William Herman Knarr

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53700
• Occupation: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1926, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer

William married Laura Susannah Schmitt 12 May 1926, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Laura (daughter of John H. Schmitt and Susannah C. Shantz) was born 12 May 1900, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Sep 1958, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Roy J. A. Knarr was born 1930; died 2008.
2. Dorothy Knarr was born 1934; died 1978; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-87361
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Albert married Caroline Herman 1 Dec 1889, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Caroline (daughter of John Adam "Adam" Hermann and Catharine Stroh) was born 18 Mar 1864, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Dec 1926, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Caroline Knarr
• Name: Caroline Knarr
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53697
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Name: Johannes "John" Knorr
• Name: John Knarr
• Name: John Knorr
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2936.44
• Occupation: 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; wagon maker
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Johannes married Elizabetha "Elizabeth" Pfaff 1 May 1853, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabetha was born 19 Dec 1823, , Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died 30 Oct 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Pfaff
• Name: Elizabetha "Elizabeth" Knarr
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-87357
• Residence: 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88010055
• Name: Adam Herman
• Name: Adam Hermann
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111402
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cooper
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1863, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1864, , Canada
• Naturalization: 1864
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Retired: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

PIONEER RESIDENT CALLED TO REST
MR. ADAM HERRMANN HAS PASSED AWAY

On Thursday, June 16, inst., Mr. Adam Herrmann, an aged and respected citizen of Elmira, died at his home on Park Avenue.

Mr. Herrmann was born in Germany and migrated to Canada at the age of fourteen. He came to Canada with his two sisters and a brother-in-law and they located in Conestogo.

He worked two years with a farmer, then apprenticed himself to the coopering trade, with his brother-in-law. In 1863 he married Miss Catherine Stroh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Stroh of Conestogo.

Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann lived for a year in Waterloo town, after which, in 1864, they began farming, about 3 miles east of Elmira, where he lived 54 years. Mrs. Herrmann predeceased her husband in 1900. Mr. Herrman moved about three years ago to Elmira.

Two sons and four daughters survive their parents,--namely, Mr. Charles Herrmann and Mr. George both of Elmira; Caroline (Mrs. Albert Knarr) of Conestogo; Mary (Mrs. Henry Eix) of Elmira; Emelia (Mrs. Wm. Becker) of Woolwich Township ad Miss Clara Herrmann, at home.

Mr. Herrmann enjoyed good health until he reached his 77^th year, when in 1913 he suffered a paralytic stroke on his right side. In 1915, he had the misfortune to fall and fracture his leg. Since April of this year he had difficulty in breathing and gradually became weaker, finally passing to rest on Thursday of last week. He was born on March 6, 1837 and died on June 16, 1921, and thus was 84 years, 3 months and 10 days of age when dissolution came.

On Sunday, June 19, his funeral was held from his late residence on Park Avenue, to St. James' Lutheran Church, where Rev. J. Strempfer conducted services, after which burial took place in St. James' Church cemetery.

The pallbearers were six of his old neighbors; Messrs-Addison Snyder, George Miller, Louis Schmermund, Conrad Braun, Charles Winfield and Walter Durst.

The funeral was largely attended by friends, who regretted deeply the death of a sterling man. He was industrious. honest and goodhearted-one of those pioneers who helped give Waterloo its good reputation for industry and thrift.

His passing onward to eternal rest is mourned by many and to the bereaved sons and daughters and relatives the sincere sympathy of the community is extended.

Elmira Signet 23 Jun 1921

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Died At Elmira, Ont., June 16th, 1921 Adam Herrmann Aged 84 years, 3 months and 10 days. The Funeral Will be held from his late residence on Park Ave., on Sunday, June 19th, at 2 o'clock p.m., to St. James' Lutheran Church for service, thence to St. James' Lutheran Cemetery for interment. Friends and acquaintances please accept this intimation

Funeral Card

John married Catharine Stroh 6 Apr 1863, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catharine (daughter of Conrad Stroh and Anna Maria "Mary" Oswald) was born 1840, , Germany; died 28 Mar 1900, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint James Lutheran Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88010688
• Name: Catharine Hermann
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56800
• Birth: 30 Apr 1840, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

OBITUARY - Death has again entered our midst taking as its victim one of our most respected citizens namely Catherine, beloved wife of Mr Adam Herrmann, after an illness of a few months. The deceased was a daughter of the late Conrad Stroh, one of the first pioneers of this county, and was born in Berlin April 30th 1840, in 1863 she was joined in matrimony to Adam Adam Herrmann, to whom she proved a devoted helpmate till death called her up. higher on March 30th, 1900: she leaves a sorrowing. husband two sons Charles and George who reside on their father's homestead and four daughters, namely Mrs A Knarr, Conestogo Mrs Henry Eix, Woolwich and Amelia and Clara at home, to mourn her loss, Mrs Herrmann was always up to the past year, physically strong hardly ever in need of medicine. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran church. The interment took place on March the 31st in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives in Elmira cemetery, the Rev. A. Schultz conducted the services and delivered a very impressive sermon; the bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-191388

Other Events:

• Name: Adam Hermann
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111357

John — Anna Maria Oswald. Anna was born Abt 1800, of, Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Maria Herman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111379

Other Events:

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

Notes:

November 10, 1899

Death of One of the First Settlers of Woolwich

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

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

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

_____________________________________

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

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

____________

CONESTOGO PIONEERS.

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

From our Special Correspondent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hiram Newcombe

Waterloo Chronicle, 25 Nov 1897, p. 4


___________

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

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

Funeral Card

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

Other Events:

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

Notes:

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

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

Funeral Card