John Roat^{[1, 2, 3]}

1833 - 1888  (54 years)

• Name	John Roat
  Born	29 Nov 1833	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
  Christened	18 Sep 1835	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  Gender	Male
  Residence	1860	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  Business	1862	King St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	John Roat, Harness & Saddle Manufacturer
  		Roat,John-HarnessAndSaddleManufacturer-001-1862DirectoryAdvert.jpg Grand Trunk Railway gazetteer, commercial advertiser and business directory, Toronto : J.L. Mitchell & A.O. Loomis, Publishers and Compilers, 1862
  Business	1867	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [13, 14]
  	Commericial Hotel
  		Commercial Hotel advertisement from: Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867
  Occupation	1868	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [15]
  	inn keeper
  	Worked at or owned the Commericial Hotel
  Occupation	1871	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Inn Keeper
  Residence	1871	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Presbyterian
  Occupation	1881	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Hotel Keeper
  Residence	1881	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Protestant
  Occupation	1888	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	innkeeper
  Eby ID Number	00094-5324
  Died	23 Mar 1888	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 6, 7]
  	Cause: cirrhosis of the liver with ascetics
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  Person ID	I2167	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	John S. Roat,   b. 4 Feb 1797, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 3 Aug 1854, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 57 years)
  Mother	Sarah "Sallie" Sauers,   b. 5 Sep 1805, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 3 Oct 1895, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 90 years)
  Married	3 Aug 1824	Ephrata, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA   [16, 17]
  Family ID	F421	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Mary Cowel,   b. 19 Sep 1828, Brockville, Leeds Co., Ontario ,   d. 20 Feb 1864  (Age 35 years)
  Married	23 Aug 1860	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3, 12, 14, 18]
  Children	1. Roat,   b. 16 Jul 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F694	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Christina Fraser,   b. 4 Aug 1837, of, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 25 Dec 1889  (Age 52 years)
  Married	14 Sep 1865	Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada   [11]
  Children	1. Finley Roat,   b. 1860, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Maria Emma "Mary Roat,   b. 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Robert Roat,   b. 25 Jun 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Aug 1868, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 1 years)   4. William John Roat,   b. 14 Feb 1872, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 23 Dec 1887, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 15 years)   5. John Roat,   b. 1874, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   6. Helen Roat,   b. 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F695	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  John Roat, "was born in Berlin, in October, 1833. He was first married to Mary L. McMannus who died February 20th, 1864, and after her decease to Christina Fraser who died December 25th, 1889. They resided in Berlin where he was proprietor of the old Commercial Hotel for a number of years. He died March 23rd, 1888, leaving a family of several children." 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.]. _______________________ King Street , North Side Frederick Street. Bishop Benjamin Eby's farm came to the corner of King and Frederick Streets. Next to Frederick Street, Frederick and William Miller erected a frame building and used it as a general store. After the grading operations spoken of this building had to undergo the same process as the St. Nicholas Hotel. It was considered a fine building in its day with large windows on each side of the centre door. Henry Stroh finally bought the building and tore it down in 1868. Jacob Stroh has some of the window sash, shutters, stairway, etc., still in his possession. Later the building was occupied by Jacob Eckstein cigar maker and tobacco dealer. Mrs. Warren with a family lived on the second story for a number of years. Vacant lot. Next a large brick building with double deck porch along the front, the Queen's Arms Hotel, built about 1840 and continued as a hotel until about 1860. A Mr. Butchard was the first landlord and later Levi Weber. From this hotel the first omnibus met the trains at the G.T.R. station in Berlin in 1856. Before that day it was a stopping place of stage coaches operating from Hamilton and Galt to Berlin and beyond. The old Queen's Arms long vacant and practically ruined as a building was sold finally and made room for the Market Building and Town Hall in 1869.* Next we come to the John Roos house. This also had a double-deck veranda with heavy posts as was the style 1840-50. The building was later turned into a hotel known as the Market Hotel and kept by Casper Heller. A lot with a log cabin in the rear, occupied by Jacob Sauer, who had come from Pennsylvania, father of Mrs. John Roat. * See 1922 Annual Report W. H. S., p. 210. A harness shop occupied by John Roat, then by his son John and later by John Haugh, a son-in-law of John Roat. A garden. A dwelling, 4 or 5 feet lower than the street which had been filled up, where lived the Susand family. Mrs. Susand had a reputation with juveniles for tarts and molasses taffy sold in lc. bars. Her children were in the habit of selling these wares to passengers at the G.T.R. station. After her husband's death about 1860, widow Susand moved her shop to Foundry Street North, and there continued until she died. Susand was an ex-slave. In 1857 at a nomination meeting for Council, he was nominated and stood a good chance of being elected, as a joke. However, the more thoughtful element among the voters prevailed. A two story, frame building, lengthwise with King Street, built in the '30's. After street grading this had to be raised so that what had before been the ground floor became the cellar or basement. A house occupied by Wm. Hawke,-known as Bill Hawke- a mason. A stout, easy-going man. His wife was in the habit of standing in the door way, with white lace cap, smoking a clay pipe. The east end of this building was occupied by Winters, a hatter, the first hat maker in Berlin. He made the old style, broad brim, Mennonite hats in fashion up to about 1845. At the corner of Scott stood a brick building of good size with gable toward King Street, used to stable the first fire teams for a number of years. Later John Wagner had a waggon shop above and George Ward a blacksmith shop underneath. Scott Street was, however, not opened until many years later. A one and one-half story building rough cast, gable facing King St., occupied by H. W. Peterson, who began publishing the "Canada Museum", in 1835 and so continued until 1840 when he went to Guelph as first Registrar of the County of Wellington. This was the first newspaper published in Waterloo County. Jacob Hailer's house, a one and one-half story, frame building with porch along the front partly enclosed by lattice work. In this house was born in 1834, Catherine Hailer, who married Louis Breithaupt. She is said to have been the first child born in Berlin of parents who came from Germany. Hailer's barn was some distance back from the street and next along on the street front was his shop where he manufactured spinning wheels, etc., and chairs which had a large distribution. Hailer was an expert wood turner. He had two foot-power lathes and a number of German assistants from time to time, continuing his shop for about 40 years. A two story frame building lengthwise with King Street, erected by Dr. John Scott. He had a drug store with two good-sized windows at the front. On the east gable of the building was a sign, "Med. Hall" in large letters. The sign was legible long after Dr. Scott's death. The doctor pursued his practice on horseback for which he used three horses. He was the first medical practitioner in Berlin, coming in 1834, at the time of the cholera epidemic. For a few years before he was married he boarded at the Gaukel Hotel. His later house, after the one described, is still standing on Weber Street at the rear of the Kitchener Public Library. The old Scott house on King Street was later occupied by Franz Martin who kept a saloon. Martin had a musical family, with the zither as their principal instrument, which all the children could play. A one and one-half story, frame building, painted, occupied by Anslm Wagner, a potter. A brick building 1 ½ story lengthwise with King Street, the west end of which was John Eby's drug store, the rest of the building being his dwelling. This was the first regular drug store in Berlin. A brick building with a frame extension in the rear used by David Eby as a pump shop. Part of the brick building is still standing, the rest having been cut olT for the opening of Eby Street North. A one story hip roof brick cottage occupied by Geo. Eby, a Notary, who came to Canada in 1804. He died in this house. A considerable fish story is told of how he followed a sturgeon in the Conestoga River, part of Grand River, and finally speared it. A one and one-half story building, probably rough cast, occupied by Hy. Wurm, a carpenter employed at the Simpson factory. A two story brick building painted red occupied by Henry S. Huber.' A handsome brick building, two story, with veranda along the front and ground floor considerably above the street level, with broad steps, the width of the building, leading to it, was built in 1850. Some time later it was occupied by Casper Heller and known as the Royal Exchange hotel. Following the old custom its swinging sign had "Last Chance" on the side toward the village and "First Chance" outward, referring to liquid refreshments. Heller kept a good hotel and had also a large shed and ham next east of the hotel. On the corner a steam grist mill was erected, about 1860. Louis Seyler, a German, was the miller. The custom was for farmers to bring in their wheat to have it ground, getting in return flour, bran and middlings, the miller retaining his toll. Later Lehnen & Shelly operated this mill. REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder. Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 29 Dec 1887. 23 Dec 1887 William John Roat, son of John Roat, died in Berlin at age of 15 years, 10 months and 9 days. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 25 Feb 1864. Mary Roat died 20 Feb 1864 in Berlin, wife of John (Commercial Hotel), 36 yrs. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 30 Aug 1860. Married 23 Aug 1860 By Rev. Forman, John Roat was married to Mary Cowel, both of Berlin. [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..., 188. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration. John Roat Death Date: 23 Mar 1888 Death Location: Waterloo Born: abt 1835 [S166] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Mount Hope CC#4508 Internet Link . S.E. In/ memory of/ John Roat/ who departed this life/ Mar. 23, 1888/ aged 53 yrs./ also/ Christie Fraser/ his wife/ who departed this life/ Dec. 25, 1889/ aged 52 yrs. 4 mo./ & 21 days/ faithful unto death S.W. In/ memory of/ Wm. John/ son of/ John & Christie Roat/ who departed this life/ Dec. 23, 1887/ aged 15 yr. 10 mo. 9 d./ asleep in Jesus/ Roat [S302] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1881, Waterloo Village 1881 Div. 1 Page 14. [S211] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church Register of H. W. Peterson 1833-1835. John, born November 29th 1833 baptised 18 Sep 1835 [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 29 Mar 1888. Died 29 Apr 1888 Daniel Rife died in Hespeler at age of 67 years. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Sect. 2 Page 3. [S20] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Telegraph (title varies: Berlin Telegraph, Berlin Daily Telegraph) (1853-1922), 31 Aug 1860. Roat - Cowel: In Galt, on the 23rd isnt., by the Rev. R. J. Foreman, Wesleyan Minister, Mr. John Roat, to Miss Mary Cowel, both of Berlin. [S1668] Directory - ON, Waterloo - 1867 - Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867, pg 70. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. John Roat, 26, res. Berlin, b. Berlin, son of John and Sarah, married 23 Aug 1860 Mary Cowel, 30, res. Berlin, b. Brockville, daughter of Miles &.Mary [S118] News - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo - Waterloo Chronicle, 20 Aug 1868. Roat, Robert died 08 Aug 1868 At Berlin, infant son of John Roat, of the "Commercial" Hotel, aged 1 year, 1 month and 14 days. [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..., 187. [S2508] Ancestry Public Member Trees. [S244] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Deutsche Canadier (1841-1865) - Index to Births, Deaths and Marriages Announced in the Deutsche Canadier, Berlin, Canada West. originally indexed by Simone Nieuwolt and Sylvie Kuppek..organised by Rosemary Ambrose, 30 Aug 1860 Pg: 35. COWELL, Maria married 23 Aug 1860 To John ROAT. Both of Berlin. minister R.J. Foreman

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 29 Nov 1833 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Christened - 18 Sep 1835 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1860 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 23 Aug 1860 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 14 Sep 1865 - Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada Business - Commericial Hotel - 1867 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - inn keeper - 1868 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Inn Keeper - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Hotel Keeper - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Protestant - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - innkeeper - 1888 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: cirrhosis of the liver with ascetics - 23 Mar 1888 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth