Waterloo Region Generations
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Adam Steiss[1, 2]

Male 1845 - 1905  (59 years)


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  • Name Adam Steiss 
    Born 23 Nov 1845  , Baden, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] 
    Gender Male 
    Birth Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Business Heidelberg Hotel  [9] 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98619356 
    Immigration 1847  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Residence 1852  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Lutheran 
    Residence 1861  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Lutheran 
    Naturalization 1867  [3] 
    Occupation cheesmaker - limburger  [9] 
    Occupation Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    postmaster 
    Occupation Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    store keeper 
    Residence 1867  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Occupation 1871  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Inn Keeper 
    Residence 1871  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1901  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Hotel Keeper 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-47623 
    Died 15 Jun 1905  Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 9, 10] 
    Cause: La-Grippe 
    Buried Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Heidelberg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 10] 
    Person ID I47623  Generations
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2025 

    Father Johann Adam "Adam" Steiss,   b. 31 Aug 1802, Daisbach, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Apr 1862, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years) 
    Mother Maria Barbara Foerster,   b. 7 Sep 1807,   d. 24 Nov 1870, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years) 
    Married 20 Nov 1826  Eschelbronn, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 12] 
    Family ID F19440  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth "Lizzie" Huehnergard,   b. 13 Jun 1848, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Mar 1921, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years) 
    Married 26 Mar 1867  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Children 
     1. Steiss,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. John Huehnergard Steiss,   b. 20 Feb 1869, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1947  (Age 77 years)
     3. Emeline Steiss,   b. 21 May 1869, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jun 1938, Tavistock, East Zorra Twp., Oxford County, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
     4. Mary Ann Steiss,   b. 15 Mar 1873, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Jan 1909  (Age 35 years)
     5. Oscar J. Steiss,   b. 31 Oct 1874, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Dec 1943, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
     6. John Albert "Albert" Steiss,   b. 12 Nov 1876, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Feb 1970, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 93 years)
     7. Clara Elizabeth Steiss,   b. 19 Jan 1879, Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Mar 1917, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 38 years)
     8. Elveretta Steiss,   b. May 1880, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. William Charles Steiss,   b. 13 Dec 1881, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F12295  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • ADAM STEISS

      One of Wellesley township's earliest settlers passed away on Wednesday afternoon of last week in the person of Adam Steiss, Esq., at his home in Heidelberg, after about three months illness, culminating in a paralytic stroke, which was the immediate cause of his death. He was born in Germany but came to St. Clements with the family in 1847, an infant. In 1856 he bought the Heidelberg hotel, which he conducted continuously for about 50 years. He also carried on a general store and for nearly 30 years has been postmaster. Mr. Steiss was also a manufacturer of limburger cheese, being the first to engage in this business in Canada. Assisted by his sons he conducted these businesses with great success. In 1868 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Huehnergard who survives him. Their children are: John, in Berlin ; O. J. and J.A.,Heidelberg ; Wm., Guelph; Mrs. Henry Hahn, Tavistock ; Mrs. Rev. Zarnke, of Pembroke, and Mrs. Herman Hats[?], Waterloo. The funeral on Saturday was attended by an immense throng who gathered to show their esteem for their deceased friend, to whose sorrowing family the sympathy of the entire community is extended.

      Wellesley Maple Leaf, June 22, 1905

      Obituary is supplied by the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society Click here to go to their website.

      _____________________

      ADAM STEISS

      The most conspicuous figure in a business point of view in Heidelberg is undoubtedly the gentleman whose name appears above. Mr. Steiss is unquestionably the architect of his own. fortunes, and that the wealth he enjoys today he owes under Divine Providence to the exercise of that industry which has been the guiding principle of bis life. Dispite every disadvantage incident to the life of a foreigner in a strange land with limited means and unfamiliar with the customs of the country of his adoption, has raised himself to his present position of influence and usefulness in society.

      Mr. Steiss is a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born in 1845, and came to this country with his parents when he was yet in the helpless condition of childhood. He hes been a resident of this section for nearly fifty years. Having been deprived of the guiding influence and protection of a father years before he reached manhood's estate, he was compelled to rely upon his own resources, which constituted willing hands and a firm determination to earn a livelihood, and the means to afford him comfort during the inevitable days of old age. In early manhood he was an ordinary day laborer, and when about fifteen years of age assisted the masons in building the stone foundation of the large brick hotel and mercantile estabishment which in after years he acquired and of which his today the sole owner.

      He has been engaged in the hotel business now for over thirty years and is the oldest hotel man in Waterloo county who has remained continuously in one location. In the latter capacity he is among the few exceptions who adhere strictly to the enforcement of the liquor laws, and for the many years he has been, so engaged has a record seldom achieved by tavern keepers, having never been compelled to pay a fine Not only is he a faithful observer of the laws which governs the keeping of taverns, but his hotel is admirably kept for the comfort and accommodation of the public. The house is splendidly furnished throughout and abundance of the good things of this life are daily supplied on the tables. One of the most admirable features of this hotel is the entire absence of boisterous conduct, a feature that is often lamentably conspicuous in village taverns. Here the chronic lounger and patron of free drinks is not encouraged to tarry.

      Mr. Steiss as I can learn, is responsible for Heidelberg being the first place in Canada to introduce the manufacture of the famous Limburger cheese. He is now quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of that commodity, and has been so engaged on the past nineteen or twenty years. The daily output of his factory is wheat 150 pounds. The article he manufactures in a superior quality and finds a ready market all over the province, large quantities of it being also shipped to Manitoba, British Columbia and the Maritime Provinces. All the whey derived from the manufacture of the cheese is utilized by Mr. Steiss himself, as fattens, slaughters and ships quite large number of hogs in the course of a year . He is therefore quite an important distributor of cash among the farmers, and one who is bound to keep business moving in the village.

      Under the same roof adjoining the hotel is his mammoth general mercantile establishment. In the rear end of this establishment is located the post office, Mr. Steiss being the postmaster, for which office he was commissioned January, 9, 1879. The mercantile business was formerly conducted by the Doersal Bros, and subsequently under the firm sans of Doersal & Steiss. About eighteen years ago Mr. Steiss became sole proprietor of the business, and has conducted it with remarkable success ever since. The stock at present is a very large one, comprising everything in the general merchandise line, including hardware. The lower floor is packed to its utmost limits, as is also the upper floor and adjoining rooms. In a large cool cellar is kept the different syrups, butter, etc. This latter department is the at the writer has entered for some time. Mr. Steiss secures his own ice for which he has a large ice house. This is directly over the cold storage room used for the Limburger cheese after it has been taken from the curing room.

      Mr. and Mrs. Steiss have reared a family of seven children - four sons and three daughters

      Oscar J. has the management of the mercantile department and is a clever young business man. He has a bicycle department is connection, in which he keeps the best make of bicycles for sale. With the assistance of his agent, Mr. P. Kreutzweiser, of St. Clements, be has disposed of forty this season.

      Albert J. superintends the cheese manufacturing department and displays admirable business qualifications, William, the youngest son, is also engaged in this department.

      John H. is at home. He is the eldest son, and is giving a good account as an agent.

      Emeline is the wife of Mr. H. G. Hahn, shoe dealer, of Guelph Mary Ann is the wife of Rev. C. F. Zarnke, of Pembroke, and Clara is living at home.

      In rearing this family and building up his large basics interest, Mr. Steins has had valuable help in his industrious wife. She is entitled to a greal deal of credit for the success that him attended him is his business career. She is daughter of J. G. Huehnergard well know farmer at the village.

      Waterloo County Chronicle, 20 Oct 1898, p. 3

  • Sources 
    1. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012123-94.
      Conrad Zarnke, 24, occ. Lutheran Minister, b. St. Clements, res. St. Clements, son of Frederick Zarnke and Caroline Hillman married Mary Ann Steiss, 21, b. Heidelberg, res. Heidelberg, daughter of Adam Steiss and Eliza Huehnergard, Witn Adam Steiss of Heidelberg and Frederick Zarnke of St. Clements, 19 June 1894 in Heidelberg.

    2. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 15781-99.
      Oscar Steiss, 25, occ. Clerk, b. Heidelberg, res. of Heidelberg, son of Adam Steiss and Elizabeth Huehnergard, married Mary Ann Scheifele, 24, b. Normanby, res. of Wellesley, daughter of Henry Scheifele and Agatha Kury, Witness(es): Albert Steiss, Clara Scheifele, Clara Steiss, Herman Hass, All of Heidelberg, On 5 Sept 1899, at Heidelberg

    3. [S160] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1901, Wellesley E-2 Page 15.

    4. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Adam Steiss Born: Wellesley Res: Wellesley Age: 21 Father: Adam Steiss Mother: Mary B. Foerster Born: 1846 Spouse: Elizabeth Heinergart Age: 19 born: Woolwich Res: Woolwich Born: 1848 Father: John G. Heinergart Mother: Amarth Yost married 26 Mar 1867 county: Waterloo

    5. [S152] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - St. Peters Lutheran Heidelberg CC#4593 Internet Link.

    6. [S269] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1871, Div. 4, Pg. 64.

    7. [S242] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1851, Div. 1 Pg. 15.

    8. [S855] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1861, Div. 10 Page 63.

    9. [S2191] News - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley - Wellesley Maple Leaf, Obituary of Adam Steiss - June 22, 1905.

    10. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98619356.

    11. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Adam Steiss, 21, res. Wellesley, b. Wellesley, son of Adam and Mary B (Foerster), married 26 Mar 1867 Elizabeth Heinergart, 19, res. Woolwich, b. Woolwich, daughter of John G and Anna (Yost)

    12. [S2749] Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1971 - Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971.
      Name: Johann Adam Steiss (Johann Adam Steiss)
      Sex: Male
      Father's Name: Georg Ludwig Steiss (Georg Ludwig Steiss)
      Father's Sex: Male
      Mother's Name: Catharina
      Mother's Alias: Hettenbach
      Mother's Sex: Female
      Spouse's Name: Maria Barbara Förster
      Spouse's Sex: Female
      Spouse's Father's Name: Adam Förster
      Spouse's Father's Sex: Male
      Spouse's Mother's Name: Catharina
      Spouse's Mother's Alias: Grab
      Marriage Date: 20 Nov 1826
      Marriage Place: Eschelbronn, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland
      Marriage Place (Original): Eschelbronn, Neidenstein, , Baden, Preußen

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 23 Nov 1845 - , Baden, Germany Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBirth - - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1847 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1852 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - postmaster - - Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - store keeper - - Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1867 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 26 Mar 1867 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Inn Keeper - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Hotel Keeper - 1901 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: La-Grippe - 15 Jun 1905 - Heidelberg, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Heidelberg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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