John R. Renshaw

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-46209
• Occupation: 1855; manufacturer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Shoemaker
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Business: 1867, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; boot and shoemaker
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Shoemaker

Notes:

The first postmaster at Blair was Wendal Bowman who served from 1858 to 1863. Mr. Bowman was succeeded by Henry Bechtel Sr. who operated the post office from 1863 to 1865. Mr. Bechtel was in turn succeeded by John R. Renshaw who was Blair's postmaster from 1865 to 1892. It was during Mr. Renshaw's tenure, in 1874, that the Grand Trunk Railway built a station in Blair and the post office moved to that facility. With the move Mr. Renshaw became stationmaster as well as postmaster.

The office of postmaster remained in the Renshaw family for a number of years with John Renshaw's widow, Margaret, filling the office from 1892 to 1895. She was succeeded in 1895 by her son John J.H. Renshaw who retained the office until his death in 1913. At this point his widow Lois Renshaw took over the office which she relinquished in 1914.


Cambridge Postal History - III, Jim, Quantrell, pg 139-140

John married Margaret Hanley 18 Jan 1855, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margaret was born 1832, , Ireland; died 29 Dec 1894; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. William Robert Renshaw was born 1854, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Elizabeth Kate Renshaw was born 1855, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Oct 1939; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Alexander Chapman Renshaw was born 25 Mar 1859, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Dec 1940; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Mary Elliott Renshaw was born 22 Aug 1860, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Apr 1884, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Margaret Loretta Renshaw was born 11 Feb 1863, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Jul 1885, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. John J. J. Renshaw was born 7 Aug 1864, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Nov 1913; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Anne Renshaw was born 1866, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
8. Wilhelmina Taylor Renshaw was born 21 Jan 1868, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Nov 1884, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Albert Renshaw was born Oct 1870, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
10. Annie Moore Renshaw was born 1885, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Oct 1910, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.