George Michael Debus

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43045
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Hairdresser & Dentist
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber

Notes:

King Street , North Side

Foundry Street (now Ontario Street).

Jacob and John Hoffman, brothers, who came from Pennsylvania, erected a furniture factory on the corner about 1840. It was a two story frame building extending along King St., had 25 to 30 employees and a 15 h.p. engine brought from Buffalo.

Eby's history gives John Hoffman as having come from Pennsylvania in 1825; Jacob, almost two years older, seems to have come before. They both worked at carpentry, etc., for a number of years before starting the factory in which enterprise they were assisted by Benjamin Eby. On the ridge of the factory roof there was a belfry with the only larger bell in Berlin. This bell served not only the factory but the village as well, pinging at 7 in the morning, at 12, at 1 and at 6 o'clock in the evening. It was used also as a fire bell and was tolled for funerals.

By some prank or spite the bell was stolen in 1850 before there was a night watchman at the factory, and disappeared for two or three years. Eventually it was found in a well at the comer of Duke and College Streets, put back in place on the Hoffman factory and later was taken to a belfry on the Simpson factory spoken of, where it was used until this factory was discontinued. It was then taken to the pavilion in Victoria Park and was melted down when the pavilion was destroyed by fire.

Behind the Hoffman factory there was a pond, about three feet deep, fed by a spring, the water being used for the factory boiler, etc. About 1860 a frame building, used by the firm for a warehouse, covered the site of the spring. Further back there was a saw mill, also a planing mill, the first of its kind in Berlin. A two story frame building extending along Foundry Street was later added to the factory and used as a turning shop. At the rear of this building was the factory boiler house.

Next to the factory on King Street there was a three story brick building. The ground floor was used as a store, called the Berlin Warehouse. Jacob Hoffman, who by this time was alone in the business, John having gone to Waterloo, announced himself as dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, china, glassware, crockery, and paint and oils and manufacturer of all kinds of furniture, also sash doors, etc., selling low for cash. An overhead passage way on a bridge connected the second stories of the factory and brick building. Over the store was the paint shop and in the rear a warehouse. Hoffman's store was later occupied by William Schmidt, son of Rev. Wm. Schmidt, an early minister of the Evangelical Church. Schmidt had a dry goods store only, known as the Golden Lion store because of a large gilt lion over the entrance. Isaac Hoffman, son of Jacob, carried on the factory and store for several years; later John S. Anthes was in possession while Hoffman went to Waterloo and continued the furniture business there with Adam Klippert and Martin Wegenast as partners. Jacob and John Hoffman erected a number of houses in Berlin.

Jacob Hoffman was very stout, weighing over 300 pounds. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. For a time he served on the village council. He resided on Foundry Street in the rear of the Canadian Block in a square, hip roof, two story, frame house, until it was destroyed by fire, when he moved to the west side of Foundry Street, south, where now is the Robe & Clothing Co. building. Here he had a one and one-half story frame house with a large two story addition at the rear where were lodged apprentices and other factory employees. There was a small portico over the front door and a porch extending along the northerly side of the house.

Next to the Hoffman warehouse there was a saloon and restaurant occupied by a Mr. Unger. He served, among other things, oysters which came in small wooden, 1-gal. kegs. Adjoining Hoffman's store there was the tailor shop of H. J. Nahrgang, later occupied by Henry Glebe, an early band master; next a store differently occupied at various times and next the shoe store of Wm. Niehaus. A three story brick building occupied by Wm. Young as a grocery. Mr. Young eventually went to the Canadian Block and the store was used for various purposes, among them auction sales in the evening. Here there was sold the first white crockery offered in Berlin. Later the building was occupied by the Berliner Journal.

A one and one-half story frame building with gable toward King St. and a veranda, occupied by Mr. Fuchs, a tailor and shoemaker, whose wife assisted her husband as expert in repairing clocks. The family lived in the building. About 1865 the frame building was moved to the rear and Fuchs' block erected on the street. The ground floor had three stores, the west one occupied by Mr. Fuchs, the middle by John Kayser, dry goods merchant, and the third one by Tindall Simpson and Sons, shoemakers and tailors. The first building on part of the Fuchs' block site was a rough frame structure used by one Susand, colored, who was the first barber in Berlin.

A two story brick building with gable facing King Street, occupied by Christian Garman, harness maker, who later moved to New Hamburg and started a tannery. This building was later occupied by Levi Gaukel, son of Frederick Gaukel, after his father's death. He had a small hotel known as The Red Lion. In 1860 Urban Prinzer succeeded Gaukel and continued the hotel for a short time.

A two and one-half story brick building with gable facing King St. was occupied by Levi Gaukel, as a butcher shop after he gave up the hotel next door. Jacob Gaukel was associated with Levi. Later George Debus occupied this shop.

A building with gable and porch facing King Street, later occupied by George DeBus as a barber shop.

On the corner of King and Queen Streets there was first a driving shed for the Gaukel hotel opposite, until the Bowman block was erected in 1860. This was a three story brick building lengthwise with King Street. Joseph Bowman the noted violinist occupied the third floor of this building. Half of the ground floor of the building was occupied by Henry B. Bowman with a partner Heins as general dry goods store. This was on the corner. The other half was a brick store occupied by Cole and Graf, druggists, and later by Wm. Bowman in the same business. On the site of the Bowman block is the handsome Bank building built by the Merchants Bank and now occupied by the Bank of Montreal.


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

________________

It seems that men of the sixties were bearded. G. M. DeBus, Sr., hairdresser, said nothing of shaving but advertised that he was prepared "to dye whiskers a permanent color." Mr. DeBus was also the village dentist and extracted teeth without the use of an anaesthetic, unless it was a nip of old rye.

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937

George — Catherine Hemberle. Catherine (daughter of Ludwig Hemberle and Magdalena, daughter of Ludwig Hemberle and Maggie) was born 1834, , Germany; died 1904; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Debus
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43047

Other Events:

• Name: Julie Kalbfleisch
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-90489
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Julie married Eckhardt Kalbfleisch 19 Mar 1878, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Eckhardt (son of George Kalbfleisch and Mary) was born 1855, , Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-138009
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-90491

Other Events:

• Name: G. M. Debus
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30613P
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1886, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1886, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evanglical Association
• Occupation: 1889, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; barber
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Elected Office: 1893, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Kitchener
• Committee Membership: 1897, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Berlin Public School Board
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber
• Elected Office: 1905, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Elected Office: 1906, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waterloo County Council
• Public Service: 1906, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Council of the Baord of Trade
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber, Shop
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1921, 133 Young St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Elected Office:
Years Served: 1893-94, 1895 (Deputy Reeve)

Elected Office:
Image from: 100 Years of Progress in Waterloo County Canada Semi-Centennial Souvenir 1856-1906

George married Elizabeth "Lizzie Klippert 25 Feb 1886, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of John Klippert and Mary Elizabeth Kimbel) was born 29 Oct 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 1 Dec 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Emma Pequegnat
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-138011
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1888, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1921, 21 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Emma married Philmon P. "Phil" Pequegnat 25 Jan 1888, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Philmon (son of Ulysses Pequegnat and Francoise Verpillot) was born 6 Dec 1866, , Switzerland; died 18 May 1945; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43046
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Barber
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-138013
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-329130
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine "Katie" Pequegnat
• Name: Katie Debus
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-46078
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1893, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Catherine married Albert Pequegnat 3 Jan 1893, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Albert (son of Ulysses Pequegnat and Francoise Verpillot) was born 1865, , Switzerland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Georgie Debus
• Name: Georgina Maud "Georgie" Walper
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30615
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Recipes: 1906, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Recipes: 1906, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; SALMON CROQUETTS
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Nurse, Hospital
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Nurse
• Residence: 1921, 133 Young St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1930, Huntington Woods, Oakland, Michigan, United States

Notes:

Recipes:
G. DEBUS

One cup of luke warm water, half a teaspoonful of salt, 3 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 yeast cake.

Dissolve the salt and yeast cake in the luke warm water, sift in half the flour to make a batter and beat until smooth and stringy, sift remaining flour into a large pan, make a well in the centre, pour in the batter and cover with flour, cover with a towel, set in a temperature between 77 degrees -9 5 degrees F, over night (10 - 12 hours). In the morning mix into a dough with the flour and knead until smooth and elastic. Grease the bread pan and put the dough back in it. Cover, set in same temperature as before until double in bulk. Turn out on a board, knead slightly, mould in loaves, place in greased pans, set away in pans until double in bulk, Brush top of loaves with water or milk and bake in a hot oven about an hour. Have the oven moderate at first. until the bread stops rising.<sup>1a

1a</sup>The Ladies of Berlin, Waterloo and Friends Elsewhere, The Berlin Cook Book (Berlin, Ontario: The New Record Print Shop, 1906), pg 6

Recipes:
SALMON CROQUETTS

Miss G. Debus

2 cups salmon, 3/4 cups white sauce, mix meat and sauce and 1 teaspoon salt and pepper, form in small balls, roll in cracker crumbs, dip in egg, again in crumbs and frey in deep fat.

White Sauce

1 cup milk, 4 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, mix together smoothly flour and 4 tablespoons milk, stir in remaining milk, heated in a saucepan, return to pan and stir constantly until it boils, add butter, salt and pepper.<sup>1a

1a</sup>The Ladies of Berlin, Waterloo and Friends Elsewhere, The Berlin Cook Book (Berlin, Ontario: The New Record Print Shop, 1906), pg 37

Georgina married Curry Ora Walper 4 Sep 1926, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Curry (son of Conrad Henry Currie "Currie" Walper and Phoebe Ardelius Lucas) was born 15 May 1886, Exeter, Huron Co., Ontario; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30616

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-179476
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk, Insurance
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk, Tire Factory
• Residence: 1921, 133 Young St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-116975

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-179587
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ? , Canadian Pacific Railroad
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stenographer, Tire Factory
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-20793

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30608
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Edward — Margaret Garden. Margaret (daughter of George F. S. Garden and Clarissa Hays) was born Jul 1889, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30609
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Watchmaker Jeweller, Clock Factory
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Accountant, Bank
• Residence: 1921, 21 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-140100
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stenographer, Rubber Factory
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Residence: 1921, 21 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Name: Buller Pequegnat
• Residence: Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 21 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30611
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Lieutenant, Artillery / Royal Air Force
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Service #323960
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cashier, Rubber Factory
• Residence: 1921, 21 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; humanitarian, sportsman

Clarence — Gladys Mable Trussler. Gladys (daughter of George Henry Trussler and Clara Minerva Stein) was born 7 Feb 1897, Bay City, Bay Co., Michigan, USA; was christened 3 Sep 1897, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1987; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-322528
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stenographer,
• Residence: 1921, 21 Samuel St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-139929

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-177377
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30612