Esther Lang

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-207535
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Interesting: Life Story, public service
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38060
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dancer
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer, Tannery
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; life insurance director, humanitarian

Notes:

Louis Lacourse Lang was born in Kitchener in 1880 the son of C.H. Lang and Minnie Lacourse, but lived in Galt for over sixty years. He was the president of the Lang Tanning Co., was a co-founder of the Freeport Sanitorium and was a member of the Galt Public Library Board from 1913 to 1942. He served as president of the Canadian Manufacturers Association and was Chairman of the Board of Sunshine Office Equipment Ltd., of the Freeport Sanitorium, and of The Waterloo Trust and Savings Company. He was the Honourary President of both the Ontario Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Waterloo County Health Association and was a member of the Board of Governors of the Ontario Research Foundation. He was an honourary governor of the University of Western Ontario, a director of Canadian General Electric Co., of Shurly-Dietrich Atkins Ltd., of the Steel Co. of Canada, of the Supertest Petroleum Corporation Ltd., of the Canadian Pacific Electric Lines, of the Canadian Pacific Railway, of the Bank of Montreal and The Galt Brass Co. Ltd. At the time of his death he was also the honourary chairman of the Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada, having first become a member of the board in 1922. In addition to his business pursuits, Mr. Lang was a patron of the Boy Scouts Association of Canada and helped to establish Peacehaven Camp. In appreciation of his efforts on behalf of the Boy Scouts, Mr. Lang was awarded the Silver Wolf Badge, the highest honour bestowed by the Boy Scouts. Mr. Lang died on February 25, 1965 and is buried in Mount View Cemetery.


Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge

Louis married Gertrude Olive "Gerty" Dietrich 19 Aug 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Gertrude (daughter of Jerome Colwell Dietrich and Selena Palmer) was born 21 Oct 1875, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Interesting: public service, life story
• Name: Gertrude Olive "Gerty" Lang
• Name: Gerty Dietrich
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65753
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; humanitarian

Notes:

Gertrude Dietrich Lang was born in Galt, the daughter of Jerome C. Dietrich and Serena Palmer. Described as an energetic worker and often a leader of community undertakings, Mrs. Lang founded the Silver Star Society and served as the organization's secretary-treasurer. She was closely involved in the Girl Guides and served as District Commissioner in Galt for twenty four years. In addition, she served as the Guides' South Waterloo Divisional Commissioner. Mrs. Lang was awarded the Guide's Medal of Merit for her untiring work and competent leadership. In 1953 she was presented with the Bronze Beaver, the highest award available from the Girl Guide movement. Mrs. Lang was also a patron of the Stratford Festival Foundation of Canada and was one of the founding members of the Shakespeare Club. She was also a member of the Red Cross Society, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Galt Family Service Bureau, the South Waterloo Humane Society and the Cancer Society. Mrs. Lang died on January 6, 1968 and is buried on Mount View Cemetery.


Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge

Other Events:

• Interesting: business, building
• Name: C. H. Lang
• Occupation: Lang Tanning Co., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tanner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38058P
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Historic Building: Abt 1885, 76 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Obertholtzer-Lang House
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Business: 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lang Tanning Company
• Residence: 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer, Leather
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer, Tannery
• Residence: 1921, 76 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Notes:

GEO. C. H. LANG,

PRESIDENT OF THE LANG TANNING Co., Limited.

Mr. Geo. C. H. Lang, the President of the Lang Tanning Co., is one of Berlin' most prominent citizens and business men. Born in Berlin in 1851, he became a partner in, and manager of the firm of R. Lang & Son in 1873. Under Mr. Lang's guidance the business has grown enormously as can be readily gathered from a glance at the views on another page, showing the premises in 1876 and in 1906, respectively. The Lang Tanning Co. manufactures harness leather and are by long odds the biggest people in their line in Canada. Their output supplies about one half of the entire Canadian trade. Their plant, which was recently enlarged is readily conceded to be one of the best, if not the best equipped on the American Continent. Mr. Lang represented Berlin in the County Council for a number of years, serving most acceptably as Chairman of the Educational committee. He has been president and manager of his company since 1893.

Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir

________________

Prominent Tanner George C. H. Lang Dies At Kitchener

Pioneer Tanner Born at Kitchener in 1851. - Served Many Years in Public Life. - Known in Leather Circles throughout the World.

EIGHT CHILDREN SURVIVE

George C. H. Lang, pioneer leather tanner, President of the largest harness leather Tannery in the British Empire, outstanding citizen and prominent church worker, died at his home in Kitchener yesterday morning, at the age of 85 years. The late Mr. Lang, born in Berlin (now Kitchener) in 1851, served many years on municipal boards and councils, and was very well known in many parts of the world as well as in his native community.

Father Started Tannery

Mr. Lang was born in Berlin April 13, 1851. His father, the late Reinhold Lang, had come from Germany the previous year with his bride, the former Barbara Vogt, and started a tannery in a small building near the corner of King and Ontario streets on the site of the present Canadian Block.

The modest family home was in the same structure until, a few years later, the tannery was moved to Francis street, its present location. The family then moved to a brick residence at the corner of King and Francis streets.

George Lang, the eldest son, learned the tanning business from his father and some years later became his partner, the firm adopting the name of R. Lang and Son. Following the father's death, the business was incorporated under the name of the Lang Tanning Co., Ltd. The shareholders were the four sons, George, William, John and August, together with the one daughter, the late Mrs. Mary Kaiser. George, as president and later as chairman of the board, managed the business ever since, first with the assistance of his three brothers and later with his four sons. He maintained his close contact with the business to the very end.

In the course of years the Lang tannery has become the biggest harness leather plant in the British Empire. The manufacture of sole leather was introduced as time went on. Mr. Lang himself was a recognized authority in his business throughout Canada. For a number of years he was chairman of tanners' section of the Toronto Board of Trade.

Mr. Lang was head of the Canadian Patriotic Fund drive during the Great War period.

Served On Council

Mr. Lang took active interest in church, school and municipal life. He was for many years on the trustee board of St. Mary's Church as well as an active member of the separate school board for over 30 years. In public life as member of the town council, county council and board of trade he devoted his time and talents to advancing the interests of his home town and its citizens.

From 1884 until his death he was an active member of the board of directors of the Economical Fire Mutual Insurance Co. In 1902 he was made vice-president and in 1922 he was elected president. His indefatigable interest in insurance matters was largely instrumental in making the Economical one of the outstanding mutual companies in Canada.

The deceased was twice married, first in 1880 to Miss Minnie Lacourse and, following her demise in 1892, to Miss Eleanor Foley. For many years after his first marriage he lived in the frame house still standing on the west side of Francis street across from the tannery. Later he moved to Charles street and then to Queen street North. It is noteworthy that his first home after his marriage was also the first home of each of his three brothers following their marriage.

Louis L. Lang of Galt, president of the Lang Tanning Co. and vice- president of the Mutual Life Assurance Co., and Mrs. Edward Stoody of Ottawa, are the surviving children of the first marriage. Children from the second marriage are: Reinhold, of Waterloo, and Jerome, of Kitchener, both vice-presidents of the Lang Tanning Co.; George W., of Kitchener, a director of the company; Mrs. William J. Seitz and Mrs. St. Clair McEvenue, both of Toronto, and Mrs. Frank Couzens, wife of Mayor Couzens of Detroit. There are 41 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

The funeral is being held on Friday at ten o'clock to St. Mary's church with interment in the Woodlawn cemetery.

Waterloo Chronicle 16 Jul 1936, p. 4

Historic Building:
Built in the 1880's by G.V. Oberholtzer in was in the Queen Ann Revival style. Purchased by G. R. Lang about 1900 it was extensively remodelled and enlarged. The house was demolished about 1940.

George married Mary Olivia LaCourse 5 Oct 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Judge Anthony LaCourse and Mary Dormer) was born 30 Apr 1855, Picton, Hallowell Twp., Prince Edward Co., Ontario; died 9 Nov 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Olivia Lang
• Name: Minnie LaCourse
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-88963
• Residence: 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• Business: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Shurly & Dietrich
• Interesting: business, education, mill,
• Name: J. C. Dietrich
• Residence: 90 Kenmore Ave., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65751
• Occupation: 1875, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; saw manufacturer
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Business: 1884, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Maple Leaf Saw Works
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Maker
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer

Notes:

Jerome C. Dietrich was born and raised on a farm near Rochester, New York. He attended Clover Street Seminary & Webster Academy. At age 18 received a permit to teach. Taught 5 winters at Victor, New York. He entered the saw business with D. R. Barton of Rochester, New York. In 1866 he became a traveller for the J. Flint Co. of Rochester after being offered another job, his employer countered with a raise and part ownership. As a result of a disagreement he sold his ownership and with other owner Cosmos J. Shurly came to Galt to set up their own company in 1873. They formed Shurly-Dietrich Ltd to manufacture the Maple Leaf brand saws. In 1877 he invented the lance tooth cross cut saw with was the world's fastest shipped over the world. He eventually bought out the entire company and also serve the city of Galt on its council, hospital trust, horse show.

Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

______________

Shurley & Dietrich, manufacturers of saws, plastering trowels, &c. Mr. Shurley was born in London, England, in 1834, and has resided here since 1873. Mr. J. C. Dietrich is a native of Ontario County, New York State. Born, 1838, and came here the same year as his partner.

Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881

Jerome — Selena Palmer. Selena was born 16 Jul 1852, Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States; died 28 Jun 1934, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 30 Jun 1934, Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Selena Dietrich
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65752
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10129401
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-75939P
• Immigration: 1847, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tanner
• Elected Office: 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Possessions: 1880, 410 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tanner
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Historic Building: 2006, 151 Charles St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lang Tannery redevelopment
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tanner

Notes:

The founder of The Lang Tanning Company Limited, Reinhold Lang, came to Berlin (now Kitchener) from a small village in the German Rhineland with his eldest son George, and established a small tannery in 1849. The tannery was located on Foundry (now Ontario) Street in Berlin, and was moved to an area between Wilmot (now Victoria) and Francis Streets after fire destroyed the original plant. This area was chosen because there was a natural spring there that could be used as water supply for the tannery. The Lang Tanning Company then went on to become the largest sole leather producer in the British Empire, and Reinhold Lang, who was also a member of the Berlin Council in 1859, became a prominent local citizen. During the First World War, Lang Tanning produced huge amounts of saddle material, and in the Second World War it supplied sole leather and leather linings for aircraft gasoline tanks. The company discontinued operations as a tannery in 1954 due to competition from synthetic materials, but kept its five-acre downtown site and complex of 35 buildings until 1974, when the property was sold to Ball Brothers Limited (a Kitchener contracting firm). In 1954, at the time that the Lang Tanning Company ceased operations, Jerome Lang was president, and Reinhold (Bun) Lang was Chairman of the Board. In 1974, at which time the President of the company was Reinhold (Bun) Lang, the company held a final meeting where they wound up business: the payment of bills, the disposition of assets, and the surrender of the 1917 charter to the Federal Government.

University of Waterloo website rarebook collection (2009) https://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/discipline/SpecColl/archives/LangTanning.html

________________________________-

Digital hub to set up shop in Tannery building

March 02, 2010 By Rose Simone, Record staff

KITCHENER - It's official. The new centre that is being created to foster the development of the digital media economy in Waterloo Region will make its home in the redeveloped historic Lang Tannery building in downtown Kitchener. After months of speculation the centre would be a tenant in the Tannery building, it was officially announced today that The Communitech Hub: Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator, more commonly known as The Hub, will lease 30,000 square feet of space in the building at Victoria and Joseph streets.
The building, owned by Toronto-based developer Candan, has been undergoing a massive $30-million redevelopment. The digital hub is expected to move in this summer.

The centre will partly be an incubator to grow early stage companies that are developing new digital media products, said Kevin Tuer, vice-president of digital media for Communitech, a technology association in Waterloo Region. In addition to the 5,700 square feet of space devoted to the new enterprises, the centre will also have 3,000 square feet of "partner lab space" for large established technology companies, such as Christie Digital, Open Text, Agfa Healthcare and Research in Motion, Tuer said. They will use the space to showcase technologies and foster potential partnerships with the startups.

"It is all about spurring innovation," said Tuer, also director of the Canadian Digital Medial Network. "The larger, established companies might give them a platform from which they can build out and roll out their products." "There is a lot of excitement building around the creation of an environment where some of these relationships can take hold," he said. "We are already getting interest in terms of companies willing to move in." Digital media is being broadly defined to include not just computer games and social media, but also digital tools that can help health care, finance, mineral exploration and other sectors collect, organize and visualize data.

The centre will also be used for events. There will be space for speakers and meetings, state-of-the-art videoconferencing capabilities and experts on hand to help the new businesses grow. The digital media centre will open sometime this summer, Tuer said. It will operate using a similar model as the Accelerator Centre in the University of Waterloo Research and Development Park, Tuer said. The centre in Kitchener is part of a larger digital media hub that includes the University of Waterloo Stratford Institute in Stratford, which will graduate students who will work in digital media.

The centre in Kitchener represents an investment of more than $100 million, Tuer said, with money and in-kind donations being pledged over the next five years by the Ontario and federal governments, the City of Kitchener and industry partners. Businesses will also pay a fee to have a space in the hub, Tuer said. "Our intent is to have it be self-sustaining." With the global digital media market expected to grow into a $2.2 trillion industry, the various levels of government are keen to have Canada and Ontario primed to grab part of that market. "I think this is the next step in our evolution," Tuer said.


The Waterloo Record 2 Mar 2010

_________________________________


REINHOLD LANG, one of the oldest and most respected German inhabitants of the city of Berlin, died quite unexpectedly at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning of a bladder infection, from which he had been suffering for about a week. A native of Waibstadt, Baden, he emigrated to America with his wife in 1847, arrived in Berlin after a short stay in the United States, and began here the tanning business, on a small scale, on the spot where the Canadian Block now stands. After several years, he founded the present large tannery, which he has managed in recent times, together with his eldest son. A large number of friends and acquaintances, who had, in part, come from great distances, followed his funeral procession Tuesday, to the church and the graveside.

BERLINER JOURNAL- October 18,1883. (p.4 - col. 1), translated by the Kitchener Public Library

____________________

King Street , North Side

From Francis to Water Street.

The ground was used by H. F. J. Jackson for stabling, etc., on his contract for building the Grand Trunk Railway through a large part of Waterloo County. Later he built his residence on this plot.

The plot east of Water Street was used as a drill ground by the Berlin Volunteer Company of the Waterloo Battalion, 1864-67. They mostly drilled in the evenings and had some quite young volunteers, Jacob Stroh, 16 years, one of them. The trustees of the New Jerusalem Church bought the corner in 1869 and in 1870 erected the present Church. This had the first pipe organ in Berlin, built by Claus Maas of Preston.

Haller's hat and felt-working shop. He made the first felt boots and shoes, worn largely by the farmers, in winter, in this vicinity.

Open space up to Henry Brickner's house.

A frame building one and one-half story high and located a little back of the street. Later a brick building was erected on the open space. At the westerly corner of Young Street Mr. Bricker built a cooperage in 1860.

At the easterly corner of Young and King Streets was Wendell Brunner's blacksmith shop, a rough frame building. Behind it, on Young Street, was another frame building used as a waggon shop by Christian Huinbrecht.

Vacant place and next a three story brick building, lengthwise with King Street, divided into two parts, used as stores for a short time. Later it was a paint shop and still later a warehouse for the Simpson factory across the road. The third floor of this building was the first habitat of the Berlin Militia, organized in 1864 at the time of the American Civil War. Colonel Pickering was the first drill master. He was sent from England to drill the Canadian Militia. The local company had at first no rifles and had to use Wooden substitutes for their drills.

A three story brick building erected by C. Schneucker and used as a hotel. The third floor was a large hall used for a number of years, for balls and concerts. Paul Schmidt moved into the building in 1860. It was then called the Schneucker and Schmidt Hotel. A later landlord was Mr. Zinger and the name was changed to The North American Hotel. Toward the rear and just east of the Hotel was a barn and horse shed, with wide approach from King Street.

A one and one-half story frame house 15 or 20 feet back from the street line with gable and veranda facing King Street, occupied by Paul Schmidt and later by his widow.

A very early building one and one-half story, rough cast; the dwelling of Sam Trout, a blacksmith. A later occupant was James Godbold, son of Godbold who lived on the corner of Wellington and King Streets. Jacob, son of James, brakeman on the Grand Trunk, was killed while on top of a freight car in St. Mary's, the train passing under a low bridge which Godbold did not see as he was looking at a circus beside the track.

A tailor shop was also in this building which stood originally at the corner of Foundry and King Streets.

A two story brick building with gable toward King Street and occupied by Henry Gauntley. On the second floor there was a paint shop and at the rear a wagon shop.

A brick building, the blacksmith shop, for many years, of Sam Trout.

A vacant lot.

At the Foundry St. corner a frame building, Reinhold Lang's tannery with his house, alongside, one and one-half story with frame porch. Later Mr. Lang moved his business to Charles Street, the site of the present Lang Tanning Co. plant. Jacob Y. Shantz erected the Canadian Block, three story brick, corner of King and Foundry Streets, in 1856. The front was set back from the street line and had a verandah extending to the edge of the sidewalk. There were three stores, the corner, Cole and Graf, druggists; then Wm. Young, groceries and liquors; and next H. S. Huber, general store. The old blacksmith shop was used as a warehouse by Huber.

The Canadian Block while still fairly new, burned down about 1862 in the Spring. The fire started in the corner drug store, during the night. The walls remained standing after the fire was out but were considered dangerous and were pulled down by the firemen. One wall, in this operation, fell on H. S. Huber's warehouse, which had not been burned and in which he had large quantities of supplies. The firemen were blamed for not having notified Huber so that he could have removed his goods before the wall was thrown over.


REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

___________________

QUEEN STREET SOUTH, EAST SIDE.

On the corner of King Street Rehscher's vaulted cellar already spoken of.

An open space.

A two-story rough-cast building with two-story veranda along the Queen Street front built by Martin Anthes (father of John S. Anthes) in 1835 when it was considered one of the best houses in the village. Henry Stroh purchased this house from Mr. Anthes about 1837. Jacob Stroh was born in this house. Behind it there was a garden of about an acre of land. There were 31 pine stumps on the property when Mr. Stroh took possession and these stumps had to be laboriously removed as stump- pulling machines, which came later, were not then available. The well on the lot was only nine feet deep. Henry Stroh carried on a shoe shop in his house until he entered into partnership with Carl Kranz, on King Street.

In 1857, after he had dissolved partnership with Kranz, Henry Stroh built a one and one-half story frame building next to his house and used it as a shoe store. Mr. Stroh continued in this shoe business until 1863 when he went into partnership with Mr. Reinhold Lang, the tanner. The Queen Street shoe shop was changed to a dwelling. Later Mr. Vanderhart, a tailor, had his shop in this building and after him Carl Englehart had it as photographer. Henry Stroh sold his house to George King. Later Charles Ahrens owned it and had it moved to the corner of Shanley and Braun Streets about 1880.

A one and one-half story frame building erected about 1837 by Jacob Kraemer, later on Frederick Street, as spoken of. Later an addition was added to the front and the building used as the local post office, with William Davidson in charge. Later George Seip purchased the building and used it as a saloon, with a bowling alley in the rear, the first bowling alley in Berlin. William Jaffray lived in the house for a time and later William Knell, son-in-law of Mr. Seip.

A one and one-half story frame building, originally a cooper shop, later the dwelling of Mr. Seip, after he sold the other building. In 1860 he built a brewery, known as Seip's brewery. Under the whole building he had a vaulted cellar built of field stone. Power for the brewery was supplied by a horse-power contained in an attached shed, shelter for the horses. Seip had a high reputation for good beer. He at first made his own malt, but later purchased it. After George Seip's death his son Louis continued the business until about 1880. The building was finally torn down to make room for the present auditorium.

The cooper shop, a small one story building, with brick chimney such as coopers used to heat staves for their barrel making, operated by Henry Brickner who later had his shop at the corner of Young and King Streets. Later Adam Stein had the Queen Street cooper shop. The Berlin coopers were experts in the making of what was called tight-wear,that is water-tight barrels, in large tuns which they made for the brewers.

A very early building, occupied by John Peters, a cabinet maker in Hoffman's factory, about 1860. The building had an outside stairway at the back. Peters was a bird lover and expert in trapping native song birds, mocking birds, cat birds, finches, etc., which he hung under his veranda roof in public display.

On the corner of Church Street a frame house occupied by Mr. Knechtel, a weaver, about 1842-1850. Knechtel moved to a farm in Mannheim where later he was injured in the spine by a falling tree to such an extent that he was bedfast for fourteen or fifteen years. He lived to about 1871. Conrad Doering occupied the Queen Street house for a time. He also was a weaver and made coverlets, etc. The house was torn down to make room for the present one of brick built by Dr. Clemens and later occupied by the late Dr. Walters.

Church Street.

On the south side St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

A one and one-half story unpainted frame building with gable towards the street, the dwelling, about 1860, of John Fleischauer, a laborer, a native of Hessen, Germany.

A one and one-half story house occupied by E. Kern, cabinet maker, about 1860 and later by John Ansted.

A vacant lot.

George Street.

Joseph Schneider originally owned all the land between George Street and Mill Street, mostly woods at that time, and extending to Benton and Eby Streets.


REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

_______________

Between Wilmot and Francis Streets there were no buildings until 1850 when Reinhold Lang moved his tannery there from Foundry Street, now Ontario Street. Mr. Lang built for himself a two- story brick house with verandah the entire length of the building on the southerly corner of Francis and King Streets in 1855. The ground between Wilmot and Francis Streets was springy and so desirable for a tannery. The water supply was good, keeping filled a sump or water-hole dug out twelve feet square.

About half way in the block from Francis to Water Street was a dwelling occupied by Frederick Lake, mason, about 1855.

REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

Elected Office:
Years Served: 1859-61, 1865, 1874, 1877

Possessions:
Sold to Bruno Schmidt

Reinhold married Maria Barbara "Babette" "Barbara" Vogt 9 Jun 1846, Mosbach, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Maria was born 10 Mar 1822, , Germany; died 29 Jan 1890, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50266039
• Name: Babbet Vogt
• Name: Barbara Vogt
• Name: Maria Barbara "Babette" "Barbara" Lang
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-75944
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• Interesting: law
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-132055
• Residence: 1871, Lindsay, Ops Twp., Victoria Co., Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1874, 108 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sonneck House
• Occupation: 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Junior Judge
• Residence: 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1879, 55 Margaret Avenue, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; County Judge
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; County Judge
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Notes:

ANTHONY LACOURSE Judge of the County Court of the County of Waterloo, was born in September, 1830, at Berthier, Province of Quebec. He commenced his education at the Grammar School, Picton, Ont., and continued and completed it at Regiopolis College, Kingston. After finishing his education he began the study of law with the late Thomas Kirkpatrick, Esq., Queen's Counsel, Kingston. He was called to the Bar in the Easter Term in the year 1855, and commenced to practice at Lindsay, where he remained for some years in possession of a large and profitable clientage. While residing in Lindsay, he was elected mayor for three years in succession. He also held the office of Clerk of the Peace and County Crown Attorney until he received the appointment of Junior Judge of the County of Waterloo. In March, 1888, on the death of the late judge, he was appointed to the vacant office, which he has since filled with the dignity and ability appropriate to the high position. Mr. Lacourse was married to Mary, daughter of the late J. Dormer, M.D., Kingston. She died, and he married Frances, daughter of the late Col. Baldwin, of Toronto.

The Canadian Album, Men of Canada Vol. 1, 1891, pg 323

________________________________________

Judge Lacourse

On Tuesday morning, shortly after 8am, the senior judge of the county, Anthony Lacourse, passed away after a lengthy illness; he had been ill for a lengthy period of time and had admitted himself in July to a clinic in Dansville N.Y. close to the Kneipp Institute there. However, his condition did not improve, and soon after he returned home, he became so seriously ill that little hope for his recovery remained.

Judge Lacourse was born in Berthier, Province of Quebec, on December 22nd, 1830; his father came from France and his mother was from the Dame family of Montreal. He attended a college in Kingston and studied law there, where he was called to the bar in 1855. He practised for a year in Picton and then moved to Lindsay where, for several years, he held several prominent positions, among them, that of mayor. In 1873, he was named the Judge for Waterloo County by the Macdonald administration, and since then, he has graced this position with enthusiasm and a love of justice.

Judge Lacourse was married twice. Five children were born from his first marriage to Mary Dormer, of whom the daughters, Mrs., G. Lang of Berlin and Mrs. A. Foerster of Doon are already deceased. The sons, John of Omaha, Nebraska, George of Berlin, and Anthony of Wallaceburg are still living. In 1878, the judge was married for the 2nd time to Fannie Baldwin of Toronto, who survives him. The burial will take place on Friday, after a funeral mass at 10.00am in St. Mary's church, at the Catholic cemetery^.

Berliner Journal 10 Sep 1896 pg 4 Col 2 Translated by: Patricia J. Kauk

_______________________

Queen Street North, West Side

Gaukel's well at the corner of the hotel shed, the corner being later built up as the Bowman Block, now the Bank of Montreal.

A brick warehouse belonging to the corner store of the Bowman Block. First occupants of this store were Bowman and Heins, later H. S, Huber and then by Huber and Roy.

Opposite the Breithaupt leather store stood a one-story brick building, Dr. Pipe's surgery and later Dr. Wright's.

A two-storey brick house lengthwise with Queen Street and with veranda on two sides, the veranda a few steps above the ground, occupied by Henry Schaefer. In 1871 Dr. Pipe lived in this house. Among other things Dr. Pipe kept bees, although he was quite afraid of them. Dr. Pipe and Henry Stroh succeeded in bringing the first Italian queen bee to this part of the country.

A lane.

A handsome brick house, gable roof, lengthwise with the street, the corners faced with limestone from Guelph, erected by Joseph Hobson, the surveyer, in 1860. Hobson eventually was Chief Engineer of the Great Western Railway and when that was merged with the Grand Trunk he became Chief Engineer of the latter Company and was among other things Chief Engineer of the Sarnia tunnel. Alexander MacPherson, editor and publisher of the Berlin Telegraph, later lived in the house. The site is now occupied by the head office of the Economical Fire Insurance Company.

A two-story red frame building well back from the street built probably before 1850 by Peter Eby, identified with the "Deutsche Canadier" and with the early days of the "Telegraph". Dr. Eggert, homeopath, lived in the house 1859-1860 and later John Klippert, high constable and county bailiff.

One and a half story brick building at the corner of Duke and Queen Streets occupied by a Mr. Von Ebenau and wife and later for a number of years by Michael Jaehle, a blacksmith. The site is now occupied by the Daily Record building.

Duke Street.

A large handsome building trimmed with cut stone built in 1860 by David S. Shoemaker of Bridgeport who was county registrar, The building was intended for a bank and agent's residence and so used first by the Commercial Bank which failed and later by the Merchants Bank of which R. N, Rogers was agent for a number of years. Some time later Dr. H. S. Lackner acquired the property and used it as residence and surgery. After Dr. Lackner's death the property was sold to the present occupants, the Langleys of Toronto.


building, colonial style, with large posts at the front carrying the projecting roof, erected in 1848-49, the Waterloo Township Hall, the land for which was donated by Frederick Gaukel. General public meetings were held in this hall, among others meetings purposing to have Berlin named as county town. After consummation of this a banquet was held in the hall, which was occasionally used for such purpose. The occasion of this particular banquet was the laying of the corner stone of the new county buildings in 1852. 100 guests were present and there were a number of patriotic toasts. Later the building was used as a printing office, the "Deutsche Canadier" and the "Telegraph" being printed there for a time. Eventually the building was remodelled and enlarged and became the Methodist Church. In 1904 the St. Matthews Lutheran congregation purchased the property and later the First English Lutheran Church, which still continues in the building.

Behind the present Kitchener Public Library, occupying the site of his ornamental garden, and still standing is Dr. Scott's residence, built in 1855. Henry Rothaermel was the contractor. Dr. Scott was the first warden of the county and first reeve of Berlin. After his death the house was occupied by M. C. Schofield who married Dr. Scott's widow. Later Israel Bowman, for many years county clerk and town clerk of Berlin, acquired the property and lived there.

Weber Street.

On the corner the Presbyterian Church first built 1860-61 at a size of 36 ft. by 50 ft., cost $4,500 and seating 175 persons. Rev. John McMeekin was an early minister.

A two-story red brick building lengthwise with Queen Street, built 1855-56, the house of H. S. Huber.

Simon Roy's house, also red brick, one and one-half story high, both of these houses were set back from the street. Mr. Roy was nurseryman and florist.

A one-story double house lengthwise with Queen Street.

Before Ahrens Street was continued westerly across Queen Street there was on the site a two-story unpainted weather-boarded building, the house of John Dopp.

frame building, similar to Dopp's, the house of Christina Bloch, a widow who lived there for many years.

A frame building, similar to Dopp's, but with gable facing Queen Street, the house of August Vetter, painter and paper-hanger.

A vacant lot later owned by Louis Breithaupt who built, on the corner of Margaret Avenue, a residence for Judge Lacourse.

Margaret Avenue.

On Margaret Avenue a short distance westerly from Queen Street was the Moxley farm with house and barn. The barn was later moved to Lexington by Henry Stroh who bought it to replace one that had been struck by lightning. On the corner of Ellen Street a brick house occupied in the early days by Rev. Mr. Savage, Methodist minister, and later by John Hoffman, Jr., a druggist.

Ellen Street.

REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

___________

LACOURSE.

His Honor Judge LaCourse died on Tuesday morning after an illness of several months, Anthony LaCourse, senior Judge of Waterloo County, was born at Berthier, Province of Quebec, Sept. 22nd, 1830. He was educated at Picton Grammar School and Kingston College, Kingston. He took up the study of law and was called to the bar in 1855 and practised one year at Picton and then removed to Lindsay where he practised seventeen years. He held the office of Superintendent of Schools. Mayor of the Town for three years, and County Crown Attorney and Clerk of the Peace from 1863 to 1873. In October 1873 he was appointed Judge of the County of Waterloo by Sir John A. MacDonald's Administration, the duties of which position he faithfully discharged.

He was first married in 1853 to Mary, daughter of John Darmer, M. D., late of Kingston, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. He was married a second time December 28th, 1878, to Fanny, fourth daughter of the late Col. J. C. Baldwin, Toronto, who survives him.

The funeral will take place on Friday, Sept. 11th, at 10a.m., from the family residence on Margaret avenue, Berlin.

Waterloo Chronicle , 10 Sep 1896, p. 4


Historic Building:
Named "Sonneck" this house was built in 1874 as a leased residence by Louis Brethaupt. Two stories and made of brick it is one of the last homes in Kitchener, owned by Louis Breithaupt's eldest son, Louis Jacob and was purchased upon his marriage. Strong Italianate features reflect Breihaupt's American architectural background. It contained some of best stained glass in the city. In 1978 it was recorded as being in very condition.

Historic Building:
Built by Louis Breihaupt in 1879-1881 for Judge Lacourse, later owners included Dilman Shantz & Judge Herne. In 1978 is was listed in very good condition built of brick it is in the Renaissance Revival style.

Anthony — Mary Dormer. Mary was born 1836, Kingston, Frontenac Co., Ontario, Canada; died 8 May 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary LaCourse
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-366471
• Residence: 1871, Lindsay, Ops Twp., Victoria Co., Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: dnf-25584

Jacob — Caldwell. was born Abt 1808, of, Victor, Ontario, New York, USA; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Dietrich
• Eby ID Number: dnf-85991