Deputy Reeve John Lehman Wideman

1833 - 1917  (83 years)

• Name	John Lehman Wideman
  Prefix	Deputy Reeve
  Born	27 Dec 1833	Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  Gender	Male
  Business	St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Yost, Winkler and Wideman General Merchants
  Occupation	1861	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Gentleman
  Occupation	1871	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Merchant
  Occupation	1881	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Postmaster
  Occupation	1891	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Postmaster
  Residence	1891	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Methodist
  Occupation	1901	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Postmaster
  Elected Office	1903	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	clerk - Woolwich
  Occupation	1911	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Drug Store
  		John L. Wideman's trade card for St. Jacob's Oi;
  		St.Jacobs-JohnL.Wideman-TradeCard-Ayer'sSarsaparilla-front.JPG
  Residence	1911	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Evangelical Association
  Died	6 Dec 1917	St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 9]
  	Cause: Cancer on his Jaw
  Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region	Bef 2012	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  Interesting	life story, post, public service
  Eby ID Number	00129-8034
  Buried	Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Person ID	I13196	Generations
  Last Modified	3 Mar 2025

  
  

  Father	Andreas "Andrew Wideman,   b. 16 Mar 1805, , Bucks Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 23 Dec 1868, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario  (Age 63 years)
  Mother	Anna Lehman,   b. 5 Jun 1805, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 5 Apr 1848, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario  (Age 42 years)
  Family ID	F3638	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Margaretha "Margaret" Winkler,   b. CALC 29 Mar 1829, , Baden, Germany ,   d. 30 Dec 1896  (Age ~ 67 years)
  Married	12 Mar 1854  [8, 10]
  Children	1. Mary Ann Wideman,   b. 27 Nov 1854, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 30 Mar 1915, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 60 years)
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F3641	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Elizabeth Winkler,   b. CALC 9 Apr 1840, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 28 Oct 1911  (Age ~ 71 years)
  Married	31 Oct 1901	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F168087	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos		Wideman, John Lehman 1833-1917.jpg
  		John Lehman Wideman From Enterprising Elmira, An historical, discriptive, and illustrated book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, published by George Klinck 1903

  
  

