Martin Loher

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236053242
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-187171
• Occupation: 1919, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; carder

Martin married Evelyn Wilhelmine "Eva" Garbutt 29 Apr 1919, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. Evelyn was born 1900, Ravensworth, Muskoka District, Ontario, Canada; died 1938; was buried , Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Interesting: story, construction, fences
• Name: Martin Loher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-114574

Notes:

FENCES IN WATERLOO COUNTY
By R. S. Oberholtzer

Bohemian Stone Fences

In the latter part of the nineteenth century Mr. Martin Loher and his wife migrated from Bohemia (now part of Czechoslovakia) to the U.S.A. After a time they moved to the vicinity of Galt, Ontario, where fellow-countrymen were established. Having had experience and a high reputation in the art of stone cutting, Mr. Loher was engaged by the more wealthy farmers to build stone fences. Many are still to be seen and are quite picturesque. He claimed his work would be good for one hundred years. The operation was contracted for at $1.50 per rod. Later the price was $2.50 to $3.00 when, over a period of close to three years, from 1904 to 1907, almost two miles of fence was built for the Wilks family of Blair. The eldest daughter and son helped their parents in the work. Colour combinations and the granite with a better cutting grain were used to enhance the appearance, while less desirable rock was placed in the foundation. In an average day of twelve hours they accomplished a rod and a half of fence, the farmer keeping them supplied with stone. They usually camped at the scene of their operation.

Their fence building was halted very suddenly in 1913 [1911]when the father lost his life in a fire that completely destroyed their home near Sheffield. After this tragedy the three daughters, Teenie, Arnie, and Mary, soon moved to the U.S.A., but the son. Martin, with his mother [she had died 1909], moved to Hespeler where he worked at the Woollen Mill. For the past thirty-eight years he has been employed with the Gilson Manufacturing Company of Guelph and is still working an eight- hour day at the age of seventy-five.,,,,


Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1958

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COUNTY MAN'S TRAGIC DEATH

Martin Loher, Age 96, of Galt is Suffocated in Burning Building


Galt, Ont, Dec 3 - The tragic death, by being burned while alone in his house, took place yesterday afternoon of Martin Loher, 96 years old, a man known throughout Waterloo, and neighboring counties by the stone fences which he had built on many of the best farms. Over a week ago the old man became very sick, and was visited at his home in Beverley by Dr. Vardon, of Galt, who communicated with Reeve Jones, of Linden, with references to having the sick man removed to the hospital, here Yesterday morning Loher's son came to Galt to see Dr. Vardon and when he returned found the little stone house, which was the only home he knew, a burning mass of ruins and the charred remains of the father gave evidence of the tragedy that had taken place, in the diminutive domicile were two wood stoves, and it is supposed that the fire originated from one of these The sick man lay on his bed in an inner room about eight feet square and it is likely that he was suffocated while sleeping or else was cut off by the flames he being scarcely able to move in his wretched condition. The house was situated between Branchton and Sheffield, isolated in the bush, and the neighbors had no idea of what was happening until it was too late to be of any aid. An inquest man not considered necessary. The funeral took place in Sheffield this afternoon.

The Berlin News Record Mon, Dec 04, 1911 Page 1

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Aged Man Burned Alive

Galt, Dec 4. - Martin Loher, aged 96, a builder of stone fences, was burned to death on Saturday afternoon.

The Toronto Star Mon, Dec 04, 1911 Page 12

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HAD BUILT MANY FENCES

Man of 96 Burned to Death While Sick and Alone in Home

Galt, Ont., Dec. 3. The tragic death, by being burned while alone in his house, took place yesterday afternoon of Martin Loher, 96 years old. a man known throughout Waterloo and neighboring counties by the stone fences which he had built on many of the best farm's. Over a week ago the old man became very sick, and was visited at his home In Beverley by Dr. Vardon, of Galt, who communicated with Reeve Jones, of Linden, with reference to having the sick man removed to the hospital here. Yesterday morning Loher's son came to Galt to see Dr. Vardon, and when he returned found the little stonehouse, which was the only home he knew, a burning mass of ruins, and the charred remains of his father gave evidence of the tragedy that had taken place. In the diminutive domicile were two wood stoves, and it is supposed that the fire originated from one of these. The sick man lay on his bed in an inner room about eight feet square, and it is likely that he was suffocated while sleeping, or else was cut off by the flames, being scarcely able to move in his wretched condition. The house was situated between Branchton and Sheffield, isolated in the bush, and the neighbors had no idea of what was happening until it was too late to be of any aid.

The Hamilton Spectator Mon, Dec 04, 1911 Page 13

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BURNED TO DEATH

Awful Fate of Martin Loher, a Beverly Township Nenagenarian

Tragically pathetic was the death on Saturday afternoon of Martin Loher, who was burned to deatth in his home near Beverly. The aged man was unable to help himself owing to illness. His son was away at the time consulting a doctor with reference to his aged father's condition.

Over a week ago deceased became very ill and was visited by Dr. Vardon, of Galt, who advised that he be removed to the hospital at Galt. On Saturday morning Loher's son went to see the doctor, and on his return found the house a burning mass of ruins, the charred remains of his father giving evidence of the tragedy which had occurred. In the house were two wood stoves, and it is supposed that the fire started from one of them. The unfortunate man lay on his bed, and was probably either suffocated by the smoke, or cut off by the flames, being unable to move in his sick condition.

The house is situated near Branchton, and the neighbors had no idea as to what was happening until it was too late to render assistance. An inquest was not desired necessary, and the funeral took place yesterday afternoon to Sheffield cemetery.

The Hamilton Spectator Mon, Dec 04, 1911 Page 1

Marten — Barbara Henry. Barbara was born 1836, , Bohemia, Czechoslovakia; died 19 Jun 1909, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248760017
• Name: Barbara Loher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-169172