John Shearer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-91913
• Occupation: 1881, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Finisher
• Invention: 1884, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Machine for Pressing Cloth
• Occupation: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cloth Finisher
• Residence: 1891, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Electrician
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer, at Home
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

BLAIR SUPPLIED PRESTON WITH HYDRO, ELECTRIC POWER
BY Nonie Beck Pryce
James Fenwick owned and operated the first electric light plant in Preston in 1891. Records in the Town Treasurer's office show that the first account in Preston's books was registered in 1891 when they paid $407,00 for street lighting. There were power shortages and the burden fell on the shoulders of the owner. Mr. Fenwick first operated his steam plant and dynamo in Harry Hamacher's Carriage Shop on King Street. The street lights were turned off at twelve o 'clock. I believe that on moonlight nights they did not come on.

A steam plant was expensive and waterpower was much cheaper so the plant was moved to Blair on the property of Charles Beck. There was a big stone building on this property which had first been a tannery, run by Bechtels, then a distillery owned by Thomas Reed.

Even in those days there were dry speels, and the water power had to be supplemented with steam generated power.

In winter storms raged bringing down poles and wires. A Privately owned plant had lots of trouble. Collections were made from customers every Monday morning. While in Blair an opposition plant was started by John Shearer, chiefly supplying light for homes.

After a number of years Mr. Fenwick moved back to Preston, renting a room and steam power from Clare Bros. In 1910 Preston built a municipal plant and agreed to take 600 horsepower from Hydro, Community" dances were blacked out at midnight unless arrangements were made to have the power left on, then a fee of a dollar an hour was charged.

Grand River Womens' Institute

John — Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ebert. Elizabeth (daughter of Dr. Charles Ebert and Anna Maria Jung) was born 1844, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Bef 1901. [Group Sheet]

1. William Carson Shearer was born 20 Jul 1871, , York Co., Ontario, Canada; died 21 May 1938; was buried , Mount Hope Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Shearer was born 9 Feb 1882, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
3. Annie Shearer was born 9 Aug 1883, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
4. Isabella "Bella" Shearer was born 11 Apr 1886, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Oct 1918, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-91917

William — Anne Moran. [Group Sheet]