Owen Thamer

Other Events:

• Residence: Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 20 Alma St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-75673
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Dominion Signaller, R. F. C.
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Service #751432
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Operator, Hydro Electric
• Residence: 1921, 67 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Flash from the Past: RFC flyer in training visits hometown 'by mistake'

by rych mills Waterloo Region Record

Today's subject began his life in New Dundee. That's where Owen Thamer's parents, Rev. Ezra H. and Lucinda (Fried) Thamer put down roots, raising three daughters and four sons above the family's general store. Originally owned by James Wing, the shop at 190 Main St. was purchased by Ezra outright in 1904 and he then installed New Dundee's first Bell Telephone exchange. As a sideline, Ezra operated a small creamery in the cellar. Proving an unsuccessful butter maker, he sold the idle equipment and donated the basement space for a year to a group of shareholders calling itself the New Dundee Co-Operative Creamery Limited. That was the 1908 foundation of what became New Dundee's largest industry. Soon, a large factory was erected, and by the 1930s, it was Ontario's largest butter producer. In 1998, the creamery closed, ending nine decades of employment for generations of New Dundee-ites.

But, back to the Thamers.

Selling the store in 1911, Ezra, Lucinda and several of the children moved to 20 Alma St. in Berlin (Charles Street East in 2018, site of the Crowne Plaza parking garage). Less than a block away, Ezra and second son Franklin opened E.H. Thamer & Son men's furnishings shop at 96 King East at Scott (2018's Waterloo Region Record office site). Third son Owen had been born in 1896, and when the opening salvoes of the First World War were fired, he was 18 and a half. The Thamer brothers, like most Canadian men in their teens/early 20s, inexorably became part of the First World War....

Owen, the younger brother, didn't enlist immediately but had flying in his blood and signed with the Royal Flying Corps. Following aviation courses at the University of Toronto, he was assigned to Aviation School at Camp Borden. Early on May 10, 1917, a curious incident in Kitchener attracted hundreds of spectators as well as front-page coverage in both local daily newspapers.

Flight Cadet Owen Thamer took off alone in his JN-4 Canuck two-seat training aircraft, ostensibly heading for Owen Sound. Claiming to have become lost in the clouds, he travelled via Georgetown, Hamilton, Brantford, Galt and, surprise, 115 miles later, ended up in his hometown of Kitchener. At 7: 15 a.m., early-rising people in the east ward were surprised to hear a low-flying airplane circle and land on Alderman Sam Brubacher's farm field, near today's Weber/Pandora intersection.

Coincidentally (or not), in the previous day's Kitchener Daily Telegraph, Ezra said a landing place had been picked out should his son fly in for a visit!

A phone call to Camp Borden resulted in an order for Owen to stay grounded until his instructor, Flight-Lieutenant Watson (or was it Wilson? each newspaper had a different name) could fly to Kitchener and escort him back. Alas, Wilson/Watson's plane cracked up on landing but, luckily, neither he nor his accompanying mechanic was injured. Since Thamer's airplane was not damaged, Watson/Wilson flew it back next morning to Camp Borden. Thamer caught a train back to base after a day in his hometown....

mills, r. (2018). Flash from the Past: RFC flyer in training visits hometown 'by mistake'. KitchenerPost.ca. Retrieved 7 September 2018, from https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news-story/8881658-flash-from-the-past-rfc-flyer-in-training-visits-hometown-by-mistake-/

Owen — Stella Worden. Stella was born 30 Jan 1896, Downie Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada; died Nov 1981, , Utah, USA; was buried , Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States. [Group Sheet]

1. Burton Thamer was born 1930; died 1999; was buried , Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States.

Other Events:

• Business: 96 King St. E., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; E. H. Thamer & Son men's furnishings shop
• Eby ID Number: 00060-3954.4
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Occupation: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Retired: 1911, 190 Main St., New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1912, 20 Alma St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Rev. Ezra H. and Lucinda (Fried) Thamer put down roots, raising three daughters and four sons above the family's general store. Originally owned by James Wing, the shop at 190 Main St. was purchased by Ezra outright in 1904 and he then installed New Dundee's first Bell Telephone exchange. As a sideline, Ezra operated a small creamery in the cellar. Proving an unsuccessful butter maker, he sold the idle equipment and donated the basement space for a year to a group of shareholders calling itself the New Dundee Co-Operative Creamery Limited. That was the 1908 foundation of what became New Dundee's largest industry. Soon, a large factory was erected, and by the 1930s, it was Ontario's largest butter producer. In 1998, the creamery closed, ending nine decades of employment for generations of New Dundee-ites....

Selling the store in 1911, Ezra, Lucinda and several of the children moved to 20 Alma St. in Berlin (Charles Street East in 2018, site of the Crowne Plaza parking garage). Less than a block away, Ezra and second son Franklin opened E.H. Thamer & Son men's furnishings shop at 96 King East at Scott (2018's Waterloo Region Record office site). Third son Owen had been born in 1896....

mills, r. (2018). Flash from the Past: RFC flyer in training visits hometown 'by mistake'. KitchenerPost.ca. Retrieved 7 September 2018, from https://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news-story/8881658-flash-from-the-past-rfc-flyer-in-training-visits-hometown-by-mistake-/

Ezra married Lucinda Fried 1 Jan 1889, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lucinda (daughter of John Fried and Fannie Groff) was born 5 Apr 1865, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 1940; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lucinda Thamer
• Eby ID Number: 00036-3020.3
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren

Other Events:

• Name: Henry Thamer
• Eby ID Number: 00060-3954.1
• Residence: 1862, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1872, Gore of Downie Twp, Perth Co., Ontario
• Occupation: 1880, Pulaski, Jackson, Michigan, United States; farmer
• Residence: 1880, Pulaski, Jackson, Michigan, United States

Johann married Mary Ann Huber 3 Jun 1862, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of John S. Huber and Catharine Schlichter) was born 27 Mar 1844, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 12 Jun 1871, Downie Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Ann Thamer
• Eby ID Number: 00060-3954
• Residence: 1862, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Mary Ann Huber, "was married to Henry Thamer. They resided in Downie Township, Perth County, where she died. To them were born five children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20153484
• Eby ID Number: 00036-3020

Notes:

John Fried, "is married to Fannie Groff. They reside on the old 'Fried Homestead' in Blenheim Township, Oxford County, about two miles north-east of Roseville where he is engaged in farming. To them is born a family of six children"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

__________

FRIED & SON.

A short walk west of the village brought me to the fine two-hundred- acre stock farm of the above well known firm. I was induced to visit this place by the flattering reports of the large herd of splendid thoroughbred and grade Durham cattle kept and bred there and the numerous prizes awarded them in the face of competition with some of the leading thorough bred stock breeders in this country and the United States. Mr. Fried lives on the old homestead, where he was born, and has lived ever since. His son, Allen, lives on the adjoining farm formerly owned by the late Joseph Evans, once an old and familiar character in this neighborhood. The late Samuel Fried, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucks County, Pa, Aug. 5, 1804. In March, 1825, he, in company with others, walked to Canada, the trip requiring thirteen days. He settled on a farm near Blair, which is now a part of the old Wilkes' estate. He removed, however, in a few years, to Blenheim township, Oxford county, and settled on the farm now occupied by the son, and where he died, Nov. 3, 1876. The old barn is still in a good state of preservation. I am informed from reliable authority that it is the oldest bank barn in Blenheim township. It was erected during the dark days of the rebellion in 1837 and a thrilling incident is connected with its construction. One of the workmen put up a small American flag upon the comb of the frame. It was an act that meant trouble for the perpetrator, but it suddenly and mysteriously disappeared when several British officers came in search of the objectionable emblem.

Messrs. Fried & Son have been in the cattle breeding business for quite a number of years, and there are none in Ontario who have been more successful. For an admirer of splendid specimens of the bovine family, it is a delightful and instructive pastime to visit their stables. While they have a large number, and not an inferior one in the lot, I will merely allow space to mention several of their specialties and prize winners:

Blenheim Cherry (21,756) calved Jan. 5th, 1892, on the Fried farm, is a mountain of hide and tallow, weighing nearly 2,100 pounds. She was the winner of the prize at the Provincial Fat Stock Show at Brantford, and 1^st prize at the Oxford F. S. S., Ingersoll, 1897.

Oxford Rose (2,826), a most superb animal. She was easily awarded 1st prize at the Guelph Fat Stock Show as a two-year-old heifer, and Jubilee Sweepstakes, 1897. She tips the beam at 1,800 pounds.

Roan Lilly, a remarkably handsome creature was the winner of first prize at the Provincial Fat Stock Show, Brantford, 1897, and 1st prize at the Oxford Fat Stock Show, Ingersoll, 1897.

Snow Flake, pure white, and as perfect in shape and form as an animal could be, is going on two years. She weighs 1,500 pounds, and carried off 1st prize at the Provincial F. S. S, Brantford, 1897, and 1st prize at the Oxford Fat Stock Show, Ingersoll, 1897. She has thirteen 1st prizes to her credit. Carry, also a perfect beauty, won 2nd prize as a calf at the Guelph F.S.S, 1897.

Look Me Over won 1st prize as a two year-old grade steer at the Provincial Fat Stock Show, Brantford, 1897, and as a best steer, any age, and first Special Challenge Cup at Ingersoll, 1897. This animal weighed 1,900, and at Brantford the Champion Fat Steer of the United States was beaten by him.

That Mr. Fried is thoroughly experienced in feeding for the market, there is ample proof in the rapid increase in flesh made by "Look-Me-Over." His weight on Jan. 1st was 1,030 pounds, and by the following December he had gained 870 pounds.

Honest Billy, a prize winner from the ground up, won first premium at the Provincial Fat Stock Show, as a calf under one year old, and first prize at Oxford, I.S.S., Ingersoll, 1897, as a year-old. Weight, 1,200 pounds.

Were I to take the space to describe properly each animal, in the large herd of grades and thoroughbreds now being fed and cared for at the three barns of Messrs. Fried & Son, it would monopolize the entire edition of The CHRONICLE On the lower farm occupied by the son Allen, is a herd well worth the time to go and see. One thing in particular that attracted my attention on this occasion was the stable of splendid large horses in the finest condition. Nine cases out of ten where the breeding of thorough bred cattle is the leading feature, you will find the neglected horse stable sadly neglected.

Waterloo County Chronicle (186303), 24 Mar 1898, p. 8

______________

Mr. John Fried

There died at his home, 166 South Queen st., on July 1, Mr. John Fried, aged 80 years.

The deceased was born on his father's farm in Blenheim township where he resided until July, 17 years ago, when he moved to his late home. Surviving him are his wife (nee Fanny Groff) and three daughters, Lucinda, Mrs. E. H. Thamer; Leah, Mrs. J. Histand and Melissa, Mrs. Albert Gooding. Three sons Allan, Owen and Lawrence predeceased him.

The funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday (Standard time) from the residence to Roseville for service and burial.

John married Fannie Groff 2 Nov 1862, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Fannie (daughter of Isaac Groff and Leah Bricker) was born 7 Nov 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Dec 1923, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20153561
• Name: Fannie Fried
• Eby ID Number: 00044-3343
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Fannie Groff, "was born near Galt, November 7th, 1840. She is married to John Fried, a farmer. They reside near Roseville, Ontario, where they have a family of six children".


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Name: Johannes Huber
• Eby ID Number: 00060-3953

Notes:

John Huber, "the second son in the family, was born December 22nd, 1814. He was married to Catharine Schlichter who was born August 3rd, 1823, and died June 12th, 1886. They resided on the farm which he cleared himself. It was lot No. 4, 12th Concession, Blenheim Township, Oxford County, Ontario, where he is still having his home. To them were born eleven children. Samuel and Jacob, the eldest two, died aged one day."

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

________________________

Another or Blenheim's Pioneers Passes Away.,

John S. Huber died at his residence on Lot 4, Concession 12, Blenheim, on Thursday, April 2nd. Mr. Huber was born In Lancaster Co., Pa., in the year 1821. At the age of seven, he came to Canada with his parents, who settled on what is now known as Park House, a short distance from Preston, in Waterloo Co. Here he lived with his parents until 1846, when he came to Blenheim Tp. and started for himself, in the then unbroken forest. The following year he built a house. In the same year he was married to Catharine Schlichter.

In their efforts to carve out for themselves a home in the wilderness, Mr. and Mrs Huber had a great many difficulties to contend with. They had to endure many hardships and privations, and put up with many inconveniences entirely unknown to young people of the present day. In their farming operations they were more than ordinarily successful, and in 1872 they gave up the active work of the farm, and retired. They had a family of nine daughters, seven of whom are still living. After a happy married life of 45 years, Mrs. Huber was called away on June 12th, 1886, since which Mr. Huber has lived with one of his daughters on the old homestead. He was honest and straight forward in all his dealings, and was trusted and respected by all with whom he came in contact In his business and social life. He was a staunch, life-long Reformer, and in religion was of the Mennonite persuasion.

His decease was brought on by an attack of la grippe, which, coupled with the weakness of old age, caused his death, after an illness of about two weeks. He reached the ripe old age of 81 years, and was hale and hearty to within a short time of his death.

The funeral took place on Sunday, April 5th. at 1 p.m. Followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends, his remains were taken to the Blenheim cemetery. and there interred. He leaves behind him two sisters, seven children thirty-nine grand children, and four great grand children. His sisters are Mrs. Nancy Bergey, of Caledonia, Mich., and Mrs. Fanny Shoemaker, of Highgate. His children still living are Nancy Bowman, of Blair, Mrs. Jesse Clemens, of Roseville ; Mrs. D. H. Clemens, who resides on the old homestead, , Fanny Huber, who lived with her father . Mrs, Isaac McNally, of Blair Mrs. Isaiah Hilborn, of Pilkington, and Mrs. D. K. Erb, of Sebringvllle.

The Weekly Reformer 9 Apr 1896 pg 2

John married Catharine Schlichter 11 May 1841. Catharine (daughter of John Schlichter and Elizabeth Bechtel) was born 3 Aug 1823, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Jun 1886; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Huber
• Eby ID Number: 00103-5778

Notes:

Catharine Schlichter, "was born August 3rd, 1823, and died June 12th, 1886. She was married to John Huber"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20153739
• Eby ID Number: 00036-3014
• Immigration: 1825, , Canada
• Occupation: 1843, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Samuel Fried, "a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was born August 5th, 1804. In March, 1825, he, in company with Abraham Moyer, travelled on foot to Canada and arrived in Waterloo County, Ontario, after a thirteen days' walk. Mr. Fried was married to Nancy, daughter of Dilman and Catharine (Schwartz) Ziegler. She was born February 1st, 1810, and died October 14th, 1872. Soon after their marriage they settled in Blenheim Township, Oxford County, about two miles west of Roseville where they resided until their deaths. He died November 3rd, 1876. To them was born a family of seven children"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Samuel — Nancy Ziegler. Nancy (daughter of Dilman Hunsburger Ziegler and Catherine Schwartz) was born 1 Feb 1810, Near Skippack, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 14 Oct 1872, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20153679
• Name: Nancy Fried
• Eby ID Number: 00139-8424

Notes:

Nancy Ziegler, "the second in the family, was born February 1st, 1810, and died October 14th, 1872. She was married to Samuel Fried."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• Name: Isaak Graff
• Eby ID Number: 00044-3342
• Residence: 1840, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Isaac Groff, "the second in family, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 2nd, 1818, and came to Canada, in November, 1822. On February 4th, 1840, he was married to Leah, youngest daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Eby) Bricker. She was born July 24th, 1822, and died March 11th, 1869. Some time after his marriage he and his brother Andrew went into partnership and purchased their father's extensive possessions near Galt where the continued in business until June 2nd, 1850, when Isaac, the senior member of the firm, died. To him and his wife was born a family of six children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Isaac married Leah Bricker 4 Feb 1840, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Leah (daughter of Samuel Bricker and Rebecca Eby) was born 24 Jul 1822, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Mar 1869; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lea Bruecker
• Name: Leah Groff
• Name: Nancy Bricker
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1347
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Leah Bricker,"the eighth and youngest child of Samuel and Rebecca (Eby) Bricker, was born July 24th, 1822. On February 4th, 1840, she was married to Isaac Groff who was born March 2nd, 1818. Soon after their marriage they moved on his father's old homestead about halfway between Preston and Galt where he died June 2nd, 1850. She died March 11th, 1869. To them were born six children".

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].