Francis Albert "Frank" Leyes

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111258
• Residence: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-111235
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waggon Maker
• Residence: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

John married Theresia Stroh 14 Jan 1879, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Theresia (daughter of Johannes Joseph "John" Stroh and Mary Magdalena "Maggie" Simmer) was born 8 Jun 1849, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 May 1924, South Bend, St. Joseph, Indiana, USA; was buried , Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka, St. Joseph, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Theresia Leyes
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-106030
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Residence: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• Name: William Leyes
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-47729
• Immigration: 1846
• Immigration: 1846, New York City, New York, USA.
• Naturalization: 1864
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Retired: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Wilhelm — Elizabeth Bucheit. Elizabeth was born 15 Aug 1826, Rhenish, Bavaria, Germany; died 9 Sep 1904, Mishawaka, St. Joseph, Indiana, United States; was buried , Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka, St. Joseph, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Leyes
• Name: Lizzie
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-47730
• Immigration: 1846, , Canada
• Immigration: 1846, New York City, New York, USA.
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC

Notes:

The death took place on Friday, Sept. 9. at Michawaka, Ind., of Mrs. Wm. Leyes, a former resident of Wellesley Village. The deceased was born in Rhenish, Bavaria, Germany, in August, 1826. In 1846 she emigrated with her husband to New York, where they resided nearly 10 years. In 1859 they came to Wellesley village, Waterloo Co. Here they lived over 45 years, after which they moved to St. Clements. At the close of 1902 they sold out and went to Michawaka, where nearly all their children are residing. She leaves a sorrowing husband, 84 years old, 5 sons, 6 daughters, 45 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.-Berlin News Record.

Wellesley Maple Leaf, September 29, 1904

Obituary is supplied by the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society Click here to go to their website.

Other Events:

• Name: John Stroh
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-47866
• Birth: 9 Apr 1821, Spechbach, Baden, Germany
• Immigration: 1844, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1849, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Naturalization: 1860
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tavern Keeper
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Innkeeper - British Crown Hotel
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Postmaster
• Residence: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Among the first Catholic settlers, early in the thirties, were Blasius Beysang and his brother William, a little west of Heidelberg. In the house of the former Mass was celebrated for some time. Adolph Schickler is deemed the first-comer in St. Clement's Village. Mr. Anselle one of the first in Heidelberg. He was a Frenchman and kept a tavern. John Stroh from Baden opened the first tavern in the Village of St. Clement's and kept it almost to his death a few years ago. He was also the first postmaster and justice of the peace. In this latter capacity, he always tried to reconcile litigants and mostly succeeded. He was always a friend and support to the priests. Bishop and priests wrote to him on matters concerning the affairs of the church until the Mission obtained a resident priest.

The Catholic Church in Waterloo County, Book I, by Rev. Theobald Spetz

____________________

JOHN STROH.

The father and pioneer of St. Clements is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 1821, and landed upon the shores of America in 1838, being then fresh from the gay French capital, Paris, where he had been working at his trade as a cobbler. He had also worked in differ - parts of the Vaterland, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Being of a roving disposition and the slow- going countries of the Old World not being compatible with his energetic nature, he concluded to try his fortunes in the New World. He set sail on the good ship ...... from Havre, France, going direct to New Orleans, a portion of his route being on a boat down the Mississippi river. He worked at shoemaking in New Orleans for four years. Mr. Stroh describes that city as being about eight miles long at that time. From New Orleans he went to Pittsburg, Pa. But the Smoky City on the Ohio and Alleghany had no charms for him, and at the end of three months he returned to his first love, the city of Creoles, Italians and French.

In 1845 he left New Orleans and came to Canada, his first place of residence being St. Clements, where he now resides, enjoying the declining years of his life. He built the first house in the village and in which he lived. It is now the private residence of Mr. John Burbach. It was used as a tavern by Mr. Stroh, where he dispensed liquid refreshments to the settlers and furnished accommodation to the travelling public. He bears the proud distinction of having been the first hotel keeper here, and followed that business for forty-four consecutive years. When he first opened his hostelry a license could be procured for $16 per annum and a better article of whiskey than is now on tap could be purchased for nine dollars per barrel. The chronic toper could get a good sized "jag" for nine cents; a bed could be had for ten cents, and a single meal for two shillings.

Mr. Stroh was also the first postmaster of St. Clements, and after serving in this for over thirty years, retired in favor of the late Louis Kroetsch, Mr. Peter F. Schummer being now the encumbent. Mr. Stroh has also served as Magistrate for over thirty-three years, was Township Councillor four years and a member of the first Board of Health of Wellesley Township.

He was married in 1849 to Maria Simmer. They had ten children, two being dead. William is the husband of a daughter of Mr. L Kuntz, and is working in his father's brewery; Christina is the wife of Mr. Joseph Mears [Miehm], of Berlin, who is employed in one as the shirt factories of that town. Five are living in Chicago, viz: John, Henry, Teresa, (married) Olema, (married) and Kate (single.)

Mr. Stroh is an old time Tory, though he has voted occasionally for a good reform neighbor. When he came to this section the country was of yet sparsely settled, the wolf and the bear being still common. He was also the first merchant here and at which he was engaged for many years. He is still in prime physical condition, and will undoubtedly live to a grand old age.

Waterloo County Chronicle, 24 Nov 1898

Johannes married Mary Magdalena "Maggie" Simmer 1848. Mary (daughter of Heinrich "Henry" Simmer and Christina Schratz) was born 15 Nov 1831, , Baden, Germany; died 23 May 1909, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , St. Clements Roman Catholic Cemetery, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Birth: , USA
• Name: Margaret Simmer
• Name: Mary Magdalena "Maggie" Stroh
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-106029
• Immigration: 1832, , Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Residence: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-196514
• Residence: 1821, Spechbach, Baden, Germany

Simon — Margaret Gleda Hechler. Margaret was born CA 1799; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Gleda Stroh
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-196516
• Residence: 1821, Spechbach, Baden, Germany

Other Events:

• Name: Henry Simmer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-279559
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic

Heinrich married Christina Schratz 1827. Christina was born 1802, , Hesse, Germany; died 30 Apr 1880, Mildmay, Carrick Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Christina Simmer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-279561
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic