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Deputy Reeve John Henry Heller

Deputy Reeve John Henry Heller

Male 1839 - 1918  (79 years)

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

  • Name John Henry Heller 
    Prefix Deputy Reeve 
    Born 1 Mar 1839  Udenhausen, Vogelsbergkreis, Hessen, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] 
    Gender Male 
    Immigration 1843  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Immigration 1843  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Residence 1858  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Occupation 1861  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Watch Maker 
    Occupation 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Watch Maker 
    Residence 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Watch Maker 
    Berlin-HellerBrothers-Watch-001.JPG    		 Berlin-HellerBrothers-Watch-001.JPG
    Berlin-HellerBrothers-Watch-002.JPG    		 Berlin-HellerBrothers-Watch-002.JPG
    Residence 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Lutheran 
    Elected Office 1884  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    councillor - Deputy Reeve - Kitchener 
    • Councillor 1884-85, 1887, 1889, 1890 (Deputy Reeve), 1893 (Deputy Reeve)
    Interesting business, politics 
    Name Frederick Heller 
    Name Henry Heller  [11] 
    Name J. H. Heller 
    Occupation 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Jeweller 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1901  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Jeweller 
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Jeweller, Shop 
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Lutheran 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-36217 
    Died 7 Aug 1918  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 10] 
    Cause: Diabetes 1 year 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 10] 
    Person ID I36217  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2024 

    Father Johann "John" Heller,   b. 18 Sep 1802, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Oct 1872, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years) 
    Mother Margaretha Krug,   b. 3 Mar 1797, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Mar 1880, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Family ID F20642  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Margaret Schwenn,   b. 13 Oct 1837, Sinsheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Sep 1919, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Married 25 Apr 1858  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 12] 
    Children 
     1. Anna Heller,   b. 1858, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Emma Margaretha Heller,   b. 27 Nov 1858, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Mar 1899, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 40 years)
     3. Anne Catharine Heller,   b. 31 Mar 1860 OR 1 Apr 1860, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Feb 1887, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 26 years)
     4. Mathilda Solome Heller,   b. 28 May 1863, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Augusta Louise Heller,   b. 5 Jun 1866, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. John Henry "Henry" Heller,   b. 30 Aug 1868, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 May 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 52 years)
     7. Friedrich Hermann "Frederick Hermann" "Fred" Heller,   b. 1 Sep 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 May 1946, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years)
     8. Gustave Adolph "Adolph" Heller,   b. 30 Apr 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. Albert Edward Heller,   b. 6 Feb 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     10. Alfred Conrad Heller,   b. 22 Oct 1880, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Oct 1964, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     11. Otto Heller,   b. 1884, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F9553  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Death of City's Oldest Resident Occurred Today

      Mr. J. H. Heller, sr., Passed away

      A Pioneer in the Jewelry and Watch Making Business

      The city's oldest resident has departed this life, Mr. John H. Heller, sr., who has resided in the town longer than any other citizen who came to this community and launched his or her ship of destiny.

      The deceased as was generally known had been in ill health for some months following an accident in a fall at his home some months ago. Mr. Heller's condition gradually became such as to cause doubt about his chances for recovery. He sank continually although conversative up to almost the hour of his departing. At 11.25 a.m. today he slept peacefully away.

      Mr. Heller's death means the loss of a pioneer citizen, who contributed worth to the community. Sterling character industry and thrift were his

      By his demise a pioneer jeweler is gone.

      Mr. Heller was born in Udenhausen, Hessen, Germany on March 1st., 1839 and came to this country and town when only five years of age. His wife Margarett Schwenn, born in Sinsheim, Germany, arrived here with fifteen years of age. Mrs. Heller by the way has reached the eightieth milestone of life. Mr. Heller's parents the late Mr. and Mrs. John Heller settled at the east end, on a property that is still the Heller home. The lad brought up under the guardianship of worthy parents and home instruction grew up to the young man of teens. After leaving school he became apprenticed to his father in the jewelry business at which he had been engaged ever since.

      The story of the Heller family in the first instance is one of a splendid example of citizenship, in the second place it is one that stands for industry, thrift and progressiveness. More particularly it brings to attention the watchmaking and jewellery trade. The grandfather that came across to this country laid the foundations of the business; the sons and grandsons have learned and learned thoroughly and are carrying n as successfully as the father and grandfather.

      Looking over the decades Mr. Heller, the subject of this sketch could tell of many interesting facts and incidents. Possessing an affable nature and a conservative disposition his stories have always been interesting. Apply it to the jewellery and watch making line he told of the conditions primitive and the change that has taken place. For example the days when his father was in business were the time when the dealer sold his watches and clocks by making the rounds from houses to houses in this section of the country. For years the father used to travel with a little white pony, in order to reach customers. Satchel and clocks on this back he brought his stock before the people right at the homes and sales were made. They were the days when people from this district had to go to Hamilton or Dundas with their grain and bring back needed articles of clothing or furniture. Forty miles on the old Goderich to Dundas road had to be covered. And the pioneers did it gladly.

      Eggs, by way of interest, sold at 5 cents a dozen when the grandfather was in business. Exchange of commodities was the precursor of buying for cash.

      The present Mr. John Heller, sr., took over the business on the death of his father; he was only twenty-two years of age but he made good and has stuck to his stand through nearly sixty years, during which he enjoyed a lucrative business. Since a week before last Christmas, unfortunately he had been incapacitated.

      So much for Mr. Heller's business connections.

      Old timers have other reminiscences. They will tell you that Rev. Sam Bowman is the only one surviving with Mr. Heller out of the class which attended Bishop Eby's school at the east end, near where the East End Mennonite Church now stands. The period was the time when only swamp lands and a few houses at the east end were to be seen.

      As the years passed, Mr. Heller's activities included serving his village and town, also he was Deputy Reeve and sat on the County Council. The years were 1884 to 1890. The School Board also had the benefit of his service.

      In St. Peter's Church Mr. Heller had been an active member. For many years he was Sunday School treasurer. He was one of the organizers of the church.

      Mr. Heller and his wife, it should be stated, were married by the late Rev. Mr. Hoelsche, Waterloo.

      The subject frequently told of the interesting periods of the early village band of which he was a member for many years. One of the conductors was the late Mr. Glebe. Important engagements were filled even in those days. One, for example was playing at Guelph when the Prince of Wales at the time passed through that town.

      The nuptial union was blessed with five sons and four daughters of whom all but three daughters survive.

      They are John Henry Heller, city; Fred, city; Adolph, Waterloo; Albert, Frankford, Kentucky; Alfred, city; Mrs. A. Lorsch, of Detroit. There are nineteen grandchildren, there are six great-grandchildren.

      Mr. Heller's only brother and sisters all predeceased him, namely: the late Casper Heller, the late Mrs. William Becking, the late Mrs. Philip Mogk and the late Mrs. John B. Hett.

      It wil be noticed that Mr. Heller had resided here seventy-five years. In recalling the trip from the old country to this city with his parents and the other members of the family many interesting stories used to be told.

      The trip across the Atlantic to New York required three months. From New York the family left for Canada, gong via Albany and the Erie Canal to Buffalo. From the latter place they went to Hamilton and finally arrived here.

      Last April 25th, Mr. and Mrs. Heller observed the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding.

      The funeral will take place at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon from the residence at 139 East King Street. Services will follow in St. Peter's Lutheran Church after which interment will be made in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

      In the days of the affliction the bereaved widow and family have the citizens sympathy, occasioned by the passing away of such a strong pillar in the community.

      The News Record Aug 8 1918 pg 1

  • Sources 
    1. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-8 Page 8.

    2. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 3.

    3. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div 1 Page 1.

    4. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Heller Frederick, 19, Berlin, Unterhausen Hessen Darnstadt, s/o John & Margaret (Krug), married 25 Apr.1858 Margaretha Schwenn, 21, Berlin. Baden, d/o Jacob & Elizabeth (Korbe)

      Name given as Frederick but should be John

    5. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div. 4 Page 38.

    6. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 30, Pg 14.

    7. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 3 Page 59.

    8. [S166] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Mount Hope CC#4508 Internet Link .
      John H. Heller / 1839-1918 / Margaret Schwenn / his wife / 1837-1919 / at rest / Heller

    9. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Sect. 2 Page 22.

    10. [S3231] Find A Grave, Cemetery, M., America, N., Municipality, W., & Cemetery, M. (1839). John Henry Heller (1839-1918) - Find A Grave... Retrieved 14 April 2020, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143107476/john-henry-heller.

    11. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Peter Sagel aged 24 res. Berlin b. Canada occupation carpenter s/o Henry and Catharine Sagel to Catharine Heller aged 20, res. Berlin b. Canada d/o Henry & Margaret Heller, 19 Oct 1880 Berlin.

    12. [S106] Bible - Heller Family.
      Marriage Certificate John Henry Heller of Berlin and Margretha Scwenn of Berlin, were married on Apr. 25, 1858 at Waterloo by Pastor Jacob Hoelsche, Waterloo, Evangelical Lutheran pastor. Witness John Koehler.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 1 Mar 1839 - Udenhausen, Vogelsbergkreis, Hessen, Germany Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1843 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1843 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1858 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 25 Apr 1858 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Watch Maker - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Watch Maker - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Watch Maker - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - councillor - Deputy Reeve - Kitchener - 1884 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Jeweller - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Jeweller - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Jeweller, Shop - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: Diabetes 1 year - 7 Aug 1918 - 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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