David D. Ratz

Other Events:

• Name: D. D. Ratz
• Occupation: Perine & Co., Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; clerk
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-25877
• Residence: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bank Clerk
• Occupation: 1910, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Banker
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bank Manager, Bank
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1917, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Royal Bank manager

Notes:

Mr. D. D. Ratz, is the youngest son of the late John Ratz, and is a native of Elmira. He received his education in the Elmira Public Schools and the Galt Collegiate Institute. He was several years engaged in the office of Messrs Perine & Co., at Doon, Ont. In the year 1899, he returned to Elmira to take a position at the Traders Bank, where recently he has been advanced to the office of teller and accountant. Mr. Ratz is also treasurer of the Elmira Public Library.

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. D. D. Ratz, Manager of Royal Bank, Drops Dead

Like a lightning stroke from a clear sky, came the report that Friday morning that Mr. D. D. Ratz, manager of the local branch of the Royal Bank had died suddenly. As Mr. Ratz had attended his duties as usual and had shown no symptoms of illness, the report of his sudden demise seemed almost incredible, but it proved to be only too true.

His death occurred shortly before nine o'clock. Consider snow had fallen during the previous night, and before going to his work, deceased shoveled the snow from the walks along his property. He went to the bath room to prepare for his office when he was seized with heart failure. His wife heard him fall and when she arrived to the scene, his spark of life had fled. Medical aid could do nothing to bring it back.
The news of the sudden demise was received with consternation, as the departed was a popular official and a highly respected citizen. He was the youngest son of the late John Ratz, the first Reeve of Elmira. He was born in the Township of Woolwich on August 19^th, 1875. The greater part of his childhood was spent in Elmira when he moved with his parents as an infant. He was educated in the Elmira Public School and Galt Collegiate Institute. He was engaged for several years in the office at Perine & Co. at Doon, Ontario. In 1899, he accepted a situation in the Traders Bank, where he gradually rose from the position of junior to the office of manager to which then he was promoted on the departure of Mr. R. H. MacMicking? and which he held until his death. He was a valued employee of a great commercial institution and his place will be hard to fill.

Deceased was married to Miss Myrtle Otto, whom he leaves with her two- year- old son, to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and father. Besides the aged mother of the Ratz family, originally consisting of ten children only two brothers survive the deceased, namely Mr. George Ratz of Elmira and Dr. J. H. Ratz now officially employed as Medical Examiner, on the Dominion Pensions Board, Ottawa. One sister, Mrs. McMurtry, of London, Ont., also survives.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon. The bereaved have the sympathy of the entire community in their great loss. As a citizen the deceased will be greatly missed, he having been cordial, energetic and public spirited and at all times ready to do his share to the advancement of the community's interest. Comment: There were a couple times during the obituary that were illegible. Question marks (???) have been place.


Elmira Signet 18 Jan 1917

David married Anna Myrtle Otto 12 Oct 1910, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of William H. Otto and Antonette Schmidt, daughter of William H. Otto and Antonette Schmidt) was born 27 Aug 1883, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]