Lieutenant-Colonel George Alexander Mackay Edwards, MP

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192551961
• Military: Lieutenant-Colonel The Highland Light Infantry of Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-207932
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Trust Aide, G. A. Edwards Dies in Galt

GALT, Lt.-Col. George Alexander McKay Edwards, 52, Galt branch manager of the Waterloo Trust and Savings Company, died suddenly, yesterday. He was the son of the late A. M. Edwards, who was the South Waterloo member of Parliament for many years. He led the Highland Light Infantry of Canada in operations along the Scheldt estuary and into Holland. Earlier he served in the North African campaigns.

COMMANDED HLI

Mr. Edwards joined the HLI in 1934. When the unit mobilized in 1940, he was a captain. Upon his return after the war, he took command of the reserve unit as lieutenant-colonel. Mr. Edwards joined the Waterloo Trust in 1934, a year after his graduation, from Trinity College, University of Toronto. After the war he was appointed assistant manager of the branch and took over as manager, in 1953. He leaves his wife, the former Mary Davidson Wardlaw; a son, James Clare and a sister, Margrata Clare Edwards. Funeral service will be held at Little's Funeral Home, 39 Grand Ave. North, Monday, at 2: 30 p m. Burial will be in Mount View cemetery.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 18 Jun 1960 pg 5

_____________________________

June 17. G. A. M. Edwards, 51, had an outstanding military career and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. Mr. Edwards was active in community affairs, being treasurer of the South Waterloo unit of the Canadian Cancer Society and director of the Galt Red Cross Society. Through his lifelong residence in Galt, his military career, his business life and his considerable interest and participation in athletics, he was widely known throughout the area.

Forty-Eighth Annual Volume of the Waterloo Historical Society Mar 1961

George married Mary Davidson Wardlaw 8 Jun 1940, Parkdale, York Co., Ontario. Mary (daughter of Dr. James Sime Wardlaw and Mary Helen Ritchie) was born 1 Aug 1914; died 9 Apr 1977; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/239184325
• Interesting: business, druggist, politics,
• Name: A. M. Edwards
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-207928
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Chemist
• Occupation: 1905, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Druggist
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Retail Druggist, Drug Store
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Elected Office: 1925; Member of Parliament

Notes:

EDWARDS, Alexander McKay, M.P.

In Galt on Friday, June 3, 1938, at his late residence, 142 Blair Road, Alexander McKay Edwards, M.P., beloved husband of Laura M. Clare, in his sixty-fourth year. Private service at his late residence, on Monday, June 6, at 11 a.m. (S.T.), Remains will than rest in Knox Presbyterian Church, until 2: 30 p.m. (S.T.). when a public service will be held. Interment in Mount View Cemetery, Galt.

Kitchener Daily Record 4 Jun 1938 pg 15

___________________________


Alexander MacKay Edwards was born in Bothwell 6 Apr 1872, the son of Charles Edwards and Annie MacKay. Educated in Bothwell and at Glencoe he completed his formal educations at the Ontario College of Pharmacy. About 1900 he opened the White Drug Store which later became Meikleham's Pharmacy. In 1912 he sold the drug store and created the Galt Stove and Furnace Co. and served as president. He served on Galt council, reeve and mayor. He was elected to represent Waterloo South in the House of Commons in 1925.

Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

Alexander married Laura May Clare 26 Apr 1905, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Laura (daughter of George Adam Clare, MP and Catherine Fink) was born 10 Mar 1880, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Oct 1952; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/239184588
• Name: Laura May Edwards
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-415947
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-445165

Charles — Annie MacKay. Annie was born 1852; died 1941; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Edwards
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-415949

Other Events:

• Business: Canadian Office and School Furniture Co., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Canadian Office and School Furniture Co.
• Business: Galt Stove and Furnace Co., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Galt Stove and Furnace Co. - President
• Business: Preston Car and Coach Co., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Preston Car and Coach Co.
• Business: Solid Leather Show Co. Ltd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Solid Leather Show Co. - president
• Business: Stamped and Enamelled Ware Co., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stamped and Enamelled Ware Co.
• Business: Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Guelph, Ontario; Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. - director
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39697393
• Interesting: business, furniture, politics, life story
• Name: G. A. Clare
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-40954
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Business: 1881, Clare Brothers and Co., Preston, Waterloo Region, Ontario; Clare Brothers and Co.
• Occupation: 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Foundry Man
• Elected Office: 1883, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Preston
• Elected Office: 1886, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo County
• Elected Office: 1886, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve for Preston
• Elected Office: 1891, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo County
• Occupation: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Foundryman
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Elected Office: 1894, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Elected Office: 1900, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve - Preston
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Office: 1913, , Ontario, Canada; Privy Councillor - Canada

Notes:

In 1875 worked for his father in his foundry. Later in 1881 purchased the foundry in partnership with his brother Frederick and Henry C. Hilborn. Business became known in 1901 as Clare Bros. Ltd. He was president of this company among others such as: Galt Stove and Furnace Co., Clare and Brodest Ltd of Winnipeg, Canadian Office and School Furniture Lt, Solid Leather Shoe Co. Ltd., Preston Car and Coach Co. Director of Stamped and Enamelled Ward Ltd. of Hespeler and Wellington Mutal Fire of Guelph. Served on Preston council, became Mayor of Preston, served on Waterloo council and warden. In 1900 elected as MP of South Waterloo, appointed a Privy Councillor in 1913. He died in office.

Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

Business:
In association with Otto Klotz (the father of the Canadian Astronomer and Surveyor Dr. Otto Julius Klotz 1852-1923), George A. Clare, George Fink and William Hudson, they later formed the joint stock company "Canadian Office and School Furniture Co." (C.O.S.F.). This company expanded very quickly - as well as they also produced bureaux and church furnishings. It is said that C.O.S.F. outfitted 1250 Canada bank offices. In 1908 they had about 125-180 employees.

Business:
President

Business:
Director

Business:
George Adam Clare, Frederick Clare and Henry C. Hilborn founded Clare Brothers and Co.

Office:
named Privy Councillor by Prime Minister.

George married Catherine Fink 19 Apr 1876, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of Paul Fink and Maria Catharina Stein) was born 27 Aug 1854, , Ontario, Canada; died 14 Nov 1936, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88727376
• Name: Catherine Clare
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-89898
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tailoress
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182840447
• Interesting: business, life story, politics, public service
• Name: Johannes Klaar
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35004
• Residence: 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Moulder
• Occupation: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Illegible
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Elected Office: 1862, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve of Preston
• Elected Office: 1870, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve of Preston
• Occupation: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Iron Founder
• Elected Office: 1876, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve of Preston
• Misfortune: Abt 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; hand torn off
• Occupation: 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Founder
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

John Klarr later Clare, was born in Odenbach, Bavaria, Germany in 1823 and came to North America with his parents in 1834. The family first settled in Rochester, New York apprenticed in a foundry. In 1843 he arrived in Preston and in partnership he established a foundry with Jacob Beck and Valentine Wahn. The partnership dissolved in 1853 and he purchased the foundry previously operated by Erb and Guggisberg and made cast iron wood burning stoves, later building furnaces when central heating became available. He retired in 1881 sold his firm to his sons Frederick and George along with Henry C. Hilborn. He served on Preston council.


Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

________________________

John Clare, one of the oldest inhabitants of Preston, died on March 9th, of pneumonia, at the age of 64 years, 4 months, and 23 days. He was born in Odenbach, Rhine-Bavaria, came to America in 1834 as an 11 year-Old boy, first to Rochester, N.Y., later worked in an iron foundry in Hamilton, settled in Preston in 1844, where he carried on his business for 33 years.

In 1845, he married Margaretha Beck from Weiler in Baden (Margaretha Beck von Weiler in Baden) and the peaceful marriage produced 10 children, 5 boys and 5 in 1880, a dreadful misfortune befell him, in that his left hand was torn off as he attempted to start up his machinery. As a result, he retired from business in 1881. He was a good family man, an industrious business-man, a loyal and active member of the lutheran church, and a capable official of the town of Preston, which he served for several years as councillor and reeve in the town council, and more recently, in the county council.

Berliner Journal- March 15, 1888 (P.4 - Col.2) translated by Patricia Kauk for the Kitchener Public Library

____________________________

An enterprising young German came here [Preston] about 1838 by name of Mr. Jacob Beck. He had invented a peculiar kind of water-wheel, small in size but of great power, and its use in several small water powers gave young Mr. Beck quite a reputation. He commenced a small foundry near a saw-mill in the village of New Hope, and finding considerable encouragement came to Preston, where he erected a foundry upon the premises now owned by Peter E. Shantz in Fountain Street. Business increased rapidly, but unfortunately a fire broke out which completely destroyed his flourishing foundry and Mr. Beck, no insurance having been effected, stood once more poor and penniless; but, thanks to the liberality of his neighbors in and around Preston, a subscription was raised, men turned out to help with work and material and in a short time after the fire, Mr. Beck was again in possession of a foundry of considerably larger dimensions than the one destroyed by fire. He did an excellent business, and had men selling his stoves and other wares over a large part of Western Ontario. His means increased at a rapid rate, and he enlarged his premises according to the wants of his business. Some years later he took in as partners two of the young men in his employ, viz: John Clare and Valentine Wahn, and the foundry business continued to prosper for several years. Mr. Beck had in the meantime arranged with Mr. Robert Hunt of the Woolen Mills to improve his water power by heightening the dam and digging a canal from the dam alongside the (Speed River. This canal is still in existence except a small portion of its terminus which has recently been closed. Mr. Beck for the construction of the said canal obtained the privilege of erecting a saw-mill upon Mr. Hunt's premises. This saw-mill Mr. Beck carried on for some time but seeing that a grand scheme that he had in mind could not be carried out, he sold his sawmill to Messrs. Hunt & Elliott. This grand scheme was nothing less than extending the said canal, crossing King Street and Queen Street and erecting along the canal a number of factories and mills. The proprietor of the land positively refused to grant permission to construct such a canal and Mr. Beck was forced to abandon his cherished plan of making Preston a great manufacturing place, such as the Town of Galt is at the present day. Mr. Beck, notwithstanding the good business done in his foundry, became displeased with Preston. The partnership of Beck, Clare & Wahn was abruptly dissolved, the business closed and the affairs of the firm wound up. Each partner obtained his proper share of the assets, which were largely in excess of the liabilities, Mr. Clare a store and other property and Jacob Beck a large sum of money. He went in search of a mill property which he found in Wilmot. There he erected mills, foundry and other industries, and founded a village which he named Baden. The grist-mill built by him was the third grist-mill built with money earned in Preston.

Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 pg 29

_______________________


The family name of John Clare, an astute and forward-looking industrialist of Preston who came to Canada from Germany, was originally Klaar.

In his late teens he learned the moulding trade in a foundry in Buffalo, NY, and in 1843 was hired by Jacob Beck of Preston. A short time later he became Beck's partner.

In 1853 when the Great Western Railway was being built Beck said: "We must locate on the railway." Clare replied: "They will have to come to us eventually." Both proved to be right for the railway did go through Preston. Beck sold his interest in the flourishing firm which became John Clare and Company.

Several sons succeeded him in the business, one of whom, George became a member of Parliament at Ottawa and a member of the Cabinet.

The Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

______________________

Clare, John, iron founder and tinsmith ; manufacturer and wholesale and retail dealer in stoves. Is a native of Germany, and has resided here since 1845. Formerly held the offices of Reeve and School Trustee.

Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881 (Village of Preston entries)

John married Margaret Beck 28 Sep 1845, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margaret (daughter of Georg Friedrich "Frederick" Beck and Barbara Mourloch) was born 15 Sep 1826, Weiler, Baden, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 8 Mar 1906, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182840510
• Name: Margaret Clare
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-40734
• Immigration: 1830, , Canada
• Immigration: 1830, , Canada
• Residence: 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-151982
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mechanic
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1870, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; carpenter
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Elected Office: 1882, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Paul married Maria Catharina Stein 16 Oct 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Maria was born 9 Oct 1831, , Germany; died 2 Jun 1888, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharina Stein
• Name: Maria Catharina Fink
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-151983
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran