Col. John George "George" Hespeler

Other Events:

• Interesting: politics, mill, brewer-distill, public service
• Name: George Hespeler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-34966
• Residence: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Christian
• Elected Office: 1863, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve of Hespeler
• Elected Office: 1864, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor of Hespeler
• Residence: 1864, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Elected Office: 1865, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve of Hespeler
• Occupation: 1871, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller and Distiller
• Elected Office: 1872, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden of the County of Waterloo
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Mill Owner
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1900, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States
• Residence: 1910, Raleigh, Wake, North Carolina, United States

Notes:

George Hespeler served on Hespeler town council in 1864 and of reeve of the town in 1863, 1865-1867. He was one of the founding members of the Hespeler Mechanics Institute in 1871 and was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 29th Waterloo Battalion. He lived later in Galt and later Omaha, Nebraska where he reported the death of his mother in 1895.

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

__________________

COL. GEO. HESPELER DEAD.

Death Occurred Yesterday Afternoon at Five O'clock and Was the Result of a Stroke of Apoplexy.

After suffering for twenty-four hours from a stroke of apoplexy, Col. Geo. Hespeler, aged 73 years, passed away yesterday afternoon at his home in Glenwood.

Col. Hespeler was a native of Canada, having come to Raleigh a little over a year ago. He was formerly a member of the Canadian army, having retired sometime ago. He started his military career in the French army, later he joined the English army and during the War Between the States he was transferred to Canada.

Col. Hespeler is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ella Peck, with whom he resided in this city. The funeral announcement will be made later.


The News and Observer Raleigh, North Carolina, Sat, Sept 24, 1910 Page 8

John married Emma Augusta Wilson 24 Feb 1864, Saltfleet Township, Wentworth Co., Ontario. Emma was born 1842, Saltfleet Township, Wentworth Co., Ontario; died 24 Jul 1899, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States; was buried , Forest Home Cemetery, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States. [Group Sheet]

1. Jacobina "Jettie" Hespeler was born 1864, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 May 1908, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States; was buried , Forest Home Cemetery, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States.
2. Ella Augusta Hespeler was born 24 Jun 1867, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Jul 1928, Raleigh, Wake, North Carolina, United States; was buried , Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, Wake, North Carolina, United States.

Other Events:

• Business: Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Distillery
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120754280
• Historic Building: 152 Guelph Ave., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; 2 story large stone house
• Historic Building: Dovecote
• Name: Jakob Hespeler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-27047P
• Occupation: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Elected Office: 1856, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden
• Elected Office: 1859, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve of Hespeler
• Residence: 1860, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller
• Residence: 1861, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Christian
• Historic Building: CA 1865, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woollen Mill
• Occupation: 1871, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer and Manufacturer
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Death of Jacob Hespeler, Esq.

On Tuesday afternoon many of the residents of Galt were very much grieved to learn that a dispatch had been received from Hespeler announcing the death of this gentleman. Mr. Hespeler had been had apparently quite well day, and after the mail arrived had walked to the post office and got his mail. Returning to his residence, he sat down to read his paper, the and while so engaged his servant had her attention directed towards him by a peculiar cough. Speaking to him she got no reply, and seeing that he was ill, at be once went for assistance. Medical aid in being secured it was seen that but a few minutes of life were left, and very soon after, without regaining consciousness, he breathed his last. And so closed this busy, eventful life- a life which for over it fifty years has not, we believe, seen an Idle day.

Mr. Hespeler was in his 71st year. He came to Canada in 1836, and a after a short an residence.in Montreal moved to. Preston, where he opened a store and shortly after a Distillery. In these enterprises he was very successful, and rapidly accumulated competence. His attention having been directed to the valuable water-power on the Speed at Hespeler, he finally disposed of his businesses at Preston and invested his capital in the large flouring mill, distillery, and shortly after the large woolten mill property, which was destroyed by fire about twelve years ago. These enterprises greatly prospered, that prosperity being only interrupted by the fire which we have mentioned. Some years ago, Mr. Hespeler almost retired from these businesses and left Hespeler, to engage in other enterprises in Hamilton and elsewhere. Retiring from these he again moved back to the village, where he has since constantly resided.

During his life in Preston, Mr. Hespeler occupied the position of Reeve and represented that village at the County Council. Conservative in politics, he entered into the various contests in this and contiguous constituencies with the greatest energy. In 1862, we think, The was the Conservative candidate for South Waterloo, a contest then taking place owing to the dissolution of the Macdonald-Sicotte Ministry. In that contest Mr. Hespeler was defeated by Mr. James Cowan. Nowise daunted, successive contests saw him ever ready with counsel and assistance, and it may safely be said that few in the Riding at one time or another had more personal power with the electorate than the gentleman of whom we write.

Mr. Hespeler was one of a large family, of whom, we believe, many are yet living. Mr. Wm. Hespeler, of Winnipeg, is one brother, and living in this neighborhood are its sisters, Mrs. Adam Warnock, Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Chapman. His own family consisted of Mr.George Hespeler, of Galt, Mr. Jacob Hespeler, manager of the branch of Molson's Dank, Waterloo, Mr. Chas. Hespeler, of Hespeler, Mrs. W. H. Bowlby, of Berlin, Mrs. Farr, of Holyoke, Mass, Mrs. John Walker, of London, and Mrs. John Cutler, of Preston.

On Saturday last, Mr. Hespeler was in Galt, and calling upon his old friends, appeared to be as healthy, and as likely to see many more days, as he has done for the last twenty years. He was then full of hope and many schemes for the future. His end was fearfully sudden; but there is reason for thankfulness that when it came he was spared suffering.

Galt Reporter 25 Mar 1881
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Jacob Hespeler

Cambridge Hall of Fame
Inducted 1995

Jacob Hespeler was born in Ehningen Germany in 1811, the eldest son of John George Hespeler and Anna Barbara Wick. His mother's grandfather was Count Andrassy, an Hungarian nobleman. The evidence suggests that he was twice married, first to Eliza "Lissie" Knoth (c.1835) and sometime later to Elise Diehl. He had nine children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. Little is known of Mr Hespeler's early years others than that he was educated in Nancy, France and emigrated to Canada with all but one of his nine brothers and sisters. Mr Hespeler spent a number of years working in the fur trade first in association with John Jacob Astor and then with the Hudson Bay Co. In about 1835 he decided to settle down and moved to the German community of Preston. There he opened a store with a man named Yoeste (Yost). It appears that Mr Yoeste had some difficulty with the authorities in the United States and before long Mr Hespeler was the sole owner of the business. This single store was not sufficient to satisfy Mr Hespeler's boundless energies and he soon turned his sights on some land upon which he could build a grist mill, a mill that would run in opposition to one already operated by Preston's leading family, the Erbs. Mr Hespeler located a suitable site along the Grand River near its confluence with the Speed River. The evidence suggests that Mr Hespeler neglected to purchase water rights when he obtained the mill site and after beginning to dig the race needed to bring in the water that would power the mill was forced to abandon the site. He then turned to a site on King Street where he proceeded to erect a grist mill, a stone store and a distillery. Mr Hespeler became a fairly prominent businessman in Preston and served as the Captain of the Preston Hook and Ladder Co. when it was organized in 1844. It was at about this time that Mr Hespeler decided to broaden his business activities. Beginning on 6 Feb 1845 he purchased a total of 145 acres fronting on the Speed River in the settlement of New Hope. Mr Hespeler replaced the existing dam on his new property with a much bigger one in keeping with his ambitious plans for the site. He began with the building of a grist mill in 1847 followed shortly thereafter by a sawmill and a cooperage. These were followed by a gas house, a distillery and, in 1861, a stone woollen mill. He also built a stone housing block known as the "Riverside Terraces" which was built to house unmarried men working in his factories. He was also a major benefactor of both the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches in the village, assisting in the construction of each. Although Mr Hespeler was increasingly involved with his growing business concerns in New Hope, he continued to maintain close ties to Preston. He continued operating his store, mill and distillery in Preston and in 1850 started a factory that was among the first in Canada to use the new "German" or "quick" method of vinegar production. Traditionally vinegar was made by a two stage process of natural fermentation which required several months to produce a complete vinegar. The new "German" process produced vinegar in a much shorter period. Mr Hespeler's vinegar was sent to the Great Exhibition at Hyde Park in London in 1851 and met with such acceptance that he began exporting his vinegar to the English market the following year. Mr Hespeler's activities extended beyond his business concerns. He was Preston's second postmaster serving in the position from 1851 to 1859. He served on Preston's council both in 1852, when he was elected as the newly incorporated village's first Reeve, and from 1854 to 1858, the last three years of which he was once again named Reeve. In 1852 he also served as Preston's representative on the first Waterloo County provisional council. Following his service on Preston's Council, Mr Hespeler was elected to serve as the first reeve of the newly incorporated and newly named Village of Hespeler, holding the office from 1859 to 1862. The incorporation of the settlement of New Hope as the village of Hespeler was due in no small part to the efforts of Jacob Hespeler and was, in part, based on the coming of the Great Western Railway to New Hope on its route from Galt to Guelph. The presence of the railway construction crews in the vicinity of New Hope encouraged Mr Hespeler to call for a census of the settlement in 1857 hoping to find enough "residents" to qualify for incorporation under the terms of the Ontario Municipal Act of 1849. Incorporation was essential to Mr Hespeler's plans for the settlement which could then separate from the county and elect its own Council with jurisdiction over all aspects of roads and bridges and a variety of other issues, the most important being the location of industries and the ability to make provision for fire protection and public health. The census was duly taken and on 31 July 1858 the government of her majesty Queen Victoria proclaimed that the settlement of New Hope would become the incorporated Village of Hespeler effective 1 Jan 1859. In 1861, Mr Hespeler ran as a Conservative candidate for the Legislative Assembly but was defeated by the Liberal James Cowan. He was never again a candidate for parliament but he maintained an involvement in later campaigns by providing advice and assistance. It was said that few people in the riding had as much influence with the electorate as Mr Hespeler. At about the same time Mr Hespeler sold his businesses in Preston and, in 1861, built a large stone woollen mill close to his other factories on the Speed River in Hespeler. This mill was severely damaged by fire in 1869 and shortly there after Mr Hespeler moved to California. He lived there for a number of years and then returned to Hespeler where he died on 22 Mar 1881. He is buried in New Hope Cemetery.

https://www.city.cambridge.on.ca/cs_pubaccess/hall_of_fame.php?aid=22

________________________

Wesleyan Methodist and Methodist New Connexion St. Paul's United Church

The earliest Methodist services were said to have begun in 1861 when the Rev. E.W. Frazee arrived in Preston. He organized a congregation which met at first in the upper room of a woolen mill on Eagle Street and then in the frame Lutheran church on King Street; members of the New Connexion Methodists began to meet in the Town Hall at about the same time. Rev. Charles Freshman, the German Wesleyan Methodist missionary, began preaching to English- and German-speaking congregations on May 3, 1862. In his autobiography Rev. Dr. Freshman is quoted: "I preached at St. George in the morning, Paris in the afternoon and at Preston in the evening. Our other regular appointments were Strasburg, Roseville, Conestoga [sic], New Dundee, Doon and occasionally in Princeton" (Freshman 1868: 214).

A stone church was built at the corner of Duke and Argyle Streets in 1864 on property which had been donated by Jacob Hespeler; the church was opened on September 25, 1864. Dedicatory services were held in English by Mr. Rice and Mr. Carrol and in German by Rev. Freshman. Four acres of land between King and Queen (now Queenston Road) Streets were purchased from Jacob Hespeler on July 15, 1868 by the trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist and New Connexion churches. A newer, larger church was built on this property and completed on October 18, 1868. Although union of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada and the Methodist New Connexion Church did not occur until 1874 it is quite possible that the two congregations in Preston had already formed their own union with the building of the church in 1868. For some years it was a community church where other denominations also worshipped.

In 1871 the church was enlarged; the tower and spire were added at the same time. A Sunday School was built in 1875-1879 during the ministry of Rev. James McAllister. In 1877 the congregation was given permission to sell the old New Connexion Church and to apply the proceeds towards improvements on the new church. The Circuit was divided in 1883 when Preston, Zion and Doon were separated from Hespeler. In 1887 Preston was by itself, but at the Annual Conference in 1897 of the Methodist Church, Guelph Conference, Galt District, Preston was divided into a circuit consisting of Preston and Doon. The church became self-supporting at that time. Preston later was with Hespeler until 1909 when each became an independent charge. The congregation of Preston Methodist Church became Preston United Church in 1925 and later, in 1933, St. Paul's United Church. The cornerstone for a new Sunday School was laid in 1921; the addition was completed in 1922. Further additions were constructed in 1955 and 1967.

Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

___________________________

Shortly after Ferrie and Liebschuetz had opened stores in Preston, two young Germans who had been living in the United States, came to Preston and opened a store, in the premises first occupied by Liebschuetz. These two Germans were a Jew named Yost and Jacob Hespeler. They did a good business, but it appeared that Mr. Yost had committed some fraud in Philadelphia, was pursued, captured and taken to Hamilton jail to await his trial. Hespeler managed to make a compromise with Yost's creditors, upon receiving an assignment of all Yost's interests in the store. A short time afterwards Hespeler built a large store and extended his business to a considerable extent; he had also built a distillery some time before.

Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 pg 27

____________________

PRESTON STORE

The Subscriber most respectifully informs his friends, customers the public in general, that continues business in his own name, at the old stand formerly kept by himself and partner, in the Village of Preston where he will be pleased to see and wait upon his old customers and others who may please to favor him with a call. His Goods are of the best quality, which he will sell very low for either cash, produce or the usual. credit.

BERNARD YOESTE.

Village of Preston, - June 5th, 1837, 25-tf

___________________________


NOTICE

I hereby give Notice to those Merchants, Traders, and others with whom I have been accustomed to deal and traffic and Dealers and the public generally, that the Letter of attorney heretofore made by me, constituting and appointing Bernard Yoeste my true and lawful attorney and agent, is REVOKED, ANNULLED AND MADE VOID; and that the said, Bernard Yoeste, is no longer my attorney and agent; and that I will not be liable for, nor will I pay any debts of his contracting after this date-and I hereby forbid all and every person and persons paying unto the said Bernard Yoeste any sum and sums of money now due me or that may hereafter become due or dealing or transacting business with him on my account.

JACOB HESPELER

Dated Preston, Waterloo Township, Upper Canada, this twenty fifth day of May 1837

___________________

N. B. I have removed my Store to my new buildings. near my Distillery I shall continue to keep a large assortment of cheap Goods, constantly on hand, and try to accommodate my customers and the public in general, as well possible.

J. H. [Jacob Hespeler]

Historic Building:
Large 2 story stone house built by Jacob Hespeler. Sold to his daughter Lissie Bowlby in 1870 for $1. Sold to Andrew Simpson post master in 1877. Sold to Robert and Henry Swan merchants in 1877 who sold in 1888.

Business:
Jacob Hespeler's distillery, later became the Brodie Shoddy Mill, and home to the Hespeler Scouts during the late 1940s -50s.. Image from: Hespeler, Canada : a souvenir of the factory town 1901

Historic Building:
CAMBRIDGE \emdash Dovecote or not, a historic stone tower that was built for Hespeler's founder at least 180 years ago will be relocated to a nearby park from its current location.

On Tuesday evening, Cambridge council heard opposing opinions about whether an old stone tower found at the Forbes estate on Guelph Avenue was a dovecote or not. A dovecote is a building that houses birds to be eaten.

In the end, it didn't matter what the historic stone tower's original purpose was when council ended a long and passionate debate with a vote to relocate the historic stone tower.

"We're all very interested in ensuring that this tower is conserved," Mayor Kathryn McGarry, who supported moving the tower, said during Tuesday's meeting.

She said the tower's association with Jacob Hespeler and his agricultural complex will be preserved, and even strengthened, by relocating it to Jacob's Landing Park about 400 metres away from its current spot on a property that is up for redevelopment into a subdivision....

"Historic Stone Tower In Hespeler Will Be Relocated". 2022. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/02/15/historic-stone-tower-in-hespeler-will-be-relocated.html.

Jacob — Elisabeth "Lissie" "Lizzie" "Elise" Knoth. Elisabeth (daughter of Knoth and Elenore "Laura") was born 28 Oct 1817, , Germany; died 14 Oct 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elisabeth "Lissie" "Lizzie" "Elise" Hespeler
• Name: Elise Knoth
• Name: Lissie Knoth
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35032
• Residence: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Christian

Notes:

In Preston, on Friday afternoon, 14th inst., at half-past 3 o'clock, Lissie Hespeler, Relict of the late Jacob Hespeler, aged 65 years.

Galt Reporter Oct 21 1881 pg 8

Other Events:

• Name: George Hespeler
• Name: John George Hespeler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86859
• Residence: 1809, Eningen, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Notes:

It is reported that Johann George Hespeler was born 8 Nov 1784 in Eningen, Wurttemburg, Germany and married Anna Barbara Wick 27 July 1809 in Ehingen who was the daughter of Jacob Wick and Marie Ursula Wick. Anna was born 26 Nov 1791 in Eningen. Johann was employed as a merchant businessman with the house of Mayer Amschel Rothschild. Sources are needed to confirm.

Johann married Anna Barbara Wick 27 Jul 1809, Eningen, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Anna was born 26 Nov 1791, Ehningen, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 21 Dec 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Babette Wick
• Name: Anna Barbara Hespeler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86860
• Residence: 1809, Eningen, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany
• Residence: 1861, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Christian
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Death of Mrs. Hespeler
From Galt Reporter

Obituary - We record this week the close of a very remarkable life, in the death of Mrs. Hespeler, aged 90 years and a few days, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, person in Galt. Mrs. Hespeler was one of the links connecting the present life with that of the last century. She was born at Ehningen, Wurtemberg, Germany, and witnessed there for many years most of the stirring events which occurred during the Napoleon wars. She frequently saw Napoleon 1, and many of the Crowned Heads of Europe at that time, as well as many of very celebrated Generals of the allied armies. In 1812 she witnessed the return of the French Army on its retreat from Moscow, and her description of their terrible sufferings and appearance from wounds, frost-bites and hunger, were most thrilling. Her description may be best appreciated when it is known that of the Wurtemberg contingent which accompanied Napoleon 1, in the Russian campaign, only five percent, ever again reached their homes.

Early in the present century Mrs. Hespeler and her husband were largely engaged in business with the House of Meyer Anschel Rothschild, of Frankfurt, the founder of the great Banking House. She often spoke of the little back parlor at Zion Rothen Schilde, and the quiet steadfast business manner of the great man who has since left his mark upon the financial dealings of all Europe. In 1840, her husband died, leaving her with all the responsibility of a large family to bring up and educate. In 1852 she decided to emigrate to Canada, where her children had preceded her, her two sons, the late Jacob Hespeler, and Mr. Wm. Hespeler, then occupying prominent positions as Millers, Merchants and Manufacturers at Preston, Hespeler and Waterloo. In 1872 Mrs. Hespeler returned to Germany, thinking there to end her days, but returned, we believe, within the year, finding, like so many under similar circumstances, that so far as her native country was concerned, she had outlived her friends and could no longer enjoy the changed features of the old home life. Possessed of a very retentive memory, and having been a most extensive traveler in that country and Italy, her reminiscence of scenes there were always powerfully described and very interesting, and when in her later years she met her old friends, nothing gave her greater presence than when talking over the eventful scenes through which she had passed her long life.

Guelph Mercury - Dec 24 1881 pg 1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-143208

— Elenore "Laura". Elenore was born 1775, , Germany; died 12 Dec 1863, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elenore "Laura" Knoth
• Name: Laura
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-28513P
• Residence: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Residence:
She is living with Jacob Hespeler