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A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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George Odlum "Pop" Philip

George Odlum "Pop" Philip

Male 1863 - 1943  (80 years)

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

  • Name George Odlum "Pop" Philip 
    Born 30 Jan 1863  Goderich Township, Huron Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4] 
    Gender Male 
    Business Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Star Theatre 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188591484 
    Occupation 1881  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Miller 
    Residence 1897  9 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Kitchener,Philip,GeorgeO.-busyberlin1897.jpg    		 Kitchener,Philip,GeorgeO.-busyberlin1897.jpg
    Residence of George O. Philip - From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Manager, Opera House 
    Philip,George-1912-TheatreAnnouncement.jpg    		 Philip,George-1912-TheatreAnnouncement.jpg
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Anglican 
    Occupation 1921  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Church of England 
    Occupation 1921  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Theatrical, Amusment 
    Residence 1921  9 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Died 6 May 1943  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region Bef 2012  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    hotel operator, theatre owner, polician 
    Interesting show, business, life story 
    Name G. O. Philip 
    Name George O. Philip 
    Name Pop Philip 
    Residence 9 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-179857 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I179857  Generations
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2025 

    Father William Philip,   b. 1824, Aberdeen, , Aberdeen, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Nov 1907, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Mother Mary Jane Odlum,   b. 1827, Guernsey, Channel Islands Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Dec 1910, Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Family ID F254079  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Minnie Whitcomb,   b. 30 Aug 1851, Chatham, Kent Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jun 1938, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Children 
     1. Leola Ethelle Philip,   b. 13 Dec 1884, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1964, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years)
     2. Walter Depere "Tim" Philip,   b. 29 May 1886, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Sep 1918, , USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 32 years)
     3. Margaret Fraser Philip,   b. 26 May 1888, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1969, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years)
     4. Vera Fauchon Philip,   b. 8 Dec 1890, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Mar 1936, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 45 years)
     5. Maggie Philip,   b. 1893, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F176304  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    George O. Philip    		George O. Philip
    from Waterloo Region Hall of Fame
    George O. Philip    		George O. Philip
    From Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir located at the Kitchener Public Library

  • Notes 
    • "Pop" Philip, who headed every parade in the city, was probably the most colorful citizen in Kitchener's history. Born in Goderich, he later moved to this city. After rolling cigars and making buggy springs he became intensely interested in the theatre and while acting professionally married Minnie Estrelle, an American stage actress, before the footlights preceding a theatre performance. He brought many stage shows to Berlin and also developed amateur theatricals.

      He was a close friend of the late J. Ambrose Small, Toronto millionaire theatre producer, who vanished mysteriously. Philip operated a cigar store, and then leased and operated the Walper Hotel for three years. He bought the Clarendon Hotel across the street and became owner of several movie theatres in Ontario, but never lost his interest in things theatrical. Philip served as alderman for several years and supported the creation of Victoria Park.

      Waterloo Region Hall of Fame 2011

      _________________

      Berliner Journal September 3, 1896 Page 4 Column 2

      The new opera house is rapidly nearing completion and next Tuesday and Wednesday will be inaugurated by the Wilbur Opera Company.
      building is beautifully and practically organized throughout; the auditorium, measures 56' x 36' and has, together with the large gallery, seating for 800 people; the stage is 24' wide, 27' long and 47' high, including the rooms for scenery.

      The illumination is provided by fittings for gas and electric light. The building contract was bestowed on Mr. H. Wildfang, who had subcontracted the masonry work to Mr. George Schlee, the painting to Mr. F. Vetter, and the piping and conduits to Mr. P. Gies. As already announced, the Wilbur Opera Co. will give three performances in Berlin; in addition to the opera, there will be presentations of living pictures, marches, etc. with electrical illumination.

      Translated by:Patricia J. Kauk

  • Sources 
    1. [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 1 Page 91.

    2. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 28 Pg. 2.

    3. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub Dist. 26 Page 3.

    4. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188591484.

    5. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.
      Name: Vera Ruhlman
      Sex: F
      Death Date: 13 Mar 1936
      Death Place: 9 Ahrens W., Kitchener, , Ontario
      Father's Name: Geo O Philip
      Mother's Name: Minnie Whitcombe
      Born: 8 Dec 1893 Kitchener
      Informant: Geo. O. Phillp 9 Ahrens W. - father

    6. [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 30 Jan 1863 - Goderich Township, Huron Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Star Theatre - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Miller - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1897 - 9 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manager, Opera House - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Church of England - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Theatrical, Amusment - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1921 - 9 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 6 May 1943 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHall of Fame - Waterloo Region - hotel operator, theatre owner, polician - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - 9 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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