Jacob Christman

1848 - 1908  (59 years)

• Photos

  Jacob Christman in 1903 From Enterprising Elmira, An historical, discriptive, and illustrated book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, published by George Klinck 1903

  
  

• Name	Jacob Christman
  Born	17 Nov 1848	, Lincoln Co., Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
  Gender	Male
  Residence	1861	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Lutheran
  Occupation	1871	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Blacksmith
  Residence	1871	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Lutheran
  Occupation	1881	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	farmer
  Fire	1898	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Elmira-Fire-0001-1898-ElmiraIndependent.jpg
  Name	J. Christmann
  Occupation	1901	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Hotel Keeper
  		O' Donnell House Elmira 1903 From Enterprising Elmira, An historical, discriptive, and illustrated book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, published by George Klinck 1903
  _FSFTID	L412-B8S
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-26287
  Died	10 May 1908	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3, 4, 8, 10]
  	Cause: cancer of prostate
  Buried	Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Person ID	I26287	Generations
  Last Modified	12 May 2024

  
  

  Father	Heinrich "Henry" Christman,   b. 1 Jul 1818, Greese, Rhein Giessen, Baiern, Germany ,   d. 9 Nov 1888, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 70 years)
  Mother	Katherina "Catherine" Kehart,   b. 2 Jul 1823, , Germany ,   d. 4 Feb 1864, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 40 years)
  Married	24 Oct 1841	Obermiesau, Pfalz, Bavaria, Germany   [11]
  Family ID	F6813	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Louisa Miller,   b. 5 Jul 1855, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 24 May 1917, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 61 years)
  Married	16 May 1875	St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  Children	1. Clara Adina Christman,   b. 21 Apr 1878, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. John Enoch Christman,   b. 2 Jan 1879, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 22 Nov 1971, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 92 years)   3. Catherine Christman,   b. 11 Sep 1880, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 23 Apr 1881  (Age 0 years)   4. Oscar Christman,   b. 27 Mar 1882, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Oct 1949, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 67 years)   5. Eduard Christman,   b. 26 Jun 1884,   d. 23 Apr 1885  (Age 0 years)   6. Alena Christman,   b. 9 Feb 1886, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   7. Alma Louise Christman,   b. 9 Feb 1886, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1 Jan 1916  (Age 29 years)   8. Myrtle Christman,   b. Feb 1897, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   9. Lyla Christman,   b. Jul 1900, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	13 May 2024
  Family ID	F6853	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Last Sunday morning, Mr. Jacob Christman, a well-known citizen, who had spent almost the whole of his life in this neighborhood, passed away after suffering a number of years from a lingering illness which, however, did not confine him to the house until last Christmas. Deceased was a son of the late Henry Christman and came to Elmira with his parents when he was two years of age. He was born on the "Twenties" Lincoln County, in 1848, was married to Miss Louisa Miller in 1875, with whom he had six children, two of whom died in their youth. He leaves a sorrowing widow, two sons, John and Oscar, and two daughters. After his marriage, deceased engaged in agriculture and lived several years on the farm now occupied by Mr. Hy. Horst. Later he returned to the Christman homestead, a short distance south of Elmira. He was a model of physical strength and manhood of a kind and generous disposition and enjoyed the respect of his acquaintances. In 1892 he purchased the Union Hotel in Elmira, where he did a large business until fire destroyed the premises after which he purchased the O'Donnell House. This he conducted until a few years ago, when he retired and lived in a private residence. He was a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, and his fellow members participated in the funeral services which were held last Tuesday. After the burial, Rev. Schulz preached an impressive sermon in St. James Lutheran church where a large concourse of relatives and friends had gathered. Elmira Signet, May 16, 1908 _________________ SWEPT BY FIRE The Village of Elmira Narrowly Escapes. Being Wiped Out. THE LIGHTNING TERRIBLE WORK TWO FINE HOTELS, STABLES AND HOUSE BURNED TO THE GROUND-OTHER BUILDINGS BADLY SCORCHED-RAIN SAVES THE TOWN Special to the Chronicle Elmira, August 24.-One of the largest and most disastrous fires in the history of Woolwich township, visited this village on Tuesday night and all that is now left of the block consisting of Zilliax's Hotel and large stables, Christman's hotel and stables and the building occupied by Conrad Hahn is one mass of smouldering ruins. A CHRONICLE representative visited the scene of the fire to-day and found the village all agog with excitement as a result of the big blaze. The village had a most miraculous escape from being almost entirely swept away by fire and had it not been for the heroic efforts of its citizens from the first sound of the alarm there might have been a vastly different story for me now to relate. The buildings destroyed were situated right in the very heart of the village. Zilliax's hotel being on the four cross roads coming in from Floradale, Hawkesville, Guelph and Waterloo. The building on the side of the street opposite to the scene of the fire between Dr. Hay's office and Mr. Robert Jackson's residence, including Mr. John Miller's residence to the rear of Zilliax's hotel were saved with the greatest difficulty. The Alarm. About twelve o'clock the citizens of the village were startled out of their slumbers by a terrific report and crash of lightning which they knew to be dangerously near at hand. The clanging of fire bells, and the shrill shrieking of whistles soon brought them to their senses and before many minutes the streets were one seething mass of humanity all wending their way to the scene of the fire. The terrific crash which they had heard was the lightning striking the stables of Mr. Jac. Christman's hotel. The electric ball pierced the rear roof of the building and ignited the loose straw stored in that section. Mr. Christman was on the scene a few moments after and before the fire had time to gain much headway, he made a fruitless effort to quench the flames with the application of a few pails of water. But this only seemed to be adding fuel to the flames and a few minutes after the whole stable was enveloped in a fiery mantle. The old hand fire engine was on the scene shortly after the alarm was given and although it was constantly manned by willing hands it was by no means fit to cope with the flame. There was A STRONG WIND from the west fanning the flames at the beginning of the fire which very soon spread to the adjoining stables of Henry Zilliax and from thence to the hotel. Just before the roof of the latter stables fell in there was a beautiful pyrotechnic display, the tongues of fire seeming to leap high up into the air about a hundred feet, and after receding leaving the sky spangled with myriads of dissolving stars The night was pitch dark and a heavy rain was falling. It was a kind Providence that suffered the rain to fall continuously during the fire, giving the villagers the strongest possible fire protection and was probably the one thing that saved the village from almost total extinction. While the flames were rapidly spreading to Zilliax's and Christman's hotel, the wind suddenly shifted to the north and the business blocks on the opposite side of the street were immediately put in imminent danger. Shortly after the cornices along these buildings began to smoke. A large water pail brigade was however soon scattered along the roofs. It was composed of property owners and citizens who all worked like trojans, the latter just as though it was their own interests that were at stake. The heat was so intense that the glass fronts in all the buildings on that side of the street were cracked and how the workers on the roofs managed to stick to their posts, in the face of such a singeing heat is more than most people can understand. Their work was however not without effect as through their herculean efforts the property on that side of the street was saved. With regard to this the prevailing opinion here is that had these buildings ever got started the greater part of the village would undoubtedly have been wiped out. At the same time willing hands were doing gallant work on the residences of Robert Jackson and John Miller. Both houses were pretty badly scorched, the cornices and woodwork about the windows being burnt out on Mr. Miller's house. Heavy Losses. The losses sustained are very heavy and will run up close to $20,000. Mr. Henry Zilliax has the heaviest loss, which when everything is summed up will amount to nearly $10,000. Besides his hotel and the large stables in connection all the hotel furniture and other contents were burned, including nearly $1000 worth of choice liquors stored away in his cellar. To this may be added about twenty tons of hay, a large quantity of oats and some twenty- five cords of hardwood. He carried insurance to the amount of $3,700, $1,700 in the Economical of Berlin and $2,000 in the Gore. Mr. Christman's loss is placed between seven and eight thousand dollars, with $2300 insurance in force at the time of the fire. The loss includes hotel and contents and three valuable horses, together with other stable contents, etc. Mr. Conrad Hahn loses dwelling valued at about $1200. Will He Rebuild? When asked whether or not he would rebuild Mr. Zilliax told your representative that he would not be in a position to make any definite statement with regard thereto until he had more fully ascertained his loss. Sparks. Messrs. Charles Janzen, Fred Weidenhammer and Wm. Ziegler rendered valuable assistance on Miller's house. Mr. Wm. O'Neill lost a valuable horse and rig which he had stabled in Christman's barn. The outfit was valued at $200 Among Mr. Christman's losses were three horses and six pigs. The horses were thoroughbreds which he was getting ready for exhibition at the fall shows and be naturally feels this part of his loss very keenly. Elmira citizens are handling the village council without gloves at the present time for having such an antiquated and entirely inadequate system of fire protection, Tis said that the council is now considering the advisability of establishing a steam pumping station near the mill or buying a steam engine and other schemes to lock the door after the horse is stolen. All the private papers of both Mr. Christman and Mr. Zilliax were saved. Between sixty and seventy dollars is still confined in the safe of Mr. Zilliax which at time of writing had not cooled off enough to be opened. The G. T. R staff had an engine and flat car in readiness to run to the nearest town for assistance had the fire fighters been unable to confine the flames. The only personal belongings which Mr. Zilliax saved out of the fire was the suit of clothes on his back. Mr. M. Weichel did good execution with a small hand pump which he brought up out of his cellar. We understand Mr. Henry Dunke presented him with a five dollar bill for assistance rendered on his buildings. Desolation now stares the villagers in the face. Mr. Geo. Klinck burnt his hands rather badly in his efforts to save his property. His brother Charles burnt the soles of his feet on the hot tin of the roof. A fine new Bell piano and an organ were among the destroyed contents of Zilliax's Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. O'Neill generously turned their house open to the family of Jacob Christman who were left homeless through the fire. Mr. Zilliax and family have taken temporary quarters at the residence of his brother in law, John L in. rdrbrdrsrdrw30rsp20 ELMIRA FIRE. Another Account from Our Own Correspondent. Elmira, Aug. 24th-The most disastrous conflagration that has visited Elmira, took place last night shortly after midnight. The fire was first discovered in J. Christman's hotel stable and only a few minutes elapsed before the whole building was in flames. Adjoining the stables was the Union Hotel and C. Hahn's residence, and both being frame structures they quickly succumbed to the devouring element. East of the Union Hotel was Zilliax's stable, which caught fire and spread to the hotel, in spite of all efforts to save it. The fire was now at its height and all efforts were put forth to save the buildings on the opposite side of the street, which from the intense heat started to burn at the cornices in many places. By almost superhuman efforts the flames were extinguished and that side of the street saved. John Miller's residence, north of Zilliax's hotel, was in great danger and almost fell a victim to the devouring element. It can scarcely be seen how it was saved, but it escaped with considerable damage. It was at one time thought that the whole town would go up in flames, but the wind and the rain were in its favor and the citizens felt relieved when danger was past. Sparks flew in all directions. The losses are partly covered by insurance, and very little was saved. All, or nearly all, hotel furniture was burnt. J. Christman lost all his horses, and also one belonging to Wm. O'Neill. The origin of the fire is supposed to have been from lightning, although not such a heavy shock was felt. The town this morning presents quite a desolate appearance. Waterloo County Chronicle, 25 Aug 1898, p. 4

  
  

• Sources

  [S161] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1901, Elmira (Village) B Page 9. [S161] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1901, Elmira (Village) B. Page 9. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration, 29431-1908 death registration of Jacob Christmas. [S98] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - Elmira Union CC#4578 Internet Link. Our Dear Father/ [Symbol] - Flt/ In Memory Of/ Jacob Christmann/ Who Died May 10, 1908, Aged 59 Yearsl/ His Wife Louisa Miller/ Who Died May 24, 1917, Aged 61 Years [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 11128-76. Jacob CHRISTMAN, 26, farmer, Germany, of Woolwich, s/o Henry & Catharine CHRISTMAN, married Louisa MILLER, 20, Woolwich, of Woolwich, d/o Peter & Sophia MILLER, witn: William CHRISTMAN & Philip BEISEL of Woolwich, on 16 May 1875, at St. Jacobs [S130] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1881, Div 2 Page 19 Family 86. [S144] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1871, Div. 2 Page 14. [S77] News - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Elmira Signet (1893-1982), Obituary of Jacob Christman - May 16, 1908. [S915] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1861, Township of Woolwich 1861 Div. 4 Page 33. [S978] Funeral Home Records - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Dreisinger. funeral records give death date as May 10th, 1908; age as 59 years, 5 months and 23 days. [S1977] Germany, Marriages, 1558-1929. Name:Heinrich Christmann Birth Date:01 Jul 1818 Birthplace:GRIES Spouse's Name:Catharina Karth Spouse's Birth Date:02 Jul 1823 Event Date:24 Oct 1841 Event Place:Evangelisch, Obermiesau, Pfalz, Bavaria Father's Name:Georg Philipp Christmann Mother's Name:Philippine Goethe Spouse's Father's Name:Wilhelm Karth Spouse's Mother's Name:Elisabetha Mann

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 17 Nov 1848 - , Lincoln Co., Ontario, Canada Residence - Lutheran - 1861 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Blacksmith - 1871 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Lutheran - 1871 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 16 May 1875 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - farmer - 1881 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Fire - 1898 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Hotel Keeper - 1901 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: cancer of prostate - 10 May 1908 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth