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Conrad Stroh[1]

Male 1811 - 1899  (88 years)


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  • Name Conrad Stroh 
    Born 3 Oct 1811  Lehrbach, District Of Alsfeld, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4] 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/241660671 
    Interesting pioneer, story, sports 
    Immigration Sep 1837  New York City, New York, USA. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Residence 1839  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Residence 1840  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Occupation 1848  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    yeoman 
    Occupation 1851  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Farmer 
    Occupation 1871  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Lutheran 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-115896 
    Died 13 Oct 1899  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, Conestogo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I115896  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father Johann Yost "John" Stroh,   b. Abt 1783, Of, Lehrbach, District Of Alsfeld, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1861  (Age ~ 77 years) 
    Mother Anna Catherine Hahn,   b. 20 Aug 1786, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 May 1865, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Family ID F20673  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Anna Maria "Mary" Oswald,   b. 23 Apr 1821, Wilgartswiesen, Rhein-Baiern, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Sep 1894, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years) 
    Married 9 Jul 1839  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Children 
     1. Catharine Stroh,   b. 1840, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Mar 1900, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)
     2. Yost O. Stroh,   b. 1 Oct 1841, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Jan 1919, Peel Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
     3. Jacob Oscar Stroh,   b. 21 Aug 1843, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Dec 1928, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years)
     4. Elizabeth Stroh,   b. 4 Apr 1845, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Sep 1848, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     5. Maria "Mary" Stroh,   b. 19 May 1850, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Aug 1906, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years)
     6. George O. Stroh,   b. 1 Oct 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jul 1926  (Age 73 years)
     7. Carl O. "Charles" Stroh,   b. 1 Sep 1855, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Apr 1949, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 93 years)
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F29229  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • November 10, 1899

      Death of One of the First Settlers of Woolwich

      On Friday the 13th ult., there died at the home of his son George east of the village of Conestogo, Mr. Conrad Stroh, one of the old pioneers of Woolwich. Deceased was born in Lehrbach Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Oct 3rd, 1811 and was consequently a little over 88 years old when he died. With his three brothers he left the Vaterland and after a voyage of 47 days reached America and came on to Berlin, where he made his home for a short time. Here he was married by Rev. Bindemann, in 1839 to Miss Annie Marie Oswald who shared his joys and sorrows for some 55 years and predeceased him about 5 years. Afterwards he took up land near West Montrose and a little later a couple of miles east of Elmira and finally he got possession of the homestead opposite the junction of the Conestogo and Grand rivers, where by preserving energy and thrift he and his partner in life succeeded in carving out of the rich virgin forest a comfortable home. Here he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of a few years prior to the death of his wife when they lived in Conestogo. Deceased enjoyed robust health until about a year and a half ago when he had a severe attack of the grippe from which he recovered but which left him in much feebler condition. A few weeks ago he was taken sick and gradually sank until released by death. During this time he had the best attention and care from his son and daughter-in-law for which he expressed his gratitude during his last days.

      Deceased possessed many good qualities and as a mark of esteem his remains were followed to their last resting place in the Lutheran cemetery at Conestogo by a large concourse of relatives, neighbours and friends. He was one of the founders and a life long member of the Lutheran congregation at Conestogo [St. Matthews] and a staunch Liberal in politics. He leaves behind him four sons and two daughters, all married, 28 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren also three brothers, Yost of Woolwich aged about 77 years, Henry of Waterloo aged 81 years and John of Berlin aged nearly 91 years.

      Woolwich at the Turn of the Century: 1900, (Woolwich Historical Foundation, Woolwich Township, Ontario, Canada, October 2001), p. 42

      _____________________________________

      CONRAD STROH was one of the mighty hunters of by-gone days. He lived on the banks of the Grand River, about one mile east of Conestogo, and died at the good old age of 87 some eight years ago. Conrad was an unerring marksman, and when he pulled the trigger of the old flint lock the bullet sped with undeviating accuracy to the objective point. A friend and companion of Conrad's was Jacob Benner, of West Montrose, who was also a Nimrod who had won his reputation by practical and visible results. He, too, was a keen-sighted marksman and prided himself on never missing his aim. Although the two were fast friends there existed a little good-natured rivalry between them regarding the supremacy of marksmanship. One day a test of skill was determined on. Each was to fire at a spot on a certain. tree. Both fired, but on examination only one bullet hole was found. Both claimed it, and a dispute arose which cooled their friendship and threatened an open rupture. In those days the settlers made their own bullets and lead was scarce. Some days afterwards Benner, passing the spot where the trial had taken place, thought to save the lead by cutting out the ball embedded in the tree. Imagine his surprise when he found both bullets in the one hole. Benner communicated the discovery to his friend and the warm comradeship was resumed that was never afterwards broken.

      Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 100 Years of Progress in Waterloo County Canada Semi-Centennial Souvenir 1856-1906 (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 1906) pg 26

      ____________

      CONESTOGO PIONEERS.

      An Interesting Interview with Venerable Pioneer-Mr. Conrad Stroh now in His 86th Year -Scraps of Early History.

      From our Special Correspondent.

      Since learning that my epistle about Conestogo three weeks ago has been digested by those interested without any apparent symptoms of unfavorable effects I will venture an additional sketch regarding its early history. A renewal of this subject is also partly due to the fact that I unintentionally omitted mentioning the names of a number of those who were identified with the business and industrial pursuits of its early days, and for the reason that I have concluded to make the attempt, at least, of furnishing the vast army of CHRONICLE readers with as interesting and reliable a biographical and historical sketch of the entire township of Woolwich as it is within my power to produce.

      A few days ago I called at the home of the venerable Conrad Stroh, about a half mile east of the village on the bank of the Conestogo river. He lives with his son George, who has charge of the farm. Time appears to have dealt kindly with him, for he is yet a robust man at the advanced age of eighty six years. He finds it somewhat difficult to converse in English, but with my limited knowledge of the German tongue I succeeded in drawing from his yet well preserved mind a good deal of interesting data pertaining to his early life. Though at first he appeared reluctant he resumed a friendly attitude and conversed freely after he had been assured that I was simply an emissary of the CHRONICLE. He was born in Hesse-Darm-Stadt, Germany, in 1809, and came to this country in 1837, landing at Quebec, and finally reaching Berlin, his destination, after walking almost the entire distance through a trackless wilderness in which lurked dangerous obstacles and extreme hardships had to be endured.

      At that time-sixty years ago- Berlin was only a small village of twenty-five or thirty frame and log houses, mostly located on King and Queen streets. It contained & brewery operated by one Rebecher, harness shop owned by John Roat, hotel with one Gaukel as proprietor, and a few small mercantile establishments. The late John Peterson was then a Justice of the Peace and attended court, which at that time was held in Guelph. The late Rev. Benj. Eby was also a conspicuous figure in the pioneer village when Mr. Stroh arrived upon the scene.

      From Berlin he plunged into the wilderness near Elmira and commenced cleaning up the farm now occupied by Adam Harman. This farm contains about 157 acres, and in the task of bringing it out of its primeval state into one more congenial to civilized man Mr. Stroh performed what would have probably brought to a premature grave or discouraged nine out of ten of the young men of to-day. In addition to the limited frugal nourishment the pioneer home could afford, he would be compelled to watch his burning log heaps frequently twenty-two hours out of the twenty-four.

      At that time the nearest human habitation to his present home were a couple of log houses at Winterbourne, one being a log tavern kept by one named Schmidt. He also carried the mail from Winterbourne, occasionally in the winter season taking his route down the Grand river on the ice. Onå morning he had his legs so severely frozen that he was compelled to give the work up to his son for several months. There was no bridge nearer than Bridgeport, which rendered it rather inconvenient for travelling in high water times. The people in Mr. Stroh's neighborhood at that time had no church nearer than Berlin, and when they attended divine service they were either required to walk or be conveyed over a corduroy road by ox teams, a distance of twelve or thirteen miles. When any of the settlers wanted something in the way of luxuries, such as apples and other domestic fruits and they had the necessary cash, a trip by ox team to the Twenty, a distance of fifty miles, would be in order, and by this same primitive conveyance they would also bring their flour and other supplies from Dundas.

      Mr. Stroh says he is still able to walk to Berlin and back, but admits that he cannnot make the trip quite as quick as he could fifty years ago. He has three brothers who are also living at advanced ages. John Stroh, aged 89, of Waterloo township; Henry, of Waterloo, aged 80; Yost, near Elmira, aged 83. Their combined ages make total of 338 years. The farm upon which Mr. Stroh now resides contains about 230 acres, thirty acres of which he cleared himself. It was formerly owned by a man named Crooke who obtained it from the government, but his inability to make both ends meet compelled him to finally relinquish it. The old log house, built many years prior to Mr. Strob's ownership, is still standing, but is not used as a dwelling now as the family are sheltered beneath the roof of a commodious brick residence. The old land mark is one of the oldest in this section.

      Conestogo was founded by David Musselman, who, I am informed by those of unimpeachable veracity, the first white man to cross the river at this point. Mr. Musselman had the plot of the village surveyed and laid out in building lots some five of six years prior to 1850, and soon after erected the flouring mill Mr. Musselman was born in Pennsylvania, April 18th, 1789, and with his wife, to whom married in 1821, came to Conestogo in 1819, The dates relating to his birth, marriage and arrival I obtained from the well worn pages of the old family Bible which was printed in Philadelphia in 1816. Some of his descendants still live here Peter Musselman, the eldest son lives on a farm near the village. David is a veterinary surgeon now living in Berlin.

      An oat meal mill was one of the early industries In was established by Mr. Wm Hendry, now manager of the Ontario Mutual Life of Waterloo. The enterprise was not a success, owing to doubt, to the sparsely settled farming country around. The building was some time after used as a paint mill by two men named Goodworth and Sills. If I am not incorrectly informed they manufactured mineral paints, etc., and procured the raw material from paint beds near Winterbourne. The business flourished for a few years when it was abandoned. The building was finally destroyed by fire.

      Tradition has it that these paint beds were discovered and utilized by the Indians long prior to the advent of white men in this region, it being used for the decoration of various articles and for the purpose of preparing the hideous facial expressions of the warriors when they were about to proceed on the war path.

      One of the early industries at the village was a foundry. It was built by Thomas Mulheron, afterwards of Waterloo. It was subsequently owned and operated by Mr. Solomon Kauffman, now of Washington, Oxford County, who exchanged it for a farm to A. G. Gottwaltz, of Hanover.

      Hiram Newcombe

      Waterloo Chronicle, 25 Nov 1897, p. 4


      ___________

      Zur Erinnerung an Conrad Stroh Gestorben den 13ten Oktober 1899 Im Alter von 88j. 10t. [verse in German]

      [Translation: In Memory of Conrad Stroh Died 13th of October,1899, aged 88 years, 10 days.]

      Funeral Card

  • Sources 
    1. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 11126-76.
      George Stroh, 23, occ. Farmer, b. Woolwich, res. of Woolwich, s/o Conrad & Anna Maria Stroh [nee Oswald], married Catharine Schierholz, 19, b. Wilmot, of res. Woolwich, d/o Henry & Anna Schierholz, witn: Henry Schierholz, Jr, & Charles Stroh, both of Woolwich, on 30 March 1875, at Elmira

    2. [S130] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1881, Div. 3 Page 5.

    3. [S1581] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1851 Agricutural, Div. 2, Pg. 31.

    4. [S144] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1871, Div. 1, Pg. 9.

    5. [S9] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Canada Museum und Allgemeine Zeitung (1835-1840), 20 Jul 1839:30.
      9 Jul 1839 Rev. F.W. Bindemann m. Conrad Stroh to Spr Maria Oswald, both of Waterloo Tp.

    6. [S9] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Canada Museum und Allgemeine Zeitung (1835-1840), 9 May 1840:4.
      30 Apr 1840 The family of Conrad Stroh of Berlin was blessed with a daughter.

    7. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library, #4 pg 160.
      Elisabeth Stroh, daughter of Conrad, yeoman of Woolwich and Maria Oswald, died 18 Sep 1848, buried 20 sep 1848, aged 3y, 5m, 14d, cause: dysentery

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 3 Oct 1811 - Lehrbach, District Of Alsfeld, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - Sep 1837 - New York City, New York, USA. Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1839 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 9 Jul 1839 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1840 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - yeoman - 1848 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1851 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1871 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 13 Oct 1899 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, Conestogo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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