John Morley Schiefele

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-167384
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Business: Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Willow King
• Family Photograph: Oliver Scheifle and wife Laura Hought
• Interesting: suicide, story, business
• Name: O. S. Scheifele
• Eby ID Number: 00099-5556.7
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Occupation: 1909, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Misfortune: 1933; committed suicide

Notes:

Planting the seeds

By Bob Vrbanac, Chronicle Staff

We've all heard the story of how Abraham Erb's gristmill was Waterloo's first business and led to founding of the city.

But did you know it was all a mistake? Erb was one of the Mennonite farmers who was attracted to the area from Pennsylvania because of the arable land.

But when he arrived he found out the bottomland he owned was more than a little waterlogged. There was no way he could produce a decent crop.

But the Beaver Creek, now known as Laurel Creek, did run through his property. It provided an excellent source of running water and lead to the construction of one of the area's first water-powered gristmills.

Erb had no idea his little side project would become one of the best mill sites west of the Grand River, and farmers who needed their grain ground down to the flour of life would travel more than a day's journey to get in line with the others waiting for the service.

That's just one of the stories on display at the City of Waterloo's newest exhibit celebrating the community's agrarian past called Agricultural Roots.

"The grist mill formed the nucleus of the city and we grew out from there," said Karen VandenBrink, manager of heritage services for the city. "The exhibit starts out from our early origins and goes from there."

And it's a colourful past. Have you heard of the story of the Willow King, who pioneered a novel solution to riverbank erosion that was patented and shipped around North America?

Oliver Scheifele's revolutionary method of using willow branches to shore up the banks of waterways in 1921 might have been inspired by the willow trees he saw in Waterloo Park, said VandenBrink. He might have noticed how once a willow shoot was submerged in water it would quickly grow roots along its length and it would stabilize the earth around it.

Scheifele came up with the idea of using hundreds of those poles interwined to hold riverbanks in place. He quickly won contracts with big players like Dominion Public Works, Ontario Highways and Canadian Pacific. He also branched out into the United States, winning contracts from the U.S. government to monitor the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, before opening an office in Buffalo.

But the Great Depression seemed to affect his business like many others in 1931, and his enterprise began to struggle. He was down to working out of his own garage by 1933 and was fulfilling an order for London, Ont., to plant 4,000 willow shoots along the Thames River when tragedy struck.

His wife became worried when he didn't show up for dinner on the night of April 18, 1933. She might have even had something special planned for his 50th birthday.

She found him dead, and the official cause of death was suicide by gun shot to the head.

Unfortunately, what could have been one of Waterloo's most interesting green businesses is now lost to the sands of time. His widow sold his business along with his patents, and his legacy was lost.

VandenBrink said the only remnants of his business might be the willow trees that still populate Waterloo Park. "We think there are definite connections to the willows around Silver Lake," she said.

While that provides some dramatic tension to the story of Waterloo's agricultural roots, there is still one business that continues to carry the city's banner into the world - Ontario Seed Company.

Founded in 1906 by Otto Herald as the Pioneer Canadian Seed Growers in Waterloo, it was bought by Jacob Uffelman in 1916 and his family continues to run the business at its King Street location in uptown Waterloo. "They still operate it today, and it still is a huge business," said VandenBrink.

It is still one of the largest wholesale seed suppliers in Canada, she said, as Ontario Seed Company ships out more than 40 million packets of seeds a year.

If you want to see why it's been so successful for more than 100 years, the exhibit has some of the early advertising and seed catalogue's that helped establish the roots of the company.

To call it artwork would be an understatement as vibrant colours and mouthwatering vegetables dominate the original advertising. It is interesting to see the use of language used in the print ads, loaned to the City of Waterloo for display. All of them have words like "massive" and "giant" implying the high yields that farmers would get. "Everything is luscious looking," said VandenBrink.

The exhibit Agricultural Roots is on until Mar. 1 at the museum located at Conestoga Mall. To see its special holiday hours visit www.waterloo.ca/museum.

Planting the seeds. (2012). WaterlooChronicle.ca. Retrieved 17 November 2018, from https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/whatson-story/5891294-planting-the-seeds/

Oliver married Laura Naomi Hought 9 Mar 1909, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Laura was born Aug 1888, Peel Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 13 Jul 1979, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Family Photograph: Oliver Scheifle and wife Laura Hought
• Name: Laura Naomi Scheifele
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-167362
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1921, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1934, 202 King St. N., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00099-5556
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; No religion
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• 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; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1936, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Aaron G. Scheifley, "was born October 6th, 1855. He is married to Angeline, daughter of David and Mariah (Shelley) Stauffer. They reside on the south-west part of lot No. 2, Woolwich Township, about one and one-half miles south of Conestogo. To them were born eight 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.].

__________________

Aaron SchiefeleFuneral services were held Tuesday afternoon, from the Letter & Dreisinger Funeral Home, for Aaron Schefele, 85, who died at the home of his son, Clayton Schiefele, four miles north of Waterloo, Saturday morning. Interment was made in Conestogo cemetery following service at Bethany Mennonite church. He was a member of the Bethany Mennonite Church, Kitchener. His wife predeceased him 25 years ago and he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Charles Hilliard,Waterloo and Mrs. Edwin Bingeman, Ponoka, Alta., three sons, Sidney of Waterloo, Alvin of Breslau and Clayton, north of Waterloo and 22 grandchildren.

Waterloo Chronicle 2 Feb 1940 pg 3

Aaron married Angeline Stauffer 10 Aug 1875. Angeline (daughter of David H. Stauffer and Annie Maria "Mary" Shelly) was born 16 Dec 1852, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Oct 1915, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 15 Oct 1915, Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Angeline Scheifele
• Eby ID Number: 00117-7440
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Angeline Stauffer, "the fourth daughter of David Stauffer, was born near Bridgeport, Waterloo County, December 16th, 1852. She was married to Aaron Scheifley, August 10th, 1875."


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.].

______________________


MRS. AARON SCHEIFELE.

The death occurred on Tuesday evening, in the person of Angeline Stauffer, wife of Mr. Aaron Scheifele, at her home, near Conestogo. She was in her 63rd year and had been in ill health, for the past ten weeks. The deceased was a daughter of the late David Stauffer of near Bridgeport and was married, thirty-nine years ago, to Mr. Aaron Scheilele of near Conestoga. There survive, a husband and seven children, namely: Sydney, Alvin, Oliver, Dalton, Clayton, Ida (Mrs. Chas. Hilliard and Pearl (Mrs. Bingeman), Alsask, Sask. One son, Herbert, died two years ago. The funeral of the late Mrs. Aaron Schiefele, was held last Friday afternoon, at her late home, near Conestogo, at the Mennonite Church of that village and was attended by a large concourse of people. Rev. S. Eby and Rev. H. S. Hallman, of Berlin, conducted the service, at the home and Rev. A. A. Kelly, of Toronto, with the pastor, Rev. C. F. Krauth, officiated, at the church. Interment followed at the Conestogo Cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to the family.

Chronicle Telegraph 21 Oct 1915 pg 5

Other Events:

• Name: Friederich Schaeufle
• Eby ID Number: 00099-5549
• Immigration: 1830
• Occupation: 1842, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Naturalization: 1850
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; No Religon
• 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
• Retired: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Frederick Scheifle, "was born in Waterloo County, June 21st, 1823. He spent his younger days in chopping and clearing land, and later on he purchased a farm a little to the south of Conestogo where he followed farming until 1889 when he quit farming and moved a little to the north of the town of Waterloo where he now lives retired and takes life easy and comfortable. In April, 1842, he was married to Esther Wenger who was born in July, 1818, and died in September, 1850. On June 21st, 1851, he was again married to Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Mary (Wanner) Ginerich. She was born August 21st, 1827. Mr. Scheifle's family consists of nine children, four of whom were born unto his first wife."


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.].

Friederich married Elizabeth Gingrich 22 Jun 1851, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of Michael Groh Gingrich and Mary M. Wanner) was born 21 Aug 1827, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Jul 1911; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Scheifele
• Name: Lizzie Gingerich
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3091
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; No Religian
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elizabeth Gingerich, "was born August 21st, 1827. She was married, June 21st, 1851, to Frederick Scheifley who was born June 21st, 1823. They resided on a beautiful farm about one mile south of Conestogo until lately when they retired from farming and moved about one mile north of the town of Waterloo where they live retired. The family consists 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.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00117-7431
• Immigration: 1847, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Naturalization: 1860
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

David Stauffer, "son of Jacob and Mary (Hoch) Stauffer, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, December 31st, 1813, and was raised in Butler County, same state. He was married, in 1836, to Anna Maria, daughter of Samuel and Polly (Bechtel) Shelly. She was born May 29th, 1819. On May 2nd, 1848, they, with their family of five children, left Harmony, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and moved to Canada and arrived at Berlin during the latter part of May. During the remainder of the year 1848 they resided on the farm formerly owned by the late William Moyer, now in possession of Isadore B. Snyder. In spring, 1849, they moved to Bridgeport, on the farm now possessed by Dilman G. Moyer where they had the misfortune of being burned out. In 1854, they moved on the old 'Burkholder Farm' one mile north of the town of Waterloo where they resided until 1859, then they moved on the old 'Henry Martin Farm' one mile north of the Martin Mennonite Meeting House. Here they resided until 1864, when he purchased a farm about two miles north-west of Heidelberg where they resided for ten years, then he sold his farm to a Mr. Compass, in 1874, and moved to Conestogo, having bought Mr. Charles Hendry's property, where they now reside. They have have a family of thirteen children, of whom three died in infancy, .."

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.].

____________________

DAVID STAUFFER,

While in Conestogo last week I was afforded an opportunity of meeting this venerable citizen. Mr. Stauffer was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1813, being now in the 85th year of his age. His general appearance and unimpared mind and body would lead one to believe that he had not yet reached the sixties. He came to Canada about forty-eight years ago, and recollects when Berlin had only one mercantile establishment, then kept by one Fred Miller, and Jake and John Hoffman were about to open another. He has lived in Conestogo twenty-three years, living a retired life with his wife, who is now in ber 78 th year. Mr. Stauffer claims no relationship with the numerous family of Stauffers in Waterloo County, though his ancestors are of the same nationality and espouse the same religious faith. I have yet to see the person who has lived eighty- five years who can show less marks of an advanced age than Mr. Stauffer. He is a record breaker, and no mistake.

In my next letter Winterbourne and its oldest citizens will be my subject. I believe this village takes the lead in the county for old people.

H. N.

Waterloo County Chronicle 12 May 1898, p. 8

David married Annie Maria "Mary" Shelly 24 May 1836. Annie (daughter of Samuel Shelly and Polly Bechtel) was born 29 May 1819, Harmony, Butler, Pennsylvania, USA; died 12 Aug 1909; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Maria "Mary" Stauffer
• Name: Maria Schelle
• Name: Mary Shelly
• Eby ID Number: 00111-6980
• Immigration: 1847, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Annie Maria Shelly, "was born in Harmony, Butler County, Pennsylvania, May 29th, 1819. On May 24th, 1836, she married to David Stauffer."


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.].