George Randall

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-44037P
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-44034P
• Residence: 1837, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1850, , Ontario, Canada
• Naturalization: 1858, , Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer & Miller
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Universalist
• Business: 1864; Hespeler & Randall
• Elected Office: 1870, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve - Waterloo City
• Elected Office: 1870, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1873, 227 King St. S., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Elected Office: 1876, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor and Reeve - Waterloo
• Business: 1877, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Geo. Randall & Co. - General Merchants, Millers and Distillers
• Elected Office: 1878, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mayor of Waterloo
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Unitarian
• Possessions: 1883, 9 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Randall and Roos (a wholesale grocery firm)
• Employer: 1886, Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario; Vice-President - Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Grocer
• Business Ownership: 1906, 66 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Randall and Roos Wholesale Groceries and Liquors

Notes:

George Randall was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, April 16th., 1832. He came to Canada in 1854 with his uncle, Marshall H. Farr, who had contracts for station buildings from Guelph westward on the Grand Trunk Railway and also some for the Great Western Railway, including the Preston station buildings. On Mr. Farr's death, George Randall and his brother took over the contracts, as stated. After completion of the railroad contracts Shubel H. Randall remained here for some years, removed in 1873 to Bellows Falls, Vermont, where he was in the hardware business and then retired. George Randall engaged in various kinds of manufacturing, had part in the woolen mills in Waterloo and also for a time in the distillery, etc. In 1883 he established with Mr. William Roos, his brother-in-law, the wholesale grocery firm of Randall and Roos, which began business in the premises now known as Nos. 9 and 11 Queen St., North, Kitchener, and moved in 1898 to its present location on Queen St. South. He was a director in the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company for thirty-three years, from 1875 on and president of this company from 1890 until the time of his death. Mr. Randall was married at Preston April 10, 1855, to Caroline Roos. In 1860 the place known as Spring Valley near Berlin became his home which he retained until he moved to Waterloo in 1873, to the house and large grounds now the property of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of Canada, the house having been on the site of the main building of the Insurance Co. He died December 23rd, 1908. Mrs. Randall died January 27, 1913. A son and two daughters live in Toronto.

Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 pg 21

_______________________

COUNTY HOUSE OF INDUSTRY AND REFUGE

...They made the better choice. They inserted in the Municipal Act of Ontario a new section. No. 413, requiring the Council of every Ontario County to establish a House of Industry and Refuge for its poor, to be erected within two years of January first, 1867

This was news of great importance to the holders of property which was considered desirable for the purpose. When the Councillors met in regular sessions on June 4, 1867, twenty-seven offers to sell land, farms and building for the new "Poor House." Detailed information about these properties is given of the Waterloo

The Councillors expressed their Willingness to comply with the requirements of the Legislature in this respect, They appointed a "select" committee of six members and placed on their shoulders the onus of selecting a site and erecting a suitable building. The members of the Committee were - George Randall, Chairman, H. D. Tye, W. H. Bowlby, T. Marshall, A. A. Erb and C. Hendry. The Warden, Ephraim Erb, was added as ex-officio member and Israel D. Bowman, County Clerk, was named the secretary of the Committee....

B. Mabel Dunham '96 Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume - 1947

_________________________

Death of an old Citizen

The family of Isaac M. Weaver, for many years a resident of Berlin and Waterloo, have lately received intelligence that he died last week in Detroit. The contemplation of his career must cause sadness to every heart. For many years he was a member of the old firm of J. Hoffman & Co., Berlin, having generally the management of the large army of men which that firm employed. We believe he had no superior for a mechanic, and few men meet with the success which attended his early years. When the old firm dissolved - some twenty two or three years ago - the late Jacob Hoffman purchased the interest in the business of his partners and they at once entered upon a new business in Waterloo, where they purchased mills and a large amount of land. The new firm of Hoffman & Weaver was so prosperous that Mr. Weaver was able to put up the splendid residence now occupied by Mr. George Randall. At that time he must have been worth a large amount of money, but after dispensing of his mills, and retiring from business - things took a change for the worse. To make a long story short the once active man of business and leading manufacturer, took to drinking, lost his property, abandoned his family and died in poverty amongst strangers. It is a sad lesson and should be a solemn warning to all not to follow in his footsteps. We are sure our readers will unite with us in sorrow that a career which was once so promising should end so sadly. - Berlin News

Galt Reporter 10 May 1878 pg 2

Possessions:
The building is long demolished

Business Ownership:
66 Queen St. today stands in stark contrast to the proud picture and advertisement that appeared in 1906 in the book Berlin Today. This picture depicts the owners of the Randall and Roos Wholesale Groceries and Liquors standing in front of their recently constructed building. The business was originally located in the Arhen's Block.

George married Caroline Roos 10 Apr 1855, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Caroline (daughter of Michael Roos and Catherine Bernhardt, daughter of Roos) was born 17 Sep 1834, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 25 Oct 1834, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Jan 1913, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Caroline Randall
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35127P
• Residence: 1855, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Recipes: 1898, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Recipes: 1898, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Recipes:
SWEET-BREAD SOUP.

MRS. G. RANDALL, WATERLOO.

Prepare sweet-breads as for cooking in any other form. Salt, stew in as much water as there is soup required. When done remove sweet-breads from liquid, when cold chop finely and put back in liquid, let it come to a good boil, pour this quickly upon the yelk of an egg beaten up with a tablespoonful of cold water. Stir while pouring to prevent curding.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Margaret Taylor and Frances McNaught, The New Galt Cook Book (Revised Edition (Toronto, Ontario: McLeod & Allen, 1898).

Recipes:
ESCALLOPED FISH.

MRS. G. RANDALL, WATERLOO.

Boil two pounds of fish about twenty minutes (in a separate dish), boil half pint cream, half pint milk and

Remains of cold fish of any sort, half a pint of cream, half a tablespoonful of anchovy sauce, half of made mustard, a teaspoonful of walnut catsup, pepper and salt to taste. (The above quantities are for half a pound of fish when picked). Put all into a stew-pan, set it on the fire, let it remain till hot, stir it but do not let it boil, when done put into a deep dish with a good quantity of bread crumbs and small pieces of butter on top, set in oven to brown. Half an hour should cook it.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Margaret Taylor and Frances McNaught, The New Galt Cook Book (Revised Edition (Toronto, Ontario: McLeod & Allen, 1898).

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199248

Eleazer — Clarissa Wheeler. Clarissa was born 8 May 1792, Chesterfield, Cheshire, New Hampshire, USA; died 7 Jun 1844, Chesterfield, Cheshire, New Hampshire, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Clarissa Randall
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199256

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-348763
• Occupation: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Inn Keeper
• Occupation: 1853, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; brewer

Notes:

A-1-93 Michael Roos The Petition of Jacob Roos, of the Village of Preston…humbly sheweth that Michael Roos of the Village of Preston, Brewer, died on or about the Twenty Seventh day of May in the year of our Lord 1853, leaving your Petition the said Jacob Roos, and George Roos and Caroline Roos and William Roos and Harriotte Roos and Rosina Roos and Margaret Roos, all infants within the age of eighteen years and that therefore they have the Legal Guardian to protect and care of them and their Estate.

That in their humble opinion their own mother Catharine Roos, wife of the said Michael Roos, deceased, is a fit and proper person to be entrusted with the Guardianship over them, and also able to give sufficient surety for the due performance of the duties and responsibilities of such Guardianship.

The prayer of your humble petitioner for himself and in behalf of the other aforesaid orphans, and with their full knowledge and consent, is, that such their aforesaid mother Catharine Roos be appointed Guardians over them.

Dated Berlin 25 January 1856

REVOKED THE 27th JUNE 1859, A.J. PETERSON

In the matter of Guardianship of the Orphans of Michael Roos….dated the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six that we the undersigned, Catharine Roos, of the village of Preston, widow of Michael Roos, and John Roos of Preston, Merchant, and Hubert Katzmayer of the same place, Mason, are jointly and severally firmly held and bound by these present unto Jacob Roos, of Preston, Infant son of the said Michael Roos deceased, and of her, the said Catharine Roos herself, and to his heirs executors and administrators into the true and just penal sum of Three Hundred Pounds the conditions whereof are as follows…Whereas the said Jacob Roos has made application in writing to William Miller, Esq., Judge of the Surrogate Court of this said County of Waterloo, for the appointment as Guardian over himself, of his own mother, Catharine Roos aforesaid, and such appointment being granted by the Judge.

Now, therefore, of the said Catharine Roos shall faithfully fulfill and perform due and true administration of the estate of her said infant son Jacob Roos, and keep and give true and correct account thereof ; and also give and pay over to him the said Jacob Roos, when he shall come upon the full age of twenty one years or sooner whenever the said Guardianship shall determine, or whenever she shall and may be desired by the Judge of the said Court or by any other person or persons having authority to demand, and then give and pay over to the said Jacob Roos or to his heirs executors administrators or assigns all and singular the sum of sums or balance of money, property and estate lawfully belonging to said Jacob Roos, deducting however all lawful expenses costs and claims by her and on account of such her guardianship. Then these presents shall be null and void, but otherwise remain in full force and cirtue.

Witnessess C. Roos, John Roos and H. Kratzmeyer
Dated 5^th June 1856

Surrogate Court Records Copybook Register A 1853-1871 transcript to 1863. Frances Hoffman transcriber.

Michael — Catherine Bernhardt. Catherine (daughter of Philip Jacob "Jacob" Bernhardt and Barbara Rupp) was born 24 Oct 1816, Aberhorfer, Alsace Lorraine, Germany; died 10 Sep 1898, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Hinderer
• Name: Catherine Roos
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-348764
• Residence: 1859, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

DEATH OF MRS. HINDERER -The death is announced of Mrs. Catherine Hinderer, of Preston, who died last Saturday, Sept. 10th, in her 82nd year. Mrs. Hinderer was the mother of Mrs. Geo. Randall, Mrs. Geo. Davidson and Miss Hattie Roos, of Waterloo. Their many friends will sympathize with them in their bereavement.

Waterloo County Chronicle 15 Sep 1898, p. 5

Other Events:

• Name: John Roos
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-263543
• Immigration: 1832, , Canada
• Land: 1844, Wilmot Township - Concession North of Bleam's Road Lot 14, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant

Johannes — Elisabeth. Elisabeth was born 6 Nov 1783, , Germany; died 6 Jun 1870, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elisabeth Roos
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-263544
• Immigration: 1832, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1832, , Canada
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant

Other Events:

• Name: Jacob Bernhardt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35454
• Residence: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

THE JACOB BERNHARDT FAMILY HISTORY

By Clara Wurster Atkinson

The dates in this history were obtained from the records in German, of Rev. Jacob Huettner (pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston, from 1838 - 1849) and records of Rev. I. Wurster (pastor of St. Peter's 1854 - 1881). Rev. Huettner was the great grandfather, and Rev. Wurster was the grandfather of Mrs. Percy (Clara Wurster) Atkinson who completed this account at Preston on April 21, 1952.

Among the early pioneers of Waterloo County, Ontario, were Philip Jacob Bernhardt (known as Jacob) and his wife Barbara Rupp Bernhardt, who came to America in 1831 from Oberhofen, Alsace.

Jacob and Barbara were married in 1817 in Oberhofen and they lived there and also in Steinseltz. Typical of the ambitious, industrious people of those days, they spent happy hours tilling the fertile soil of Alsace and enjoying the exceptionally fine climate of the Rhine Valley.

Following the custom of those southern provinces, they harvested many kinds of fruit, especially grapes and prune plums, and made quantities of wine. Instead of carrying water to men working in the fields, they served them from huge jugs filled with grape and prune wine.

Another quaint custom which they observed on Shrove Tuesday was the making of fried cakes of the yeast variety (a tubful as the tale was told), and in the evening friends gathered to enjoy these large twisted cakes served with coffee. It was a time of feasting, dancing and merrymaking. There appears to have been an abundance of food. However, at that time many people were leaving Alsace for America, the New World.

In the spring of 1831 Jacob and Barbara decided to leave their homeland with its pleasant surroundings and neat farm, for the wilds of America. They set sail from Le Havre, France, with their five children: Catherine, John, George, Henry and Magdalene. After a long, rough voyage they landed at Buffalo, N.Y., on July 4, 1831. Independence Day celebrations were in full swing with fireworks and crackers even at that early date. Barbara, who had been accustomed to war and unrest in her homeland, was terrified. She thought they had landed in the midst of a terrific war, and decided that America was not the peaceful spot she had anticipated.

Barbara refused to settle in Buffalo, so they journeyed on by oxcart to the little town of Hamburg, N.Y. After resting there awhile they again travelled on, finally settling in a rural section near the village of Boston. To be exact, their home was between Boston and Eden, both small New York State villages. Here they cleared the land and farmed until coming to Canada about the year 1841.

Being possessed of strong religious principles, and faithful to the Lutheran church in their homeland, they wanted to settle as near as possible to a Lutheran church in this wild country. While there they were quite close to the little old Evangelical church, which was located on the East Eden Road near Hamburg and was later torn down. The church was founded in 1829 by German emigrants who were on their way to Wisconsin but were marooned by the severe New York State winter.

It is almost certain the Bernhardts attended this church when they arrived in 1831, but unfortunately the church records from 1829 to 1845 were destroyed by fire. It is therefore impossible to obtain records of attendance and christenings of children. However, the records of their confirmation in St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston, Ontario, show that the children born in America were christened near Eden, N.Y. Five more children were born to the couple in their American home: Rosina, Elizabeth, William, Jacob, and Philip.

They heard of the fertile lands along the Grand River near Waterloo, Canada, which lured them on to cross the border into the deeper wilderness of Canada. They settled in Waterloo Township north of Kossuth where the farm upon which they settled, now cleared of its forest and in a high state of cultivation, stands as a monument to their industry and patience. Here they lived for some years, until Jacob was in poor health, the work was too strenuous, and the boys were leaving home. They decided to settle in Preston, where they had been faithful members of the Lutheran church since their arrival in Canada. Also, the long drives to attend church had become wearisome.

Arriving in Preston, Jacob became an innkeeper. On April 11, 1855 he purchased Lot No. 17 on the corner of King and Montrose Streets (later the Von Ende property) from Dinah Sidney Smith. Here the Bernhardt tavern was located for many years. After Jacob's death in 1857, his son George carried on at the inn. Incidentally, Jacob's son Henry had purchased Lot No. 14 from Alex. Grant on Jan. 15, 1855.

Jacob and Barbara spent happy days at the inn, but not for long. Jacob died in 1857 at the age of 61 years. He was laid to rest in the old Lutheran cemetery behind the church, with Rev. Immanuel Wurster officiating. Barbara lived with her son-in-law and daughter (Mr. and Mrs. John Beck) at their home which is now 132 Waterloo St. N. in Preston. There she died on Jan. 24, 1881 at the age of 86 years. During a blinding snow storm that drifted the snow so high that a tiny cutter almost overturned, she was laid to rest in the old section of the Preston cemetery (known as The Row) with Rev. I. Wurster officiating. The stone and inscription are still in perfect condition.

At the time of her death there were 84 descendants, but today there are many more Bernhardts.

BERNHARDT FAMILY RECORDS

Philip Jacob Bernhardt (known as Jacob) Born in Oberhofen, Alsace, France, March 29, 1796 Married in Oberhofen in 1817 Died in Preston, Ont., July 23, 1857, of dropsy Age 61 years, 3 months, 25 days Buried July 25, 1857 in the old Lutheran cemetery behind the church by Rev. I. Wurster Survivors: widow, 10 children and 22 grandchildren.

His Wife
Barbara Bernhardt (nee Rupp)
Born in Oberhofen, Alsace, March 28, 1794 Married in Oberhofen, 1817 Died in Preston, Ont., Jan. 24, 1881, of cancerous tumor Age 86 years, 9 months, 7 days Buried Jan. 26, 1881 in Preston cemetery by Rev. Wurster

Survivors: four sons (one son George had died and one son John had disappeared); four daughters; 40 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren. Total of 84 survivors

CHILDREN OF JACOB AND BARBARA BERNHARDT
First five children born in Oberhofen, Alsace. The other five children born near Boston, New York State.
1.Catherine-married (1) Michael Roos in Buffalo, 1833.
(2) John Hinderer in Preston, 1859.
2.John-married Anna Steppler in Preston, 1845.
3.George-married Elizabeth Steppler in Preston, 1845.
4.Henry-married Dorothea Rahn in Preston, 1850.
5.Magdalene-married Hubert Kratzmeier in Preston.
6.Rosina-married John Beck in Preston, 1867.
7.Elizabeth-married Gustaph Kraus, Baden.
8.William-married (1) Isabel Campbell, Galt.
(2) Kate Munroe, Galt.
9.Jacob-married Elizabeth Israel in Preston, 1861.
10.Philip-left Preston about 1881.

Atkinson, Clara Wurster Atkinson. "THE JACOB BERNHARDT FAMILY HISTORY" Forty-Fifth Annual Volume, Waterloo Historical Society., 1957, Annual Report

Philip — Barbara Rupp. Barbara was born 27 Mar 1791, Oberhofen, , Alsace, France; died 24 Jan 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Bernhardt
• Name: Barbara Reul
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35455
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran