Matthias "Mathew" Wegenast

Other Events:

• Business: Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Hoffman Wegenast Co.
• Interesting: furniture, funeral, story, business
• Interesting: story, business, public service, politics
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43968
• Residence: CA 1832, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA
• Residence: 1841, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; cabinet maker
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinet Maker
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Elected Office: 1877, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinet Maker
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Furniture Manufacturer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Another early manufacturer was Matthias Wegenast who built a factory for the manufacture of furniture, and was successful, but several fires proved a severe handicap. The factory was later taken over by the Canada Furniture Manufacturers Limited.

Sixteenth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1928, A Historical Sketch of the Town of Waterloo, Ontario, Clayton W. Wells, L.D.S., D. D. S.

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A gloom was cast over the Town on Monday noon when the news spread that Mathias Wegenast for many years one of our most prominent manufacturers and most highly esteemed citizens had joined the silent majority. The subject of this sketch was born on June 27th, 1828 in Holtzhaussen, Wuertemburg, Germany, so that on the date of his death he attained the ripe old age of 70 years, 8 months and 6 days. At the age of four his parents emigrated to America, living for several years in Boston, Mass. Later they removed to the Niagara (Ont.) district, living for some years in a small village known as Black Creek near Niagara Falls, where his father engaged in farming. The tales of hardship endured by those early settlers were frequent subjects of narration of which the deceased had a vivid recollection. In 1841 his parents removed to the T'p of Wilmot Co. Waterloo, then a dense wilderness, where they hewed out for themselves a home, as did some others who took up land on or about the same time in the vicinity of Petersburg. In 1847 at the age of nineteen, the deceased was apprenticed to the late John Hoffman, of Berlin, then engaged in the manufacture of furniture, sash, doors, etc, where he learned his trade, as cabinet maker, joiner, etc. The writer recalls may incidents related by the deceased of the years spent in the employment of Mr. Hoffman, among his associates and fellow apprentices being a number who were destined in later years to distinguish themselves in manufacturing circles. After a few years subsequent to his being a "journeyman," he launched out on his own account as a manufacturer of sash, doors, etc, in Berlin, in a small way, but being ambitious, he looked forward to more extensive operations, and accordingly he entered into partnership with John S. Hoffman of Berlin, who together built for themselves a factory in Waterloo upon the site now occupied by Schaefer, Killer & Co, where, however, after a brief experience they were burnt out. Nothing daunted the enterprise of the deceased and he resumed business on his own account in a building situated on the vacant lot near the present skating rink, where after only a few years of successful operation he was burnt out for the second time. This fire is in the remembrance of the writer, who recalls the only method then known of fighting fire, namely, pails of water, passed from hand to hand from the creek nearby. Needless to say the fire could not be checked in this way and the loss was total, nothing being saved. By means of the insurance he carried he was enabled to commence business again in a small way, upon the old site on King street, where he erected a factory to which he added from time to time as he prospered. Here he succeeded in building up a large trade, chiefly in the lumber and sawmilling lines but he was destined once more to be a victim of the ravages of a fire, this time to an extent more serious than had fallen to his lot previously. During the winter months of 1875-76, he laid up an unusually large stock of his manufactures and when the fire occurred, (in May 1876) his factory was filled with the stock he had prepared for the business of the coming season, and the loss was correspondingly great. Although in this instance he carried a fairly large amount of insurance, the loss was heavy. Together with the former fires, it is safe to say that his total losses at the three different times mentioned were equal to a handsome competence. This time his courage was about exhausted, and only for the assistance afforded by the town in rebuilding the factory he would no doubt have been compelled to retire from business altogether. At this time he associated with himself the late Isaac Hoffmann and Adam Klippert, who together built the factory now operated by Schaefer, Killer & Co., where he remained in business until within a few years ago. There are few men with so varied and with unfortunate experience in business as the deceased passed through, and few indeed who lived to reap so small a reward for years of patient hard work against the misfortunes ever recurring. As an employer he was kind and considerate and enjoyed the esteem of his employees many of whom worked for him continuously for upwards of thirty years. During so active a life, the demands upon his time were such as to prevent his taking any part in municipal affairs. For a time he was a member of the School Board, and for one year we believe, he was a member of the Town Council, but he never aspired for any positions. In politics he was a life-long Liberal, but as in municipal matters he found no time to devote to anything but his own immediate affairs. For the past three years he has enjoyed a well earned rest living as he had for over thirty years, in the homestead on King street well known to the readers of the Chronicle. In July last, he had the misfortune of falling from a ladder while picking cherries, when he sustained severe injuries. When nearly recovered from this mishap, he met with a second and almost fatal accident, having been run into by a bicycle while crossing the road near the Post Office. From the effects of this he never recovered, having been injured internally. While able to move about during the past few months he complained of constant pain which increased as time went on until about 10 days ago, his physician advised that nothing short of an operation would afford relief or save his life. For this purpose he was removed to the Berlin and Waterloo Hospital on Saturday Feb 25th where he was successfully operated on by Dr. Howitt of Guelph, on March 1st. While relieved of the intense suffering by the operation his weakened condition could not withstand the strain under which he sank gradually, death relieving him on Monday morning, March 6th. In 1850 he married Salome Staebler who with five children survive him. George, Manager of the Ontario Mutual Life Ass'ce Co, Waterloo; Isaac, Traveller for the Vokes [?] Hardware Co., Toronto; William, in the J. B. Snider Co, Waterloo; Carrie, at home; Mary, wife of James A. Miller, Lancaster, Pa. Two children pre deceased him, Catharine, wife of Levi Graybill, who died on March 5th, 1889; and Samuel, who died on December 6th, 1886. Early in life he joined the Evangelical Association through the labors of the late Rev Wm Schmidt the pioneer missionary of the above religious body. His remains will be interred today (Thursday) in Mount Hope Cemetery.

"Death of Mr. Wegenast. A Former Prominent Manufacturer Joins the Majority," Waterloo County Chronicle, March 9, 1899

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King Street Kitchener

"In 1850 John Winger erected a building about half way between Gaukel and Foundry Streets and occupied the first floor as a pump factory. He used steam power, a novelty in those days, and had an old-fashioned upright engine built by Crombie & Co. of Galt. He made pumps, broom handles, etc. The second floor of the building was operated by Matthias Wegenast as a sash and door factory. Later there was a saw mill in the basement. Several accidents occurred in this saw mill; Helwig Scholl's leg was cut off as was also John Koch's arm, by the saw. Mr. Winger, apparently in difficulty with his creditors, suddenly left the village, after which the building was taken over by Martin Simpson, who had operated the Bowman & Correll factory at the east end of the town, and the building became known as the Simpson factory, the product being mostly furniture. At the rear of the Simpson factory stood a two storey frame building, used by W. H. Goetze, (cousin and brother-in-law of Louis Breithaupt) as a tobacco factory. Mr. Goetze came from New York early in the 60's. During the closing years of the American Civil War the factory found difficulty in getting tobacco, then mostly supplied from the Southern States."

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

Business:
Hoffman,Wegenast & Co. were makers and suppliers of furniture, coffins, caskets, shrouds and also had a rental hearse.

Matthias married Salome Staebler 1850. Salome was born 11 Nov 1828, , Germany; died 4 Oct 1903, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Graybill
• Name: Katie Wegenast
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43557P
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelicaal
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

Catherine married Mayor Levi Graybill 30 Mar 1876, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Levi (son of Jacob Greybill and Hannah Morley) was born 28 Dec 1849, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Jun 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Carrie Wegenast
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43969
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; House Keeper, Boarding House
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-438.1
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinetmaker
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheren

Samuel — Martha L. Bowman. Martha (daughter of Henry William Bowman and Amanda Melvina Lewis) was born 31 Aug 1859, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 217 King St. S., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-151211
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1886, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Accountant
• Residence: 1886, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Actuary
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manager of Life Insurance
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manager, Mutual Life Co.
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

George married Harriet "Hattie" Snider 8 Sep 1886, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Harriet (daughter of John Bricker Snider and Susannah Ellen Moyer) was born 8 Mar 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Sep 1948; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-41988
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1887, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; cabinet maker
• Residence: 1887, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter

William married Lydia Ann Brandle 6 Apr 1877, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lydia (daughter of Wilhelm S. "William Brandle and Mary Magdalena, daughter of Wilhelm S. "William Brandle and Mary Magdalena "Magdalena" Geisel) was born 11 Oct 1866, Bloomingdale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Nov 1913, Stratford, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

William married Mary Ann Balzer 8 Apr 1915, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Wilhelm "William" Balzer and Katherine Mohr) was born 14 Mar 1884, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-40969
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Residence: 1925, Woodstock, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Magdalene Millar
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-151214
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1899, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Mary — James A. Millar. James was born Abt 1865; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Florence May Foster
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-173975
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Nurse
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Pupil, Nurse
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Florence married Arthur Foster 7 Jul 1904, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Arthur (son of Arthur Foster and Sarah Spencer) was born 25 Mar 1877, Leeds, , Kent, England; died 31 Jul 1933, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Carrie Olive "Olive" Foster
• Name: Olive Graybill
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-151294
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Stenographer

Carrie — Arthur Foster. Arthur (son of Arthur Foster and Sarah Spencer) was born 25 Mar 1877, Leeds, , Kent, England; died 31 Jul 1933, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Ada Ruthella Hilliard
• Name: Ruth E. Graybill
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-151296
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Seamstress

Ada married Wilmot Menno Brock Hilliard 21 Oct 1905, Revelstoke, , British Columbia, Canada. Wilmot (son of Edward Hilliard and Mary Jane Drury) was born 23 Nov 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Jul 1953, Armstrong, , British Columbia, Canada; was buried , Vernon Cemetery, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43561

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-43562

Other Events:

• Name: Lulu Wegenast
• Eby ID Number: 00002-438.3
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheren

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-438.4

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-438.5

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-41990

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-41991

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-173976
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1926, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Student

Catharine married Clarence Snider 9 Jun 1926, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Clarence (son of Cranson Weber Snider and Caroline K. Henrich) was born 7 Jan 1894, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-189357