Reeve John Ratz

Other Events:

• Elected Office: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve - Elmira
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88439677
• Organization: Elmira Public Library, Elmira, Waterloo, Ontario
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25862
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer - Miller
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; E. Methodist
• House: Abt 1876, 10 Centre St., Elmira, Ontario
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; miller
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller

Notes:

The Late Reeve John Ratz, who was one of the leading spirits in the railroad agitation as well as in the movement to incorporate the Village of Elmira, was born in the town of Waterloo 70 years ago. He purchased a farm near Elmira in 1855, which he disposed of 26 years ago and removed to Elmira. He was elected the first Reeve of Elmira in the year 1887 and died while in office the next year.

Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.

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THE RATZ BROS.

It has always been my custom in writing up the industries of a community to first direct attention to its flouring mills, because from them is derived the staff of life, without which we would find a precarious subsistence. No other industry is of greater importance to the merchants, mechanics and inhabitants in general. In this particular, Elmira has a first-class establishment in the Elmira Roller Mills, owned and operated by the above well known firm. These mills were established in 1867 by a joint stock company. Sometime about the year 1870 they became the property of the late John Ratz, the father of the members of the present firm, in company with his brother Jacob. The latter is now living in New Hamburg, having withdrawn from the firm in 1872. His interest was then purchased by Isaac Wenger, it then being conducted under the firm name of Ratz & Wenger from 1872 to 1875, when Mr. Ratz became sole proprietor and operated the same until 1882, after which he gave his sons an interest in the business. It continued under the firm of Ratz & Sons until 1889, when the senior member of the firm died. The latter was a man honorable and prominent in the estimation of all who knew him, being both charitable and public spirited in every sense of the term. He was one of the first Reeves of the village and one of the main advocates of the railroad project for Elmira, and was prominent among those who rendered substantial encouragement to the movement that gave to the village its first railroad communication. Since his death the mills have been owned and operated by his three sons, Simon H. Daniel and George. They were among the first in the county to adopt the full roller process, and now have a capacity for turning out one hundred barrels of a superior grade of flour per day. A 75 horse power engine supplies the motive power. Their special brands are, viz, "Elmira" and "Sunshine," which are popular products in the market. They have an extensive local trade and a large demand in the maritime Provinces for their output.

They also buy and pay the highest market price for all the wheat that comes to their doors. In addition to the flouring mills the firm has a sawmill in connection, in which they do a large amount of custom sawing for the farmers of many miles around, besides manufacturing the heading, staves and hoops for their flour barrels. They also manufacture a first-class grade of shingles. Elmira's splendid electric light system is furnished by this firm, their plant having a capacity for producing 500 incandescent lights for that purpose. The brilliant, steady illumination of the town at night is ample proof that they are furnishing a first class article and giving the people good satisfaction. The Ratz Bros were all born within a mile and a half of Elmira and are among her honorable, industrious and enterprising citizens. The amount of money they pay out to the farmers annually is high in the thousands.

Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1, 2, 3

Organization:
On January 24, 1888, a meeting was held to organize a Mechanics' Institute in Elmira. Membership cost $1 a year. The first board members were: David Bean, George Klinck, A. Werner, John Ratz, A. H. Erb, A. Blatz, Wm. Behrens, Sol Laschinger, Dr. Ullyot, and M. Weber. The librarian/caretaker, C. K. Jansen was paid $30 a year.

John — Saloma Haist. Saloma (daughter of Christof "Simon" Haist and Eva Burkhardt) was born 29 Dec 1835, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 30 Oct 1836, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Mar 1917; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Samuel Ratz was born 1857, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Lydia Ann Ratz was born 22 Mar 1857, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Jul 1876, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Simon H. Ratz was born 25 Oct 1858, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Feb 1910; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Daniel Ratz was born 9 Nov 1860, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Dec 1909; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. George Ratz was born 20 Dec 1862, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Jul 1918; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Mary Ann Ratz was born 27 Nov 1865, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Jun 1916, East Oxford Township, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Susannah Ratz was born 17 May 1867, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 15 Jun 1912, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
8. Dr. Major John Henry Ratz was born 7 Sep 1869, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Feb 1918, Ottawa, Carleton Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Emma M. Ratz was born 2 Mar 1872, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1953, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Middlesex Co., Ontario.
10. David D. Ratz was born 20 Aug 1875, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Jan 1917, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

John — . [Group Sheet]

1. Lydia Ann Ratz was born 22 Mar 1857, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Jul 1876, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43182
• Birth: CALC 19 Aug 1798, , Germany
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesleyan Methodist

Notes:

...Valentine Ratz, opened a blacksmith's shop in Waterloo and his mother [wife], Anna Gertrude, contributed to the family income by knitting items of clothing to sell to her neighbours. The first small family sawmill was opened at St. Jacobs, and then a larger mill at Gads Hill which in time was operated by Henry....


Woman of Waterloo County edited by Ruth Russell

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Valentine Ratz, the forebear of numerous millers, built a sawmill west of the village on the Conestoga River in 1844. Jacob C. Snider, in 1848, bought a farm on the south side of the Conestoga and after constructing a dam across the river, erected a saw-mill, a flour-mill, and a woollen-mill. Those industries attracted more mechanics and stores. In 1852 the village was named St. Jacobs after Mr. Snider. The "Saint" was added to his first name "for the sake of euphony." He sold the mills to his son Jacob in 1855. From 1856 until 1870 there were five different owners. In December of 1870 E. W. B. Snider purchased the flour-mill and operated it till 1917, when he sold the enterprise to W. W. Snider, who incor-porated the business as the Snider Flour Milling Company. The latter later sold the business to Walter J. Snider of Conestoga, whose heirs still operate it.


Waterloo Hitorical Society, Annual Volume 1933 pg 20

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It is reported that Valentine was born in Grebenau, Vogelsbergkreis, Hessen, Germany, no source yet

Valentine — Anna Gertrute "Gertrude" Lanz. Anna was born 2 May 1798, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 14 Jul 1872, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wilmot Centre (Geiger) Cemetery, Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Gertrute "Gertrude" Ratz
• Name: Garhutte Lanz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43183
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesleyan Methodist

Notes:

Gertrude's mother died on board the ship coming to North America in 1828. Her name was Anna Gertraud Fleischauer wife of Jacob Lanz