• Notes

  John L. Wideman, "the only son of Andrew and Anna (Lehman) Wideman, was born December 22nd, 1833. When a boy he attended the schools of the neighborhood where he obtained such an education as the public schools then afforded. When old enough to give a helping hand on the farm he was obliged to put by his books and perform such duties generally falling to the lot of the 'Farm Boy'. Not having any inclinations to the agricultural pursuits of life, the subject of our sketch chose that of the mercantile which seemed to be more natural and acceptable to his inclinations. In 1852 when only nineteen years of age, he left his parental home and came to Berlin, Waterloo County, where he was engaged as clerk in John W. Eby's store. Here he remained four months then went to St. Jacobs where he was clerking for George W. Eby who was then doing an extensive business in general merchandise. Here Mr. Wideman remained for nearly two years. In fall of 1854 he entered into partnership with Messrs. Tobias Yost and Rev. Philip Winkler under the name of Yost, Winkler & Wideman, as general merchants. This partnership was dissolved soon after the decease of Mr. Yost in 1856. In June, 1865, he received the appointment as post master for St. Jacobs, Ontario, and in 1866 he was elected as councillor for the township of Woolwich. In the year following he was elected as deputy reeve which position he still holds. Some twenty years ago he was appointed a justice of the peace for the county of Waterloo by the Ontario government. In June, 1874 he was also appointed issuer of marriage licenses. Mr. Wideman has, by his great perseverance and well directed energy combined with honorable and upright dealings, established a record and name for himself that shall not pass away for generations to come. He is a citizen worthy of imitation, and is genial and bland, always in good humor, and wears a smiling face for all. He is very affable and talkative, and I dare say no man ever saw him moody or morose. To all he is kind and courteous, charitable and humane, and always ready to extend a favor to any worthy object. On March 12th, 1854, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Regina Dorothea (Schneider) Winkler. To them was born one child" 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.]. __________________________ John L. Wideman was the postmaster at St. Jacobs for forty-four years from 1865 to 1909. At sixteen he left the family farm in York County to become a carpenter and at nineteen clerked in the John W. Eby dry goods and drug store in Berlin and later in the George W. Eby general store in St. Jacobs. In 1854 he became a member of the firm of Yost, Winkler and Wideman, general merchants. An ardent Liberal, Wideman was a member of the Woolwich Township Council 1866-1873; township clerk 1873-1905; clerk of the Seventh Division Court 1867-1893; a notary public from 1879; chairman of the License Board of North Waterloo for ten years; a director of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company and a member of the Waterloo Historical Society from its beginning. He was a very prominent member of the Evangelical Church Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Website ________________________ JOHN LEHMAN WIDEMAN John Lehman Wideman was born in the Township of Markham, in York County, Province of Ontario, on December 27th., 1833, and died in St. Jacobs on December 6th., 1917. His father was Andrew Wideman who was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and in 1828 had married Anna Lehman, who was born in 1805 and died in 1848. Andrew Wideman died in 1868. To him and his first wife were born a family of one son and two daughters. John L. Wideman, the son, remained on the farm with his father until the age of sixteen. He attended the common schools of the day and later worked at the carpenter trade for about two years. In August, 1852, he came to Berlin, now Kitchener, and engaged with John W. Eby as clerk in his dry goods and drug store. In November of the same year he went to St. Jacobs as clerk in the general store of George W. Eby. In the fall of 1854 he became a member of the firm of Yost, Winkler and Wideman, general merchants. For many years after, the subject of this sketch held many positions of trust and responsibility. He was a member of the Woolwich Township Council from 1866 till 1873 and became township clerk in 1873, holding the position for thirty-two years. In 1867 he was appointed clerk of the Seventh Division Court, resigning in 1893. Mr. Wideman was postmaster of St. Jacobs for forty-four years, having been appointed in 1865. He was a notary public since 1879, chairman of the License Board of North Waterloo for ten years, and at the time of his death a director of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co. In religion he was a devoted member of the Evangelical Association, holding many offices in the gift of the church, and always actively engaged in its interests. For many years he was principal agent in Canada for the publishing house, in Cleveland, O., of the Evangelical Association. In the replacement of the old church building of this denomination, in St. Jacobs, with a new one he was particularly active during the last years of his life. Politically he was an ardent Liberal, having, as he often said, received his first lessons in politics from the Hon. Wm. McDougall. Mr. Wideman was a member of the Waterloo Historical Society from its beginning, was for two years Vice-President for St. Jacobs, made valuable donations to its collection and was always greatly interested in its progress. He married Margaret Winkler on March 12th., 1854. Mrs. Wideman died in 1896. To them was born one daughter who died some years ago. Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 pg 61 _________________________ J. L. WIDEMAN, the veteran Clerk of Woolwich Township, was born in the Township of Markham, York County, Ontario, Dec. 27th 1833. He served the first sixteen years of his life on a farm, after which he was a carpenter for two years. In 1852 he was engaged in John W. Eby's drug store in Berlin as clerk, but in the fall of the same year he came to St. Jacobs and engaged as clerk in the general store of Geo. W. Eby. In the fall of 1854 he became a member of the firm afterwards known as Yost, Winkler & Wideman, general merchants, and which continued for several years. He collected the taxes of Woolwich Township for three years in succession, from 1861 to 1863. In later years he carried on a general mercantile business in St. Jacobs, and for about 18 years he had the wholesale agency of the publishing house of the Evangelical Association, of Cleveland, Ohio, for Canada, and supplied the Canada Conference of that denomination with books. He has a well stocked book and drug store in St. Jacobs at present. In 1866 he was elected a member of the Woolwich Township Council, and the following year became deputy-reeve, holding that office five years in succession, from 1867 to 1871. In 1873 he was appointed clerk of the township. In 1865 he was appointed postmaster at St. Jacobs, and holds the office at present. In 1867 he was appointed Clerk of the Seventh Division Court in the County of Waterloo, and after holding the office for twenty-six years, he resigned, W. H. Winkler being appointed his successor. In 1871 he received a commission for taking affidavits, etc., and in 1879 he was appointed a notary public. He is also justice of the peace and issuer of marriage licenses. In 1876, when the Crook's Act came into force, he was one of the first commissioners, and was chairman of the license board of North 'Waterloo for ten years. He is at present, and has been for a number of years, a director of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co. In religion he is a member of the Evangelical Association, and in politics a life-long reformer. After being clerk of the Township of Woolwich for nearly 32 years, on account of his health failing and old age, he resigned in 1905, Walter J. Snider of Conestogo being appointed his successor. Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 100 Years of Progress in Waterloo County Canada Semi-Centennial Souvenir 1856-1906 (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Chronicle-Telegraph Newspaper, 1906) pg 32 _______________ JOHN L. WIDEMAN PASSES AWAY Former Clerk of Woolwich Township Dies in St. Jacobs. WAS IN HIS 84TH YEAR Mr. John L. Wideman, one of the pioneer residents of St. Jacobs, passed away at his home in that village on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 6, after a few weeks' illness. The deceased was well known and highly esteemed throughout the county, and his death will be sincerely regretted by a wide circle of friends. The late Mr. Wideman was in his 84th year, being born in Markham Township, York County Dec. 27th, 1833. He came to St. Jacobs in the fall of 1852, to clerk in the store of Geo. W. Eby, and two years later he became a member of the firm. Yost, Winkler and Wideman, general merchants. For a number of years he conducted a store and latterly a book and drug business. Mr. Wideman has always been a public spirited man, holding many positions of trust and repsonsibi lity in serving his fellowmen. He collected the taxes of Woolwich township in 1861-63,. In 1865 he was appointed postmaster of St. Jacobs resigning ofter 40 years faithful service. He became a member of the Woolwich township Council in 1866 and was deputy-reeve from 1867-71 and appointed Township Clerk in 1873, which position he held for 32 years. In 1867 he was appointed clerk for the Seventh Division Court, and after 26 years service he resigned. He has been a notary public since 1879, chairman of the license board of North Waterloo for 10 years and a director of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co. at the time of his death, In religion he was a devoted member of the Evangelical Association, holding many offices in the gift of his church and always actively engaged in its interests. Politically he was an ardent Liberal, having, as he often said received his first lessons in politics from the Hon. Wm. McDougall. In every way he has been a splendid type of citizen and will be long remembered by a large circle of friends and acquain tances, The Chronicle Telegraph (190101), 13 Dec 1917, p. 9 ______________ J. L. WIDEMAN. This familiar gentleman was born in the Township of Markham, York County, Ontario, Dec. 27th, 1833. He served the first sixteen years of his time on a farm, after which he was carpenter for two years. In 1852 he was engaged in John W. Eby's drug store in Berlin as clerk, but in the fall of the same year he came to St. Jacobs and engaged as clerk in the general store of Geo. Eby. In the fall of 1854 he became of member of the firm afterwards known as Yost, Winkler & Wideman, general merchants and which continued for several years. In 1857 he was one of the assignees of Geo. W. Eby estate, consisting of a general store, flouring mill and furniture factory at. St. Jacobs, being engaged for about two in settling up the estate. He collected the taxes of Woolwich Township for three years in succession, 1861, 1862 and 1863. In latter years carried on a general merchant's business in St. Jacobs, and for about 18 years had the wholesale agency of the publishing house of the Evangelical Association of Cleveland, Ohio, for Canada and supplied the Canada conference of that denomination with books. He has a well stocked book and drug store in St. Jacobs at present. In 1866 he was elected member the Woolwich Township Council, and the following year became Deputy Reeve, holding that office five years in 1868, 1869, 1870 and 1871. In 1873 he was appointed Clerk of the Township. In 1865 he was appointed Postmaster at St. Jacobs, and holds the office at present. In 1867 he was appointed Clerk of the ? Division Court in the County of Waterloo, and after holding the office for twenty-six years, he resigned, W. H. Winkler being appointed his successor. In 1871 he received a commission to taking affidavits, etc., and in 1879 he was appointed a Notary Public. He is also Justice of the Peace and Issuer of Marriage Licenses. In 1876, when the Crook's Act came into force, he was one of the first commissioners, and was Chairman of the License Board of North Waterloo for ten years. He is at present, and has been for a number of years, a director of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co. In religion he is a member of the Evangelical Association, and in politics life-long Reformer. In 1854 he was married to Margaret, second daughter of the late Jacob Winkler. She died suddenly on Dec. 30th, 1896, leaving him at present a widower. The result of this union was one child a daughter, now the wife of N. E Hang, of Toronto. The latter have four children . Waterloo Chronicle 9 Dec 1897, p. 2

  
  

• Sources

  [S10] Book - Vol II 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..., 633. [S148] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1901, Woolwich F-3 Page 14. [S144] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1871, Div 4, Page 52. [S232] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - Calvary United St. Jacobs 4585 Cemetery Internet Link. [Large Family Plot ]W / JOHN L. WIDEMAN / Born / Dec. 27, 1833 / Died / Dec. 6, 1917 / Aged / 83 Yrs. 11 M. 9 D. [S130] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1881, Div. 1 Page 50. [S348] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1911, Div. 16 Page 18. [S1821] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1891, Section 3 Page 40. [S915] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1861, Dist. 8 Page 75. [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. [S878] Book - Fifth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, Biography of John Lehman Wideman pg 61.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 27 Dec 1833 - Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario Business - Yost, Winkler and Wideman General Merchants - - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Gentleman - 1861 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Merchant - 1871 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Postmaster - 1881 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Postmaster - 1891 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Methodist - 1891 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Postmaster - 1901 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 31 Oct 1901 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - clerk - Woolwich - 1903 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Drug Store - 1911 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Evangelical Association - 1911 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: Cancer on his Jaw - 6 Dec 1917 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth