Gertrude Otto

Other Events:

• Name: Gertrude Baer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-122322

Gertrude — Mervin Baer. Mervin (son of Ephraim Baer, II and Lovina Nahrgang) was born 15 Nov 1912, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Mar 1982, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Nith Valley Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Virginia Jean Baer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76162
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Occupation: 1908, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1929, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1947, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

David married Olive Hofstetter 21 Oct 1908, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Olive (daughter of Friedrich Wilhelm "Frederick" Hofstetter and Carolina "Caroline" Golbeck) was born 9 Oct 1887, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Feb 1950; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Olive Otto
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76550
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1947, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Mrs. Olive Otto

The death occurred here early on Thursday morning of Mrs. Olive Otto, widow of the late David R. Otto, at the age of 62 years. She had been confined to bed for nearly a year. Mrs. Otto was the former Olive Hofstetter, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hofstetter. and was born in Wilmot Township on October 9th, 1887. Following her marriage she resided on a farm near Pinehill until four years ago when the family moved to New Hamburg. Her husband predeceased her on Oct. 17th, 1947. Surviving are two sons, Laverne, of Haysville, and Kenneth, of New Hamburg, and two daughters, Dorothy (Mrs. George Burt), Toronto, and Gertrude (Mrs. Mervin Baer) of R.R. 2, New Hamburg; three brothers, Nathaniel, Victoriaburg; Edward, Kitchener, and Orphen, Toronto, and two sisters, Mrs. Alden Snider, Kitchener, and Mrs. Gertrude Hux, of Chicago. Two sons also predeceased her, Lorne in 1930, and Russel in 1947. The funeral will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12th, at 2.30 from her late residence to Riverside Cemetery. Rev. M. E. Reuber, pastor of Zion Evangelical U. B. Church, will officiate. The remains will be at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W., Kitchener, until 9 am., Saturday, when removal will be made to the home.

New Hamburg Independent, February 10, 1950

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00122-7516.4
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; E. Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Elected Office: 1906, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor of Wilmot Township
• Occupation: 1911, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

JOHN T. OTTO was born near New Hamburg on March 2, 1859, and received his education at Union School No. II in Oxford County. He is engaged in farming on a large scale, being the owner of 350 acres situated on Lots 11 and 12, First Concession, Block A, Wilmot. Mr. Otto was elected a municipal councillor in 1900 and created a Justice of the Peace in 1905.

Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 100 Years of Progress in Waterloo County Canada Semi-Centennial Souvenir 1856-1906 (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 1906)pg 33

_____________________________

Peace Perfect Peace Died At London, on Thursday, September 29^th, 1921 John T. Otto of New Hamburg In his 63^rd year. Funeral Will take place from his late residence on Saturday, Oct. 1^st, at 2 o'clock p. m., to the Evangelical Church for service, thence to Riverside Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

Funeral Card

John — Elizabeth Ratz. Elizabeth (daughter of John Jacob "Jacob" Ratz and Marie Opfer) was born 27 Feb 1858, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Jun 1942, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Otto
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76158
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other M
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesleyan Methodist
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1911, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1929, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Name: William Frederick "Frederick" Hostettler
• Name: William Hofstetter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-154020
• Immigration: 1854, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; laborer
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

FindAGrave records that he is born in Mannheim, Mannheimer Stadtkreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, documentation needed.

Friedrich married Carolina "Caroline" Golbeck 23 May 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Carolina (daughter of Johann Friederich "John" Goldbeck and Sophia Rachow) was born 23 Mar 1851, , Mecklenburg, Germany; died 24 Aug 1905, Mannheim, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Carolina "Caroline" Hofstetter
• Name: Caroline Golbeck
• Name: Caroline Goldbeck
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76545
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran Protestant
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Name: Johannes Otto
• Eby ID Number: 00122-7516.1
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; labourer
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ep. Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

John married Leah Tohman 6 Nov 1849, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Leah (daughter of Abraham Tohman, Sr. and Mary Bricker) was born 18 Apr 1831, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Aug 1902; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Leah Otto
• Residence: Wilmot Township - Concession 3 Lot 14, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00122-7516
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ep. Methodist

Notes:

Leah Tohman, "was born April 18th, 1831. On November 6th, 1849, she was married to John Otto, a farmer. They reside in Wilmot Township, near New Dundee. To them is born a family of twelve children".¹

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.].

Other Events:

• Name: Jacob Ratz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-75268P
• Immigration: 1828, , Canada
• Immigration: 1828, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1848, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1848, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Miller
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other M
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer & Saw
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesleyan Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

Notes:

THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE

An interesting meeting took place the Saturday before last in the old log cabin in Waterloo Park.

This house was, of course, the first schoolhouse in this area and stood originally on the school-house square at the corner of King and Church Streets in Waterloo. It was built in 1820 and served its purpose until 1842, when it was torn down and a 1-storey stone house was constructed on the site. The dismantled log house was erected again in Greenbush and served as a residence for a long time for the coloured man, Mr. Carroll and his family. In the course of this year, the Waterloo Park Commissioners purchased the house, moved it to their park and furnished it again as it was when it was a school-house.

At this gathering, in addition to many other ladies and gentlemen, the following (male and female) former pupils attended, took their places on the benches, and were called to order by the 82-year-old teacher, Benjamin Burkholder, who held the scepter, or rather, the switch, from 1831 to 1842 in the old log-house: Joel Guth, 80 years old; Abraham Scherk, Blair, 79; Jakob Bricker, Waterloo, 77; Sarah Burkholder, nee Erb, Bridgeport, 75; Amos Weber, Berlin, 73; John C, Bricker, Hawksville, 71; Maria Erb, nee Quickfall, Norwich 69; David B. Eby, Waterloo, 69; Wendel Baumann, Woolwich, 68; Henry Stauffer, Erbsville, 67; Simon Beatty, Elmira, 67; Jakob Ratz, New Hamburg, 67; Israel Baumann, Berlin, 65; George Elbert, Moorefield, 63; George H. Baumann, Elmira, 63; John Devitt, Waterloo, 62; Richard Quickfall, Bridgeport, 62; Isaak Hoffmann, Waterloo, 61; Robert Barkwell, Peel, 60; Diana McMahon, nee Dekay, Berlin, 60; Thomas Quickfall, Floradale, 60; Benjamin Devitt, Waterloo, 60; Isaak Devitt, Floradale, 58; John Longmann, Peel, 57. In addition, to these, the teacher read the names of 25 pupils from the roll; they were, however, absent.

Mr. Burkholder gave an interesting talk about the history of the old school-house, and after him, Rev. J.A. MacLachlan, Rev. J. McNair, Mr. J.E. Baumann, M.P., and Mr. Jakob Ratz spoke about the old days which brought many things out of the past to mind again. School was, as a rule, only in session in winter and the costs were borne by the parents of the children. There were few subjects taught, namely: Reading, Writing and Sums. The children heard little about language, and geography; no child had more than 2 or 3 books. The predominant language was German. The pupils learned to read and write English, but didn't understand a word of it. Among the teachers in the old school-house from 1820-1842, with the exception of Mr. Burkholder, were the following whose names are still recognized: Jephtha DeKay, Joseph Guth, John Herringer, Peter Otto, John Dobbin, Elias Eby, Robert Barber, & Joseph Eby.

After those present, on hearing the various speeches felt themselves transported back to the past, the school was closed at four o'clock and the pupils were gathered together in front of the school and photographed as a group. On their return into the school, they found it had been transformed into a dining room with heavily-laden tables, which the old-timers thoroughly enjoyed. After everyone had chatted cordially for a while longer, the gathering broke up. The company will not meet again in complete numbers, nor in such a way.

Berliner Journal September 26, 1895 Page 4 Column 4

_________________


THE RATZ BROS.

It has always been my custom in writing up the industries of a community to first direct attention to its flouring mills, because from them is derived the staff of life, without which we would find a precarious subsistence. No other industry is of greater importance to the merchants, mechanics and inhabitants in general. In this particular, Elmira has a first-class establishment in the Elmira Roller Mills, owned and operated by the above well known firm. These mills were established in 1867 by a joint stock company. Sometime about the year 1870 they became the property of the late John Ratz, the father of the members of the present firm, in company with his brother Jacob. The latter is now living in New Hamburg, having withdrawn from the firm in 1872. His interest was then purchased by Isaac Wenger, it then being conducted under the firm name of Ratz & Wenger from 1872 to 1875, when Mr. Ratz became sole proprietor and operated the same until 1882, after which he gave his sons an interest in the business. It continued under the firm of Ratz & Sons until 1889, when the senior member of the firm died. The latter was a man honorable and prominent in the estimation of all who knew him, being both charitable and public spirited in every sense of the term. He was one of the first Reeves of the village and one of the main advocates of the railroad project for Elmira, and was prominent among those who rendered substantial encouragement to the movement that gave to the village its first railroad communication. Since his death the mills have been owned and operated by his three sons, Simon H. Daniel and George. They were among the first in the county to adopt the full roller process, and now have a capacity for turning out one hundred barrels of a superior grade of flour per day. A 75 horse power engine supplies the motive power. Their special brands are, viz, "Elmira" and "Sunshine," which are popular products in the market. They have an extensive local trade and a large demand in the maritime Provinces for their output.

They also buy and pay the highest market price for all the wheat that comes to their doors. In addition to the flouring mills the firm has a sawmill in connection, in which they do a large amount of custom sawing for the farmers of many miles around, besides manufacturing the heading, staves and hoops for their flour barrels. They also manufacture a first-class grade of shingles. Elmira's splendid electric light system is furnished by this firm, their plant having a capacity for producing 500 incandescent lights for that purpose. The brilliant, steady illumination of the town at night is ample proof that they are furnishing a first class article and giving the people good satisfaction. The Ratz Bros were all born within a mile and a half of Elmira and are among her honorable, industrious and enterprising citizens. The amount of money they pay out to the farmers annually is high in the thousands.

Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1, 2, 3

John married Marie Opfer 30 May 1848, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Marie (daughter of Opper and Catherine) was born 23 May 1827, , Germany; died 27 Oct 1905; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Marie Ratz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-85842P
• Immigration: 1847, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1848, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other M
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesleyan Methodist

Other Events:

• Name: Wilhelm Hofstetter
• Name: William Hofstetter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-123490
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: Bef 1898, Victoriaburg (Wilmot Township), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Hofstetter.-On the 12th of May, 1898, in Baden, Waterloo Co., Ont., Bro. William Hofstetter, aged 75 years, 5 months and 23 days. He had been ill for several weeks. On Saturday afternoon, the 14th, the remains were taken to the Mennonite cemetery near Mannheim, of which church the deceased was a member, where they were laid in their last resting place. A large number of sympathizing friends attended the funeral. The services were conducted by Daniel Wismer and Tobias Bowman. Bro. Hofstetter came here from Germany. He lived hear Victoriaburg for many years till his retirement a few years ago, when his son William took the farm. He then moved to Baden with his wife, who is still living, although she is very ill and small hopes are entertained for her recovery.

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXV, No. 11, June 1, 1898 - page 172, 173

_________________________

William Hofstetter, father-in-law of Mr. John Schenk, was called to eternal rest on Thursday, May 12th, and buried in the Mennonite cemetery in Mannheim on Saturday, accompanied by a great crowd. He was born in the year 1822 in Beergelden, Hess-Darmstadt, and came to Berlin, Canada 44 years ago. He had married Maria Magdalena Wereg in Germany, and from this marriage, 8 children were born, one girl of whom died. From Berlin he moved to Wilmot, where he farmed for 30 years. Three and a half years ago, he moved to Baden and settled into retirement at his son-in-law's.

He is survived by his deeply saddened widow, who suffered an eye ailment 40 years ago and has been completely blind for 11 years. Besides his 7 surviving children, he leaves 39 grandchildren. Three grandchildren have died. He died of a heart ailment. His wife is confined to her bed because of frailty and a lung ailment, and was not able to attend the burial. Rev. Tobias Baumann preached from Isaiah, Chapt. 3, 10-11 and Rev. Daniel Wismer from the gospel of John, Chapt. 11, 19-26. He lived to be 75 years, 5 months and 11 days old. (poem follows)

Berliner Journal May 19, 1898 Page 5 Column 2 Translated by: Patricia J. Kauk

Wilhelm married Maria Magdalena "Magdalena" Wernwag 27 Feb 1848, Reutlingen, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Maria (daughter of Samuel Wernwag and Maria Margareth Hecht) was born 27 Jul 1824, , Germany; died 22 May 1898, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Misfortune: blind from 1887
• Name: Lena Wereg
• Name: Lena Wernsweg
• Name: Magdalena
• Name: Magdalena Wereoach
• Name: Maria Magdalena "Magdalena" Hofstetter
• Name: Maria Magdalena Wereg
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-137974
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Maria is reported to have been born in Wurttemberger Hof, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, documentation needed.

Med. Note:
Blind from 1887

Other Events:

• Name: Johann Friederich "John" Golbeck
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35212
• Residence: 1851, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran Protestant
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Johann married Sophia Rachow 21 Sep 1851, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Sophia was born 30 Jul 1830, , Germany; died 25 Apr 1896; was buried , St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Bamberg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sophia Goldbeck
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35213
• Residence: 1851, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran Protestant
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran