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Reeve John Clare

Reeve John Clare

Male Cal 1823 - 1888  (~ 64 years)

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  • Name John Clare 
    Prefix Reeve 
    Born CALC 15 Oct 1823  Odenbach, , Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1845  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Occupation 1852  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Moulder 
    Occupation 1861  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Illegible 
    Residence 1861  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Lutheran 
    Elected Office 1862  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Reeve of Preston 
    Elected Office 1870  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Reeve of Preston 
    Occupation 1871  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Iron Founder 
    Elected Office 1876  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Reeve of Preston 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182840447 
    Misfortune Abt 1881  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    hand torn off 
    Occupation 1881  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Founder 
    Died 9 Mar 1888  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 6, 9, 10] 
    Cause: Cause: Acute Pneumonia (6 days) 
    Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region Bef 2012  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Interesting business, life story, politics, public service 
    Name Johannes Klaar 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-35004 
    Buried Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Person ID I35004  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Clare,   b. CA 1791,   d. Bef 1861  (Age ~ 69 years) 
    Mother Barbara,   b. 1790, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F269172  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Margaret Beck,   b. 15 Sep 1826, Weiler, Baden, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Mar 1906, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Married 28 Sep 1845  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 12] 
    Children 
     1. Elaine Clare,   b. UNKNOWN, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Carl "Charles" Clare,   b. 5 Jun 1845, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Sep 1923, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years)
     3. Emma Clare,   b. 1849, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Philip Clare,   b. 1850, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. John Nicholas Clare,   b. 14 Mar 1850, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Apr 1904, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 54 years)
     6. William Clare,   b. 1851, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     7. George Adam Clare, MP,   b. 6 Jul 1854, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Jan 1915, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)
     8. Frederick Clare,   b. 2 Apr 1856, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Jan 1938, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
     9. Wilhelmina "Minnie" Clare,   b. CALC 26 Feb 1858, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Apr 1889, Orangeville, Mono Twp., Dufferin Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 31 years)
     10. Emilia Clare,   b. 1860, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     11. Alvina Clare,   b. 4 Feb 1860, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jan 1920, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years)
     12. Margaret Elizabeth Clare,   b. 1868, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Dec 1949, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
     13. Elizabeth Margaret Clare,   b. 1869, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F14460  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    John Clare    		John Clare

  • Notes 
    • John Klarr later Clare, was born in Odenbach, Bavaria, Germany in 1823 and came to North America with his parents in 1834. The family first settled in Rochester, New York apprenticed in a foundry. In 1843 he arrived in Preston and in partnership he established a foundry with Jacob Beck and Valentine Wahn. The partnership dissolved in 1853 and he purchased the foundry previously operated by Erb and Guggisberg and made cast iron wood burning stoves, later building furnaces when central heating became available. He retired in 1881 sold his firm to his sons Frederick and George along with Henry C. Hilborn. He served on Preston council.


      Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

      ________________________

      John Clare, one of the oldest inhabitants of Preston, died on March 9th, of pneumonia, at the age of 64 years, 4 months, and 23 days. He was born in Odenbach, Rhine-Bavaria, came to America in 1834 as an 11 year-Old boy, first to Rochester, N.Y., later worked in an iron foundry in Hamilton, settled in Preston in 1844, where he carried on his business for 33 years.

      In 1845, he married Margaretha Beck from Weiler in Baden (Margaretha Beck von Weiler in Baden) and the peaceful marriage produced 10 children, 5 boys and 5 in 1880, a dreadful misfortune befell him, in that his left hand was torn off as he attempted to start up his machinery. As a result, he retired from business in 1881. He was a good family man, an industrious business-man, a loyal and active member of the lutheran church, and a capable official of the town of Preston, which he served for several years as councillor and reeve in the town council, and more recently, in the county council.

      Berliner Journal- March 15, 1888 (P.4 - Col.2) translated by Patricia Kauk for the Kitchener Public Library

      ____________________________

      An enterprising young German came here [Preston] about 1838 by name of Mr. Jacob Beck. He had invented a peculiar kind of water-wheel, small in size but of great power, and its use in several small water powers gave young Mr. Beck quite a reputation. He commenced a small foundry near a saw-mill in the village of New Hope, and finding considerable encouragement came to Preston, where he erected a foundry upon the premises now owned by Peter E. Shantz in Fountain Street. Business increased rapidly, but unfortunately a fire broke out which completely destroyed his flourishing foundry and Mr. Beck, no insurance having been effected, stood once more poor and penniless; but, thanks to the liberality of his neighbors in and around Preston, a subscription was raised, men turned out to help with work and material and in a short time after the fire, Mr. Beck was again in possession of a foundry of considerably larger dimensions than the one destroyed by fire. He did an excellent business, and had men selling his stoves and other wares over a large part of Western Ontario. His means increased at a rapid rate, and he enlarged his premises according to the wants of his business. Some years later he took in as partners two of the young men in his employ, viz: John Clare and Valentine Wahn, and the foundry business continued to prosper for several years. Mr. Beck had in the meantime arranged with Mr. Robert Hunt of the Woolen Mills to improve his water power by heightening the dam and digging a canal from the dam alongside the (Speed River. This canal is still in existence except a small portion of its terminus which has recently been closed. Mr. Beck for the construction of the said canal obtained the privilege of erecting a saw-mill upon Mr. Hunt's premises. This saw-mill Mr. Beck carried on for some time but seeing that a grand scheme that he had in mind could not be carried out, he sold his sawmill to Messrs. Hunt & Elliott. This grand scheme was nothing less than extending the said canal, crossing King Street and Queen Street and erecting along the canal a number of factories and mills. The proprietor of the land positively refused to grant permission to construct such a canal and Mr. Beck was forced to abandon his cherished plan of making Preston a great manufacturing place, such as the Town of Galt is at the present day. Mr. Beck, notwithstanding the good business done in his foundry, became displeased with Preston. The partnership of Beck, Clare & Wahn was abruptly dissolved, the business closed and the affairs of the firm wound up. Each partner obtained his proper share of the assets, which were largely in excess of the liabilities, Mr. Clare a store and other property and Jacob Beck a large sum of money. He went in search of a mill property which he found in Wilmot. There he erected mills, foundry and other industries, and founded a village which he named Baden. The grist-mill built by him was the third grist-mill built with money earned in Preston.

      Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 pg 29

      _______________________


      The family name of John Clare, an astute and forward-looking industrialist of Preston who came to Canada from Germany, was originally Klaar.

      In his late teens he learned the moulding trade in a foundry in Buffalo, NY, and in 1843 was hired by Jacob Beck of Preston. A short time later he became Beck's partner.

      In 1853 when the Great Western Railway was being built Beck said: "We must locate on the railway." Clare replied: "They will have to come to us eventually." Both proved to be right for the railway did go through Preston. Beck sold his interest in the flourishing firm which became John Clare and Company.

      Several sons succeeded him in the business, one of whom, George became a member of Parliament at Ottawa and a member of the Cabinet.

      The Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

      ______________________

      Clare, John, iron founder and tinsmith ; manufacturer and wholesale and retail dealer in stoves. Is a native of Germany, and has resided here since 1845. Formerly held the offices of Reeve and School Trustee.

      Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881 (Village of Preston entries)

  • Sources 
    1. [S270] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1852, Pg 23.

    2. [S105] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1871, Pg 6.

    3. [S297] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1881, Page 34.

    4. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917).
      Obituary of John Clare - March 15, 1888

    5. [S239] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Preston CC#6335 Cemetery Internet Link .
      [Upright Marker On Right Side At Back] Fred.George/ Son Of Charles & Salome/ Clare/ Died Aug. 19, 1873/ Aged 6 Mo. & 10 D./ Sleep On Sweet Babe And Take Thy Rest/ God Called Thee Home, He Thought It Best./ [Left Side] In Memory Of/ John Clare/ Who Died/ March 9th, 1888/ Aged 64 Y'rs. & 6 Mo's/ Margaret Beck/ His Wife/ Died March 7th, 1907/ In Her 83rd Year/ John N. Clare/ Died April 21st, 1904/ In His 56th Year/ Clare.

    6. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 15 Mar 1888.
      Died 9 Mar 1888 John Clare died in Preston at age of 64 years, 4 months and 28 days

    7. [S1473] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1861, Sect. 2 Page 11.

    8. [S13] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - Wellington District Marriage Register Part 1 1840-1852, Rev'd Jacob Huttner, Lutheran Minister, Preston report 53.
      John Clare, married to Margaretha Beck, both of Waterloo. 28 Sept. 1845

    9. [S2441] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1891, Section 1 Page 17.

    10. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.
      Name:John Clare Gender:Male Birth Year:abt 1824 Birth Place:Odenbach, Bay Age at Death:64 Death Date:9 Mar 1888 Death Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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

    12. [S826] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Preston - Saint Peter's Lutheran - index.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - CALC 15 Oct 1823 - Odenbach, , Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1845 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 28 Sep 1845 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Moulder - 1852 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Illegible - 1861 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1861 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Reeve of Preston - 1862 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Reeve of Preston - 1870 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Iron Founder - 1871 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Reeve of Preston - 1876 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMisfortune - hand torn off - Abt 1881 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Founder - 1881 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: Cause: Acute Pneumonia (6 days) - 9 Mar 1888 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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