Walter Edward Baetz

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-37958P

Walter — Florence M. Hawke. Florence (daughter of Erastus Norman Hawke and Martha Jane Underwood) was born 25 Mar 1889, , Ontario, Canada; died 1983; was buried , Hawkesville Union Cemetery, Hawkesville, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Building: 264 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Furniture Manufacturing Factory
• Business: Anthes-Baetz Company, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Employer: Anthes Furniture Company, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70488390
• Name: Jakob Baetz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-37952P
• Immigration: 1871, , Canada
• Occupation: 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; mason
• Residence: 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1878, 133 Church St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Naturalization: 1878
• Elected Office: 1890, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturing
• Residence: 1901, 25 Mill St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1920, 25 Mill St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Jacob Baetz, born near Niederaulau, Germany, came to Canada in 1868 and had a family of nine children. He worked for Casper Braun as a stonemason, bricklayer, and plasterer; trades he had learned from his father. He became a building contractor and built the 1907 Berlin market building, Victoria Public School, Trinity, St. Andrew's and St. Matthew's churches, and many other buildings.

With R. Boehmer, he founded and operated the Berlin Brick Company on King Street East and in 1907 became owner of the Pommer-Cowan Furniture Company, later Baetz Furniture Limited. This factory was destroyed by fire in 1910 and he then built the Baetz factory still in use in 1973. Baetz was treasurer of St. Matthew's Church for many years from the time the church was built. During the 1890s he was a town councillor and was chairman of the Board of Works when the first steam road roller was purchased.

Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

______________________

Jacob Baetz, Sr., came to Berlin in 1868 and learned the mason's trade. Afterward he became a building contractor, beginning with homes and then some of the largest blocks and churches of his day. Mr. Baetz was active for nearly fifty years. During that period, he was for some years a business associate of John S. Anthes in the Anthes Furniture Company. In 1908 Mr. Baetz erected a factory at 264 Victoria Street for his sons Jacob H. and Charles J., in which they founded the Baetz Furniture Company. In 1916, the brothers established also the Baetz Specialty Company to make floor and table lamps. Two years later they purchased an interest in the Anthes Furniture Company (now the Anthes-Baetz Co.) at 242 Breithaupt Street, makers of high-grade furniture. Mr. J. H. Baetz is Managing Director of the three companies, and Mr. C. J. Baetz, Vice-President of the three companies.

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937, pg 160

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CHARLES JOSEPH BAETZ - In the business world of Ontario, the name of Baetz stands for furniture of the finest construction and the most artistic designs to be found in the market. Not only in quality, but also in quantity, the firms under the control of the Baetz Brothers rank among the very finest in Canada.

Many years ago, as a young man, Jacob Baetz left his home in Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, to make a place for himself in the new and rapidly developing country across the waters. He located in what was then the town of Berlin, now Kitchener, and after working for a time as a contractor and builder, first identified the name of Baetz with the manufacture of furniture.

For about sixteen years, he was associated as a partner with John S. Anthes. In 1900, he severed his connection with the firm, and returned to his former occupation as a contractor. In the meantime, he had married and his sons, Charles Joseph and Jacob H., were coming to manhood. Educated in the public schools of Kitchener and the Collegiate Institute, they spent the first years of their business life acquiring experience as employees of various large concerns. Since 1908, they have devoted themselves to the development of the two large concerns which bear their name. The Baetz Brothers Furniture Company, founded in 1908, has been incorporated under that name since 1916, , with Jacob H. Baetz, as vice-president, general manager and director of the company. He is also treasurer of the firm of Anthes-Baetz Furniture Company, Ltd., and a member of the firm Baetz Brothers Specialty Company, manufacturers of elec-tric lamps and shades, which they founded in 1919. This latest addition to the business activities of the Baetz Brothers has had a most successful career, Charles J. Baetz being its president, and Jacob H. Baetz serving in the capacity of vice-president and manager. Its quarters occupy 12,000 square feet of floor space, and its output of lamps and silk shades is to be found in all parts of Canada.

Charles Joseph Baetz devotes the greater part of his time and attention to the affairs of the Anthes-Baetz Furniture Company, Limited. After he left school, Mr. Baetz had a very thorough training in the cabinet trade, serving an apprenticeship, and later working as journeyman for some of the large concerns of Canada and Detroit, Michigan. The factory which is under his immediate supervision and direction is a modern three-story build-ing, covering 45,000 square feet of floor space, and manufactures dining room and bedroom furniture, while the firm of Baetz Brothers produces living room, hall, and upholstered furniture.

Though their time might be fully occupied by personal affairs, both brothers are active in the life of their city. Charles Joseph Baetz is a member of the City Council and chairman of their finance committee. Jacob H. Baetz is on the Board of Directors of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a member of the advisory board of the Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vo-cational School. He also has given a long term of service to the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital Board. He is actively interested in Masonic af-fairs, holding his membership in the Twin City Lodge, No. 509, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Kitchener Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He belongs to the Grand River Country Club, while his brother, Charles Joseph Baetz, is a member of the Lancaster Club.

Charles Joseph Baetz was married, in 1914, to Dorothy Meinke, of Kitchener, and they are the parents of one son, Karl William, who was born on November 25, 1919. Jacob H. Baetz married Vera Bowman, of Kitchener, on April 22, 1914. To them have-been, born one son and one daughter, Mary Carolyn and John David.

The Province of Ontario: a history, 1615-1927, Dominion Publishing Company, Toronto

_______________________

Mill Street highrise in Kitchener would raze Hall of Famer's house, heritage group says

by Catherine Thompson Waterloo Region Record

KITCHENER - Residents in a downtown neighbourhood say a proposed highrise on Mill Street will mean the demolition of the heritage home of a member of Waterloo Region's Hall of Fame, and irrevocably alter the look and feel of the area.

Local developer Polocorp Inc. wants to build a 176-unit, 10-storey development on property it owns on Mill Street near Queen Street, next to the Iron Horse Trail. The development's density would be 3.5 times more than what's currenlty permitted, and would require changes to zoning change and the Official Plan.

Six brick homes from 19 to 41 Mill St., now divided into rental apartments, would be demolished. Two of the homes are large brick century homes, including a 133-year-old house built by Jacob Baetz, a prominent local businessperson and city councillor who was inducted in the region's hall of hame.

"There is considerable concern about it from several residents in the neighbourhood," said Gail Pool, a member of the North Waterloo branch of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario.

The group argues the project would not only demolish an important piece of local history, it would affect other nearby heritage assets and have a severe impact on the Iron Horse Trail, one of 55 cultural heritage landscapes in Kitchener.

Baetz built the two-storey yellow brick Italianate home in 1886 for $2,100. A statement of significance prepared by the city's heritage staff in 2010 says the Baetz house, at 25 Mill St., is a notable example of an architectural style, and is particularly attractive because of its design and craftsmanship. The house is in good condition and retains most of its original features, including a wraparound veranda with limestone pillars.

Baetz was a prominent citizen and is a member of the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. Baetz was born in Germany and came to Canada in 1868 at age 17, where he followed his father's trades as a stonemason, bricklayer and plasterer. He went on to build several prominent local buildings, including the 1907 Berlin market building; Victoria Public School; and Trinity, St. Andrew's and St. Matthew's churches, as well as hundreds of local homes.

Baetz co-founded and operated the Berlin Brick Co. and owned the Pommer-Cowan Furniture Co., later known as Baetz Furniture Ltd., which operated as a furniture factory until 1973.

Baetz lived in the house until his death in 1920. He was a town councillor, the chair of the Board of Works when the city bought its first steam-powered road roller, and served on the board of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.

"He is in the region's Hall of Fame. Are we expected to do nothing when the home he built is demolished?" said Pool.

The city is obliged by provincial law to protect its cultural heritage landscapes such as the Iron Horse Trail, the group argues. Dense development next to the trail could hem it in a narrow green corridor, it says.

Mill Street was one of the original 19th-century roads into Kitchener, and reportedly follows an old Indigenous trail, Pool notes. "The area is significant and we need to consider how building towers around our heritage, our trails and our parks will impact on the broader community's enjoyment of them."

The group also questions the developer's assertion that the highrise won't cast major shadows on two designated heritage properties, at 45 Mill St. and 541-561Queen St. S., that are next door. "This development does not belong here."

The city's heritage advisory committee will consider the proposal on Dec. 3.

Thompson, C. (2019). Mill Street highrise in Kitchener would raze Hall of Famer's house, heritage group says. KitchenerPost.ca. Retrieved 7 November 2019, from https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news-story/9682162-mill-street-highrise-in-kitchener-would-raze-hall-of-famer-s-house-heritage-group-says/

Historic Building:
Original owner Jacob Baetz, 1 1/2 story brick with siding. In 1978 it was listed as very good condition with a much altered entrance.

Elected Office:
Years Served: 1890-94, 1896-97

Residence:
Baetz Jacob : [Current Address 2023] 25 Mill St [Historical Address] 7 Mill

Jacob married Catherine Hoelscher 18 Oct 1877, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of Carl "Charles" Hoelscher and Anna Barbara) was born 15 Mar 1858, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Feb 1940, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Baetz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-37953
• Residence: 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/214756694
• Name: Henry Baetz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-81446
• Immigration: 1863, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1878, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1901, 33 Chapel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1912, Albert St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

MR. HENRY BAETZ.

The death occurred in Berlin, July 20th, of Mr. Henry Baetz of Albert street, at the advanced age of 86 years, 2 months and 7 days.

Deceased was born in Niederaula, Germany, coming to Canada in 1872 and settling in Berlin where he has since resided. He was a well-known and well-liked citizen. He leaves to mourn his loss, a son and daughter, Mr. Jacob Baetz and Mrs. Patrick King, both of Berlin.
The funeral will be held on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house to the New Mennonite church for service.

Berlin New Record 22 Jul 1912

Residence:
Baetz Henry : [Current Address 2023] 33 Chapel St [Historical Address] 17 Chapel

Heinrich — Maria Christina Grossenbach. Maria was born CALC 3 Jul 1828, Of, Hessen, Germany; died 21 Feb 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Christina Baetz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-81447

Other Events:

• Name: Charles Hoelscher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-33261
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; teacher
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Locksmith
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Carl — Anna Barbara. Anna was born 28 Feb 1816, , Hessen, Germany; died 1 Mar 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Barbara Hoelscher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-69538
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-456495

John — Margaret. Margaret died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Baetz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-456496