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George Johann Schlee[1]

Male 1858 - 1944  (86 years)


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  • Name George Johann Schlee 
    Born 4 Jun 1858  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] 
    Gender Male 
    Contractor Projects 1 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Walper Hotel 
    Contractor Projects 32 Weber Street West, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Zion Evangelical Church 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Mason 
    Residence 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Lutheran 
    Occupation 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Mason 
    Residence 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Evangelical 
    Possessions 26 Sep 1891  46 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Grantee 
    Residence 1896  96 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    96 Queen St. North, Kitchener, Ontario    		 96 Queen St. North, Kitchener, Ontario
    from Berlin Today 1806-1906
    Residence 1897  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Kitchener,Schlee,George-residence-busyberlin1897.jpg    		 Kitchener,Schlee,George-residence-busyberlin1897.jpg
    Residence of George Schlee - busyberlin1897
    Occupation 1901  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Rubber manufacturer 
    Residence 1906  87 Lancaster St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Occupation 1907  70 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    button manufacturer 
    Residence 1907  96 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Mr. Geo. Schlee has sold his beautiful residence on Queen street, north, to. Mr. Jos. Zuber, of the Grand Central Hotel. The sum of about $11 000 was paid for it.

      The Chronicle Telegraph 26 Sep 1907, p. 3
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Manufacturer, Buttons 
    Residence 1911  121 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Methodist 
    Elected Office 1913  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    councillor - Kitchener 
    • Years Served: 1913-14
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10121355 
    Occupation 1921  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Manager, Button Factory 
    Residence 10 Sims Estate Place, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Residence 1921  121 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Residence 1921  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Methodist 
    Eby ID Number 00048-3621.1 
    Died 31 Oct 1944  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 9] 
    Buried Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 9] 
    Person ID I6531  Generations
    Last Modified 10 Jul 2025 

    Father Carl Heinrich Christian Schlee,   b. 22 Mar 1825, Ventschow Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Mar 1902, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Mother Maria Elizabeth "Mary" Rapean,   b. 19 Jun 1827, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Apr 1903, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years) 
    Married 19 Dec 1854  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Family ID F9017  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Eva Hallman,   b. 18 Aug 1863, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Dec 1944, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Married 29 Nov 1882 
    Children 
     1. George Ervin "Ervin" Schlee,   b. 19 Dec 1883, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Apr 1956  (Age 72 years)
     2. Lillie Minerva Schlee,   b. 21 Mar 1885, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1979  (Age 93 years)
     3. Walter Charles Christian Schlee,   b. 16 Aug 1892, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Nov 1893, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 1 years)
     4. Edon Hallman Schlee,   b. 22 Dec 1894, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1985  (Age 90 years)
     5. Wilfrid Hardy Schlee,   b. 21 Mar 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Aug 1983, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years)
    Last Modified 10 Jul 2025 
    Family ID F1958  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Schlee,George-formal.jpg    		Schlee,George-formal.jpg
    https://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/0/D22EE171F2AA335185256B0A004D7B4C?OpenDocument
    Residence of George Schlee 1906    		Residence of George Schlee 1906
    87 Lancaster St. W., Kitchener, Ontario. From: Berlin Today, Official souvenir 1806-1906
    George Johann Schlee    		George Johann Schlee
    ChurchRecord-Cambridge-St.PetersLutheran-Schlee-GeorgJohann-001-Bapt-1858.JPG    		ChurchRecord-Cambridge-St.PetersLutheran-Schlee-GeorgJohann-001-Bapt-1858.JPG

  • Notes 
    • George Schlee was born June 4, 1858 on a farm near Centreville, a few miles east of Kitchener. In 1876 he apprenticed as a stone mason in Listowel, Ontario, returning to Berlin following his marriage to Eva Hallman of Hanover in 1882.

      In 1890 he purchased the construction firm of Jacob Baetz and became prime contractor of the community for imposing residences and civic buildings such as the Walper House, Zion Evangelical Church and a major portion of the K-W Hospital.

      Following a visit to the United States, he returned home filled with enthusiasm for the potential in manufacturing of rubber footwear. With his initiative and drive, he organized the Berlin Rubber Company in 1899 and supervised the construction of the first rubber factory in Waterloo County on the corner of Margaret Avenue and Breithaupt Street. Through his vision, and the support of men like Jacob Kaufman and A.L. Breithaupt, the rubber industry was established in this community. In 1906 he sold his interests in the Berlin Rubber and founded the Berlin Button Works (Kitchener Buttons Ltd.), remaining active in this business until his death October 31, 1944

      Waterloo Hall of Fame 2008 website

      _____________________

      PROMINENT KITCHENER COUPLE OBSERVE 50th ANNIVERSARY

      Mr. and Mrs. George Schlee Were Married at Hanover-Receive Purse of Gold.

      Mr. and Mrs. George Schlee of Kitchener received the congratulations and best wishes of friends on Tuesday on the occasion of their golden wedding aniversary. They were married 50 years ago in Hanover, since which time they have resided in Kitchener where Mr. Schlee owns the Kitchener Button factory

      Mr. Schlee was born on June 4. 1858, about 1 miles east of Centreville [10 Sims Estate Place], where Mr. Harvey Sims now resides. He received his schooling at Centreville. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schlee. At the age of 18 he went to Listowel to learn the building trade with his brother, the late Mr. John Schlee. In 1882 he was married to Miss Eva Hallman at Hanover.

      Mr. Schlee worked for eight year as a contractor for Mr. Jacob Baetz. He then purchased Mr. Baetz' business, conducting a contracting business for eight years which he later sold to Casper Braun. He started the Berlin Rubber Company in 1898, making it a joint stock company. This was the beginning of the big rubber industry.

      In 1906 Mr. Schlee sold his rubber stock to Mr. A. L. Breithaupt and started the Berlin Button Works, Later he changed the name to the Kitchener Buttons, Ltd.

      Mr. Schlee was one of the first directors of the Ames Holden Rubber Company. He is 74 years of age.

      Before her marriage Mrs. Schlee was Miss Eva Hallman. She was born in Wilmot Township, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hallman, but spent most of her girlhood in Hanover, She was married to Mr. Schlee by Rev. J. Mager, pastor of the Hanover United Brethren church.

      The bride and bridegroom of 50 years ago were attended by the bride's brother, Mr. Jesse Hallman and his fiancee, now his wife, now residents of Port Huron, Mich. They and the officiating clergyman, Mr. Mager, were present at the golden wedding celebration which took the form of a family dinner at their home on Frederick St. The members of their family include G. Ervin, Eldon H., and Wilfred H. and Miss Lillie M. Schlee and their four grandchildren were present. Mr. and Mrs. Schlee were presented with a purse of gold. Out of town guests included Mrs. Schlee's brother, Mr. Noah Hallman, of Stratford.

      Waterloo Chronicle, 1 Dec 1932, p. 1

      ______________

      Mr. George Schlee secured the contract for the mason work of Oberholtzer's Shoe Factory to be erected near the Berlin Station.

      Waterloo County Chronicle, 20 Apr 1893, p. 5

      _______________

      The First Rubber Factory

      The change of the town into a city was mostly owed' to the manufacturers. As a rule, they began on a modest scale. The secret of their success was given out by the late George C. H. Lang: "Our men are trained for their business and aim to make better commodities than anyone else." Up till then, on what was the town chiefly nourished ? Boxes, buttons, chemical preparations, confectionery, furniture, leather, pianos, pork products, racycles, shirts and collars, felt and leather shoes, suspenders, trunks and bags, and woodworking machinery.

      Then in came Miss Rubber Latex.

      In the winter of 1898 George Schlee and Nelson Good visited the chief rubber centres of the United States. Mr. Schlee, on his return, set about the forming of a company to manufacture rubber footwear. He had earlier been a building contractor and experienced in tackling big things. He succeeded in interesting Jacob Kaufman, A. L. Breithaupt and Louis Weber in a venture to make rubber footwear. The company was named: The Berlin Rubber Company, Mr. Schlee was appointed manager, and they erected a factory in Margaret Avenue, near the railway. In January, 1900, Mr. Schlee came down town wearing the first pair of rubbers turned out by the plant. Soon, they were making between 800 and 1000 pairs a day.

      Three years later, Mr. Kaufman organized the Merchants Rubber Company to make rubber footwear, and erected a giant factory in Breithaupt Street. One of his executives was T. H. Rieder. Mr. Kaufman sold that industry in 1906 to the Dominion Rubber Company. A year later his son, Alvin R. Kaufman, induced him to form the Kaufman Rubber Company to make rubber footwear. Situated at the corner of King and Francis Streets, it is one of the city's largest industries, and is headed by Mr. A. R. Kaufman. With regard to Mr. Jacob Kaufman's life work, he never asked for nor received any bonus or concession from the city.

      Mr. Schlee stayed with the Berlin Rubber Company until 1906, when he sold his shares to Mr. A. L. Breithaupt. Mr. Schlee then organized the company now known as Kitchener Buttons Limited, to manufacture vegetable ivory buttons. His associates were his three sons: Ervin, Eden and Wilfrid. A large factory was built on the corner of Edward and Victoria Streets. Eden and Ervin have since identified themselves with other businesses. In recent years the company began the manufacture of furniture knobs and radio control knobs. In 1932, Mr. Wilfrid Schlee opened a market for those specialties and the Yo-Yo Stop in Great Britain. Mr. George Schlee, now in his 80th year, has done his full share for the advancement of the city.

      A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937

  • Sources 
    1. [S3] Book - Vol I A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 770.

    2. [S166] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Mount Hope CC#4508 Internet Link .
      Schlee/ George Schlee/ June 4 1858-Oct 31 1944/ Eva Hallman/ his wife/ Aug 18 1863/ Dec 11 1944/

    3. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-4 Page 10.

    4. [S224] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1881, Div 3 Page 29.

    5. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 34 Page 2.

    6. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub District 28 Page 1.

    7. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 2 Page 12.

    8. [S514] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1871, Sect. 1 Page 34.

    9. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10121355/george-johann-schlee.

    10. [S2433] Census - Canada - 1861, No 3, District 1 Waterloo Township.
      Charles Slay 33 b. Germany married 1854 laborer
      Mary 33
      John 7 b. Canada
      Lena 6
      Sophia 5
      George 3

    11. [S3297] Missouri Synod, U.S., Lutheran Church records, 1851-1973.
      NameGeorg Johann Schlee
      Baptism Age0
      Record TypeBaptism
      Birth Date4 Juni 1858
      Baptism Date27 Juni 1858
      Baptism ChurchSt. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
      Baptism PlacePreston, Ontario, Canada
      Father Carl Schlee
      Mother Maria Raggin

    12. [S1535] Report - An Inventory of Industrial Buildings of Architectural/Historical Significance in the City of Kitchener, p. 19 - report of 70 Victoria St. N., Kitchener.

    13. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library.
      Carl Schle, labourer of Waterloo Twp. married 19 Dec 1854 in Berlin by banns to Maria Repin of Waterloo Twp. wit: Richard Gehl of Waterloo & Rebecca Gehl of Waterloo

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 4 Jun 1858 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsContractor Projects - Walper Hotel - - 1 King St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsContractor Projects - Zion Evangelical Church - - 32 Weber Street West, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Mason - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Lutheran - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Mason - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Evangelical - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsPossessions - Grantee - 26 Sep 1891 - 46 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1896 - 96 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1897 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Rubber manufacturer - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1906 - 87 Lancaster St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - button manufacturer - 1907 - 70 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1907 - 96 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer, Buttons - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1911 - 121 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Methodist - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - councillor - Kitchener - 1913 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manager, Button Factory - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - 10 Sims Estate Place, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1921 - 121 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Methodist - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 31 Oct 1944 - 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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