Friedrich "Frederick" Guggisberg^[1]

1818 - 1888  (69 years)

• Photos

  Friedrich Guggisberg from Waterloo Hall of Fame

  
  

• Name	Friedrich "Frederick" Guggisberg
  Born	19 Sep 1818	Uetendorf, , Berne, Switzerland   [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  Christened	4 Oct 1818	Belp, , , Switzerland   [10]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21663464
  Occupation	1852	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	cabinet maker
  Occupation	1852	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Chair maker
  Occupation	1861	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Manufacturer
  		186:1 from Tremaine's Map of Waterloo County
  Residence	1861	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Lutheran
  Occupation	1871	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Cabinet Maker
  		Guggisberg Chair Factory - Preston, Ontario, Image 1865-1870
  Occupation	1881	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Furniture Manufacturer
  Historic Building	1884	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Friedrich Guggisberg's home in Preston 1884
  Died	29 Feb 1888	Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5, 6, 8, 9, 12]
  	Cause: disease of heart from rhumistism (immediate)
  Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region	Bef 2012	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [13]
  Interesting	business, life story, funeral, furniture
  Name	Frederick Guggisberg  [14, 15]
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-42644
  Buried	Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5, 9]
  Person ID	I42644	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Christian Guggisberg,   b. 1779, of, Ueterdorf, Berne, Switzerland ,   d. 31 May 1845, Belp, , Canton Bern, Switzerland  (Age 66 years)
  Mother	Magdalena Moser,   b. CA 1770,   d. Bern, Switzerland
  Family ID	F29440	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Maria "Marie" Ernst,   b. 28 Dec 1834, Petersburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 3 Mar 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 26 years)
  Married	20 Apr 1852	Petersburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11, 16]
  Children	1. Christian Guggisberg,   b. 5 Apr 1853, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 12 Feb 1908, Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States  (Age 54 years)   2. Walter Ernst Guggisberg,   b. 21 Aug 1854, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 11 Jun 1913, Lucas, Richland, Ohio, United States  (Age 58 years)   3. Anna Guggisberg,   b. 22 Dec 1855, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 11 Dec 1912, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 56 years)   4. John C. Guggisberg,   b. 12 Oct 1857, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 17 Nov 1917, Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States  (Age 60 years)   5. Maria "Mary" Guggisberg,   b. 22 May 1859, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 20 Feb 1928, Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States  (Age 68 years)
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F7380	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Veronika Anna Maria Bertha Hagenbuch,   b. 27 Feb 1837, , Switzerland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	4 Oct 1880	Rorschach, Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F48598	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Friedrich Guggisberg (referred to as "Frederick" Guggisberg in commercial business directories) was the founder of one of Preston's earliest furniture works. Born in Uetendorf, Canton Bern, Switzerland in 1818, he came to Canada in 1834 with two older sisters and their families. In Preston, they joined two older brothers, Johann and Samuel. In 1838, Frederick started his own cabinetmaking shop, which grew from making chairs to a diversified manufacturing concern, making desks, tables and some of the first barrel type patented revolving drawer desks and high roll-top desks in Canada. The finest designs were sent to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. At one time, the Guggisberg furniture works was the largest employer in Preston. Involved in community affairs, in 1852, Frederick was a member of Preston's first village council. He is buried in the Old Preston Cemetery on Fountain Street, Cambridge. After Guggisberg's death in 1888, his three sons took over the business and later sold out their interest. The business became the Preston Furniture Company, manufacturing office desks. This company was sold to Percy Hilborn in 1919, and became consolidated with Hilborn's Canadian Office and School Furniture Company in 1928. Waterloo Hall of Fame _________________ Frederick S. Guggisberg described as the father of the furniture industry in Waterloo County. He was born in Usterdorf, Berne, Switzerland on Sep 19th, 1818. He came to Canada in 1834 following two brothers John and Samuel who had come two years earlier. John settled in Preston and Samuel Galt where he was a store keeper. Samuel's son also named Frederick operated a dry goods store called the Waterloo House at the corner of Main and Water Streets until his death in 1873. Upon his arrival in Canada Frederick S. first settled in Dundas where he worked 1 year in a cabinet ship completing his training. He moved to Preston where his brother John operated a butcher shop and tavern called "The Black Bear" In 1838 he opened a small furniture shop beside the Speed River where he made chairs, tables, desks and coffins. He was a founding member of the Preston Horticultural Society. He served on Preston's first town council. He retired in 1879 turning it over to his sons who sold out in 1891, the business was later known as the Preston Furniture Co. Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book] ____________________ Guggisberg, Frederick, general manufacturer of furniture. Is a native of Switzerland. Born, 1818. Has resided here since 1834. Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881 (Village of Preston entries) ___________________________ In 1841, Frederick Guggisburg started making chairs in Preston. Later he expanded his line to include pieces of furniture which were made largely by hand of such exquisite design and splendid workmanship that he found his limited space inadequate to cope with the demand from people who could afford to pay his price and wanted pieces of really fine furniture for their homes. Some of this old Guggisburg furniture is still to be encountered here and there in homes where its present owners continue to admire the lovely lines and count it priceless. It is not for sale. On December 11th, 1849, Jacob Hespeler invoiced Mr. Guggisburg in Preston with 11,281 feet of maple two by fours (sawn here) at $13.00 per M feet. This was probably used in making furniture. Prior to 1846 there was a carpenter here named Adam Hess who owned a house property on the north side of Queen Street east of Harvey. He had previously purchased the property from Michael Bergey and through it ran a small creek which carried water from several springs on the side hill down to the river. In 1863, Hess sold his property to Fred. Guggisburg and in 1864 was tenant of the house on it. In 1866, Fred. Guggisburg is rated as owner of two acres on the north side of Queen Street, evidently the Hess lot, and other property between it and the river. In this year, George Guenther appears as Tenant of the Hess house. In 1871, Mr. Guenther bought one-fifth of an acre from Guggisburg, probably the house where he was living as tenant. The year following, that is, 1872, Guggisburg goes out of our picture and Mr. Guenther is shown as owner. Previously, on March 5th, 1861, Guenther purchased from Joseph Oberholtzer seventy-four and three-quarters perches of land, part of lot ten, in the second concession, that is west of Harvey Street. Le Rue De Commerce, Other Times Other Customs Other Days Other Ways, Winfield Brewster 1954 _______________________ Death of Frederick Guggisberg, Esq., of Preston - On Wednesday morning the sad intelligence reached us that our old and genial friend, Mr. Frederick Guggisberg, had suddenly expired at his residence in Preston, and inquiry soon proved the truth of the distressing report. For some time past, while not interfering with his pursuits or the energy of his life, Mr. Guggisberg complained of severe pains at his heart, which medical men consulted, pronounced of a rheumatic nature. These pains were but transitory, and he paid but little attention to them. On Tuesday he was about the factory his usual cheery, happy self; but on Wednesday morning, shortly after breakfast, a very severe spasm occurred; he fainted, and in but a very few moments passed away. Mr. Guggisberg was born in the village of Thun, Canton Berne, Switzerland, and came to Canada with his sister, the late Mrs. Mosser, in 1834. He entered at once as an apprentice in a Cabinet Factory in Dundas and, completing his apprenticeship, in 1938, moved to Preston, where he established himself in his business and laid the foundation of what proved wealth for himself and now one of the largest and most successful Furniture Manufactories in the Province. Mr. Guggisberg retired in favor of his sons in 1879, and has since enjoyed wisely and usefully, the competence he had earned in his well spent business life. In 1852, he was married to Miss Ernst, daughter of the late John Ernst, of Petersburg, Mrs. Guggisberg dying in 1861, leaving a family of five children, three sons, viz: - Messrs. Christian and John Guggisberg, of the Preston factory, and Mr. Walter Guggisberg, head of the firm in Galt, and two daughters, Mrs. Philip Boehmer, of Berlin, and Mrs. Allemang, of Preston. In 1880 Mr. Guggisberg visited his native town in Switzerland, and while there was united in marriage to the estimable lady who now survives him. After a stay of over a year, they returned to Canada, again visiting Switzerland in 1884. Returning from this trip Mr. and Mrs. Guggisberg have since continuously resided at their beautiful residence in Preston. In the wider circle of friends and acquaintances of the deceased gentleman there will be none who will not regret his death. He had the peculiar faculty of making friends and keeping them. He was energetic and industrious in the pursuit of his business, and all his dealings were so pleasant, straightforward and honorable, that his customers became his friends. His funeral will take place from the family residence at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. He will be interred in Preston Cemetery. Galt Reporter Mar 2 1888 pg 1 ____________________ The Funeral of the Late Mr. F. Guggisberg took place on Friday last on the arrival of the morning train from Toronto. The body was enclosed in a very handsome coffin which on being transferred from the car to the platform of the station was opened for a few minutes, to enable those friends who wished to take a last look at the remains. The body was then placed in the hearse and, preceded by the members of the Masonic Lodges, and followed by a very large concourse of mourners, the cortege proceeded slowly through the streets to Trinity Church, where the services for the dead were read by Dean Boomer and the Rev. Isaac Brock, pastor of the Church From thence the cortege proceeded to Trinity Church Cemetery, where the body was lowered into the grave and where the peculiar and imposing ceremonies of the Masonic Body were performed. The closing services of the English Church were then read, and the last token of respect had been paid to all that was mortal of our old friend. As a token of respect, the stores in town were all closed while the funeral procession passed through the street. Newspaper Unknown

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 14 Jul 1881. 24 Jun 1881 Magdalena Mosser, widow, and sister of Friedrich Guggisberg, died in Preston at age of 81 years and 10 months. She was a native of Canton, Bern, Switzerland. [S270] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1852, Pg 21. [S105] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1871, Pg 6. [S297] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1881, Page 34. [S239] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Preston CC#6335 Cemetery Internet Link . Friedrich Guggisberg/ Geborne In Ustendorf/ ? Berne, Switzerland/ Den 19ten Sept. 1818/ Gestorben In Preston/ Den 29ten Feb. 1888/ Verse. [S713] Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 18132 (1888), Frederick Guggisberg, accessed 3 Jun 2010. Frederick Guggisberg, d. 29 Feb 1888, age 69y, 5m, 10d, gentleman, b. Uetendorf, Canton Bern, Switzerland, cause: disease of heart from rhumistism (immediate) [S1473] Census - ON, Waterloo, Preston - 1861, Div. 1 Page 2. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 8 Mar 1888. Died 29 Feb 1888 Friedrich Guggisberg died in Preston at age of 69 years, 5 months and 10 days. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21663464/friedrich-guggisberg. [S3093] Switzerland, Catholic and Lutheran Church Records, 1418-1996. Name: Friedrich Guggisberg Baptism Date: 4 Oct 1818 Baptism Place: Belp, Bern, Schweiz Baptism Place (Original): Switzerland, Bern, Belp Birth Date: 19 Sep 1818 Father's Name: Christian Guggisberg Father's Sex: Male Mother's Name: Magdalena Moser [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library. Frederick Guggisberg, cabinetmaker of Preston married 20 Apr 1852 in Petersburg by license to Maria Ernst of Petersburg, wit: Jacob Demer of Wilmot & Mathias Gerig of Wilmot [S266] Funeral Card - - Funeral Card Notices of Waterloo County Volume 2, Funeral Card of Frederick Guggisberg. Died/ In Preston, This Wednesday Morning, at 9/ o'clock/ Frederick Guggisberg/ aged 69 years, 5 moths and 10 days/ Funeral/ On Saturday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from/ his late residence, to Preston/ Cemetery./ Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend. Preston 29 Feb 1888 Funeral Card of Frederick Guggisberg original's location unknown [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 9325-75 - Philip Bahmer & Annie Guggisberg. Philip BAHMER, 21, merchant, Berlin, same, s/o Henry & Magdalene, married Annie GUGGISBERG, 20, Preston, same, d/o Frederick & blank, witn: Mary GUGGESBURG (sic) of Preston & Henry ALLEMANG of Berlin, 28 Sept 1875 at Preston [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Philip Bahmer Born: Berlin Ontario Age: 21 Father: Henry Bahmer Mother: Magdalena Bahmer Born: abt 1854 Spouse: Annie Guggisberg Age: 20 born: Preston Father: Frederick Guggisberg Mother: Guggisberg Guggisberg married 28 Sep 1875 [S13] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - Wellington District Marriage Register Part 1 1840-1852, Rev'd Frederick W. Bindemann, Minister of The United Lutheran and German Reformed Protestant Church, Greenbush, Waterloo Twp., 1 Jan. 1852 - 1 Jan. 1853 #226.

  
  

• Event Map

  Christened - 4 Oct 1818 - Belp, , , Switzerland Occupation - cabinet maker - 1852 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Chair maker - 1852 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Manufacturer - 1861 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Lutheran - 1861 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Cabinet Maker - 1871 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 4 Oct 1880 - Rorschach, Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland Occupation - Furniture Manufacturer - 1881 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Historic Building - 1884 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: disease of heart from rhumistism (immediate) - 29 Feb 1888 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth