Charles Andrew Ahrens

Other Events:

• Business: Charles A. Ahrens & Sons, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Charles A. Ahrens & Sons
• Interesting: business, house, life story, shoe, public service,
• Name: C. A. Ahrens
• Name: Carl Andreas Ahrens
• Residence: 262 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-48799P
• Occupation: 1854, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; shoemaker
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agent
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; New Church
• Retired: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Elected Office: 1886, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Carl A. Ahrens

An old, respected, resident of Berlin died on Tuesday evening in the person of Mr. Carl A. Ahrens. He was born July 11, 1827 in Hohen-Wesdt, Holstein, came to Canada in 1851 and practiced the trade of shoemaker, alternately between here and Port Elgin. He was for many years book-keeper in Breithaupt's Leather Business and also in other businesses in Preston, Toronto, and Hamilton, in the same capacity. The deceased was a conservative, knowledgeable, friendly man and was held in great respect far and wide. For several years, he was city-treasurer and also held other important posts.

The deceased was affected by a slight stroke on August 8th, which was followed a week ago by additional ones; in the last few days, he was almost completely paralyzed, until death took him on Tuesday evening. He is survived by three sons and seven daughters, as well as one brother and two sisters. Burial will take place on Friday afternoon and 2: 00 p.m., after a service in the New Jerusalem Church, at Mount Hope Cemetery. May his memory be blessed!

Berliner Journal 20 Aug 1903 pg 4 col 3

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Charles A. Ahrens & Sons, Slipper Factory, Queen Street, Berlin - When merchants or manufacturers have to build or move to new premises of larger dimensions than those they were occupying, it is a sure sign that their business is prospering. Such is the case with Messrs. Charles A. Ahrens & Sons, who manufacture the finer kinds of slippers. These gentlemen have been established in business over four years and a half and have commanded a large measure of success, so much indeed that they found their present place too small for them, and so they have moved into their new establishment on Queen Street, near the corner of King Street. The new premises are 41x100 feet in dimensions and three stories in height. These will be fitted up with al the latest and most improved machinery specially adapted to their line of manufacture. They make slippers in embroidered velvet, fancy plush, fancy repp, superior repp and fine and common repp, the uppers being imported from Germany. They also manufacture repp foxed and tweed foxed slippers, either machine or hand sewed. The firm give employment to thirty-five skilled hands in their factory, and the indications are that this number will have to be increased in the near future, should business continue to increase at its present rate. The gentlemen are enterprising and progressive citizens, and are held in the highest estimation in the community. Messrs Chas. A. Ahrens & Sons are situated on the third flat, used as factory, and part of second floor as warehouse. Mr. C.A. Ahrens is the proprietor of the building, which is partly occupied by Randall & Ross as a wholesale grocery and liquor business.

Industries of Canada Historical and Commercial Sketches Hamilton and Environs 1886

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King Street , North Side

Queen St. North.

On the corner there was a frame building lengthwise with King Street, occupied by J. U. Tyson, dealer in groceries, wines, liquors and meats, erected about 1833. In 1841 Sheriff George Davidson bought this building and in it opened the first Post Office in 1842. His brother William was associated with him. Probably during 1845 Doering & Ahrens occupied the premises as a general store. A little later the firm was Huber & Ahrens. Mr. Huber acted as magistrate for a number of years, in which occupation he was popular and had much to do, people coming from small surrounding villages to Mr. Huber for fair trial. He was the second reeve in Berlin.

Next came a barber shop occupied by George A. Fischer who also served as dentist and as fruit dealer.

A house erected by C. A. Ahrens of Huber and Ahrens. Mr. Ahrens had a brick vault at the back of his kitchen, lined with an iron chest and considered fire proof. He was the first treasurer of Waterloo County and had this vault for safe keeping of his books and papers. The house was later occupied by Dr. Mylius.

Louis Breithaupt, who came from Buffalo in 1861 after having started his tanning business in Berlin in 1857, previously bought the corner of King and Queen Streets, and erected there the first section of the American Block in 1862.

Next to the Dr. Mylius house there was a two story brick building erected about 1855. It was occupied by Baedeker and Steubing who had a considerable business as book sellers and stationers, also as dealers in wallpaper, etc., besides doing some publishing. This business, moved later to the corner of King and Frederick Streets, continued until Mr. Steubing's death.

In his younger years Mr. Baedeker was a carpenter and had cut his knee with an adze, necessitating amputation and substitution of a cork leg.

On the site of the present Steel's store, George Davidson, later sheriff, erected a building in 1845 and moved the Post Office there when Doering and Ahrens occupied the corner store. Mr. Davidson also had a general store in this new building. About 1855 Kranz & Stroh occupied the building as a general store.

Next came a building occupied at first by George Klein and later the site of Henry Knell's jewelery shop.

John Winger's pump shop. Wooden pipe called pump logs were of about ten-inch timber, tamarack or pine logs with a bore of about 3". The pumps were mostly finished square and surmounted with turned tops.

A two story frame building painted white. John Winger's house. Eby's history mentions John Winger as having come from Pennsylvania in 1836.

A ten-foot lane leading back to the Public School grounds and into Winger's yard. The highest ground in this vicinity was in Winger's yard. Children were in the habit of sliding down the hill in winter to King Street. In 1840 Mr. Bentler erected a building and occupied the second floor as dwelling and shoe shop. Martin Messner had a music store on the ground floor which was a few steps above the street level. In 1855-6 Andrew Nicolaus took over the Winger house and changed it to a hotel. The first considerable street grading operation in Berlin was the lowering of the corner of King and Frederick and vicinity 8 to 10 feet. This put the St. Nicholas Hotel, as it was called, under the necessity of being extended downward one story and this lower part became the hotel office and bar room. At the westerly end of the hotel there was a shed and stable for horses. Over the shed, approached by a stairway, there was a hall known as St. Nicholas Hall used for concerts, balls and entertainments generally. At the rear of the adjoining St. Nicholas Hall there was a building on the high ground known as the Turner Hall and used as German Turnverein.

REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

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QUEEN STREET SOUTH, EAST SIDE.

On the corner of King Street Rehscher's vaulted cellar already spoken of.

An open space.

A two-story rough-cast building with two-story veranda along the Queen Street front built by Martin Anthes (father of John S. Anthes) in 1835 when it was considered one of the best houses in the village. Henry Stroh purchased this house from Mr. Anthes about 1837. Jacob Stroh was born in this house. Behind it there was a garden of about an acre of land. There were 31 pine stumps on the property when Mr. Stroh took possession and these stumps had to be laboriously removed as stump- pulling machines, which came later, were not then available. The well on the lot was only nine feet deep. Henry Stroh carried on a shoe shop in his house until he entered into partnership with Carl Kranz, on King Street.

In 1857, after he had dissolved partnership with Kranz, Henry Stroh built a one and one-half story frame building next to his house and used it as a shoe store. Mr. Stroh continued in this shoe business until 1863 when he went into partnership with Mr. Reinhold Lang, the tanner. The Queen Street shoe shop was changed to a dwelling. Later Mr. Vanderhart, a tailor, had his shop in this building and after him Carl Englehart had it as photographer. Henry Stroh sold his house to George King. Later Charles Ahrens owned it and had it moved to the corner of Shanley and Braun Streets about 1880.

A one and one-half story frame building erected about 1837 by Jacob Kraemer, later on Frederick Street, as spoken of. Later an addition was added to the front and the building used as the local post office, with William Davidson in charge. Later George Seip purchased the building and used it as a saloon, with a bowling alley in the rear, the first bowling alley in Berlin. William Jaffray lived in the house for a time and later William Knell, son-in-law of Mr. Seip.

A one and one-half story frame building, originally a cooper shop, later the dwelling of Mr. Seip, after he sold the other building. In 1860 he built a brewery, known as Seip's brewery. Under the whole building he had a vaulted cellar built of field stone. Power for the brewery was supplied by a horse-power contained in an attached shed, shelter for the horses. Seip had a high reputation for good beer. He at first made his own malt, but later purchased it. After George Seip's death his son Louis continued the business until about 1880. The building was finally torn down to make room for the present auditorium.

The cooper shop, a small one story building, with brick chimney such as coopers used to heat staves for their barrel making, operated by Henry Brickner who later had his shop at the corner of Young and King Streets. Later Adam Stein had the Queen Street cooper shop. The Berlin coopers were experts in the making of what was called tight-wear,that is water-tight barrels, in large tuns which they made for the brewers.

A very early building, occupied by John Peters, a cabinet maker in Hoffman's factory, about 1860. The building had an outside stairway at the back. Peters was a bird lover and expert in trapping native song birds, mocking birds, cat birds, finches, etc., which he hung under his veranda roof in public display.

On the corner of Church Street a frame house occupied by Mr. Knechtel, a weaver, about 1842-1850. Knechtel moved to a farm in Mannheim where later he was injured in the spine by a falling tree to such an extent that he was bedfast for fourteen or fifteen years. He lived to about 1871. Conrad Doering occupied the Queen Street house for a time. He also was a weaver and made coverlets, etc. The house was torn down to make room for the present one of brick built by Dr. Clemens and later occupied by the late Dr. Walters.

Church Street.

On the south side St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

A one and one-half story unpainted frame building with gable towards the street, the dwelling, about 1860, of John Fleischauer, a laborer, a native of Hessen, Germany.

A one and one-half story house occupied by E. Kern, cabinet maker, about 1860 and later by John Ansted.

A vacant lot.

George Street.

Joseph Schneider originally owned all the land between George Street and Mill Street, mostly woods at that time, and extending to Benton and Eby Streets.


REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

Residence:
Council votes to save heritage homes on Queen Street

by Catherine Thompson Waterloo Region Record

KITCHENER '97 Kitchener council sent a strong signal in support of heritage Monday night, voting 8-3 to refuse a development request to demolish two 1890 homes on Queen Street South, in the city's Victoria Park heritage district.

Vive Development Corp. had applied for permission to demolish the two heritage homes, at 254 and 262 Queen, as well the Oneroof youth shelter https://www.oneroof.org/ at 242 Queen St. S. https://goo.gl/maps/YpFF5eu7P4T2 , built in 2007. The house at 262 Queen was built by prominent early industrialist C.A. Ahrens.

The developer had hoped to build an eight-storey, $22-million, 125-unit rental apartment on the three adjacent lots.....

Thompson, C. (2018). Council votes to save heritage homes on Queen Street. KitchenerPost.ca. Retrieved 25 September 2018, from https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news-story/8923982-council-votes-to-save-heritage-homes-on-queen-street/

Charles married Charlotte Henrietta Roth 16 Apr 1854, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Charlotte (daughter of Roth) was born CALC 29 Jun 1831, , Germany; died 27 Mar 1896, Kitchener Daily Record Newspaper, Kitchener, , Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Menno Ahrens was born 1854, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Wilhelmine "Minnie" Ahrens was born 29 Apr 1855, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 1 Jan 1860, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 May 1933, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 19 May 1933, Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Charles August Ahrens, Jr. was born 28 Aug 1856, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; was christened 1 Jan 1860, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Sep 1937, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Henry Jacob Ahrens was born 2 Mar 1858, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; was christened 1 Jan 1860, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Jan 1933, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Helena Ahrens was born 1 Nov 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 1 Jan 1860, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Nov 1944, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Carolina "Carrie" Ahrens was born 25 Jan 1862, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 25 May 1862, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
7. Louise Ahrens was born Dec 1863, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
8. Emma Ahrens was born 12 Apr 1865, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 25 Jun 1865, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
9. Albert Edward Ahrens was born 4 Apr 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 14 Jul 1867, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
10. Laura Ahrens was born 8 Feb 1870, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 3 Apr 1870, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1939.
11. Herman Emmanuel Ahrens was born 23 Nov 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 7 Jul 1872, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Oct 1958, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
12. Maria Charlotte "Mary" Ahrens was born 26 Jul 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 10 Sep 1876, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Name: J. H. Ahrens
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-90181

Notes:

JACOB H. AHRENS, proprietor of the Paris Potteries, is a native of Germany, where he was born on 5th Sept., 1828, his parents, J. H. and Lena (Cook) Ahrens, being also natives of Germany, and both born about the year 1802. They were married in 1826, the former (who was a builder by trade), dying in 1836. The latter emigrated to Canada, and is still living. Her second husband was Henry Doebler, who died about the year 1878. Our subject himself was married on 21st November. 1865, to Mary A. Huberd, born in Wales in 1841, and a member of the Church of England, her husband embracing the New Jerusalem persuasion. To bless this union there were six children. four of whom survive, viz., Caroline, Nelson, Sarah and Lena. all at home at present, and going to school. While in Germany. Mr. Ahrens learnt the pottery trade as well as something of the art of war, for in 1849 he was drafted into the army, and served three years during the war with Denmark on the Schleswig-Holstein question. In 1852 he sailed for Canada, making Berlin, Waterloo County, his destination, whence he subsequently moved to Brant County, and engaged in the pottery manufacture in 1859. By industry he made money, but in 1869, the unfortunate breaking away of the dam at Paris caused a loss to hint of 52.558. Mr. A. has filled the office of Town Councillor for five years.

The History of the County of Brant

Jacob — Magdalena "Lena" Koch. Magdalena was born CALC 7 May 1806, , Germany; died 3 Sep 1890, Greenock Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Helena "Lena" Cook
• Name: Magdalena "Lena" Ahrens
• Name: Magdalena "Lena" Doebler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-81553
• Residence: 1857, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

JACOB H. AHRENS, proprietor of the Paris Potteries, is a native of Germany, where he was born on 5th Sept., 1828, his parents, J. H. and Lena (Cook) Ahrens, being also natives of Germany, and both born about the year 1802. They were married in 1826, the former (who was a builder by trade), dying in 1836. The latter emigrated to Canada, and is still living. Her second husband was Henry Doebler, who died about the year 1878. Our subject himself was married on 21st November. 1865, to Mary A. Huberd, born in Wales in 1841, and a member of the Church of England, her husband embracing the New Jerusalem persuasion. To bless this union there were six children. four of whom survive, viz., Caroline, Nelson, Sarah and Lena. all at home at present, and going to school. While in Germany. Mr. Ahrens learnt the pottery trade as well as something of the art of war, for in 1849 he was drafted into the army, and served three years during the war with Denmark on the Schleswig-Holstein question. In 1852 he sailed for Canada, making Berlin, Waterloo County, his destination, whence he subsequently moved to Brant County, and engaged in the pottery manufacture in 1859. By industry he made money, but in 1869, the unfortunate breaking away of the dam at Paris caused a loss to hint of 52.558. Mr. A. has filled the office of Town Councillor for five years.

The History of the County of Brant