Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Home Search  
Print Bookmark
Mayor Johann George "George" Rumpel

Mayor Johann George "George" Rumpel

Male 1850 - 1916  (66 years)

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

  • Name Johann George "George" Rumpel 
    Prefix Mayor 
    Born 10 May 1850  Mühlhausen, , Thüringen, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4] 
    Gender Male 
    Immigration 1870  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Immigration 1870  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Naturalization 1873  [1] 
    Naturalization 1873  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Business 1880  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Berlin Felt Boot Co. 
    Berlin Felt Boot Co. about 1895    		 Berlin Felt Boot Co. about 1895
    Berlin Felt Boot Company    		 Berlin Felt Boot Company
    Kitchener,BerlinFeltBootFactory-BusyBerlin1897.jpg    		 Kitchener,BerlinFeltBootFactory-BusyBerlin1897.jpg
    Berlin Felt Book Factory from Busy Berlin 1897 From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
    Occupation 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Shoe Manufacturer 
    Residence 1881  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Manufacturer 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Lutheran 
    Elected Office 1898  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mayor - Kitchener 
    • Years Served: 1898 (Mayor)
    Occupation 1901  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Manufacturer 
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Manufacturer 
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Lutheran 
    Business 1912  60 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Rumpel Felt Company 
    Club Membership Mason 
    Employer 1912  Ecomonical Fire Insurance Company, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    director of Economical Fire Insurance Company 
    Historic Building 38 Cameron Street, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Kitchener,Rumpel,George,residence-busyberlin1897.jpg    		 Kitchener,Rumpel,George,residence-busyberlin1897.jpg
    "Forest Hill" residence of George Rumpel - From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
    Name George Rumpel  [7] 
    Residence Abt 1912  38 Cameron Street, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Possessions 1913  247 Duke St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-36959P 
    Died 5 Jun 1916  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I36959  Generations
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2025 

    Father Frederick Rumpel,   b. Abt 1820, of, Saxony, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Fredericka 
    Family ID F24628  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Wilhelmine "Minnie" Hartman,   b. 26 Mar 1853, Oppurg, , Thüringen, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Apr 1919, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Married 2 Jul 1872  Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Rumpel
     2. Ernst Oscar "Oscar" Rumpel,   b. 14 Mar 1873, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Dec 1942, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
     3. Ida Clara Rumpel,   b. 10 Jun 1874, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Jul 1875, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 1 years)
     4. George Victor Rumpel,   b. 25 Feb 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Nov 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
     5. Bertha Olga "Olga" Rumpel,   b. 21 Jan 1879, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Oct 1958, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years)
     6. Otto Henry Miller,   b. 26 Apr 1881, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     7. George Walter "Walter" Rumpel,   b. 5 Jul 1885, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Sep 1944, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years)
     8. Louise Wilhelmina Hilda Rumpel,   b. 20 Feb 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Nov 1967, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F9726  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    George Rumpel    		George Rumpel
    from Waterloo Region Hall of Fame
    George Rumpel    		George Rumpel
    From: Berlin Celebration of Cityhood - Issued by Authority of the City. Berlin Ontario, Issued in Commemoration of its Celebration of Cityhood July 17th 1912.

  • Notes 
    • George Rumpel, Mayor 1898.

      Mr. George Rumpel occupied the mayor's chair very acceptably during the year 1898. The year previously he had been reeve. His term as Chief Magistrate was marked by the purchase of the water works system, which has proved Berlin's best public utility. Its purchase was opposed by many citizens and a heated compaign preceded its taking over. Mr. Rumpel has since served on both the Water Commission and the Park Board. He was born in Saxony, Germany and came to Berlin in 1871, and soon after established the Berlin Felt Boot Co. and has proved himself to be an able business man. As a citizen, he is esteemed for his many excellent qualities.

      Official souvenir of the celebration of cityhood, July 17th 1912, Berlin, Ontario, The German Printing and Publishing Co

      __________________


      GEORGE RUMPEL.

      George Rumpel, president of the Berlin Felt Boot Company, is numbered among the worthy Canadian citizens that Germany has furnished to the Dominion, his birth having occurred in Saxony on the 10th of May, 1850. His parents were Frederick and Fredericka (Rick) Rumpel, also natives of Germany, and the father was a furniture manufacturer of Saxony.

      In accordance with the laws of his native land, George Rumpel attended school between the ages of six and fourteen years and then entered business life as an apprentice to the shoemaker's trade, serving a three years term of indenture. He afterward traveled and worked as a journeyman for three years, being employed in twelve different factories after becoming a master workman. Hoping to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world, where wages were generally higher and competition not so great, he came to Ontario in 1871, settling in Hamilton, where he secured employment in the McPherson shoe factory. In 1875 he came to Berlin and for two years was in the employ of the Berlin Felt Shoe Company, while in 1879 he bought out the business, which he has since conducted. The enterprise is one of importance here, furnishing employment to about one hundred and seventy-five operatives. In this connection he carries on three factories and the plant covers an area of about ten acres, while the trade extends throughout the Dominion. The business has constantly grown and developed under the able management and keen discrimination of Mr. Rumpel, who has been watchful of every opportunity pointing to success and has utilized every means to the best possible advantage. He has kept his factory equipped with the latest improved machinery and he has always made it a point to pay good living wages, which has received from his employees faithful and valuable service.

      In 1872 Mr. Rumpel was married to Miss Minna Hartman, a daughter of the late Hans Hartman, who was a native of Saxony, Germany. Four children grace this union: Oscar, Olga, Walter and Hilda. Mr. Rumpel is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Royal Arcanum, the Maccabees tent and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a Conservative and has usually refused the public preferment offered him. He has, however, filled some local positions, being a member of the council for eight years, while in 1897 he was reeve and in 1898 was mayor of Berlin. During his administration in the last named position he succeeded in securing municipal ownership of the water works, which prior to that time had been operated by private individuals. He is now chairman of the water works commission and is a member of the park board, on which he has served as chairman for several years. He is likewise a member of the Board of Trade and has done effective work in behalf of public welfare and progress for a long period. He belongs to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, in which he is serving as deacon, and his humanitarian spirit is frequently manifest in his liberal contributions to church and to charity. His beautiful residence called Forest Hill, situated on King and Cameron streets, is considered the finest home in Berlin, while Mr. Rumpel has gained a position of prominence and distinction that justly entitles him to a place in this publication. Although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents probably no life history published in this volume can better serve to demonstrate to young men the power of honesty and integrity, of diligence and perseverance in insuring success. Aside from his business interests his life has been actuated by unselfish motives, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice.

      [Fraser, Alexander, 1860-1936; A History of Ontario; its History and Development; vol 2 Biography; Toronto; Canada
      History Co; date of publication unknown; U of Toronto Collection AMY-0015; www.archive.org/stream/ ]

      _________________

      The largest estate [in Berlin] was the Forest Hill property of Sheriff George Davidson. It consisted of 40 acres in the area bounded roughly by Cameron N, King, Stirling & Courtland Sts. Shortly after Sheriff Davidson's death in 1881 it became the property of Mr & Mrs George Rumpel. They enlarged and remodelled the house in colonial style, with a huge portico and massive, towering pillars. In my childhood I used to spend a lot of time there with my Godmother, Minna Rumpel. How well I remember the park, its creek, pond and island; the gardens, the fountain, the bowling alleys and the huge two-storey high conservatory with its towering palms and multitudes of ferns and plants.

      Potter, Alex O ; "Let's Reminisce" reprinted from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

      ____________________

      Sheriff Davidson decided to develop 36 acres of choice land at the east end of town back in the 1850s, elevated property which had a fine view to the northeast. The owner soon made 'Forest Hill' one of the show places of the county with hedges, many paths, a pond, groves of maple and elm , well constructed out-buildings and gardens. When Sheriff Davidson died in the 1870's, the property was bought by George Rumpel, felt boot manufacturer and at one time mayor of Berlin. Under this owner the estate displayed a profusion of vines, shrubs, rustic arbors and statuary. Later, this piece of Kitchener became too valuable in the shape designed by its original owners. Oscar Rumpel sub-divided it, laid out curved streets and built a nmber of attractive homes, assuring the steady growth of the area into a very handsome reidential district. The Rumpel mansion, called Forest Hill Gardens, was a huge structure marked by a lofty portico standing on four massive pillars. Early pictures of the interior show rooms furnished in splendor, crowded with elegant tables, rich tapestry and lace, burnished metal lamps and graceful statues. There is even a tiger skin spread on the rich rug. Round pictures of stern men with firece beards stare from the walls.

      "Former Rumpel Estate" Kitchener-Waterloo Record; 11 Feb 1966

      _________________________

  • Sources 
    1. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-9 Page 8.

    2. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div 1 Page 26.

    3. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 30, Pg 2.

    4. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 3 Page 49.

    5. [S1535] Report - An Inventory of Industrial Buildings of Architectural/Historical Significance in the City of Kitchener, p. pg 18.

    6. [S1775] Berlin: Celebration of Cityhood.

    7. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 016143-00.
      Oscar E. RUMPEL, 27, manufacturer, Hamilton, Berlin, s/o George RUMPEL & Minora HARTMAN married Ada H.R. HILBORN, 24, Berlin, Berlin, d/o Henry HILBORN & Mary COX, witn: Otto MILLER, A.C. BOEHMER, Olga RUMPEL & May L. HILBORN all of Berlin, 14 November 1900 in Berlin

    8. [S1535] Report - An Inventory of Industrial Buildings of Architectural/Historical Significance in the City of Kitchener, p. pg 10.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 10 May 1850 - Mühlhausen, , Thüringen, Germany Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1870 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1870 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 2 Jul 1872 - Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsNaturalization - 1873 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Berlin Felt Boot Co. - 1880 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Shoe Manufacturer - 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 MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 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 MapsElected Office - Mayor - Kitchener - 1898 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 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 MapsBusiness - Rumpel Felt Company - 1912 - 60 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEmployer - director of Economical Fire Insurance Company - 1912 - Ecomonical Fire Insurance Company, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - - 38 Cameron Street, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Abt 1912 - 38 Cameron Street, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsPossessions - 1913 - 247 Duke St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 5 Jun 1916 - 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 


This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding ©, v. 12.0.1, written by Darrin Lythgoe 2001-2025.