James L. Hesse

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-18486

Alexander — Rosetta Amelia Guggisberg. Rosetta (daughter of Franklin "Frank" Guggisberg and Matilda Weber) was born 7 Sep 1872, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; died 6 Sep 1966, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81928891
• Name: Rosetta Amelia Hesse
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7662.3

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46375306
• Name: Frank Guggisberg
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7662.1
• Occupation: 1871, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant
• Occupation: 1872, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; merchant
• Occupation: 1877, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; merchant
• Occupation: 1901, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; merchant grocer

Franklin — Matilda Weber. Matilda (daughter of Rev. Solomon Weber and Catherine Roos) was born 23 Aug 1845, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Aug 1925, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46375491
• Name: Matilda Guggisberg
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7662
• Residence: 1901, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Matilda Weber," is married to Franklin Guggisburg, a merchant. They reside in Walkerton, Ontario. To them are born three children, namely: VII Clara, VII Rosetta, and VII Walter."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21643712
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-95881
• Residence: 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Business: 1837, Dundas, West Flamborough Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; Red Lion Tavern

Notes:

Melancholy Suicide

It is our painful duty this week, to record a very sad occurrence that took place in the Gaol, in this town, by which an erring mortal hurried himself into an awful eternity, with his own hand. The unfortunate man, named Samuel Guggesberg, said to be respectably connected, and a resident of the township of Blenheim having. been arrested for debt of fifty dollars and committed to Gaol about three weeks ago, was discovered by the Gaoler, on Friday last, in the passage leading to his night room, laying on his back, in a pool of blood with his throat cut. An inquest was held on view of the body the same evening, Dr. Turquand Coroner, and the jury, failed to lead them to a definite conclusion, as to the cause which led to the perpetration of the deed The following is the evidence on the case: Mr. Cummings, Gaoler, sworn stated that he saw the deceased about 4 o'clock, and subsequently about 8 o'clock in the morning; apparently quite well; the deceased then told witness he wanted breakfast of bread and beef witness ordered the servant girl to get breakfast for the deceased, and then went down to the town on his return, nearly 12 o'clock went to see he deceased about some notes he had two days before, spoken of giving witness for his board when they have the means on entering they day-room he did not see deceased, but a saw the remains of his breakfast on the table, a German bible lying open, and his pipe beside it the boots he had on in the morning, were standing of at one side of the room witness went towards the night-room, and found him lying on his back, on the, floor of the passage, in the midst of blood with his throat cut, and immediately judged he had cut his throat with his own hand went and called his man, Charles Bush, to came in, as Guggesberg had cut his throat the man came and examined, as did also the Sheriff and Clerk of the Peace, a razor, all over blood, was found on the window sill, over where deceased lay. In answer to questions by jurors could not say he was crazy, Mr. Muma, in company with Mr. Ball the lawyer, call to see him yesterday after which he told witness, he was afraid Muma wanted to keep him Gaol he appeared very much afraid and said he had a great many enemies - he had been confined in Gaol about three weeks, but without looking at his book, could not tell exactly he complained being sick last week got medicine from the doctor for him he had the razor about a week debtors generally bring their own kit with them the razor belonged to the debtor's room he asked for a looking glass this morning to shave himself witness asked him if he slept last night, he replied, he did previous to Monday last, rest was broken gave him a glass of hot grog, with sixty drops of laudanum by the doctor's orders he had a vial of medicine besides, to be given him occasionally, until sleep would be produced, as was the case, on Monday night last, and has since rested well gave him no medicine these two days past, as sleep was produced gave him in all, since Monday 1st, two glasses of raw grain whiskey none since yesterday morning gave none with the doctor's order from his manner and the way he talked, witness thought that he was laboring under an indisposition of mind.

Charles Bush, Sworn, saw deceased lying dead in the manner described by Mr. Cummings was not acquainted with him only saw him once at the hole of the door did not know that he was crazy believes he cut his own throat no doubt about it.

Bridge Grace, Sworn went into the room where Guggesberg usually ate his victuals, this morning, with his breakfast Guggesberg was standing near the window he did not speak went out and saw him, through the hole in the door, going to eat his breakfast, which consisted of potatoes, meat, bread, butter, and two eggs and tea he did not appear sick, saw nothing unusual about him saw him again in the position he was found by Mr. Cummings believes he killed himself, has no doubt about it was in the habit of taking his meals to him. One evening, last week, he appeared not to speak plain, merely whispered and witness did not understand what he said - though he was not right thought he was delirious this morning he looked rather downcast he was not in the habit of speaking much made no noise in his room was always quiet.

The Coroner, who is the Gaol Surgeon, stated that when call upon to see Guggesberg, he found him feverish and depressed in mind; on Sunday last he was poorly, and from appearances he was apprehensive that the deceased was threatened with an attack of delirium tremens; understood from him that a month ago he had been on "a great spree;" in answer to inquiry, deceased told him, the Coroner, that he had had delirium tremens before; in consequence, advised for him and prescribed some medicine, and a portion of laudanum in a little grog, in order to produce sleep and prevent delirium coming on; the Gaoler on Monday, had learned that deceased had slept and was better; and that he, the Gaoler, had discontinued to give the medicine as the prisoner's rest was good, of which course he, the Coroner, approved. The Jury upon the above evidence unanimously agreed on the following verdict: -

"The the deceased Samuel Guggesberg, a prisoner for debt in the Gaol of the County of Oxford, came to his death by cutting his own throat with a razor, which laboring under an extreme depression of spirits"

Weekly Dispatch Newspaper, St. Thomas, Ontario 3 May 1853 [from the British American newspaper, Woodstock, Ontario]

________________________

"SUICIDE OF A GAOL DEBTOR. - A correspondent from Woodstock, mentions the melancholy fact that Mr. Samuel Guglesbury, late of the Township of Blenheim, committed suicide, by cutting his throat with a razor, in Woodstock Gaol, on the 22nd instant. He was confined there as a debtor, and his incarceration produced an attack of nervous illness, which no doubt was the precursor of that temporary insanity which prompted the commission of the rash act. The unfortunate man seemed to have acted with the utmost coolness, even after he had inflicted upon himself the fatal wound. The razor was found carefully enclosed in its scabbard, upon the window sill of the cell, where it must have been placed by the suicide, while the life blood was lowing from his body."

Daily British Whig (1850), 10 May 1853, p. 2

Samuel married Agatha Kraft 20 Dec 1836, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Agatha (daughter of Johann Franz Kraft and Anna Maria Haist) was born CA 1816, Baiersbronn, Freudenstadt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 30 Aug 1849, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Riverside Baptist Cemetery, Richwood, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21643773
• Name: Agatha Guggisberg
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-95882
• Residence: 1836, Dundas, West Flamborough Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Agatha is reported to have been born in Baiersbronn, Württemberg, Germany

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9066640
• Interesting: religion, story, pioneer, mill
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7655
• Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; German Methodist Minister
• Occupation: 1880, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; Preacher

Notes:

Solomon Weber," was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, July 10th, 1810. He came to Canada when quite a young man (in 1829 or 1830). He was a miller and was engaged in different mills before he set out as a minister. On April 23rd, 1832 he was married to Catherine Roos. Shortly after their marriage he moved to New Hamburg where he was engaged in the milling business. Thus we see that he was one of the early pioneers of Wilmot Township. In 1839 he experienced religion and labored six years as a local preacher. In 1849 he entered the itinerant ministry in which he remained in active service until old age and partial blindness caused his retirement. He was then placed on the superannuated list. During the time he was a local preacher he preached 500 sermons, and during his active ministry he delivered 5370 sermons. During the last ten years of his life he found a pleasant home and loving care in the home of his son-in-law, Frederick Guggisberg of Walkerton, Ontario. After a short illness he passed quietly and peacefully away to mansions beyond, February 8th, 1889. His wife died in the year 1880. Their family consists of 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.].

_____________________________

Jacob Merner with his wife and family emigrated from Germany and settled on a farm miles west of New Hamburg in 1837. Several of the ten children still survive, among them being Mr. Christian Merner of whom a sketch appears elsewhere. Wm. Smith had the first blacksmith shop. It was here that the late Samuel Merner learned his trade. Jacob Brill was the first cooper and did a thriving trade in barrels, churns, &c. The pioneer weaver was John Oehm who made cloth for his numerous patrons on his hand loom. Theobald Seyler owned a frame hotel on the site of the present Queen's and John Boeckner did the cobbling and shoemaking for the neighborhood. The latter's shop was on the site of the present residence of Mr. D. Becker. Wendel Schuyler was the first teacher in 1838 or 1839. A portion of the first log schoolhouse still stands near the Cemetery and is used for a dwelling: Soloman Weaver was a miller in the early days and later became an evangelical minister. Business men who came a little later were Wm. Burkhold, who established a brickyard; Fred Merner who started a carriage business and Wm. Hunter, who had a general stare. In the early 50's Sylvester Frank built a brewery. It was of brick and a portion of it is still in use in connection with the present brewery. The village has gradually increased in population and assessment with no particularly stirring events to mark its even progress. The great flood of 1883 due to a cloudburst is an event never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. On that occasion the water covered the streets up to the door of the Imperial hotel, and swept away the Rau, Hartman and Helmer bridges, thus cutting the village off from the outside world. In this its golden jubilee year, New Hamburg stands a community of contented, busy people, living in good homes and doing admirably their little share of the great world's work.

Special Industrial souvenir number of New Hamburg: containing a comprehensive review of the natural advantages and resources of the village of New Hamburg, 1908, Berlin Daily News, Berlin, Ontario

Solomon married Catherine Roos 23 Apr 1832. Catherine (daughter of Johannes "John" Roos and Elisabeth) was born 1810, , Alsace Lorraine, France; died 11 Apr 1880, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Lingelbach Cemetery, South Easthope Township, Perth, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7655.1