Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
David D. Ratz

David D. Ratz[1]

Male 1875 - 1917  (41 years)

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  • Name David D. Ratz 
    Born 20 Aug 1875  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Gender Male 
    Name D. D. Ratz 
    Occupation Perine & Co., Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    clerk 
    Residence 1891  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Methodist 
    Occupation 1901  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Bank Clerk 
    Occupation 1910  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Banker 
    Occupation 1911  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Bank Manager, Bank 
    Residence 1911  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Evangelical 
    Occupation 1917  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Royal Bank manager 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-25877 
    Died 13 Jan 1917  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 7
    Buried Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Person ID I25877  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Reeve John Ratz,   b. 7 Dec 1833, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Oct 1889, Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 55 years) 
    Mother Saloma Haist,   b. 29 Dec 1835, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Mar 1917  (Age 81 years) 
    Family ID F6743  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Father John Ratz,   b. CA 1845,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Salome Haist,   b. CA 1845,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F290505  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Anna Myrtle Otto,   b. 27 Aug 1883, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married 12 Oct 1910  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F41248  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    David D. Ratz 1903
    David D. Ratz 1903

  • Notes 
    • Mr. D. D. Ratz, is the youngest son of the late John Ratz, and is a native of Elmira. He received his education in the Elmira Public Schools and the Galt Collegiate Institute. He was several years engaged in the office of Messrs Perine & Co., at Doon, Ont. In the year 1899, he returned to Elmira to take a position at the Traders Bank, where recently he has been advanced to the office of teller and accountant. Mr. Ratz is also treasurer of the Elmira Public Library.

      Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.

      ______________________________________

      Mr. D. D. Ratz, Manager of Royal Bank, Drops Dead

      Like a lightning stroke from a clear sky, came the report that Friday morning that Mr. D. D. Ratz, manager of the local branch of the Royal Bank had died suddenly. As Mr. Ratz had attended his duties as usual and had shown no symptoms of illness, the report of his sudden demise seemed almost incredible, but it proved to be only too true.

      His death occurred shortly before nine o'clock. Consider snow had fallen during the previous night, and before going to his work, deceased shoveled the snow from the walks along his property. He went to the bath room to prepare for his office when he was seized with heart failure. His wife heard him fall and when she arrived to the scene, his spark of life had fled. Medical aid could do nothing to bring it back.
      The news of the sudden demise was received with consternation, as the departed was a popular official and a highly respected citizen. He was the youngest son of the late John Ratz, the first Reeve of Elmira. He was born in the Township of Woolwich on August 19th, 1875. The greater part of his childhood was spent in Elmira when he moved with his parents as an infant. He was educated in the Elmira Public School and Galt Collegiate Institute. He was engaged for several years in the office at Perine & Co. at Doon, Ontario. In 1899, he accepted a situation in the Traders Bank, where he gradually rose from the position of junior to the office of manager to which then he was promoted on the departure of Mr. R. H. MacMicking? and which he held until his death. He was a valued employee of a great commercial institution and his place will be hard to fill.

      Deceased was married to Miss Myrtle Otto, whom he leaves with her two- year- old son, to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and father. Besides the aged mother of the Ratz family, originally consisting of ten children only two brothers survive the deceased, namely Mr. George Ratz of Elmira and Dr. J. H. Ratz now officially employed as Medical Examiner, on the Dominion Pensions Board, Ottawa. One sister, Mrs. McMurtry, of London, Ont., also survives.

      The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon. The bereaved have the sympathy of the entire community in their great loss. As a citizen the deceased will be greatly missed, he having been cordial, energetic and public spirited and at all times ready to do his share to the advancement of the community's interest. Comment: There were a couple times during the obituary that were illegible. Question marks (???) have been place.


      Elmira Signet 18 Jan 1917

  • Sources 
    1. [S3108] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 021511-10.
      Dav. D. Ratz, 35, occ. Banker, res. of Elmira, Son of John Ratz & Salome Haist Married Anna Myrtle Otto, 27, res. of Elmira, daughter of William H. Otto & Antonette Schmidt, Witn: Gordon Otto of Elmira & Amanda C. Kastner of Sebringville, 12 October 1910 In Elmira

    2. [S130] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1881, Div 2 Page 42 Family 194.

    3. [S98] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - Elmira Union CC#4578 Internet Link.
      David D.Ratz/ 1875 - 1917/ Aged 41

    4. [S161] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1901, Elmira (Village) B. Page 17.

    5. [S130] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1881, Div. 2 Page 42.

    6. [S176] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1911, Div. 49 Pg. 7.

    7. [S77] News - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Elmira Signet (1893-1982), Mr. D. D. Ratz, Manager of Royal Bank, Drops Dead - 18 Jan 1917.

    8. [S2057] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1891, Pg. 41.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 20 Aug 1875 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - clerk - - Perine & Co., Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Methodist - 1891 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Bank Clerk - 1901 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Banker - 1910 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 12 Oct 1910 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Bank Manager, Bank - 1911 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Evangelical - 1911 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Royal Bank manager - 1917 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 13 Jan 1917 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth