Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Frederick Trisinger

Male 1853 - Yes, date unknown


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

  • Name Frederick Trisinger 
    Born 11 Sep 1853  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Christened 9 Oct 1853  Saint James Evangelical Church, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Interesting life story 
    Occupation Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    butcher 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-40379 
    Died Yes, date unknown 
    Person ID I40379  Generations
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2024 

    Father Johann Adam "Adam" Dreisinger,   b. 29 Dec 1825, Wilgartswiesen, , Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Julian Olheiser,   b. 1826, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1864, Harrison Twp., Elkhart Co., Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 38 years) 
    Married 1849  Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Family ID F168622  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Smeltzer,   b. 29 Jun 1860, Of, Elkhart Co., Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married 7 Jan 1877  [1
    Last Modified 2 Mar 2024 
    Family ID F40785  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • FREDERICK TRISINGER is one of the stockholders and a prominent member of the Wakarusa Lumber Company, which is one of the most active firms in its line of work in the county. Mr. Trisinger was born in Canada, September 11, 1853, to Adam and Julia A. (Ohlheiser) Trisinger, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1826, or about that time, and was a son of Frederick and Julia A. Trisinger, who came to America with their family and settled in Canada, where a number of years were spent. They then came to Elkhart county, Ind. (in 1860), but the grandfather died during the trip and the grandmother passed from this life in St. Joseph county, Ind., about 1872. They reared a family of five children: Adam, Jacob, John, Philipbena and Lena, all of whom are living, but only one resides in this section of the county - Lena. The grandfather was a farmer throughout life and succeeded in accumulating a valuable property. Adam Trisinger was the second child born to his parents, and prior to their leaving Germany they acquired a good education in the schools of that country. He grew up on a farm in Canada, but also learned the butcher's trade, which calling he followed the greater part of his life.

      He was married in Canada and three of his children were born there. In 1856 he located in Elkhart county, Ind., and took up his residence in the vicinity of Wakarusa, after a short residence on that place, and till after the Civil war tilled a farm in Harrison township. He then moved to Bremen, Marshall county, where he conducted a butcher shop two years; then once more returned to Wakarusa, where he resided until his removal to Michigan. From that place he went to St. Joseph county, Ind., and for the past four or five years he has lived in that county. His children are as follows: Jacob, who died at the age of four years; Frederick, the subject of this sketch; Lena, who died in childhood; Mary, who was born in Indiana, is the wife of Jacob Harrington, and is a resident of Olive township, Elkhart county; and Catherine, who was born in Indiana, died in childhood. The mother of these children died in 1864, having been born in Germany. Like her husband she removed to Canada where her early life was spent. She was a life-long member of the German Lutheran Church, was a noble mother and a faithful and affectionate wife. After her death the father took for his second wife Miss Julia A. Burlingcourt, who is still living and has borne him five children: Lucinda, who is married and lives in South Bend, Ind.; Elizabeth, who also resides there; John, Solomon and William. Mr. Trisinger is a member of the German Baptist Church, in politics is a Republican, and is well known for his public spirit and intelligence. Frederick Trisinger was a child of three years when he was brought to Elkhart county, and in the public schools of this section he received a good practical, business education. He left home when only thirteen years of age, and since that time has made his own way in the world, and until he was twenty years of age his earnings were given to his father. He learned and worked at the carpenter's trade, succeeded well in his undertakings, and in 1877 engaged in saw-milling, and became a member of the Smeltzer Sons & Co., and since 1879 has helped to operate the business successfully. They manufacture all kinds of lumber for building purposes, and make a specialty of this kind of lumber. The members of this well-known firm are: Jacob H. Dell, John Smeltzer, H. J. Smeltzer, Fred Trisinger and Anthony Smeltzer. The mill has a capacity of 7,000 feet per day, for which a ready and profitable market is found. Mr. Trisinger was married on January 7, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Smeltzer, a daughter of John Smeltzer. She was born June 29, 1860, and has presented her husband with two children, only one of whom is living, Maudie J., who was born on March 20, 1885. The other child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Trisinger are members of the Christian Church at Wakarusa, and in politics Mr. Trisinger is a Republican, the interests of which he has always furthered to the best of his ability. As a man of affairs he has shown remarkable foresight and it is owing to his good judgment and business acumen that he has accumulated the handsome property of which he is now the owner. He and Mrs. Trisinger are considered among the first people of Wakarusa, and their hospitable home is a favorite resort for their numerous friends.

      "Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead" Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago, 1893, John Morris Co. Printers and Binders

      _______________________



      A Visitor from Wakarusa, Indiana Mr. Frederick Trisinger Revisits Birthplace

      On Saturday, Mr. Frederick Trisinger of Foraker, and his sister, Mrs. Jacob Herrington, of Wakarusa, Indiana, arrived in Elmira, on a visit to relatives. Mr. Trisinger was born in Elmira, but removed to Foraker, with his parents in 1858 when he was 8 years of age. His first visit after crossing the line, was 81 years ago, another 6 years and one 3 years ago. For 42 years he was engaged in the retail lumber business but he is now living retired with his married daughter in Wakarusa - his wife died three years ago. There is a deal of building going on in Wakarusa. Prices are as high there as here but it has been his experience that more building is done when lumber for instance is high than when it is cheap. Probably for the reason that people then have more money with which to build. Time was when the homes in American towns and villages were mostly frame ones but since lumber has become high in price his neighbors are going in for brick. The principal lumber used is George pine, which costs $100 per thousand. Hard brick sell at from $30 to $40 per thousand. Citizens of Wakarusa are getting tired of paying rent and are building homes of their own. Mr. Trisinger has always considered this the better way. Lumber will not, in his opinion, ever go back to prewar prices. It may some time in the future recede a little. Mr. Trisinger likes to revist Elmira and renew friendships here. He expects to remain two weeks this time. He notes the growth of our community, admires its numerous progressive industries, and says: "Elmira is a good town."


      Elmira Signet, April 15, 1921

  • Sources 
    1. [S1131] Book - Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana.

    2. [S13] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - Wellington District Marriage Register Part 1 1840-1852, Rev'd Frederick W. Bindemann, Minister of The United Lutheran and German Reformed Church, Greenbush, Waterloo Twp. 1 July 1849 - 1 Oct. 1849 # 139.
      Adam Keysinger, 23, Farmer of Woolwich, to Julie Olhaeuser, 23. Rev. Bindemann.

    3. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library.
      Adam Treysinger, 23, farmer of Woolwich married 9 Sep 1849 in Greenbush by banns to Julie Ohlhaeuser, 23, of Woolwich, wit: Jacob Trysinger farmer of Woolwich? & Caspar Schneider carpenter of Waterloo

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 11 Sep 1853 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChristened - 9 Oct 1853 - Saint James Evangelical Church, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - butcher - - Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, United States Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth