Charles August Ahrens, Jr.

Other Events:

• Name: C. A. Ahrens
• Name: Carl August Ahrens
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38738
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Harnessmaker
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; New Church
• Residence: 1882, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Slipper Maker
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; manufacturer
• Residence: 1901, 262 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Public Service: 1906, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Council of the Baord of Trade
• Residence: 1906, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1910, 5 Michael St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; factory - brick - 3 story
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer, Shoes
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1918, 118 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1937, 276 Louisa St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Charles August Ahrens, born in Port Elgin, Ontario, the second oldest of eleven children, served three years apprenticeship at harness making with Henry Roth in Berlin, Ontario. He then went to Iowa and specialized in making fancy harness for harness racing. While in Berlin on his honeymoon in 1882, he was persuaded by his father to join him in shoe manufacturing. A factory, specializing in men's work boots, was built at 43 Queen Street South and later a new factory was erected on Linden Street where "Chums" shoes for children were manufactured and sold nationally. Ahrens was very highly respected in his home community as a businessman and leading citizen.

Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

________________

DIED IN HIS HOME

Veteran Kitchener Shoe Manufacturer Was in His 82nd Year

HELD UNIQUE RECORD

Operated Shoe Factory for Longer Period Than Any Canadian

A pioneer Kitchener manufacturer, Charles A. Ahrens, passed away last evening at his residence, 276 Louisa street. He was in his 82nd year.
Mr. Ahrens, who had been in poor health for some time, spent part of Monday in his office at the factory he founded 55 years ago, the Chas. A. Ahrens Ltd., on Michael street. He suffered a heart attack Tuesday.

Unique Distinction

The deceased laid claim to a unique record in Canadian manufacturing circles. He operated a shoe factory uninterrupted for a a longer period of time than any other shoe manufacturer in the Dominion. Other companies have operated for longer times, but not under one head.

The Ahrens company was founded by Mr. Ahrens shortly after his arrival in Kitchener 55 years ago.

He was also active in building circles, constructing two large buildings on Queen street south which are still standing. He also erected many homes in Kitchener and Waterloo.

A charter member of the Kitchener Board of Trade, he was also active in his younger day in municipal affairs, serving on the Board of Health and also the K-W Hospital Board.

A prominent member member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Mr. Ahrens held the office of president and trustee. He was also a member of the executive committee of the Canadian Association of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Born in Port Elgin

Born in Port Elgin on Aug. 28, 1856, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Ahrens, he was married on Sept. 20, 1882, to Miss Emma Hirshy in Wooster, Ohio. In addition to his widow, he is survived by one son, Fred Ahrens, who was associated with him in the shoe busines, two daughters, Mrs. Stanley Shupe, city, and Miss Florence, at home.

One brother, Herman E. Ahrens, Kitchener, and five sisters, Mrs. J. M. Schneider, Mrs. George Hachborn, Mrs. Harry Halliwell, and Misses Emma and Louise, all of Kitchener, also survive.

The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon at 2.30 o'clock from the Church of the Good Shepherd, and thence to Woodland Mausoleum for entombment. Rev. J. W. Spiers, Good Shepherd pastor of the Good church, will have charge of the services.

The remains will be resting at Schreiter-Sandrock Funeral Home until the funeral.

_________________

Charles A. Ahrens Dies in 82nd Year.

Pioneer Kitchener Shoe Manufacturer Active in Business and Public Life for Long Period.

Charles A. Ahrens, ploneer shoe manufacturer of Kitchener, died at his home, 276 Louisa St., Tuesday evening in his 82nd year. Founder of the Chas. A. Ahrens Shoe Co., 55 years ago Mr. Ahrens, although in ill health for some time, spent part of Tuesday at his office Later he suffered a heart attack.

M. Ahrens had the distinction of operating a shoe business for a longer period than any other shoe manufacturer in Canada. He was active erecting two large buildings on Queen St. South, and many houses in the Twin Cities.

In public life he was a charter member of the Board of Trade, served as member on the Board of Health and KW. Hospital Board. A member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, he served as president and trustee.

He was born in Port Elgin August 28. 1856, and in Sept. 1882 married Emma Hershy in Woster, Ohio. Surviving are his wife, one son, Fred Alrens, two daughters, Mrs. Stanley Shupe and Miss Florence at home, also one brother, Herman E. Ahrens, Kitchener, and five sisters, Mrs. J. M. Schneider, Mrs. Geo. Hachborn, Mrs. Harry Halliwell and Misses Emma and Louise, all of Kitchener.

Friends, relatives and business associates in large numbers are in attendance at the funeral service being held this (Friday) afternoon at the Church of the Good Shepherd, thence to Woodland Mausoleum for entombment. Rev. J W. Spiers officiated. The remains rested at the funeral home of Schreiter-Sandrock until the service.

Waterloo Chronicle 17 Sep 1937, p. 1

Occupation:
Ahrens Chas A : Jun Manufacturer [Historical Address] 78 Queen S [Current Address 2023] 262 Queen St S

Residence:
Ahrens Chas A : Jun Manufacturer [Historical Address] 78 Queen S [Current Address 2023] 262 Queen St S

Residence:
118 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario now 2021 226 Queen St. South.

Historic Building:
The brick and beam building with large windows and a working historic elevator was built by Charles Ahrens in 1910 to house the Ahrens Shoe Co.

In the 1970s, it became a Greb factory outlet shoe store and from 1979 to 1999, it was the home of the Cline Shirt Co., a shirt manufacturer.

Charles married Laura Emma "Emma" Hirschy 21 Sep 1882, Wooster, Wayne, Ohio, United States. Laura was born 20 Dec 1858, Fredericksburg, Wayne, Ohio, United States; died 1949, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Friedrich Hirsche Ahrens
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38742P
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Student
• Residence: 1901, 262 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1909, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper
• Directory: 1912, 147 Benton St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1918, 137 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; secretary and treasurer C. A. Ahrens Co. Ltd.
• Residence: 1918, 137 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Elected Office: 1920, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener Council
• Residence: 1950, 361 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1975, 361 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

AHRENS, Frederick H. - At the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital, on Monday, March 3, 1975, after a lengthy illness, Fred H. Ahrens of 361 Queen St. S., Kitchener, aged 91 years. Mr. Ahrens was born in Kitchener, a son of the late Charles Ahrens and the former Emma Hirshey; a life-long resident of the Twin cities, and a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd.

Along with his father, Mr. Ahrens operated the Ahrens Shoe Company for many years and latterly had been employed in the assessment department of the City of Kitchener. Mr. Ahrens was a member of Grand River Lodge AF and AM and the Kitchener Rotary Club. He served as alderman for the City of Kitchener for the years 1920 to 1924 inclusive. He was formerly active in the Shoe Manufacturers Association.

Mr. Ahrens is survived by his wife the former Annette Bulmer (Drummond), by two stepdaughters, Betty (Mrs. John Taylor) of Waterloo, and Jean (Mrs. John Mingay) of Kitchener, by a sister Florence Ahrens of Kitchener, and by four grandchildren, Ian and Jane Mingay of Ottawa, and Anne and Larry Taylor of Waterloo. Mr. Ahrens was predeceased by his first wife, the former Clara Heller in 1950, and by a sister Mrs. Lottie Shupe.

Friends may call at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W., Kitchener, after noon on Wednesday. Funeral and committal service in the chapel Thursday, at 2 pm, with Rev. Paul Zacharias officiating. Entombment will be in Woodland mausoleum.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record Mar 4 1975 pg 31

Residence:
Ahrens Chas A : Jun Manufacturer [Historical Address] 78 Queen S [Current Address 2023] 262 Queen St S

Frederick married Clara Alberta Heller 20 Jan 1909, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Clara (daughter of Herman Heller and Louisa Jacobi) was born 3 Jan 1883, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1950; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Frederick — Annette Rebecca Bulmer. Annette (daughter of Charles Hardy Bulmer and Ida Ann Tanner) was born 22 Aug 1896, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Jul 1983; was buried , Hawkesville Union Cemetery, Hawkesville, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48415661
• Name: Charlotte Mary "Lottie" Shupe
• Name: Lottie Ahrens
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38743
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1901, 262 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Music: 1914, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; The Musicial The "BulBul"

Notes:

Mrs. Stanley Shupe of 174 Queen St. N. died today at St. Mary's Hospital following a lengthy illness. She was 84.

Mrs. Shupe was the former Charlotte Mary (Lottie) Ahrens. She was born in Kitchener, a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs. Charles A. Ahrens, and was a resident of the Twin Cities for most of her life. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the women's auxiliary of the church and a life member of the Eastern Star.

Surviving are her husband, retired Kitchener city engineer, to whom she was married in Kitchener in 1916; one son, Charles A. of Montreal; one daughter, Mrs. David (Mary) Shantz of Sudbury, a brother, Frederick H. Ahrens of Kitchener; one sister, Floss L. Ahrens, RR 1 Preston; and six grandchildren.

The body will be at the Ratz- Bechtel Funeral Home after 4 p.m. Saturday where the Very Rev. Finlay G. Stewart will conduct the service Monday at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Woodland cemetery. Donations to the Arthritic and Rheumatism Society will be accepted, as expressions of sympathy.

Residence:
Ahrens Chas A : Jun Manufacturer [Historical Address] 78 Queen S [Current Address 2023] 262 Queen St S

Music:
Cast members of the amateur production of "Bulbul", a comic operetta performed at the town hall of Waterloo May 19-20, 1914.

Left to right: John Bruegeman; Eleanor Kirsch; E.W. McKenzie; Gladys Devitt; Dr. Thomas Towers; Lottie Ahrens; William Clement; F.J. Rooney.

Cast of Operetta 'BulBul', Waterloo, Ontario (no date) Waterloo Public Library Digital Collections. Available at: https://images.ourontario.ca/waterloo/47847/data?n=11 (Accessed: 26 November 2023).

Charlotte married Stanley Shupe 11 Jan 1916, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Stanley was born 24 Feb 1890, Bridgeburg, Bertie Twp., Welland Co., Ontario; died 2 Jul 1970; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Flossy Ahrens
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38744
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1901, 262 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stenographer, Shoe Factory
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Swedenborgian
• Residence: 1918, 118 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1975, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Residence:
Ahrens Chas A : Jun Manufacturer [Historical Address] 78 Queen S [Current Address 2023] 262 Queen St S