John Charles Voelker

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-44157

Other Events:

• Residence: 29 Spring St. W., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-27317
• Residence: 1921, 754 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Elected Office: 1970, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waterloo City councillor

Notes:

Charles Got a free cremation from Mayor Marjorie Carroll, when he retired from Waterloo City Council one year early due to illness. He planned the crematorium at Parkview Cemetery.

________________

My Dad, Charlie, helped his brother with the renovations at 36 Young St. W., carrying the dirt up in baskets in order to make a large basement. A portion of the lot, a large garden at the time, was severed to build a home for his parents, Albert and Louise Voelker. In 1947, on the same block on the corner of Spring and Fountain, the smallest lot in the City was dug out with the use of horses and a cart to build a house designed by Charlie in 1947. A sturdy cement wall holds back 86 and 88 Albert St. A 4 car garage was demolished in the 60s to make a parking lot instead. Charlie built his own house with a den/office where we watched him draw at his drafting board. Whenever the porch above leaked, we all ran to grab pots to catch the water. We all enjoy the porch in the summer. Now my husband and I own this small and efficient home.

Marion Sue Voelker and Peter Mansell

Charles — Grace Eleanor Dibben. Grace (daughter of Robert Gwyn Dibben and Marion Eleanor Bryce) was born 6 Jan 1919, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Mar 2011, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Grace Eleanor Voelker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32770
• Residence: 1921, 44 Hohner Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 2011, 29 Spring St. W., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Residence: 745 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-402799
• Occupation: 1908, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Accountant
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper, Insurance
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Zion Evangelical Ass.
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Accountant, Life Insurance
• Residence: 1921, 754 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1944, 82 Albert St., Waterloo, Ontario

Notes:

Ex-Head Accountant of Mutual Life Dies

Albert W. Voelker, retired head accountant of Mutual Life Assurance Co. of Canada, died today at his home, 82 Albert St., Waterloo after a brief illness. He was 81. He joined Mutual Life when he was 16, and the company employed five people. He rose to head accountant during his 49 years of service, retiring in 1951. He was a member of Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church and served as treasurer for 40 years. He later joined Emmanuel EUB Church, Waterloo. He was a life member of the Grand River Masonic Lodge and served as treasurer of the Waterloo branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses. He was born March 6, 1886, in Waterloo, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Voelker. Surviving are his wife, the former Louise Vogelsang; two sons, Dr. Philip A. Voelker, Waterloo medical officer of health, and Charles E. Voelker, a long-time member of the Waterloo public school board and the Waterloo court of revision; one daughter, Mrs. J. N. (Margaret) McEachern of Fairport, N. Y.; one brother, Charles of Montreal; one sister, Mrs. Norman (Amy) Jacobi of Preston, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one brother, Edward, and one sister, Ella. The body will be at the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, Waterloo, after noon Saturday. A service will be held Monday at 2 pm at the funeral home chapel. Rev. Howard L. Brox of Emmanuel EUB Church will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Donations in Parkwood Manor, Waterloo, will be accepted as expressions of sympathy.

Unidentified Newspaper Obituary

Albert married Mathilda Louise "Louise" Vogelsang 8 Apr 1908, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mathilda (daughter of Emil Vogelsang and Margaret Cress) was born 16 May 1885, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 Sep 1974, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Louisa Vogelsang
• Name: Luiza Vogelsang
• Name: Mathilda Louise "Louise" Voelker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32119
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Milking
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Zion Evangelical Ass.
• Residence: 1921, 754 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Nationality: , Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-322365
• Immigration: 1907, , Canada
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manager, Tire Retail
• Residence: 1921, 44 Hohner Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Robert married Marion Eleanor Bryce 24 Jun 1915, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. Marion was born 16 Mar 1889, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; died 6 Aug 1958; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Honoured: Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; stain glass window at Trinity Lutheran Church dedicated her honour
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-322366
• Residence: 1921, 44 Hohner Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Name: Andreas A. "Andrew" Völker
• Name: Andrew Völker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-87835
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Residence: 1882, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Office Manager, Rubber Factory
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Zion Evangelical Ass.

Andrew married Mary Ann Winkler 23 Mar 1882, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Rev. Johan Philip "Philip" Winkler and Regina Christina Hauck) was born 9 Mar 1858, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 May 1918, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Ann Voelker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-117287
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Servant
• Residence: 1882, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Zion Evangelical Ass.
• Residence: 1913, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

MRS. A. A. VOELKER PASSES AWAY

The sad death of Mary Ann Winkler. widow of the late Andrew A. Voelker took place on Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock after an illness of about ten days. The deceased underwent an operation for appendicitis last Thursday. She was born in St. Jacobs, on March 9th, 1860, and has lived in Kitchener the greater part of her life. Her husband passed away three years ago on April 12th, and a year ago on April 12th, a daughter Miss Ella passed away. Three sons and one daughter survive, namely, A. W. Edward and Private Charles, who left with the 1st Canadian Tank Battalion for overseas Monday, and Miss Amy Louise at home. Three brothers and four sisters also survive. The funeral will take place on Thursday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock from the residence. 41 Ahrens street, west, to the St. Jacobs cemetery for interment.

The Chronicle Telegraph 23 May 1918, p. 3

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10126166
• Historic Building: Kitchener Daily Record Newspaper, Kitchener, , Ontario, Canada; Emil Vogelsangs home on North West Corner of Queen and Courtland
• Interesting: story, business, politics
• Name: Ernie Vogelsang
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32115P
• Residence: 1868, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1871, 307 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Canadian Ivory Button Factory or Canada Ivory Button Works
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; [Member of New Jersulem Religion]
• Invention: Apr 1879, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cast Iron Skylight
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Elected Office: 1882, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener
• Occupation: 1882, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; button manufacturer
• Occupation: 1894, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; button maker

Notes:

"In the late 1980's, a group of concerned individuals decided to do something about the fact that rental housing was becoming increasingly hard to afford. At the time, the Federal Government of Canada used to sponsor a co-op housing program through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

The founding group approached CMHC and got the ball rolling. The group incorporated as Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes (Kitchener). Our name: Bread and Roses is symbolic of the fact that people need not just a home (Bread), but also a community to live in and belong to (the Roses). In addition, it is the title of a historically significant song from the labour movement.

THE BUTTON FACTORY

The original building began life as a button factory in 1879. Owned and operated by Emil Vogelsang. This historical site became available to Bread and Roses,
negotiations were concluded and construction began. A new high-rise building was put up and the historical factory was converted into apartments.

Finally, after a long and adventurous road, the first members moved into the project in June of 1990. Because the goal was not to make a profit, but rather to provide safe and secure housing to those who needed it, special efforts were made to accommodate those who are at a disadvantage in seeking comfortable housing. Just over half of the apartments were designated as rent-geared-to-income housing (RGI); and is funded by CMHC. We were also able to get 4 wheelchair-accessible units and reserve two RGI units for people living with HIV/AIDS. From the beginning, we have been a mixed-income community and have welcomed diversity in our membership.

Since being founded, Bread and Roses has gone through many phases of community building and learning how to run its own affairs independently. Having lately gone through a series of building improvements, we are currently focusing on community growth and a culture of involvement where members are active in the day-to-day running and decision-making of the Co-op. Every new member is an additional asset to Bread and Roses. Each bringing with them new experiences and skills to contribute to our little community."

https://www.breadandrosescoop.org

_________________________________

The Button Industry

A young German named Emil Vogelsang came to Berlin in 1867 and chummed with Allan Huber, son of H. S. Huber. One day the merchant questioned the youth,

"What can you do, Emil?"
"I'm a button turner."
"Then show us how you make buttons."
"Before I could do that," said Emil, "I'd need a lathe and a batch of ivory-nuts."

Mr. Huber had a lathe made in Waterloo and imported a shipment of nuts for Mr. Vogelsang. The latter leased a room and power from the Simpson Furniture Company and soon was manufacturing first-class buttons. He called his venture, "The Pioneer Button Works." The buttons found a ready sale in Eastern Canada and the United States. His was the first button factory in Canada, if not in America..

Before long Mr. Vogelsang needed a factory of his own. He interested J. J. Woelfle in the enterprise and they awarded Jacob Y. Shantz a contract to erect a $20,000 building on the northeast corner of King and College Streets. Before it was up Mr. Woelfle withdrew. Mr. Shantz then purchased an interest in the button works for a sum equal to the price of the building and entered into a 7-year agreement with Mr. Vogelsang. When that term expired Mr. Vogelsang retired and built another button factory in South Queen Street, which he later sold to the W. G. & R. Shirt Company. (Now occupied by the Fehrenbach Mattress Co.)

Mr. Shantz had not had any practical experience in the manufacture of buttons, yet did not wish to see the employees deprived of their livelihood. He therefore continued manufacturing and after costly experimenting, during which he was assisted by his son, M. B. Shantz, the factory was placed on a sound footing. Mr. Shantz's sons Dilman and John likewise joined him. Jacob Y. Shantz & Sons became the largest employers of labor in Berlin. For a time there were four button factories in the town and it was widely known as "Buttonville." Jacob Y. Shantz entered into partnership also with a Mr. Feick and made felt goods in the button-factory basement.

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 pg 169-171



____________________________________


Emil came to Canada in 1866, aged 32. A year later he sent for Louisa. They were married by her brother, Rev. F.W. Tuerk, who was already here as the minister of the New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborg). Another of her brothers worked for Emil in the Vogelsang Button Factory and it is said that he embezzeled money and thus ruined the business. Emil opened a new Button Factory in Port Elgin, ON. He died at age 59 after he moved back to Berlin, ON, and the VOGELSANG burial plot is in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.

Historic Building:
Emil Vogelsang built his button factory named "Canadian Ivory Button Factory" in 1879. Condition in 1978 was listed as very good. There is a Dutch influence in the brickwork over the windows. In the 1990's the factory was converted to apartments with additional apartments built attached. This apartment conplex is now a co-op and is known as as "Bread and Roses".

Elected Office:
Years Served: 1887

Emil — Margaret Cress. Margaret (daughter of Anthony Cress and Eva Catherine Hartman) was born 6 Jan 1843, , Germany; died 9 Apr 1927, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81751947
• Nationality: , Canada
• Name: Margaret Eby
• Name: Margaret Kress
• Name: Margaret Vogelsang
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32114
• Immigration: 1850, , Canada
• Immigration: 1860, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelist
• Residence: 1869, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Zion Evangelical Ass.
• Residence: 1921, 754 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Margaret is said to be born in Neuenburg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, no proof as of yet.