George Henry "Henry" Bernhardt

Other Events:

• Name: Henry G. Bernhardt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65185
• Occupation: 1904, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; spirit merchant
• Occupation: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant, Liquor Store
• Residence: 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1930, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

George married Jessie Lee Walker 21 Sep 1904, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Jessie was born 8 Oct 1885, Portage La Prairie, , Manitoba, Canada; died 2 Oct 1965, Willowdale, North York Twp., York Co., Ontario; was buried 5 Oct 1965, Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Louise Bernhardt was born Jun 1905, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Jessie Louise Bernhardt was born 29 Jun 1905, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 May 1991; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. George H. Bernhardt was born Aug 1907, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
4. John Walker Bernhardt was born 17 Dec 1911, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Feb 1943, Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 11 Feb 1943, Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Evelyn F. M. Bernhardt was born 7 Nov 1915; died 5 Apr 1962; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Jessie E. Bernhardt was born 5 Jan 1922; died 27 Dec 1992, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Business: Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; proprietor of the Iroquois Hotel
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65183
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1897, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Liqueur Dealer
• Residence: 1903, 70 Blair Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ? Machine, ? Store
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

George Bernhardt was born in Preston, Ontario and lived in Galt for 43 years. He was the proprietor of the Iroquois Hotel built in 1894 and he built the Bernhardt Block in Preston and prior to WWI operated liquor stores in Galt and Preston.

Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [snippet from original text in book]

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Geo. Bernhardt

This gentleman conducts a wholesale and retail wine and liquor business in the Opera House block, but in a few months will remove into his new and commodious premises in the "Iroquois" block, one of the handsomest and most complete places of business west of Toronto. Mr. Bernhardt has the reputation of conduction a large and increasing business. As a citizen he is always ready to help and promote the interests of Galt.

Jubilee Souvenir of Galt, 1897

_____________________

George Bernhardt Passes

After a lingering illness the death occurred on Sunday morning at his home, Galt, of George Bernhardt, one of Galt's oldest citizens and best-known men. Deceased was owner of the Iroquois Hotel, Galt, and of the Bernhardt block in Preston. He had been in failing health for some time, but had only been confined to bed for a few weeks. He was 78 years of age. In prewar days deceased operated liquor stores in Galt and Preston and had long been identified with that business. He was born in Preston and spent 43 years of his life in Galt. He was a past president of the South Waterloo Agricultural Society and a director at the time of his death. He was a great lover of horses and dogs. He is survived by two daughters and one son, Mrs. W. Pickering, and Miss Florence, of Galt, and Henry, of Preston, Peter Bernhardt, of Preston is a brother.

New Hamburg Independent, May 2, 1930

Residence:
1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt "Corner of Blair Rd and Queen St., Cambridge, Ontario"

George married Elizabeth Louise Webb 25 Jul 1876, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of John Webb and Phoebe) was born 8 May 1854, , England; died 28 Jul 1927; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Louise Bernhardt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-207385P
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Prebyterian

Other Events:

• Business: Rock Brewery, 1580 Queenston Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Business: 1251 King St. E., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Brewery
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102180859
• Name: Heinrich Bernhardt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35118
• Immigration: 1833, , Ontario, Canada
• Misfortune: 1850, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; strike by lighting - blinded
• Residence: 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Brewer
• Occupation: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Brewer
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Brewer
• Residence: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1901, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ?

Notes:

Among the early settlers may be named Mr. Isaac Salyerds, of Irish descent. Brought up among Pennsylvanians, he married a daughter of John Erb and with her obtained considerable landed property. Isaac was a man of energy. He built a tavern (now owned by Mr. Alfred Thomson,) owned two large farms near Preston and became the owner of a small tannery, near the Grand River, built by one Andrew Smith. Mr. Salyerds erected a large store, built a tannery on those premises and carried on the business of tanning for a number of years. Owing to sickness and other causes his business declined; he discontinued the tannery and died in embarrassed circumstances. (Having neglected to make a will, his property went into the Court of Chancery where it remained for a number of years, until the greater portion of it had been consumed by law costs. The tannery premises were purchased by Henry Bernhardt who converted them into a brewery and added a number of buildings as they now stand.

Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917, pg 25

__________________________

Dreadful Accident from Lightning at New Hope

It falls this week to our lot as public journalists to record one of the most awful, sudden and frightful catastrophes, by which in the twinkling of an eye, unthinking mortals are occasionally hurried off the busy scene of human life, which we recollect as happening in our immediate neighbourhood. On Sunday last, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and when the heavy thunder storm which visited this quarter on that day, was raging at its height, just as three men, Frederick Long, Henry Barnhart and a German known as the "Little Waggoner" were in the act of leaving the stoop of the tavern in the Village of New Hope, kept by Mr. Adam Scott, a terrific flash of lightning struck the party and felled them all instantaneously to the earth.

Melancholy to relate, Long was found to have been killed on the spot, his shirt and skin across the breast being most severely burned and singed and part of his clothes rent and torn into shreds by the fearful, yet incomprehensible violence of the electric shock. Barnhart was discovered to have been struck completely blind and has remained so ever since, besides being otherwise severely stunned, burned and injured. The other person, who seems only to be known by the cognomen of the "Little Waggoner" (being a wagon maker in New Hope), was only slightly affected in the foot, in which, however, he experienced a strange, yet painful sensation. Dr. Ebert and Mr. Klotz soon arrived from Preston, but all attempts at reviving Long were tried in vain. Barnhart, who is a brewer in Preston, has since been conveyed home, but notwithstanding every attention medical and otherwise, the poor fellow enjoys little hope of recovering his eyesight, if indeed, his life be spared as he now lies in a precarious condition. Long was 24 years of age, and son-in-law of old Mr. Barnhart and head cooper to Mr. Hespeler, of Preston and had lately been employed at Mr. H's Mills at New Hope. He leaves a wife and child to lament his untimely end, and the bereavement of a kind husband and fond father.

At the time and place where the lightning struck, an extremely strong, sulphurous and suffocating smell pervaded the surrounding atmosphere and even clung to the bodies of the killed and injured, so much so that for some time there was great difficulty in breathing in the vicinity of the spot where the dire calamity occurred.

The Niagara Chronicle of 8 Aug 1850
Picked up and reprinted from The Dumfries Reformer, Galt Ont

__________________________

Died at Preston, on Sunday, January 27th, 1907, at 7.50 o'clock a.m. Henry Bernhardt Aged 81 Years, 10 Months and 17 Days. Funeral Will take place from the residence of Peter Bernhardt, where Service will be held, on Tuesday Afternoon, 29th Jan., at 2 o'clock to the Preston Cemetery for Interment. No Flowers. Friends and acquaintances please accept this intimation. Preston, Jan. 28th, 1907.

City of Cambridge Archives Funeral Card Collection

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HENRY BERNHARDT

Preston, Ont., Jan. 28. Henry Bernhardt, one of Preston's oldest residents, died on Sunday in his 82nd vear. Deceased founded the Rock
Brewery, and has been a resident of Preston for over fifty years.

The Chronicle Telegraph, 31 Jan 1907, p. 12

___________

DEATH OF RESPECTED PRESTONITE.

Preston Progress: There passed away into the great beyond on Sunday morning, January 27th, at 7.50 o'clock, one of the town's oldest citizens, in the person of Henry Bernhardt, at the ripe old age of 81 years, 10 months and 17 days. Deceased has been alling for some time and his demise was not unexpected.

Mr. Bernhardt was born in Alsace, when at the age of four years emigrated to America with his parents, who settled in Buffalo. For four years they remained in that city, then removed to 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. The deceased remained on the farm until he was about 22 years of age, when he came to Preston and founded the Rock brewery, which business is now successfully conducted by his son, Peter.

As proprietor of the brewery Mr. Bernhardt achieved success, which, however, was marred by an accident, of which he was the victim when 23 years old. At Hespeler he was struck by lightning and his eyesight was greatly impaired, so that later in life he worked under that disadvantage, and besides suffered reverses which he, however, successfully overcame. Since the death of his wife, 10 years ago, deceased has resided with his son, ex-Mayor P. Bernhardt, at whose home he peacefully passed away.

Four sons survive, Peter of Preston: George of Galt; Louis of Preston; and Martin of Chicago.

William Bernhardt, of Galt, is a brother, and Mrs. Krouse, of Baden; Mrs. Kratzmeyer, of Preston, and Mrs. John Beck, of Preston, are sisters.

The funeral took place from the residence of Peter Bernhardt on Tuesday at 3 p. m. Services were held at the house by Rev. J. C. C. Maas, pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, who also officiated at the grave.

The cortege was quite lengthy, many old friends being present from Galt, Berlin, Hespoler and Guelph. Among the relatives present from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Krause of Palmerston, Mr. and Mrs. Murray of Patis, Mrs. Goebel of New Hamburg, Mrs. Krause, of Baden, and Mrs. Steifelmeyer, of New Hamburg.

The pall-bearers were: Henry Bernhardt of Galt George Bernhardt Henry Bernhardt, Valentine Bernhardt, Arthur Bernhardt, and Irwin Bernhardt. Preston, all grandsons of the deceased.

The Weekly News-Record 14 Feb 1907, Thu Page 9

Business:
Address: 1251 King St. E. Cambridge, Ontario formerly Preston. Demolished

Henry Bernhardt operated his brewery here during the 1850s. The business moved and the Bernhardt Brewery later became the Rock Brewery.

Henry married Dorthea Rahn 1 Jan 1850, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Dorthea was born CALC 15 Mar 1827, , Hessen, Germany; died 31 Mar 1897, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102180999
• Name: Dorthea Bernhardt
• Name: Phebe Rahn
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35119
• Residence: 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Died. In Preston, on Wednesday, March 31st, 1897, at 7.30 o'clock p.m., Dorathe Rahn, Beloved wife of Henry Bernhardt, aged 70 years, 2 weeks and 2 days. The Funeral Will take place on Friday afternoon, April 2nd, at 2 o'clock, from her husband's residence, King street, to the Lutheran Church, where services will be held, thence to the Preston cemetery for interment. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation. Preston, April 1st, 1897.

City of Cambridge Archives Funeral Card Collection

____________

Wednesday night another old resident of Preston completed life's journey,in the person of Mrs Bernhardt, wife of Mr Henry Bernhardt, and mother of Mr Peter Bernhardt, brewer. For the past month Mrs Bernhardt has been struggling with la grippe, which despite all that medical aid and tender care could do, resulted fatally. Deceased was in her 71st year and has spent over fifty years in Preston, she having come here in 1845. She was born in Germany and was a devoted adherent of the Lutheran church. She leaves a family of eight among whom are Mr George Bernhardt, Galt, and Mr Peter Bernhardt, Preston, The funeral will take place tomorrow at 2 o'clock.

Berlin News-Record 2 Apr 1897 pg 6

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-65184

John — Phoebe. Phoebe was born Abt 1825, of, England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Phoebe Webb
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-118711

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

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-118712