Simon H. Ratz

Other Events:

• Name: S. H. Ratz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25872
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; E. Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper
• Occupation: 1890, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant milelr
• Occupation: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller
• Residence: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer
• Residence: 1903, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Mr. Simon H. Ratz, is the senior member of the firm of Ratz Bros. He was born on a farm 1 ½ miles west of Elmira, in 1858, attended the Elmira public schools and took a short course at the Berlin High School, after which he engaged in milling. After this he clerked in the store of Ratz & Baetz four years. He then took charge of the saw and heading mills of his firm, and has become an expert in that line.

Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.

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Mr. Simon Ratz who has had a severe attack of typhoid fever is on the fair way of convalescence. Mr. Peter Mattusch is also recovering from the results of his fall from the roof of the Catholic church and will soon be able to be around again. - Mr. John H Ruppel, our village Clerk, is also confined to his bed with indisposition. - Mr. Chr. Spaeth was stricken with paralysis last week and it is feart that he will not revive.


The Elmira Advertizer 15 Nov 1888

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Prominent Citizen Passes Away

Again the truth of the adage "Misfortune seldom comes singly" has been demonstrated in our midst. IN a period extending over less than thirteen months, the Ratz family has mourned the death of no less than four adult members. On Feb. 3rd 1909, word was received here that Arthur, son of Mr. Daniel Ratz, had died suddenly at Toronto. About a week or ten days later came the news of the death of William, son of Mr. Simon Ratz of typhoid, at Ottawa. Last Dec. occurred the demise of Mr. Daniel Ratz, of Bright's disease, and last Friday the death of his brother Simon who was at the time of the former's funeral hale and hearty and who seemed as likely to live to a good old age, as most of the men of his age. He was taken ill shortly before the beginning of the year and, with the exception of a week or two was confined to the house up to the time of his death.

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THE RATZ BROS.

It has always been my custom in writing up the industries of a community to first direct attention to its flouring mills, because from them is derived the staff of life, without which we would find a precarious subsistence. No other industry is of greater importance to the merchants, mechanics and inhabitants in general. In this particular, Elmira has a first-class establishment in the Elmira Roller Mills, owned and operated by the above well known firm. These mills were established in 1867 by a joint stock company. Sometime about the year 1870 they became the property of the late John Ratz, the father of the members of the present firm, in company with his brother Jacob. The latter is now living in New Hamburg, having withdrawn from the firm in 1872. His interest was then purchased by Isaac Wenger, it then being conducted under the firm name of Ratz & Wenger from 1872 to 1875, when Mr. Ratz became sole proprietor and operated the same until 1882, after which he gave his sons an interest in the business. It continued under the firm of Ratz & Sons until 1889, when the senior member of the firm died. The latter was a man honorable and prominent in the estimation of all who knew him, being both charitable and public spirited in every sense of the term. He was one of the first Reeves of the village and one of the main advocates of the railroad project for Elmira, and was prominent among those who rendered substantial encouragement to the movement that gave to the village its first railroad communication. Since his death the mills have been owned and operated by his three sons, Simon H. Daniel and George. They were among the first in the county to adopt the full roller process, and now have a capacity for turning out one hundred barrels of a superior grade of flour per day. A 75 horse power engine supplies the motive power. Their special brands are, viz, "Elmira" and "Sunshine," which are popular products in the market. They have an extensive local trade and a large demand in the maritime Provinces for their output.

They also buy and pay the highest market price for all the wheat that comes to their doors. In addition to the flouring mills the firm has a sawmill in connection, in which they do a large amount of custom sawing for the farmers of many miles around, besides manufacturing the heading, staves and hoops for their flour barrels. They also manufacture a first-class grade of shingles. Elmira's splendid electric light system is furnished by this firm, their plant having a capacity for producing 500 incandescent lights for that purpose. The brilliant, steady illumination of the town at night is ample proof that they are furnishing a first class article and giving the people good satisfaction. The Ratz Bros were all born within a mile and a half of Elmira and are among her honorable, industrious and enterprising citizens. The amount of money they pay out to the farmers annually is high in the thousands.

Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1, 2, 3

Simon — Clara Melissa Strohm. Clara (daughter of Abraham Rosenberger "Abram" Strome and Esther Martin) was born 6 Mar 1862, Pilkington Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 16 Oct 1888, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Simon married Mary Weitzel 13 May 1890, Tavistock, East Zorra Twp., Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. Mary was born 27 Nov 1867, Tavistock, East Zorra Twp., Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Jun 1916, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Saloma Ratz
• Name: Salome Ratz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25883
• Residence: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Domestic
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25884
• Residence: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Student

Notes:

Death of Wm. Ratz

"It never rains but it pours," is an adage that may be applied to the happenings affecting a prominent family of Elmira. Last week while the corpse of the only son of Mr. Daniel Ratz was being brought home from Toronto for burial, the latter's brother, Mr. Simon H. Ratz, received a telegram from Ottawa stating that his son William was lying at the hospital with a severe attack of Typhoid fever. MR. Ratz departed immediately for Ottawa found matters ? ? and was obliged to send a message home Saturday morning to the effect that the young man had died.

Wm. F. Ratz, was born in Elmira on the 22nd of September, 1883. He attended the public school here and proved a bright scholar, passing the Entrance examination when twelve years old. At 14 he passed the junior matriculation examination at the Guelph Collegiate Institute, after which he took a civil engineering course at the School of Practical Science passing his examination for civil engineer at 18 years of age. At this examination he obtained the highest honors in his class. In 1902 he entered his apprenticeship as Dominion Land Surveyor serving under J. F. Johnston, of New Westminster, B. C. and worked for a year in southern British Columbia. Til 1904 he was employed in the Surveyor General's office, Department of the Interior. He then obtained his commission as Dominion Land Surveyor, again with the highest honors. From that time until his death he worked on the Alaska boundary Survey in the Department of the Interior, under Dr. W. F. King, Chief Astronomer and His Majesty's Boundary Commissioner. Few men of his age have attained so high a position in the civil service of our country, and his chances of promotion were very bright, but it was not to be.

Deceased was held in high esteem by his associates, one of whom was Mr. Joshua Umbach son of our townsman, Mr. J. L. Umbach, at whose home he went in and out as though they were brothers. Dr. King also thought very highly of him. Mr. H. S. Mussell, who for four years had been the desk mate of deceased in the office, as well as his associate in field work, accompanied Mr. Ratz to Elmira with the remains.

The young man was sick in the hospital only five days though the insidious typhoid had probably been working in his system for some time.

He was a young man of pleasing and general disposition and of exceptional ability before whom stood, as far as man could see, a promising career. However, death intervened and cut short this young life, leaving his relatives and friends to mourn their great loss, in which the whole community sympathizes.

The funeral took place this (Wednesday) afternoon.

Elmira Signet May 1909

Other Events:

• Military: WW1
• Name: Lincoln Ratz
• Residence: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25879
• Residence: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, 1st Depot Battalion, Service #3132442

Notes:

Abram Lincoln Ratz
The community was shocked at the news of the sudden death of Mr. A. Lincoln Ratz in Belleville hospital on the night of April 2^nd. Although in apparent good health, he suffered a severe stroke at Trenton on Tuesday afternoon and died shortly after being admitted to the hospital.
Born on Sept. 13, 1885, he obtained his primary education in the Elmira Public School, and later continued in the Kitchener Business College. He then entered the employ of the Traders' Bank serving first at Elmira and then at Tavistock. During this time he was keenly interested in sport, particularly hockey in which game he was the goal-keeper for the local seven. In 1904 he moved to Estevan, Sask., remaining there until 1908 when on the death of his father he returned to Elmira and within a few years, he, with Messrs Rahn and Wittich, formed a partnership to continue the former Ratz Bros.' flour mill. Shortly after the advent of Hydro in Elmira he joined the local staff, being variously employed in line work, house installation and cashier of the local office. He served as a sapper in the expeditionary forces with service in France during the great war. Since 1933 he had been at the R.C.A.F. camp at Trenton.
Familiarly known as "Link" to all in his home town, he had endeared himself to young and old alike and many will mourn his sudden passing.
He was unmarried and is survived by two sisters, Salome of London and Aileen of Drumheller, Alta.; also two brothers, Earl of Ottawa and Lorne of Oshawa.
The remains were brought to Elmira from Belleville on Saturday and the funeral took place from the Dreisinger Funeral Chapel here on Monday afternoon. The services were conducted here by Rev. C. H. Cornwell, pastor of the local Evangelical church, assisted by Rev. W. J. Zimmerman of Bridgeport. The pallbearers were Messrs. E. Daum, W. Martin, T. Koeber, R. Cleghorn, D. Keller and H.O. Weichel. Interment took place in the Elmira cemetery.
Among those from a distance attending the funeral were Miss Salome Ratz of London, Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Ratz and son of Oshawa, Mr. Earl Ratz of Ottawa and Mr. Doerbecker and daughters of Kitchener.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25880

Other Events:

• Military: WW1
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-96837
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Student, C. P. S.
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1917, Ottawa, Carleton Co., Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197582
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Student, C. P. S.
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1928, Oshawa, Durham County, Ontario, Canada; merchant

Irvin married Effie Adele "Adele" Winger Jun 1922. Effie (daughter of Amasa Winger and Ida Amelia Mogk) was born 8 Dec 1894, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Feb 1927; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30641

Notes:

There died at Elmira on Sunday Mar. 6th. Wilbert X. L. youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Ratz at the age of 1 year 10 months 26 days.

The little one died of pneumonia after about two weeks illness. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the community in their loss.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197583
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelican

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-96839
• Residence: 1997, 87 Kenwood Dr., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

RATZ, Aileen May(S.T.B., B.R.E.) - At Trinity Village Care Centre on Saturday, Oct. 4, 1997, aged 98 years, Aileen Ratz of 87 Kenwood Dr., Kitchener. Youngest daughter of the late Simon Ratz and Mary Weitzel Ratz of Elmira and predeceased by a family of ten. Dear friend of Olive Morris and Martha Good. She taught at a country school at No. 2, Peel and 13 Wellesley, then six years at Elmira Public School, the school in which she had grown up. After three years, she graduated from the Toronto Bible College, served six years in the Dinosaur Valley of Alberta under the Woman's Missionary Society of the United Church of Canada, then six years with Miranda Brown as a co-worker in the Coke Ovens area of the Steel City of Cape Breton, N.S. After a period of study and graduation from Hartford School of Religious Education, she served in Community Mission work in Brunswick St. United Church for 18 years. Simultaneously with this work, she served 11 years as Port Receptionist of the United Church of Canada when thousands of immigrants entered our country by way of the Port of Halifax in the decades of the 50's and 60's. Her motto in life was the five L's - Live, Love, Laugh, Lift and the Lord will take care of the rest. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Cremation has taken place. Friends and relatives are invited to a memorial service in the Ratz- Bechtel Funeral Home and Chapel, 621 King St. W.,, Kitchener 519-745-9495 on Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, at 1 p.m., with Rev. Nancy Wetselaar officiating. Intermeat in Elmira Cemetery at a later date.

The Record 6 Oct 1997 pg 7

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-197733
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical