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John George Reiner

John George Reiner[1]

Male 1832 - 1926  (93 years)

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  • Name John George Reiner 
    Born 11 Feb 1832  Hornburg, Baden, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] 
    Gender Male 
    Military 1848 
    Immigration 1850  , Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Immigration 1852  [4] 
    Residence 1860  Neustadt, Normanby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Historic Building 1867  1063 Doering St, Wellesley, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    • Reiner/Schmehl House, 1063 Doering Street, Wellesley (formerly 19 Doering Street)

      This house was built by John George Reiner, known as the "builder of Wellesley," in 1867. It retains much of its original form except for an addition at the rear.

      While maintaining a distinctive Georgian style, the house also has some Classical Revival and Victorian highlights.

      The entrance, with its sidelights, transom and fluted pilasters is Classical and the protruding bay window is a nod to the dominant Victorian styles of the day.
      Designated March 7, 1984.

      Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society - Heritage Wellesley. (2016). Wellesley Township Heritage & Historical Society. Retrieved 26 November 2016, from https://www.wellesleyhistory.org/heritage-wellesley.html
    Naturalization 1867  [2] 
    Occupation 1871  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Woolen Manufacturer 
    Residence 1871  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Lutheran 
    Naturalization 1875  , Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Occupation 1881  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Manufacturer 
    Business 1900  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Merchant Store 
    Wellesley Maple Leaf 25 Oct 1900    		 Wellesley Maple Leaf 25 Oct 1900
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64179800 
    Interesting pioneer, business, mill, military 
    Occupation 1901  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Manufacturer 
    Occupation 1911  Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Manufacture Woolens 
    Residence 1911  Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Lutheran 
    Immigration 1921  , Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Name George J. Reiner 
    Occupation Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    woollen and knitten goods manufacturer 
    Occupation 1921  Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Merchant & Manufacturer, Woolen & Knitting Goods 
    Residence 1921  Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Lutheran 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-52214 
    Died 15 Jan 1926  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6, 8] 
    Cause: bronchitis & senility 
    Buried First St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Wellesley Village, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Person ID I52214  Generations
    Last Modified 25 Apr 2024 

    Father Christian Reiner,   b. Abt 1802, , Schwarzwald, Baden, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1853, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 52 years) 
    Mother Anna Maria Heinzmann,   b. Abt 1802, , Schwarzwald, Baden, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F13405  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Christine Forler,   b. 19 Jul 1840, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Oct 1865, Neustadt, Normanby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 25 years) 
    Married 9 Apr 1860  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F13422  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Elizabeth Koehler,   b. 15 Jan 1844, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Oct 1925, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Married 7 Mar 1867  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Children 
     1. Amelia Reiner,   b. 1867, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. John George Reiner,   b. 1869, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Edward K. Reiner,   b. 6 Feb 1872, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Jun 1944, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years)
     4. Eckhardt Reiner,   b. 12 Feb 1876, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Jun 1903, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 27 years)
     5. Albert Emanuel Reiner,   b. 20 Jan 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Jan 1937, Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years)
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F13462  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    John George Reiner    		John George Reiner
    Doon Heritage Crossroads Digital Collection
    John George Reiner    		John George Reiner
    from Waterloo Region Hall of Fame
    John G. Reiner    		John G. Reiner
    image from Esther Schmehl

  • Notes 
    • When John George Reiner (1832-1926) arrived in Berlin on October 18, 1852, he was glad his journey had ended, because he had walked from Hamilton. Born in 1832, in the Black Forest, Germany, he had just emigrated to Canada. He spent his last shilling for lodging in Gaukel's Tavern, where the Walper House was later built.

      Reiner worked at Mannheim, manufacturing fanning mills and furniture, and then built houses and barns in the United States. In 1858 he returned and again demonstrating his ability to endure lengthy journeys on foot, walked from Goderich to Neustadt, where he built a dam across the Saugeen River and a sawmill. In 1863 he went to Smithville, later Wellesley, operated a flour mill and a sawmill, and altogether during his residence there erected thirty-two buildings, including a woollen mill and general store.

      He also organized the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society.

      Waterloo County Hall of Fame

      _________________

      John George Reiner - Autobiography

      I was born in the year 1832 in what is known as the Black Forest or Schwarzwald in the Duchy of Baden, Germany. In the fall of 1849, after the revolution in Baden, I went to France, where I spent three years. From there I emigrated in 1852 to Canada, coming directly to Hamilton, Ontario.

      The revolution in Baden broke out actively in the latter part of 1848, and continued until toward the end of 1849. One of the main leaders was Carl Hecker, supported by Strube and Brentano, members of the diet. The Grand-duke Leopold fled to Prussia and secured the help of Prince William, grand-father of the present Kaiser, who at the head of a Prussian force invaded Baden in 1849, and defeated the insurgents. It may be interest ing to state here that with the Prussians were Hesse and Nassau soldiers, among whom were John Ulner, who lived here and worked for me in Wellesley for almost half a century and the late Christian Meisner of Kitchener. Hecker, after one of his sharp shooters had killed the Prussian general, during a parley, escaped to Switzerland and from there emigrated to Illinois where he died some years ago. I drilled on the side of the republicans under Hecker in 1849, but was not in any of the engagements.

      From Hamilton, I, with two companions, walked to Kitchener (then Berlin) in Waterloo County, arriving there on the 18th day of October, 1852, sixty-five years ago. There I spent the night at George Gaukel's tavern, a small frame hotel on the corner where the Walper House now stands. I paid my last York shilling (l2 l / 2 cents) for my lodging and left the next morning without break fast, walking to Mannheim where my father, who had preceeded me to this country, was working for one Isaac Shantz, making fanning mills and furniture, in which I assisted. Mannheim at that time was a more important place than it is at present. Mr. Shantz had a saw-mill there and a second one was operated by Mr. Jacob Bricker, who, after leaving Mannheim, started the foundry business in Waterloo, which developed into the large implement business there. (Now the Waterloo Manufacturing Co.)

      About one year later my father returned to Germany and I went to Michigan and from there to Illinois, being occupied chiefly in building houses and barns. In 1858 I returned to Ontario, going to Neustadt in Grey County. I walked from Goderich, via Lucknow and Walkerton, the trip requiring 2 y 2 days hard travel, mostly through bush with plenty of mosquitoes and few roads, which to me was quite a change from the prairies of Illinois. I remained in Neustadt and the surrounding country for about eight years, and there, among things, I built a dam across the south branch of the Saugeen River, and a sawmill.

      After selling out in Neustadt I came to Smithville, now Wellesley, in mid-summer of 1866, 51 years ago, and started to build the first unit of the present woollen mill. To this I added from time to time building nearly every year, as both labor and material were very cheap at that time. Sometime after I bought the flour mill located here from one Lorenz Doering. The Doerings were well known as early settlers in this part of the County and pioneers in Wellesley.

      Christopher and Henry Doering, from Phillipsburg, laid out the village of Wellesley and built the flour mill and a sawmill, the dam and water power having been developed by a man named Smith after whom Smithville was named. The Doerings also built and operated a general store and it was this development and their enterprise that induced others to come here and start business, among them Alexander Meyer, tinsmith; Chas. Achtenberg, tailor; John Zoeger from Petersburg, who built a store and a hotel; Peter Berdux and one Freeborn and a man named Smith, all three of whom built hotels. Every one seemed to want to have a hotel. All of these early settlers have long since departed and, hale and hearty, at 85 years of age, I feel as if I were about the only one that is left.

      After operating the woollen mill and flour mill a few years, I also built another sawmill and a stave and heading plant, and the first part of the present general store. I may state that I put up 32 structures of one kind and another here in connection with my business.
      Among other things, I organized the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society, buying the site and putting up the building for the same.

      All the different enterprises I helped to develop have been disposed of, except the woollen mills, which have been increased and added to from time to time, and the general store and hardware business, all of which employ in the neighborhood of 100 hands and are carried on by the firm of Reiner Bros. & Co., Ltd.

      First Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1917 Kitchener, Ontario, pg 64

      ___________________________


      Mr. J. G. Reiner, pioneer merchant and manufacturer, of Wellesley, passed away last Friday in his 94th year. The deceased was born on February 11th, 1832, in Black Forest, Duchy of Baden, Germany, and emigrated to Canada in 1852. Since 1863 he was a resident of Wellesley Village, where he spent an active and industrious life, retiring only three years ago. He started the Wellesley woollen mills, build the saw mill and stave and heading plant, and started the first general store. He erected 32 of the buildings in the community during his lifetime. He started the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society and for many years was untiring in his efforts to secure railway connections for the village. The deceased was widely known and highly respected. He leaves 3 sons and one daughter, G. J. Reiner, Toronto, E. K. Reiner and A. E. Reiner, of Wellesley, and Mrs. E. C. Wagner, Winnipeg. The funeral took place at Wellesley on Monday and was largely attended.

      New Hamburg Independent, January 22, 1926

      ______________

      J. G. Reiner.

      To those in this vicinity who are intimately acquainted with him personally and his business career, the assertion that Mr. Reiner is the father of Wellesley village will not appear as savoring a particle of vain flattery. From a humble beginning with a small capital he succeeded in building up an industry that in extent has no counterpart in Waterloo county, outside of Waterloo, Berlin and Galt, and I doubt if there is an industry of its size entirely under the control of one individual in any of those towns. Mr. Reiner was born in Germany in 1832 and came to this country in 1852 He commenced business here about thirty-two years ago, having at the time a small woollen mill doing custom work exclusively Being of an enterprising nature, combined with good judgment, foresight and economical traits he gradually made additions as the years went by. To-day he can justly claim that he has reached the goal his ambitious spirit sought, the completion of a mammoth wholesale manufacturing establishment. Mr. Reiner is not possessed of a surplus stock of egotism, and when in conversation pertaining to his successful achievement is not inclined to refer to it as something not beyond the fortune of any ordinary human being. That he is popular with his wage-earners there is unquestionable evidence. During the busy season there are from fifty to sixty persons in his employ, and many of them have been with him for twenty years, and several are now working in the factory who engaged with him thirty years ago. Not only has Mr. Reiner given employment to a large number of its working people, but he has in many ways been instrumental in extending the growth of the village. Now in the 66th year of his age he is taking business life more moderate, though he still adheres to his old time custom of being on hand early and late in case his attention or counsel is required. He has valuable assistance in his three sons, Messrs Edward, Eckhardt and Albert, and metaphorically speaking, they are chips of the old block in a business way.

      At one time Mr. Reiner owned and operated the grist mill and a saw mill and stave mill, but he finally sold out those branches of his industrial interests in order to give his undivided attention to his factory and mercantile establishment. The latter was built in 1877 and is a commodious brick structture filled from top to bottom with general merchandise, such as dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hosiery, groceries, &. In this building there is a first class tailoring department where suits of the latest style made from the best foreign and domestic fabrics can be obtained. In the rear of the stores a large two-story frame building, quipped with knitting machines, weaving looms, &c. In this building s a fine millinery emporium and the department for the manufacture of children's cloaks. Of the latter Mr. Reiner makes a specialty for the wholesale market, and he annually manufactures thousands of them. They are of hand some design, there being something like fifty different patterns of fabric used, and all of which are manufactured on the premises. In this department are manufactured hosiery, bicycle hose, sweaters, cardigans, mittens and lumbermen's socks. The latter is also a specialty, of which I noticed stacks completed and ready for shipment, in addition to those in the course of completion. Mr. Reiner also turns out large orders for blankets, horse blankets and tweeds. A good deal of his product in the former line has found its way to the Klondike. In fact the scope of his market extends from Atlantic to Pacific.

      Opposite this building on the other side of the street is the old original woollen mill with additions that were subsequently added. Herein are the large spinning jacks, carding machines and other machinery requisite in the modern woollen mill. It also contains a 75 horse power boiler, a 35 horse power engine and a powerful force pump, the latter being used as a protection against fire. Excepting small quantities of fine imported yarns, necessary in the manufacture of certain goods Mr. Reiner produces all the yarn required in the manufacture of his different classes of goods. While be purchases all the Canadian wool that comes to his factory he imports a large amount from Australia and other foreign countries. Across the street from the old woollen mill is the large warehouse. Here I found large stacks of boxes packed with various goods and labeled ready for shipment.

      In conclusion I will give the reader some idea of the extent of this industry by simply giving the dimensions of the different buildings which are occu- pied to their utmost limits with either goods or machinery: The old woollen mill, a two-story brick structure, 120 x 30 feet: two story brick storeroom and frame factory, 175 x 30 feet; warehouse two stories and 60 x 30 feet, and a new dye house 25 x 40 feet.

      Waterloo County Chronicle, 14 Jul 1898, p. 8

  • Sources 
    1. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 16 Nov 1865.
      Christina Reiner died 15 Oct 1865 in Neustadt, wife of John G., 25 yrs, 2 mths.

    2. [S160] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1901, Wellesley E-6 Page 18.

    3. [S113] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1881, Division 3 Page 36.

    4. [S504] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1911, Div. 11 page 6.

    5. [S877] Book - First Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 64.

    6. [S713] Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 34636 (1926), John George Reiner, accessed 12 Sep 2009.
      John George Reiner d. 15 Jan 1926, Wellesley, aged 93y, 11m, 4d, woolen and knitted goods manufacturer. s/o Christian Reiner (b. Germany) & Anna Maria Heinzman (b. Germany) cause: bronchitis & senility

    7. [S269] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1871, Div. 4, Pg. 16.

    8. [S308] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley - First St. Pauls Lutheran CC#4540 Internet Link.
      John C. Reiner, 1832-1926/ Elizabeth Koehler/ his wife/ 1844-1925/ at rest

    9. [S2107] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1921, Sub District 11 Page 5.

    10. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      George Reiner, 34, res. Wellesley, b. Baden, Germany, son of Christian and Margareth (Heintzmann), married 7 Mar 1867 Elizabeth Koehler, 24, res. Wellesley, b. Hesse Darmstadt, daughter of Henry and Anna Margareth (Mess)

    11. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      F. G. Reiner, 28, res. Newstadt, b. Grand Dutchy of Baden, son of Christian and Mary (Heinzman), married 9 Apr 1860 Christine Forler, 20, res. Wilmot, b, Wilmot, daughter of Johannes and Catherine (Kruger)

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1850 - , Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1860 - Neustadt, Normanby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 9 Apr 1860 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - 1867 - 1063 Doering St, Wellesley, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 7 Mar 1867 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Woolen Manufacturer - 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 MapsNaturalization - 1875 - , Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1881 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Merchant Store - 1900 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1901 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacture Woolens - 1911 - Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1911 - Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1921 - , Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - woollen and knitten goods manufacturer - - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Merchant & Manufacturer, Woolen & Knitting Goods - 1921 - Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1921 - Wellesley Village, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: bronchitis & senility - 15 Jan 1926 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - First St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Wellesley Village, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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