Reeve Peter Winger

Other Events:

• Elected Office: Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Deputy Reeve of Woolwich Township
• Interesting: post, business, politics, life story
• Name: Peter Wenger
• Eby ID Number: 00128-8012
• Elected Office: 1850, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Woolwich Township
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Elected Office: 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councilor of Waterloo County Council
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Prodestant
• Occupation: 1 Oct 1863, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster
• Business: 1867, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Winger & Weaver - Staple & Fancy Dry Goods
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster

Notes:

Peter Winger, "the eldest in the family, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 18th, 1818. In 1834, he, in company with one George Eby, drove with a horse and buggy from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Waterloo County, Ontario, making the trip in two weeks. In fall of the same year he returned to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until May, 1835, when he made the second trip to Canada and settled in Berlin, Ontario. He worked the first year in the town of Waterloo, on Mr. Jacob Schneider's sawmills, receiving the wonderful salary of #7 per month. On November 7th, 1837, he went to Bridgeport and engaged himself to the late Jacob S. Shoemaker as miller, in whose service he remained eleven years. In September, 1848, he moved to Woolwich Township, on the farm now possessed by Isaac Hilborn. In January, 1849, he was appointed assessor for Woolwich Township, then including Pilkington Township. He was one of the early councillors of Woolwich Township and was deputy reeve when Berlin was made the county town for the newly formed county of Waterloo. Later in life he was engaged in the mercantile, woollen and lumber business. About the year 1867 he received the appointment of post master for Elmira which position he held until his death which took place July 27th, 1889. The following interesting notice has been taken from the pages of Mr. Winger's journal, now in possession of his son, Jacob: "At a meeting called by public notice from Peter Winger, Esq., reeve of the township of Woolwich, held at St. Jacobs on the 26th day of March, 1853, for the purpose of forming a township Agricultural Society. Upon the notice being read and the object being explained for which the meeting was called it was unanimously resolved that a society be forthwith formed, to be called the Township of Woolwich Agricultural Society. Thereupon James Mirrilees was called to the chair. When it was moved by B. H. Curtis, seconded by John Meyers that James Dow be president and Charles Henry vice-president for the current year. 1st, Moved by Chas. Hendry, seconded by James MaConichee that the following gentlemen be directors for the current year, viz: B. H. Curtis, John Seaton, John Meyers, James Burnett, James Hall, Wm. H Peterson, Jacob Winkler and Joseph Hardy. 2nd, Moved by John Meyers, seconded by Charles Hendry that James Mirrilees be appointed secretary and treasurer. Thereupon the meeting adjourned: the directors to meet again at Kuntze's Hotel, Conestogo, on Saturday, April 23rd, (1853) at the hour of 2 o'clock in the afternoon." Mr. Winger was married, January 24th 1838, to Maria Baumann (No. 314) who was born January 1st, 1817, and died in Elmira, April 25th, 1886. Some time after her decease he was again married to Catherine Martin, widow of the late Moses Musselman. To him and his first wife was born a family of seven children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

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It becomes our duty this week to chronicle the death of our respected Postmaster, Peter Winger, which took place Saturday evening at 5 o'clock, without a struggle. Mr. Winger had been failing for a year past but more noticeably the last few months, and though feeling his natural powers failing, yet being possessed of great energy, was unwilling to yield and only took his bed about two weeks previous to his demise. Mr. Winger was born on the 18th of April, 1818 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and was therefore in his 72nd year. He came to Canada a the age of 17 in company with Mr. George Eby. They drove from Lancaster County to Waterloo with a one horse conveyance and after spending the summer here prospecting returned in the fall and accompanied by his parents again returned to Canada and located in Berlin.

He was first employed by a Mr. Snyder of Waterloo at his saw mill, but being inclined for flour milling removed to Bridgeport and learned the milling business under Mr. Jacob Shoemaker of the Bridgeport mills and remained there 12 years. Mr. Winger was a very powerful man and in his younger days thought it fun to carry a four bushel sack of wheat up two flight of stairs. Being of genial temperament was much beloved by all with whom he came in contact, either in business or pleasure. In the year 1848 Mr. Winger moved to the Township of Woolwich, where he bought the farm at present occupied by Mr. Isaac Hilborn, here he remained until 1855 when he removed to Elmira and entered into partnership with Isaac Wenger and S. S. Weaver, under the firm of Winger, Weaver and Co., as general Merchants. They also conducted the Woolen and Saw Mills.

Mr. Winger was the originator of the Woolwich Agricultural Show and for many years was Secretary of the same. In 1863 he received the appointment of Postmaster of Elmira, which position he filled with much satisfaction. Politically Mr. Winger was a consistant Reformer. For many years and during the early and trying history of the County he held a position in the Council, and was Deputy-Reeve of Woolwich during the time of building of the County Buildings and is the last of the then Council., which consisted of the following members" - John Scott M. D., Henry Snyder, John Hawk, Gabriel Hawk, John Ernst, Anthony Kaiser, Charles McGeorge, M. D., Duncan Ferguson, John Meyer, Peter Winter, Absolom Shade, Jacob Hespeler, Dr. Scott being Warden. It is to this Council that credit is due for obtaining the County seat at Berlin. The war was fierce and only resulted in Berlin gaining the day after many strategic efforts on the part of Galt and Southern portion of the County being outwitted by their northern contemporaries. Mr. Winger was one of the Board of Directors of the Waterloo Fire Insurance Company in its inception and in after years did valuable service as local agent for both Life and Fire Departments. Many who relied upon him for writing wills, deeds and conveyancing generally will miss him and his genial smile and friendly greetings will be missed from his usual place of business.

Mr. Winger leaves a wife and six children all of whom were around him during his last illness. His funeral was largely attended, among whom were many representative men from Waterloo, Berlin, Conestogo, Elora, St. Jacobs, Glenallan, Hawksville and the Townships of Peel, Woolwich and Wellesley. The serviced were conducted by Abram Martin, Mennonite Bishop, assisted by Rev. Mr. Wear, W. M. Minster of Elmira, His remains were deposited in the Mennonite burying ground near Elmira.


Elmira Advertiser 11 Aug 1889

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THE WOOLWICH COUNCIL

A Woolwich Township Council was organized on January 21st, 1850. The councillors were: John Meyer, Edward Passmore, Peter Wenger, Peter Hay, and Wm. Veitch. They met "at Conestoga, in Kurtz's tavern." The members chose John Meyer as reeve and named James Dow as clerk and treasurer; Moses Springer as assessor on the east side of the Grand River and Christian Hurst on the west wide, each at 6 pounds ($24) a year; and Wm. Reynolds as collector, with a salary of five and a half per cent. of his collections. Charles Hendry was appointed auditor.

The council ordered a seal and studied a plan for building a bridge across the Conestoga River; appointed a road surveyor and considered the advisability of appointing a local superintendent of schools. For a number of years schools, bridges, roads, and the regulation of taverns were the chief items of business.

Waterloo County's provisional municipal council met in Berlin on May 3rd, 1852. Woolwich was represented by Reeve John Meyer and Deputy-Reeve Peter Wenger.

Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1933 pg 134 - Woolwich Township - Its Early Settlement by W. V. Uttley

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ELMIRA

SHOE, FELT AND WOOLEN WORKS

Among the manufacturing industries of Elmira the above concern must be reckoned one of the most important, as it gives employment to the largest number of wage-earners and many of them expert and skilled mechanics. It is a part of the old Winger & Weaver Woolen factory. The latter, the first industry of note in this town, was established in 1856, by Peter Winger and Samuel Weaver who were prominent among the early settlers in this vicinity. They commenced operations in 1856 and continued to run it until 1873, when Mr. Henry Winger, son of the well known member of the firm, took charge and operated it until 1883, and after that in company with his brother, J. B. Winger, until 1895, at which time they added the felt manufactory. It was then operated by J. B. Winger and Amasa Winger for short one year, when in the spring of 1896, a joint stock company was formed and the plant improved and placed on a more extensive scale. The company is made up of some of the leading and most responsible citzens of the town, viz: Henry Winger, J. B. Winger, Amasa Winger, J. P. Lackhardt, Weber & Erb, M. Weichel, J. S. Weichel, Daniel Ratz, Casper Ziegler, David Snider, Chas. Klinck and son George, Henry Mogk and Isaac Hilborn. Board of Directors: A. H Erb, President; Henry Winger, Daniel Ratz, Casper Ziegler and J. P. Luckhardt, John Peel, Treasurer and general manager.

They manufacture both leather and felt goods, and the class of work turned out is equal in style, workmanship, finish and material to that of any other establishment of the kind in Ontario. There is a steady demand for about all the company can manufacture with their present facilities, most of their goods going to the Northwest and the Maritime Provinces. From twenty-five to thirty hands are employed. The factory is equipped with the latest and best improved machinery, and a walk through the building when all hands are at work will convince any person that experienced workmen are employed and that great care is exercised in putting the material together in a way that must produce a popular and durable article. The very latest styles of footwear are turned out. The company still continues the woolen factory and manufactures fine tweeds, flannels blankets and other woolen goods, and are always prepared for custom work.

Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 3

Business:
from: Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867

Peter married Maria Bauman 17 Dec 1839, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Maria (daughter of Benjamin W. Bauman and Anna Schneider) was born 1 Jan 1817, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Apr 1886, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Henry Wenger was born 1840, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Susannah Winger was born 23 Jan 1840, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Sep 1912; was buried , Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Henry B. Winger was born 5 Apr 1841, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Jun 1915, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Nancy Winger was born 14 May 1843, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 23 Apr 1872, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
5. Mary "Nancy" Winger was born 14 May 1843, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
6. William Winger was born 26 Jun 1846, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Aug 1847; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Jacob B. Winger was born 21 Jun 1849, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Aug 1923; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
8. Reuben Winger was born 4 Jul 1853, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Aft 1911.
9. Mariah Winger was born 8 Mar 1862, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1923; was buried , Goleta Cemetery, Goleta, Santa Barbara, California, United States.

Peter — Catharine Martin. Catharine (daughter of David G. Martin and Maria Martin) was born 24 Dec 1830, Near St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Jan 1906; was buried , Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00128-8011
• Land: Bef 1831, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; pump maker
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; pump maker

Notes:

John Winger, "(John Winger had one brother named Henry who moved to Ohio a few years before he (John) moved to Canada) son of Adam Winger and grandson of old 'Hans' Winger, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 5th, 1789. After spending his boyhood days in his native county, he was married to Susannah, daughter of Peter Eby who was son of Jacob Eby, third son of old Theodorus Eby who came to Pennsylvania in 1715. She was born November 10th, 1792. In 1836 Mr. and Mrs. John Winger moved to Canada and settled in Berlin, Ontario, where they resided until their deaths. He died October 11th, 1864, and she died January 3rd, 1871. To them was born a family of six children"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

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King Street Kitchener

"In 1850 John Winger erected a building about half way between Gaukel and Foundry Streets and occupied the first floor as a pump factory. He used steam power, a novelty in those days, and had an old-fashioned upright engine built by Crombie & Co. of Galt. He made pumps, broom handles, etc. The second floor of the building was operated by Matthias Wegenast as a sash and door factory. Later there was a saw mill in the basement. Several accidents occurred in this saw mill; Helwig Scholl's leg was cut off as was also John Koch's arm, by the saw. Mr. Winger, apparently in difficulty with his creditors, suddenly left the village, after which the building was taken over by Martin Simpson, who had operated the Bowman & Correll factory at the east end of the town, and the building became known as the Simpson factory, the product being mostly furniture. At the rear of the Simpson factory stood a two storey frame building, used by W. H. Goetze, (cousin and brother-in-law of Louis Breithaupt) as a tobacco factory. Mr. Goetze came from New York early in the 60's. During the closing years of the American Civil War the factory found difficulty in getting tobacco, then mostly supplied from the Southern States."

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

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King Street , North Side

Queen St. North.

On the corner there was a frame building lengthwise with King Street, occupied by J. U. Tyson, dealer in groceries, wines, liquors and meats, erected about 1833. In 1841 Sheriff George Davidson bought this building and in it opened the first Post Office in 1842. His brother William was associated with him. Probably during 1845 Doering & Ahrens occupied the premises as a general store. A little later the firm was Huber & Ahrens. Mr. Huber acted as magistrate for a number of years, in which occupation he was popular and had much to do, people coming from small surrounding villages to Mr. Huber for fair trial. He was the second reeve in Berlin.

Next came a barber shop occupied by George A. Fischer who also served as dentist and as fruit dealer.

A house erected by C. A. Ahrens of Huber and Ahrens. Mr. Ahrens had a brick vault at the back of his kitchen, lined with an iron chest and considered fire proof. He was the first treasurer of Waterloo County and had this vault for safe keeping of his books and papers. The house was later occupied by Dr. Mylius.

Louis Breithaupt, who came from Buffalo in 1861 after having started his tanning business in Berlin in 1857, previously bought the corner of King and Queen Streets, and erected there the first section of the American Block in 1862.

Next to the Dr. Mylius house there was a two story brick building erected about 1855. It was occupied by Baedeker and Steubing who had a considerable business as book sellers and stationers, also as dealers in wallpaper, etc., besides doing some publishing. This business, moved later to the corner of King and Frederick Streets, continued until Mr. Steubing's death.

In his younger years Mr. Baedeker was a carpenter and had cut his knee with an adze, necessitating amputation and substitution of a cork leg.

On the site of the present Steel's store, George Davidson, later sheriff, erected a building in 1845 and moved the Post Office there when Doering and Ahrens occupied the corner store. Mr. Davidson also had a general store in this new building. About 1855 Kranz & Stroh occupied the building as a general store.

Next came a building occupied at first by George Klein and later the site of Henry Knell's jewelery shop.

John Winger's pump shop. Wooden pipe called pump logs were of about ten-inch timber, tamarack or pine logs with a bore of about 3". The pumps were mostly finished square and surmounted with turned tops.

A two story frame building painted white. John Winger's house. Eby's history mentions John Winger as having come from Pennsylvania in 1836.

A ten-foot lane leading back to the Public School grounds and into Winger's yard. The highest ground in this vicinity was in Winger's yard. Children were in the habit of sliding down the hill in winter to King Street. In 1840 Mr. Bentler erected a building and occupied the second floor as dwelling and shoe shop. Martin Messner had a music store on the ground floor which was a few steps above the street level. In 1855-6 Andrew Nicolaus took over the Winger house and changed it to a hotel. The first considerable street grading operation in Berlin was the lowering of the corner of King and Frederick and vicinity 8 to 10 feet. This put the St. Nicholas Hotel, as it was called, under the necessity of being extended downward one story and this lower part became the hotel office and bar room. At the westerly end of the hotel there was a shed and stable for horses. Over the shed, approached by a stairway, there was a hall known as St. Nicholas Hall used for concerts, balls and entertainments generally. At the rear of the adjoining St. Nicholas Hall there was a building on the high ground known as the Turner Hall and used as German Turnverein.

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

John — Susannah Eby. Susannah (daughter of Peter Eby) was born 10 Jun 1792, , USA; died 3 Jan 1871, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susannah Winger
• Eby ID Number: 00002-314.3

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00128-8011.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00128-8011.4

Other Events:

• Name: John Winger
• Eby ID Number: 00128-8011.2

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00128-8011.5