Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Home Search  
Print Bookmark

Peter Anton Spitzig[1, 2, 3]

Male 1808 - 1891  (82 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Peter Anton Spitzig 
    Born 27 Sep 1808  Königheim, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7, 8] 
    Gender Male 
    Name Anton Spitzig 
    Occupation 1861  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Yeoman 
    Residence 1861  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Roman Catholic 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Roman Catholic 
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Gentleman 
    Residence 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Catholic 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-144016 
    Died 18 Mar 1891  [5, 8] 
    Buried Saint Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery, Maryhill, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 8] 
    Person ID I144016  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2024 

    Father Joseph Anton Spitzig,   b. 17 Jan 1778, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Jun 1856, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Mother Susanna Schleicher,   b. Abt 1790, of, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F44756  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Katharina "Catharine" Faulhaber,   b. 3 Nov 1811, Königheim, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 May 1887  (Age 75 years) 
    Children 
     1. Peter I. Spitzig,   b. 1836, Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Frederic Spitzig,   b. 1838, , USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Mary Ann Spitzig,   b. 28 Oct 1842, , USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 May 1904  (Age 61 years)
     4. Louise Spitzig,   b. CALC 14 Jan 1844,   d. 1 Aug 1881, Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 37 years)
     5. Catharina Spitzig,   b. 10 Jul 1849, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1921, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years)
     6. Lorenz "Lawrence" Spitzig,   b. 5 Jan 1852, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Mar 1915, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years)
     7. Henry Spitzig,   b. Jul 1854, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Nov 1929, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 75 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F35874  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Canada-Correspondence from New Germany, Waterloo Co., Ontario.

      Dear Sir Editor,

      On Tuesday, May 26 we had a nice but very seldom-celebrated union in our community, the golden anniversary of Mr. Peter A. Spitzig and his wife Katharina, born Faulhaber. At 10: 30 was a high mass performed by the most honourable Father Forster, the Reverend of the congregation. Three quarters of the congregation were present and most of them did participate at the dinner, which the golden anniversary couple did give for family and friends. In a wooden barn were four temporary tables each two feet long. At 1 o'clock Father Forster came and took a seat at the table. The first sitting had 57; the second sitting had 55 persons. At the evening meal there were 72 persons present.

      The members of the congregation brought their best wishes to the golden couple. From near and far almost all relatives were present. First I noticed my old school colleague and the oldest son of the golden couple, Mr. Peter P. Spitzig with his wife and two children. Also Mr. Friedrich Spitzig, wife and four children from Cleveland, Ohio. Further Mr. William Spitzig (brother), his son Joseph and daughter Maria. Bernard Spitzig (son of the deceased brother Bernard Spitzig), from Cleveland, Ohio. Also Lorenz Spitzig, wife and six children from New Germany, Ontario; Henry Spitzig, wife and five children, from Mildmay, Bruce Co., Ontario; John Kirchner (son in law) and Maria, born Spitzig, with four children, from Kossuth, Ontario; John Goetz (son in law) and Katherina, born Spitzig, with eight children, from New Germany, Ontario; the widow Mrs. Barbara Spitzig and son Lorenz from Formosa, Bruce Co., Ontario. Further Mr. Lorenz Spitzig and his two sons Heinrich and Lorenz from Chepstow, Bruce Co., Ontario. Also a number of friends from far were present.

      The golden couple belongs to the oldest settlers in New Germany and I would like to make a small sketch of their life. Mr. Peter A. Spitzig was born in the year 1809 in Konigheim, county of Tauberbischofsheim, Baden, his wife in 1811 in the same place. In the year 1834 both not married left with other families their fatherland. No railroad did exist, they had to do the journey with horse and wagon to Havre de Grace, France, which took six weeks. There they boarded a sailboat, which took them in 22 days to New York. From New York they travelled on a small steamer to Albany, New York state and from there per train to Schenectady, New York. The New York Central Railroad ended there. From there they took a canal boat to Rochester, New York, where by that time thirteen German families did live. A small Catholic Church was in Rochester where Father O' Reilly, later Bishop of Hartford, Conn. (who on a trip home from England disappeared with the steamer "Pacific", and lost his life.) was employed. On 26 May 1835, the golden couple married, and Father O' Reilly officiated (blessed) over the wedding, and eventually christened the oldest child. In 1837 a German Priest came the first time, Father J.H. Newmann of the Redemptorist Order, who later became Bishop of Philadelphia. A private house served as a church for the German Catholics. The immigration at this time increased, mainly of the Catholics. In the year 1844, the cornerstone to the now St. Joseph's Church in Rochester was laid. Later this year the golden couple left Rochester and migrated with three children to Canada, which was a very troublesome journey since there was no railroad. They bought in the township of Guelph, three miles from New Germany, 100 acres of land, which was wilderness. The hardships they had to go through for the first ten to fifteen years one can only imagine. One must have gone through it himself to understand this.

      With the exception of some years when the family lived in Wilmot, after selling the above mentioned farm, they returned again to New Germany and 1 and a half miles from the church they bought a large and very nice farm. The "golden" old man and "golden" old woman have been loyal members of the congregation for forty years. In the same time there was a block church in New Germany and every six-eight weeks the priest came and held mass. That was from 1844-1848, when the Jesuit Fathers came. How well liked the Spitzig was, was proven by the hearty participation of their neighbours on their golden day. Since the golden couple is still strong, alert and healthy, we all hope they will enjoy happiness and joyful days for the rest of their life. This is the wish of all citizens of New Germany and also of mine. Very best and friendly regards

      I remain sincerely, Henry Wendling, Local Agent of "The Voice of Truth" P.S. Altogether there are 45 living grandchildren of the golden couple and 35 were present.

      1aThe Voice of Truth, June 4, 1885 . Copied from the original newspaper Weekly paper for German Catholics of North America. From files at City Archives, Konigheim, Germany.

  • Sources 
    1. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      John Kerchner (occ. farmer of Kossuth) b. Upper Canada Age: 24 born abt 1845 father: Anton Kerchner mother: Catharine Kerchner married Maria Anna Spitzig Age:: 25 born abt 1844 b. United States father: Peter Spitzig mother: Catharine Spitzig married 19 Oct 1869 Marriage Place: Waterloo, New Germany

    2. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Johann Goetz Birth Place: Canada RESIDENCE: New Germany Age: 24 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1842 Father Name: Casemir Goetz Mother Name: Magdalina Spouse Name: Catharina Spitzig Spouse's Age: 18 Spouse Estimated Birth Year: abt 1848 Spouse Birth Place: Canada Spouse Residence: New Germany Spouse Father Name: P. Anton Spitzig Spouse Mother Name: Catharina Marriage Date: 20 Nov 1866 Marriage Place: New Germany

    3. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 010957-76.
      Henry Spitzig, 22, occ. Farmer, b. Ontario, res. Waterloo Twp, son of Peter & Catharina Married Mary Berberich, 19, b. Ontario, res. Waterloo Twp, daughter of Joseph & Theresa, Witn Anton Berberich & Mary Weiler of Waterloo Twp, 16 May 1876 in New Germany.

    4. [S224] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1881, Div 1 Page 35.

    5. [S93] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich, Maryhill - Saint Boniface Roman Catholic - www.findagrave. com.
      Here Rests/ Peter A. Spitzig/ Born In Konigheim, Baden/ Died In 18 March 1891/ Age 82 Years 5 Months & 19 Days-/ Catherine Faulhaber/ Wife From Peter A. Spitzig/ Born In Konigheim Baden/ Died 25 May 1887. Age 75 Years 6 Months & 22 Days

    6. [S844] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1861, Pg. 115.

    7. [S514] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1871, Sect. 2 Page 19.

    8. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81427285/peter-anton-spitzig.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 27 Sep 1808 - Königheim, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Yeoman - 1861 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Roman Catholic - 1861 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Roman Catholic - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Gentleman - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Catholic - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Saint Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery, Maryhill, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding ©, v. 12.0.1, written by Darrin Lythgoe 2001-2024.