William Kummer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-194725

Notes:

KUMMER. Oliver - Peacefully at Saint Lukes Place on Friday January 8, 1999. Oliver Kummer in his 84th. yr. Beloved husband of the late Helena (nee) Fenelon. Loving father and father in law of Bill; Chester Nova Scotia; Kaaren Stuss; Toronto; Michael and his wife Margot; Kathy McEwin and her husband Rae; Brendan and his wife Mary Jean; all of Cambridge; Susan Down; St. Catharines. Predeceased by a son Kevin. Will be sadly missed by his grandchildren David, Leanne, Kimberley, Stacey, Patrick and his wife Kathryn, Jeffrey, Willie, Erin and Kelly. Fondly remembered by sister Ruth Lockie; Milton, Ontario. Mr. Kummer was an active member of the St. Clements R.C. Church and a Honorary member of the Canadian Iris Society. He was best remembered for being a wonderful husband, Father, Grandfather, Neighbour and Friend. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Clements R.C. Church 745 Duke Street, Cambridge on Tuesday January 12, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. Cremation has taken place. Donations to St. Lakes Place or the Charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to BARTHEL FUNERAL HOME Ph: 653-3251.

Oliver — M. Helena "Helena" Fenelon. M. died 5 Jul 1991; was buried , Memory Gardens Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Helena Fenelon
• Name: M. Helena "Helena" Kummer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-174369

Notes:

KUMMER - M. Helena at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Friday, July 5th, 1991, Helena Fenelon, beloved wife of Oliver Kummer and dear mother of William, Michael, and Brendan, Kaaren and Kathy. Predeceased by one son, Kevin. Also survived by nine grandchildren, two brothers and one sister in New Brunswick. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation at the Funeral Home. Arrangements entrusted to the Barthel Funeral Home, 653-3251.

Other Events:

• Elected Office: Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Alderman
• Interesting: politics, horticulture
• Name: Ollie Kummer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-88730
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Apprentice
• Occupation: 1904, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinet Maker
• Occupation: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinet Maker, Furniture Factory
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Oliver A. Kummer was born in Doon on July 1, 1880 and came to Preston in 1900. He worked for over fifty years as a cabinet maker but is best remembered for his love of plants and gardening and his long association with the Preston Horticultural Society. Mr. Kummer was a charter member of the Horticultural Society and served on its executive for almost seventy years. He was active in persuading the Ontario government to adopt the trillium as the provincial flower and developed a number of strains of tall bearded irises including "Okon", "Kummon" and "Centennial Gold". His other major floral interest was peonies and he is credited with the introduction of a new variety named "Mrs. C. S. Lockie" after his daughter. The Preston Horticultural Society presented him with a service award in 1939 and Mr. Kummer received an award of merit, in 1973, from the Ontario Horticultural Association. Mr. Kummer served on Preston council from 1922 to 1925, served on the Preston Parks Board Management for twenty five years and was named Preston's Citizen of the Year in 1969. He died on June 20, 1982.

Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge

_________________

O.A. Kummer celebrates his birthday the same day as Canada. He was born on July 1, 1880 in Doon. He is the son of the later John Kummer and his wife Marie Wagenplast. He grew to manhood in Doon and attended the Blair Public School. In 1900 he settled in Preston. The Kummer home in Doon is at the V, the second house on the right side, pink roughcast, and is now occupied by Mrs. Karges. Mr. Kummer is best known for his love of flowers, which love he inherited from his mother, who grew flowers at their Doon home when Ollie was a lad. He is a veteran gardening enthusiast. His specialty is the Iris and Peony. He introduced the Centennial Gold Iris, which he says is pure gold and a beauty.

During his tenure as an executive member of the Preston Horticultural Society for almost 70 years, he was active in persuading the Ontario Government to accept the Trillium as the Provincial floral emblem. He was appointed judge of the Merican Iris Society and has served as judge in the flower shows throughout Waterloo and Wellington Counties.

His hobbies besides his beautiful garden at his home in Preston are oil painting, water colors and the inlaying of wooden table tops, pictures and trays. He spent most of his wording life as a cabinet maker, first with the Grove-Werlich Company and later with the PrestonFurniture Company until his retirement.

Preston's Citizen-of- the- Year

Ollie Kummer was chosen the Citizen-of-the-Year 1969 of Preston by the Jaycees, junior chamber of commerce. Reeve W.C. Woods said at the banquet held in The Sulphur Springs Hotel " I am of the opinion that the choice of Mr. Kummer as the year's first person will be supported by the majority of citizens. Mr. Kummer has always been a first-class citizen of this municipality'.' Mr. W. Brittenden presented Mr. Kummer with an engraved plaque and a parchmant certificate in recognition of his service to the community during his 89 years. Mr. Kummer served for 25 years on the Preston Board of Parks management, and as an alderman for 4 years.

Mr. Kummer served 67 years as member of the I.C.O.F. and is a charter member of the Queen Rebekah Lodge, Preston. He joined the I.O.C.F. as soon as he was 21 and holds all the degrees which his fraternity issues, and a meritorious jewel as well.

In 1904 he married a sweetheart of his Blair Public School days, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Short. They were married by Rev. J.R. Johnson, minister of the Doon Presbyterian and Knox Presbyterian Church, Preston. They had three children: Ruth, (Mrs. Stewart Lockie ) Milton, Edward of Galt, who died in Sept. 1968, and Oliver who is living in Preston.

Mr. and Mrs. Kummer celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Wednesday September 1964. They are members of the Knox Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Kummer died in October 1968.

On his 89th birthday Mr. Kummer enjoyed his first plane ride, as a birthday gift from his son Oliver. Mr. Kummer came to Doon and addressed our Women's Institute meeting on the ''Hybridization of Iris and Peonies" and showed colored slides of his garden. As Mr. Kummer is a personalfriend of Miss Susan Eshleman she chose this interesting talk for her spring meeting in 1969 As Mr. Kummer does not drive a car he son Oliver brought him to Doon. This talk was enjoyed by the members.

Women's Institute Doon and Blair

__________________

I REMEMBER

By O. A. KUMMER Long Time Resident of Preston

EDITOR'S NOTE -This is the third in a series of articles being written for The Preston Reporter by long-time resident O. A. Kummer. Dealing with Preston's past, as Mr. Kummer remembers it, the article swill [sick] appear in these columns from time to time.


BICYCLE MEETS used to be a popular pastime in the area; the Town of Preston had many of them.

Riverside Park was usually the scene, and hundreds of cyclists attended.

I remember one particular day when there seemed to be only one winner. It was none other than Herbert Clare.

Two other noted cyclists from the area, who were famous for their long distance ability, were Ernie Evans and Albert Near.

I REMEMBER when Preston was famous for its horse racing meets in Speed Park. as it was called then. Trotting and pacing races were held periodically, and usually attracted fine crowds.

The track was noted as a fast one, and I can recall being in conversation with some of the horsemen. who said it "had a kind of bounce to it."

This, no doubt, was because the base upon which the raceway rests is more liquid than solid.

Preston horsemen included Perc Sauerson, Ed Perine, Blarrs Wilkes, J. Wetherall and H. Osgood.

I CAN RECALL when Preston had very little in the way of fire protection for the village-mostly water from the Speed River and the Klotz Dam.

A tank was constructed across from the Commercial Hotel to supply water and the pumping equipment consisted of a contraption resembling a railroad jigger upon with four men, two on each side, operated it in unison.

I REMEMBER when W. A Husband lived in the cottage which stands on the opposite corner of our municipal complex, and when he was clerk of the village.

He was also greatly interested in growing things and in horticulture in general.

He had a beautiful vine growing upon the verandah posts. the most beautiful vine I have ever seen, and he also took delight in presenting the earliest flower in the spring to the local editor of The Preston Progress, Mr. Blackstock.

____________________

OLIVER KUMMER

Local horticulturalist, Oliver A. Kummer of Fairview Mennonite Home, died June 20, 1982 at age 101.

Mr. Kummer was born in Doon, and a resident of Preston for for more than 80 years.

Mr. Kummer was awarded the Ontario Horticulture Association meritorious award; was a charter member of the Preston Horticulture Society.
an honorary director of the Canadian Iris Society, member of the Queen Rebekah Lodge 54; charter member of the Cambridge Oddfellows Lodge 188, a veteran member of the old Preston Parks Board and alderman of Preston Council.

He was predeceased by his wife Charlotte Short in 1968, and a son Edward in 1969. Surviving are a son Oliver L. Kummer of Preston, daughter Mrs. Stewart (Ruth) Lockie of Milton, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grand children and one great great grandchild.

Oliver married Charlotte Elizabeth "Lottie" Short 16 Sep 1904, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Charlotte (daughter of William Nichol Short and Adaline Wismer) was born 17 Nov 1882, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Oct 1968; was buried , Memory Gardens Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Charlotte Elizabeth "Lottie" Kummer
• Name: Lottie Short
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-89282
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Domestic
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-139403P
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian Canada
• Directory: 1884, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 011, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John is reported to be from Aarwangen, Canton of Berne, Switzerland, documention needed.

John — Marie Ann "Mary" Wagenplast. Marie was born 11 Aug 1840, Unterriexingen, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 29 Jan 1919, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Marie Ann "Mary" Kummer
• Name: Mary Wagenplast
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-139404P
• Immigration: 1847, , Canada
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian Canada
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00133-8238.44
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agricultural Laborer
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Teamster
• Occupation: 1902, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; fireman
• Occupation: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Driver, Baker
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1942, 953 Queenston Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

William married Adaline Wismer 26 Mar 1879, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Adaline (daughter of Joseph Cressman Wismer and Charlotte Hewitt) was born 14 Nov 1858, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Oct 1898; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Adaline Short
• Name: Adeline Wismer
• Eby ID Number: 00133-8238.5
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican