portion of his life, having learned his trade here. He made a decided success in this line, and has probably turned out as many vehicles as any other manufacturer in Waterloo county. He has always borne an enviable reputation for turning out honest work and he is prepared to substantiate the statement that his waggons will stand the test with those of the best makers in the country. His shop is a substantial brick structure 62 x 30 feet and two stories high, in addition to which are several large warerooms for housing finished work. They have turned out thirty-two vehicles already this season. In the buggy line they turn out some very fine work. One of these I noticed already finished and ready to be taken out is an exceedingly handsome vehicle. The material used is of the best, and it is ironed and put together in a manner that must be satisfactory to the purchaser who wants something that is both durable and elegantly finished. But this is the secret of Mr. Fleischhauer's long and successful business career - he will not let inferior work go out of his shop. He also does a general line of blacksmithing and has a first class horseshoer employed. While his work can be classed among the best his prices are not extortionate, and all orders are promptly attended to

Waterloo County Chronicle, 21 Jul 1898, p. 8

John married Margarethe Peter 1 Oct 1867, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margarethe (daughter of John Peter and Margarethe Weitershaus) was born 1849, Arnshain, , Hessen, Germany; died 30 Apr 1897; was buried , First St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Wellesley Village, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64844518
• Name: Margarethe Fleischauer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-123957
• Residence: 1867, East Zorra Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-51946
• Occupation: 1852, Mannheim, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; carpenter
• Immigration: 1854, , Germany

Notes:

John George Reiner - Autobiography

... From Hamilton, I, with two companions, walked to Kitchener (then Berlin) in Waterloo County, arriving there on the 18th day of October, 1852, sixty-five years ago. There I spent the night at George Gaukel's tavern, a small frame hotel on the corner where the Walper House now stands. I paid my last York shilling (l2 l / 2 cents) for my lodging and left the next morning without break fast, walking to 'Mannheim where my father, who had preceeded me to this country, was working for one Isaac Shantz, making fanning mills and furniture, in which I assisted. Mannheim at that time was a more important place than it is at present. Mr. Shantz had a saw-mill there and a second one was operated by Mr. Jacob Bricker, who, after leaving Mannheim, started the foundry business in Waterloo, which developed into the large implement business there. (Now the Waterloo Manufacturing Co.)

About one year later my father returned to Germany and I went to Michigan and from there to Illinois, being occupied chiefly in building houses and barns. In 1858 I returned to Ontario, going to Neustadt in Grey County. I walked frm Goderich, via Lucknow and Walkerton, the trip requiring 2 y 2 days hard travel, mostly through bush with plenty of mosquitoes and few roads, which to me was quite a change from the prairies of Illinois. I re mained in Neustadt and the surrounding country for about eight years, and there, among things, I built a dam across the south branch of the Saugeen River, and a sawmill. ...


First Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 Kitchener, Ontario, pg 64

Christian — Anna Maria Heinzmann. Anna was born Abt 1802, , Schwarzwald, Baden, Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Maria Reiner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-51947

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64746975
• Name: Henry Koehler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76251
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; R. Lutheran

Heinrich — Anna Margaretha "Margaret" Mess. Anna was born 15 Feb 1819, , Germany; died 5 Oct 1895, , Ontario, Canada; was buried , First St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Wellesley Village, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/259686856
• Name: Anna Margaretha "Margaret" Koehler
• Name: Margaret Mess
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76288
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; R. Lutheran
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Name: John Fleischauer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-31755
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Johannes married Anna Maria "Maria" "Mary" Jungblut 1840, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna was born 1822, , Germany; died 21 May 1904, Gadshill, North Easthope Twp., Perth Co., Ontario; was buried , Saint Peters Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Gadshill, North Easthope Twp., Perth Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Maria "Maria" "Mary" Fleischauer
• Name: Maria Yungblut
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-31756
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Mrs. John Fleischhauer, Sr.

At Gadshill, on Saturday, May 21st, 1904, Anna Marie Jungblut, relict to the late John Fleischhauer, aged 81 years, two months and one day.

Mrs. Fleischhauer was one of the very oldest settlers of this section. She arrived from Germany with the family in 1837, when she was fourteen years old, settling near Berlin. In her early maidenhood she was married to Mr. John Fleischhauer, who died at Gadshill in 1891. The marriage occurred in the then hamlet of Waterloo, and the young couple lived west of that town, on the St. Agatha road for some years, when they moved to a farm in North Easthope, west of Hampstead. Here they lived for a long term of years, the children receiving their education in the Hampstead School. About fifteen years ago they retired to Gadshill. She was the mother of twelve children, ten boys and two girls: Christ J., in Reed City, Mich.; John J., Wellesley; George, Tavistock; Otto, Wellesley; Adam, in Bright; Henry, in Zurich; Louis, Wellesley; Fred, present address unknown; Jacob, Gadshill; Mrs. John E. Ratz, Gadshill; Andrew, died in childhood, and Mrs. Con. Faulhafer, of Gadshill. Besides she leaves as descendants 57 grandchildren, nearly all of whom were present at the funeral. The remains were interred at Gadshill on May 24th, the six eldest sons acting as pall bearers, Louis being substituted for Otto whose health did not permit him to act. Deceased was an earnest, warm-hearted woman and the upright character of her large family is a living testimonial of her worth.

Wellesley Maple Leaf May 26 1904 pg 3

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-124390

John — Margarethe Weitershaus. Margarethe was born Abt 1820, of, Arnsheim, Grand Dutchy of Hessia, Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margarethe Peter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-124401