Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Home Search  
Print Bookmark
Dr. Mayor Walter Wells, L.D.S.

Dr. Mayor Walter Wells, L.D.S.[1, 2, 3]

Male 1833 - 1912  (78 years)

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

  • Name Walter Wells 
    Prefix Dr. Mayor 
    Suffix L.D.S. 
    Born 18 Sep 1833  King Twp. York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] 
    Gender Male 
    Occupation 1852  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    blacksmith 
    Residence 1852  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1856  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    carriage maker 
    Occupation 1861  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Blacksmith 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    [Member of New Jersulem Religion] 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Dentist 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Presbyterian 
    Elected Office 1876  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Councillor - Waterloo 
    Occupation 1881  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    dentist 
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Dentist 
    Residence 1881  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    [Member of New Jersulem Religion] 
    Elected Office 1887  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Councillor - Waterloo 
    Occupation 1887  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [16] 
    Licenced Dental Surgeon 
    Waterloo-Druggist-Simon-Snyder-004-WaterlooPublicLibrary.jpg    		 Waterloo-Druggist-Simon-Snyder-004-WaterlooPublicLibrary.jpg
    Exterior of Snyders Drug Store at 4 King Street South. Two men standing in front of store. Note the sign for W. Wells and Son, Dentist above store front, and the bicycle.
    Notes
    Built in 1857. Sold in 1868 to Moses Springer and Simon Snyder. In 1949 became Hahn's Pharmacy and continued until 1987. The facade was designated a Heritage Landmark in 1986. - "Snyders Drug Store, Waterloo, Ontario". 2021. Images.Ourontario.Ca. https://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/29668/data?n=5&fbclid=IwAR28-_3AmyZ6m3bmCL8A8Kr4UjjDYbnzWDidXKK8NZJeG_Bfq9ZX7P6hAIQ.
    Residence 1887  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Residence 1887  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [16] 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    Dentist 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    Presbyterian 
    Elected Office 1893  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mayor - Waterloo 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/273752030 
    Occupation 1901  Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Dentist 
    Occupation 1911  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Dentist, Office 
    Residence 1911  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number 00023-1822.2 
    Died 10 Mar 1912  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10, 14] 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Person ID I17217  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2025 

    Father John Wells,   b. 30 Jun 1791, , Berkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Dec 1877, King City, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Mother Mary Davis,   b. CA 1802, Of, York Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jan 1879, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 77 years) 
    Family ID F33428  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Isabella Tyson,   b. 24 Jul 1838, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Jan 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 42 years) 
    Married 28 Oct 1856  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    Children 
     1. Clara Ida Wells,   b. 1859, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Edith Louisa Wells,   b. 21 Sep 1860, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Jun 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 36 years)
     3. Dr. Clayton William Wells,   b. 14 Jul 1862, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 May 1934, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years)
     4. Nancy Lorina Wells,   b. 16 Nov 1864, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Wilhelmina Caroline Wells,   b. CALC 15 Oct 1867, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Apr 1879  (Age ~ 11 years)
     6. Lambert Emanuel Wells,   b. 5 Jul 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Aug 1872, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 1 years)
     7. John Alfred Wells,   b. 15 Sep 1873, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. Walter Bell Wells,   b. 22 Jun 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 13 May 2025 
    Family ID F4513  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Rosina Roos,   b. 24 Mar 1860, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Feb 1936, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years) 
    Married 7 Sep 1887  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 12, 16] 
    Children 
     1. John Wells,   b. 1873, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Walter Wells,   b. 1880, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Gertrude Rosina Wells,   b. 25 Jun 1888, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Mar 1953, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years)
     4. Simon Wells,   b. 1889, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Lyman Stanley Wells,   b. 12 Dec 1889, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Mar 1960, , San Francisco Co., California, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2025 
    Family ID F11492  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Mayor Walter Wells    		Mayor Walter Wells

  • Notes 
    • Walter Wells, 1833 - 1912

      Born in 1833 in King Township, north of Toronto, Walter Wells spent his early years on the family farm. At age 19 he moved to Galt (Cambridge) where he learned the iron and steel working trade. He left for Canandgua, New York for several years to work in the metal assembly trade. Upon return to Berlin (Kitchener) he established a carriage and wagon making shop on Caroline Street in Waterloo in partnership with Isaac Weaver. In 1866, with the management of his business entrusted to his employees, Wells attended the Royal College of Dental Surgeons. Graduating in 1868, he set up a dental practice above Simon Snyder's drug store on King Street. Wells spent 44 years working in the dental profession before retiring in 1910. Wells interests included the Masonic Order and the Ancient Order of Workmen. He was also instrumental in the establishment of Westside Park (now Waterloo Park) in 1890 and sat on the first Board of Park Management. In 1876, Wells was elected to the first town council. He continued as an alderman until 1878 and was later re-elected from 1887-1889. Unlike his predecessors, Wells was elected mayor in 1893 without first having served on council as a deputy reeve or reeve. During that year land for the construction of a joint Berlin-Waterloo Hospital was donated by Joseph E. Seagram. Authority to electrify the street railway was also granted in 1893 and council that year also introduced annual fees for stalls in the Waterloo market.

      From City of Waterloo website 2005
      ______________________

      DEATH OF DR WALTER WELLS

      Old and Valuable Citizen of Waterloo Passed Away on Sunday Morning

      WELLS - At Waterloo on Sunday, March 10th, 1912, Walter Wells, L.D.S., in his 79th year.

      The Funeral (private) took place on Wednesday, March 13th, at 3 p.m. from the family residence on Caroline St. to Mount Hope cemetery.

      The late Dr. Walter Wells was born in the township of King. County of York, Ontario, (about 35 miles north of Toronto) on September 18th, 1833, and was therefore nearly 78 ½ years of age at the time of his decease. He spent his early days on the farm, and at the age of seventeen came to Galt and for some years thereafter devoted his time to working in iron and steel at Galt and at Canadagua, N. Y. He afterwards engaged in carriage making at Berlin and Waterloo

      About 1866 he began the study of dentistry, passed his examination at the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario in 1868, and practised dentistry successfully at Waterloo until two years ago when he retired from active work. At that time he was probably the oldest dentist in active practice in Canada, and his 44 years of continuous work in his profession may also possibly have been a record.

      In his earlier years he was an active worker in the public interest, having been town councillor for a number of years and also mayor number for one term. He was one of those one most actively engaged in securing for Waterloo its fine park and was one of the first members of the Park Board.

      He was a member of the Masonic Order and also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; in politics he was always a Reformer.

      In 1856 he was married to Isabella Tyson, who predeceased him in 1881. In 1887 he was married to Rosina Roos, who survives him. The children now living are Mrs. James D. McColl (Clara), Kansas City, Mo.; Clayton W. Wells, Waterloo; Mrs. Jas. Bladon (Lola), Minneapolis, Minn.; John A. Wells, Assistant City Assessor, Nashville, Tennessee; Walter B. Wells, Vancouver, B. C.; Gertrude Wells, Waterloo; Lyman S. Wells, Prince Rupert, B. C. A daughter and son, Wilhelmina and Lambert, died at an early age, and Mrs. (Dr.) Levi Clemens (Edith) passed away in 1897.

      The late Walter Wells was an active man for his years until the past couple of years when the infirmities of age told on him, and these wore him out and caused his death.

      The Chronicle Telegraph , 14 Mar 1912, p. 5

  • Sources 
    1. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 430.

    2. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 27 Jan 1881.
      25 Jan 1881 Isabella, wife of Walter Wells, died in childbirth in Waterloo at the age of 42 years, 6 months and 1 day.

    3. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 22 Aug 1872.
      Lambert Emanuel Wells died 18 Aug 1872 in Waterloo, son of W. , 1yr, 1mth, 13 days.

    4. [S276] Census - ON, Waterloo - 1881, Waterloo, Waterloo North, Ontario Family History Library Film 1375901 District 162 Sub-district D Division 2 Page Number 48 Household Number 212.

    5. [S313] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1851, Div 1 Pg 18.

    6. [S135] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1901, Waterloo (Town/Ville) D-6 Page 2.

    7. [S2] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian).
      Name: Walter Wells, L.L.D. Age: 52 res: Waterloo Place of Birth: County York, Canada Names of Parents: John Wells & Mary Davis Name: Rosina Roos Age: 28 res: Waterloo Place of Birth: Preston, Ont. Names of Parents: Jacob Roos & Elisabeth Henzel Name: Mrs. Maria Tuerk res: Berlin Name: Mrs. Alw. Harttung res: Berlin Date of Marriage: Sept. 7, 1887

    8. [S302] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1881, Waterloo Village 1881 Div. 2 Page 48.

    9. [S366] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1911, Div. 44 Pg. 16.

    10. [S192] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - Mount Hope CC#4500 Internet Link.
      North: Clayton Wells/ born July 14, 1862/ died May 17, 1934/ his wife/ Eleanor Almedia/ Hughes/ 1861-1947
      East: Rosina Roos/ wife of/ Walter Wells/ born Mar. 24, 1861/ died Feb. 17, 1936
      South: Wells/ Walter Wells/ born Sept. 18, 1833/ died March 10, 1912/ his wife/ Isabella/ born 1838 - died 1881
      West: Their daughter/ Wilhelmina/ born 1867 - died 1879/ their son/ Lambert Emanuel/ born 1871 - died 1872

    11. [S1885] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1861, Waterloo 1861 Dist. 1 Page 1.

    12. [S1573] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1891, Section 4 Page 13.

    13. [S2658] aaaaWaterloo Village 1871, Sect. 2 Page 30.

    14. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.
      Walter Wells, b. 18 Sep 1833 York Co,. d. Waterlo, Waterloo, 10 Mar 1912 s/o John Wells and Mary Davis

    15. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library.
      Walter Wells, carriage maker of Preston, married 28 Oct 1856 in Berlin by license to Isabella Tyson of Berlin.

    16. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 15 Sep 1887.
      05 Sep 1887 Rosina Roos and W. Wells, L.D.S. (licenced dental surgeon) both of Waterloo, were married by Pastor F.W. Tuerk, Berlin.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - blacksmith - 1852 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1852 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - carriage maker - 1856 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 28 Oct 1856 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Blacksmith - 1861 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - [Member of New Jersulem Religion] - 1861 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Dentist - 1871 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1871 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Councillor - Waterloo - 1876 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - dentist - 1881 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Dentist - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - [Member of New Jersulem Religion] - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Councillor - Waterloo - 1887 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Licenced Dental Surgeon - 1887 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1887 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1887 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 7 Sep 1887 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Dentist - 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Mayor - Waterloo - 1893 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Dentist - 1901 - Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Dentist, Office - 1911 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 10 Mar 1912 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, 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 2001-2025.