John Fennell^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}

1837 - 1922  (85 years)

• Photos » Slide Show		John Fennel Official souvenir of the celebration of cityhood, July 17th 1912, Berlin, Ontario, The German Printing and Publishing Co.
  		John Fennel Official souvenir of the celebration of cityhood, July 17th 1912, Berlin, Ontario, The German Printing and Publishing Co.
  		Fennel,John-001.jpg

  
  

• Name	John Fennell
  Born	8 Aug 1837	Cobourg, Hamilton Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario   [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]
  Gender	Male
  Business	John Fennell Hardware, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Kitchener-J.Fennel-0001-HardwareMerchantTradeCard.jpg J. Fennell and Son 1907, Kitchener, Ontario
  Business	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	John Fennell - Coal, Iron, and Hardware Merchant
  	C. N. Weber is a complex organization, but it started simply enough as hardware store founded by Samuel Date in 1855. He sold tools and supplies needed by carpenters, metal smiths and carriage makers in the community of Berlin, which later became Kitchener. Date sold the store to John Fennell, a prominent community leader who died in 1922. In 1923, C.N. Weber bought the store from Fennell's widow. Over time, the business shifted from retail sales to industrial supply.
  		John Fennell's Merchant Business Receipt 1878
  Residence	1864	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  Business	1867	Kiddomhill, Eskdalemuir, , Dumfries, Scotland   [14]
  	John Fennell Iron Monger, oils, saws,cutlery, plated ware, paint, glass, etc.
  		John Fennell Iron Monger, oils, saws,cutlery, plated ware, paint, glass, etc. from 1867 Directory of Waterloo
  Occupation	1871	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Merchant
  		John Fennell 1878 Waterloo County Directory
  Residence	1871	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Church of England
  Elected Office	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	councillor - Kitchener
  	Years Served: 1881-82
  Occupation	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Merchant
  Residence	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Church of England
  Possessions	29 Jun 1887	46 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Grantee
  Occupation	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  	Hardware Merchant
  Residence	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  	Anglican
  Residence	1897	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Kitchener,Fennel,Johjn-residene-busyberlin1897.jpg "Fairmount" residence of John Fennel - From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
  Occupation	1901	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Hardware Merchant
  		Waterloo-Business-Fennel,John-001-1898WaterlooChronicle.jpg Waterloo County Chronicle (186303), 28 Jul 1898, p. 1
  Occupation	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	Merchant
  Residence	1911	125 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Residence	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	Anglican
  Employer	1912	Ecomonical Fire Insurance Company, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [15]
  	director of Economical Fire Insurance Company
  Interesting	business, building, public service, life story,
  Occupation	1921	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Storekeeper, Hardware
  Residence	1921	125 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  Residence	1921	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Church of England
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-32263
  Died	30 Aug 1922	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [13]
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [13]
  Person ID	I32263	Generations
  Last Modified	12 May 2024

  
  

  Father	Simon Fennell,   b. Abt 1807, Of, Hamilton Township, , Ontario ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Mother	Martha McCamus,   b. 27 Dec 1804, , Ireland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F7414	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Alicia Jackson,   b. 16 Jun 1840, Stratford, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1930  (Age 89 years)
  Married	20 Sep 1864	Stratford, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada   [9]
  Children	1. Frederick "Freddie" Fennell,   b. 6 Feb 1865, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 21 Feb 1865, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   2. James Philip Fennell,   b. 5 Feb 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1948  (Age 80 years)   3. Alice Ruth Fennell,   b. 16 Dec 1868, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1954  (Age 85 years)   4. Martha Mabel Fennell,   b. 24 Jul 1870, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 13 Sep 1922, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 52 years)   5. Elizabeth C. "Bessie" Fennell,   b. 24 Mar 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 23 Feb 1928, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 54 years)   6. Evelyn C. Fennell,   b. 3 May 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 26 Oct 1948, Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States  (Age 73 years)   7. Maria Josephine Fennell,   b. 1 Nov 1878, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 24 Aug 1879, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)
  Last Modified	13 May 2024
  Family ID	F8415	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  MR. JOHN FENNELL. ONE OF BERLIN'S SUCCESSFUL AND PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZENS. On June 1st, 1863, a young hardware merchant arrived in Berlin from the neighboring town of Stratford. He came well equipped for his life's work. For he knew that success in business life is attained only by a strict adherence to sound principles, by industry and by unvarying attention. These were resolutions well taken and their fruit is seen today in the large wholesale and retail business of John Fennell & Son, for it is the gentleman at the head of this firm to whom reference is made. Mr. Fennell was born in Cobourg in 1837 and by a happy coincidence his natal day this year falls on the last day of the Old Boys' Re-union, Aug. 8th. He was educated at Victoria College Cobourg and chose a business career. His connection with Berlin had been a long and honorable one. When he came here Berlin had a population of about 2700 and Waterloo about 1700. The latter was however the better business place. Berlin however kept growing and a few years later was incorporated as a town. Naturally a man of Mr. Fennell's ability and energy has been called upon to fill positions of public trust. This he always did with credit to himself and general satisfaction to the public. For 24 years he was a member of the Public School Board and chairman for several years. During this period the Central School increased from 8 to 12 rooms and the four ward schools were completed. Mr. Fennell took a keen interest in politics and recalls the fierce battle of 1878 when the National Policy shot its roots so deeply into Canadian soil that they have never since been eradicated. "He was President of the Liberal-Conservative Association of North Waterloo at that time. To quote his own -words, it was a "red hot battle fought with honest weapons by both sides. The tricks of today were not even thought of". The result was a triumph, for the Conservative party. Though never seeking public honors, Mr. Fennell was upon a largely signed requisition prevailed upon to contest the mayoralty in 1885. He had given excellent service in the Town Council for years and was a "progressive." Unfortunately for his candidature, a long line of English speaking mayors had occupied the chief magistrate's office, and in a three cornered contest he was defeated, the feeling being that a German should be honored. The following year the Berlin Board of Trade was incorporated. He became its first President and prepared the by-laws as they stand today. He was also one of the five applicants for a charter for the Berlin-Preston Street Railway now in successful operation. Brought up in the Anglican Communion, Mr. Fennell's activities have also extended to church affairs He has been church warden of St. John's church for many years and has been elected by this congregation as their representative to the Synod of the Diocese of Huron for some 35 years past. In this capacity he has assisted in the election of three Bishops, viz.: The late Bishops Helmuth and Baldwin and the present incumbent, Bishop Williams. Kindred organizations have, too, benefitted by his sympathy and aid. Mr. Fennell's business career is well known to all. After his coming to Berlin the hardware trade was largely transferred from Waterloo to Berlin. Associated with him is his son Jas. P., who has acted as buyer for many years and who assumes a large portion of the burden of the business. The firm import heavily from England, Germany, and the United States, although Canadian manufacturers are supplying more and more of the trade, especially in certain staple lines. When the Economical Mutual Fire Ins. Co. was organized in 1872, Mr. Fennell was one of the charter members. He has been on the Board of Directors ever since and for the last four years has been president. He is also a Justice of the Peace. Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir ___________________ John Fennell, Hardware King Street - One of the most successful business men in the town of Berlin to-day is Mr. John Fennell, hardware merchant, whose establishment is located on King Street. The premises occupied are 25x100 feet in dimensions and three stories in height; also three warehouses in rear covering 28x100 feet and one story in height, for the storage of heavy iron, nails, woodenware, plaster of Paris, etc.; and another warehouse near the railroad station for the storage of oils; also a coal yard, located near the station. The business was established in 1863 by Mr. Fennell, and since that time the trade has been rapidly and constantly growing. In his extensive warehouse he carries a large stock of hardware, shelf-hardware, heavy irons, carriage hardware, cutlery, etc. He gives employment to eight competent assistants, but personally supervises his entire business. He also uses five teams, the trade extending through the town and extensive sections of the surrounding country. Mr. Fennell was born in Cobourg, Ontario on the 8th of August, 1837. After passing through the public schools of the district he went to Victoria College, and thereafter learned the hardware business. Mr. Fennell, on the formation of the Berlin Board of Trade, last May, was elected President, and in honouring Mr. Fennell the members honoured themselves and made a most wise choice, for he has been educated in the best of all schools for such a position as he occupies on the Board, namely, practical business, in which he has achieved such unqualified success. He has also held positions of honor and trust in the Council and School Board, and has been for a number of years President of the Liberal-Conservative Association of the North Riding of Waterloo. He is a gentleman of sterling worth. Industries of Canada Historical and Commercial Sketches Hamilton and Environs 1886 ___________________________ John Fennell founded a retail and wholesale hardware enterprise here in 1863, and leased quarters in the Victoria block from J. A. Mackie. Mr. Fennell was one of the first coal merchants in the town. He admitted his son James P. to a partnership and they were for many years lessees of premises in the Royal Bank block. Mr. Fennell, Sr., was the first President of the Board of Trade and for thirty years President of the Economical. In 1923, after his death, the assets and good will of their business were sold by James P. Fennell to C. N. Weber and his father, Karl Weber. The new owners bought the former Randall & Roos block at 66 S. Queen Street and incorporated the Weber Hardware Company Ltd. As retailers and wholesalers, the company specializes in mill supplies, builders' hardware, mechanics' tools, blacksmith and garage supplies, paints, electrical lines, and sporting goods. Hardware figures largely in living, farming, and manufacturing. It is a far cry from the articles of wood and plain materials used by our grandfathers to the present day. In 1863, Mr. Fennell imported most of his hardware. Afterward some lines were made in Canada. In the multiplicity of changes that have taken place in the last seventy-five years, science and technology have put everything on a technical plane, assuring not only improvement but uniformity of manufacture. The Weber Hardware Company has kept pace with that progress. The territory covered by their travellers has a radius of 150 miles, whilst by means of a large catalogue they serve customers from Vancouver to Halifax. History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937, pg 157 _________________ JOHN FENNELL St. John's Anglican Church was filled with friends and relatives who paid final tribute to John Fennell, whose death occurred on Wednesday. The body was lying in state from 10 o'clock this morning until the time of the funeral services at 3 o'clock. Rev. H. M. Lang-Ford, rector of the church, conducted the impressive services. The pall-bearers were Messrs. J. H. Dobbie, K. G. Barrie, D. S. Bowlby, P. Hymmen, Geo. 0. Potter and Capt. E. A. Snow. The directors of the Economical Fire Insurance Company acted as honorary pall-bearers. Interment took place at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Daily Record 1 Sep 1922 pg 15 ____________________ King Street, Kitchener Victoria Block, erected by John A. Mackie in 1855, came next. Mackie was a dealer in dry goods, groceries, crockery, boots and shoes. Samuel Date first occupied the other half as a hardware store. Later the proprietors were John Fennel and George Graber. The Victoria Block was considered one of the finest places along King Street. It was a two-story, brick building with a veranda rail at the top, along the King Street front. REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder. Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 28 Sep 1865. Frederick Fennell died 21 Sep 1865 in Berlin, son of John, 15 days. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 17 Dec 1891. Dec 12, 1891 Elisabeth Jackson, mother-in-law of John Fennell in Berlin, died in Georgetown at age of 85 years & 5 months. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 016899-1901. William F. Orr Jr., 23, Occ. Broker, b. Nashville, Res, Nashville Tenn, son of Robert Orr and Opratia Mayes married Evelyn C. Fennell, 25, b. Berlin, Res, Berlin, daughter of John Fennell and Alicia Jackson, Witness(es): Boyte Howell of Nashville Tenn and Bessie Fennell of Berlin, 6 March 1901 in Berlin. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012293-94. Ernest John Stewart, 29, occ. Banker, b. England, res. Berlin, son of John E. and Marie married Martha Mabel Fennell, 23, b. Canada, res. Berlin, daughter of John and Alicia, Witn: Elizabeth Annie and James Philip Fennell Both of Berlin, 3 April 1894 in Berlin [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012650-96. Edgar L. Proctor, 30, occ. Doctor of Medicine, b. England, res. Port Perry, son of Lovell Jas. and Frances A.M.T. married Alice Ruth Fennell, 27, b. Canada, res. Berlin, daughter of Jno. and Alicia, Witn Evelyn C. Fennell of Berlin and R.Y. Baird of Port Perry, 28 October 1896 At Saint John's Church In Berlin. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-5 Page 10. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div. 2 Pg. 39. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Div. 1, Pg. 51. [S35] Vit - ON, Perth - Marriage Register of Perth County 1858-1869. John Fennell b. Hamilton Township res: Berlin Age: 26 born abt 1838 father: Simon mother: Martha married Alicia Age:: 24 born abt 1840 b. Stratford Spouse res: Stratford father: William mother: Elizabeth married 20 Sep 1864 county: Perth [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 34 Page 2. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub District 28 Page 1. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 2 Page 32. [S3231] Find A Grave, Cemetery, M., America, N., Municipality, W., & Cemetery, M. (1837). John Fennell (1837-1922) - Find A Grave Memorial. Retrieved 20 May 2020, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174334598/john-fennell. [S1668] Directory - ON, Waterloo - 1867 - Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867, pg 70. [S1775] Berlin: Celebration of Cityhood.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 8 Aug 1837 - Cobourg, Hamilton Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario Business - John Fennell - Coal, Iron, and Hardware Merchant - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1864 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 20 Sep 1864 - Stratford, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Business - John Fennell Iron Monger, oils, saws,cutlery, plated ware, paint, glass, etc. - 1867 - Kiddomhill, Eskdalemuir, , Dumfries, Scotland Occupation - Merchant - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Church of England - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - councillor - Kitchener - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Merchant - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Church of England - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Possessions - Grantee - 29 Jun 1887 - 46 Ahrens St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Hardware Merchant - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Anglican - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1897 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Hardware Merchant - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Merchant - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1911 - 125 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Anglican - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Employer - director of Economical Fire Insurance Company - 1912 - Ecomonical Fire Insurance Company, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Storekeeper, Hardware - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1921 - 125 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Church of England - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 30 Aug 1922 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth