Florence Mae "Flora" Pequegnat

Other Events:

• Name: Flora Pequegnat
• Name: Florence Mae "Flora" Lightheart
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86096P
• Immigration: 1886, , Canada
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Adopted: Bef 1901
• Occupation: 1901, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tailoress

Notes:

Lightheart, -- Florence Mae, was born in England, April 19, 1882; passed away Aug. 23, 1952; aged 70 y. 4 m. 4 d. She was a real Christian, a member of the Baptist Church, and formerly an effective worker with children. She is survived by her husband, 4 daughters (Lorrie-Mrs. Harry Sandys, Buffalo, N. Y.; Mae-Mrs. Norman Cowan, Zurich, Ont.; Emma-Mrs. Wilford Schmitt, London, Ont.; and Gladys-Mrs. Clifford Cressman, Kitchener, Ont.). Funeral services were at the First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ont., in charge of C. F. Derstine.a

Kitchener-Waterloo Record Newspaper 24 Aug 1952

Florence married Isaac Wesley Lightheart 16 Dec 1903, Russell, , Manitoba, Canada. Isaac was born 2 May 1882, Beachville, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 22 Jul 1962, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. May Lydia Lightheart was born 1906, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Lillian Laureen "Lorrie" Lightheart was born Nov 1904; died 1979; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Gladys Lightheart was born 1920; died 3 Jan 2000, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86074P
• Immigration: 1872, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1874, , Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1883, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Watch Maker
• Residence: 1883, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1883, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Naturalization: 1885
• Occupation: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Jeweller
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1901, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Fruit Grower
• Elected Office: 1903, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve/Mayor
• Occupation: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Traveller - Berlin ?
• Residence: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Elected Office: 1913, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve/Mayor
• Elected Office: 1913, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve/Mayor
• Residence: 1917, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

L. G. PEQUEGNAT.

Few citizens are more esteemed more for their qualities of head and heart than Mr. L. G. Pequegnat. He is one of New Hamburg's best known business men, having been in the jewellry business for 20 years. Some years ago he retired from this business and entered the Pequegnat Clock Co. of Berlin, for whom he has since travelled. He is a successful salesman. Mr. Pequegnat has nearly always held public office of some kind. After a long term on the Public School Board he entered the Municipal Council, holding the position of Reeve for two years. He is now again on the School Board.

Special Industrial souvenir number of New Hamburg: containing a comprehensive review of the natural advantages and resources of the village of New Hamburg, 1908, Berlin Daily News, Berlin, Ontario

________________________________

LEON G. PEQUEGNAT, VICE-PRESIDENT BERLIN AND RACYCLE CO.

Mr. Leon G. Pequegnat of New Hamburg, is a Berlin Old Boy, whose life record has been a successful and honorable one. He belongs to a highly respected Berlin family, and spent his early years in the town. In 1882 he removed to Hamburg, where he conducted a jewelry store for many years. His business qualities were recognized by his fellow-citizens and he was first elected to the School Board and later a member of the Municipal Council, his public services terminating after capably filling for two years the position of reeve of that enterprising town. Mr. Pequegnat for six years, held the office of President of the Ontario Poultry Association and during his incumbency of the office, Hamburg had one of the best Poultry Associations in Canada. Mr. Pequegnat is Vice-President of the Berlin and Racycle Co., and at present is head salesman of the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co., of Berlin. Such men as he are a credit to any community.

Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir
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L. G. Pequegnat Dies At Hamburg

New Hamburg - Reeve of New Hamburg for many years and a member of village council, Leon G. Pequegnat passed away at his residence here, late Wednesday night. Deceased, who was in his 81st year, had been a resident of New Hamburg since 1881. He had been in ill health for about a year.

Mr. Pequegnat operated a jewellery store and watch-making establishment here until recently. Mr. Pequegnat was born in Switzerland.

Mr. Pequegnat served for 40 years as a member of the Wilmot Agricultural Society and for 20 years on the New Hamburg school board. He was a prominent exhibitor and judge of poultry and a well-known singer, in this district.

His wife predeceased him several years ago. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Roy Eby, of Detroit and two grandchildren. One adopted daughter, Mrs. Isaac Lightheart, of New Hamburg also survives.

The funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon from Baptist Church, to Riverside cemetery, for Interment.

The Waterloo Chronicle Jan 6 1939 pg 3

Leon married Louisa Becker 12 Jul 1883, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Louisa (daughter of Jacob Becker and Catharine Weber) was born 17 Jul 1865, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 May 1927, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Misfortune: blind last twenty years of life.
• Name: Louisa Pequegnat
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-86085P
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. C. Baptist
• Residence: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; German Baptist
• Residence: 1883, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1883, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32655
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Watch Maker
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Jeweller
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; watchmaker

Notes:

Ulysse Pequegnat, an accomplished watch and clockmaker of Loveresse, Switzerland, procured clock parts from Swiss manufactures and assembled them in his home with the assistance of some of his eight sons. There were also six daughters. At the suggestion of his third eldest son, Pequegnat immigrated to Canada, arriving in Berlin in 1874. It was inevitable that the family should continue in the watch and clock business, and Arthur, the eldest son, started the first clock manufacturing plant in Canada, A The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company. Pequegnat started a store of his own and the sons opened clock, watch and jewelry stores in Guelph, Stratford, Brantford, Waterloo, New Hamburg, Tavistock and Neustadt. The second and third generations of Pequegnats branched out from clock and watch making to various other fields of endeavor - the ministry, insurance, banking, industry, medicine and dentistry

Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

___________________


Edmund von Erlach died in Berlin of nervous fever at age of 23 years, 8 months and 1 day. He came here several years ago from Switzerland, attended high school for a time, in order to learn English, and when he was unable to find an occupation that corresponded to his knowledge, he did ordinary labour. Last fall and winter, he cared for people sick with fever, until he was taken ill with the sickness himself and was laid low with it in the home of Mr. Pequegnat, where he was cared for like a member of the family.

Berliner Journal 6 Apr 1882

___________________

Pequegnat Bros., Watchmakers and Jewellers, Berlin and Waterloo - The inhabitants of Berlin are well supplied not only with the necessaries but also the luxuries and adornments of life, and there can be no excuse for going out of town to make purchases, when the merchants here keep such excellent stocks, and sell the lowest possible prices. Among those engaged in the watchmaking and jewellery business must be mentioned Messrs. Pequegnat Bros., whose establishment is located on King St. East. This business has been established for over 11 years and since its inception has met with very favourable success, the development being very gratifying. The premises occupied are 11x50 feet, with a very nice stock of watches, clocks, chains, rings, brooches, scarf pins, and such other articles in this line as are usually to be found in a first-class jewellery establishment. The firm also make a speciality of watch repairing, of which they do a great deal. They give employment to three competent and skilled assistants, and their trade extends throughout the town and country. They also do a large jobbing trade, and give their customers the benefit of the lowest market prices, thus ensuring a continuance of their custom. Messrs. Pequegnat Bros. started with almost nothing, but by perseverance, thrift, enterprise and ability, have built up an excellent business; not only this, but they have started seven other parties in different places, who are now doing well. They have also another store of their own located in Waterloo, which is a branch of the Berlin house. Messrs. Pequegnat Bros. are natives of Switzerland, the land that produced William Tell. They are wide-awake business men, and have the esteem of the community in which they reside. They have been in this country over 13 years.

Industries of Canada Historical and Commercial Sketches Hamilton and Environs 1886

_______________


During the seventies a man and wife arrived in Berlin from Switzerland. Fourteen children walked with them from the station to the Town Hall to see the Mayor. The man carried over his shoulder a rifle, prepared to defend himself against wild beasts. He had less than $100 in his pocket that securely tied to his clothes but he had courage and a family to support. A watchmaker in his native land, he opened a small shop in the town. One by one his sons passed through the Canadian testing school, and shortly not only Berlin but also Guelph, Stratford and Brantford came to know the Pequegnats. One of the sons started Ontrio's first clock factory, and while conducting it served for 20 years on Berlin's and Kitchener's Board of Education.

Had present regulations, with regard to the admission of immigrants, been in force in the seventies the Pequgnats would have been shipped back to their native land branded as "undesirables." Such an act would. in addition to the loss of services named, have blocked the way of one Pequegnat to the post of actuary for one of this country's noted life insurance companies.

Waterloo Chronicle 13 Dec 1928, p. 19

Ulysses married Francoise Verpillot 1851, , Switzerland. Francoise was born 1 Aug 1829, , Switzerland; died 20 Sep 1917, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Church Membership: Benton Street Baptist Church, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Name: Frances Uerpillot
• Name: Francissca Uerpillot
• Name: Francoise Pequegnat
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32666
• Immigration: 1874, , Switzerland
• Immigration: 1874, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Notes:

Death of an Aged Resident; Mrs. Francoise Pequegnat Passes Away in Her 89^th Year. Came here in 1874.

One of Kitchener's oldest and most highly respected residents passed away Thursday evening in the death of Mrs. Francoise Pequegnat, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Schneider, at 18 Samuel street. The deceased was in her 89^th year and was born in Switzerland on August 1, 1829. Mrs. Pequegnat with her husband Ulysses Pequegnat, who predeceased her in 1894, came to this country in 1874, locating immediately in this city, where she had since resided. In 1851 she was married to Ulysses Pequegnat and was the mother of 16 children, two of whom died in infancy in Switzerland and one in this city. She is survived by 13 children, 50 grandchildren. Her surviving children are Arthur, Paul, George, and Philemon Pequegnat, of Kitchener, James of Stratford, Leon of New Hamburg, Joseph of Guelph, and Albert of Brantford, Emma, Mrs. George Heimbach, of Colville, Washington; Lena, Mrs. William Fleischer, of Hamilton; Rachel, Mrs. Oscar Schneider of Kitchener; Lea, Mrs. R. W. Chamberlain of Calgary, and Dina, Mrs. B. F. Stumpf, of Kitchener. Mrs. Pequegnat during her long residence in this city built up many friendships. She was a devoted member of the Benton Street Baptist Church and her activities in the early days of the church's history in this city did much to help the growth of the church. She was beloved by all who knew her for her genial disposition and sterling Christian character. Her bereaved sons and daughters will have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends. The funeral was held from her late home on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and at 2: 30 from the Benton Street Baptist Church. Interment will be made at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Waterloo Chronicle, September 2, 1917

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-85933P
• Birth: 8 Aug 1833, , Germany
• Immigration: 1851, , Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Miller
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; O Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saw Miller
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. C. Baptist
• Occupation: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Store Keeper
• Residence: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; German Baptist
• Occupation: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Retired: 1901, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

It is our sad duty to report the death of an aged and highly esteemed resident of our town, Mr. Jacob Becker. Mr. Becker was 73 years of age and was one of the pioneers of Waterloo county, having come many years ago from Pennsylvania. He was a resident of New Hamburg for the last twenty years, and took a very active part in the building up of our town. The funeral took place on Monday, and was largely attended by many friends and relatives of the deceased.

Wellesley Maple Leaf, November 22, 1906


Obituary is supplied by the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society Click here to go to their website.

Jacob — Catharine Weber. Catharine was born 1 Mar 1836, , Ontario, Canada; died 1 Jun 1910; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Becker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-149722P
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; O Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. C. Baptist
• Residence: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; German Baptist
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran