Alfred Frederick Stanley "Ford" Kumpf

Other Events:

• Interesting: business, life
• Name: F. S. Kumpf
• Name: Ford S. Kumpf
• Residence: 172 King St. S., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-193292
• Historic Building: Abt 1812, 172 King St. S., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Erb Kumpf House
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk
• Occupation: 1905, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; deputy postmaster
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Town Treasurer, Town Office
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; P. Brother

Notes:

February 10. Ford S. Kumpf, 83, the white-haired genial gentleman everyone knew as "Mr. Waterloo" was one of the Twin Cities' most highly respected citizens and a great promoter of Waterloo.

Ford Kumpf was born in the 135-year-old home in which he lived at 172 King St. S., Waterloo. The property, at one time owned by Abraham Erb, Waterloo's founder, became a Kumpf possession in 1874. Mr. Kumpf, a former president of Dominion Life Assurance Company, was a patron of almost every drive and public campaign in Waterloo. The long list of his posts in the business world and the field of community service can only suggest the energy and ability which Mr. Kumpf put at the service of his community. Some evidence of recognition is indicated by his awards: the Jubilee Medal of 1935 for his Red Cross work, the Coronation Medal of 1937 and the Silver Acorn for his work with the Boy Scouts and Cubs. Not only those who assembled for the memorial service at Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, but many thousands will remember Mr. Kumpf for his leadership in community welfare, for his business acumen, for his personal charity, good humour and sharp wit.

Forty-Eighth Annual Volume of the Waterloo Historical Society Mar 1961

Historic Building:
The original portion of the Erb-Kumpf House was built around 1812 by Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo, making it one of Waterloo's oldest homes. It was a three-bay structure facing a mill situated near the south-west corner of King and Erb Streets.
Abraham Erb came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1806 and settled on Lots 14 and 15 of the German Company Tract, land which now comprises the central business district of Waterloo. He established a sawmill on Beaver (Laurel) Creek in 1808 and a grist mill in 1816. In 1828, he sold his mills and a considerable quantity of land to Jacob C. Snider.
Magdalene Erb sold the home to Barnabas Devitt, her adopted son, in 1835. His son Benjamin served as Mayor of Waterloo from 1881 to 1883.
An addition to the house was probably built by Devitt in 1849. A slight hump in the roof on the north side indicates the location at which it joins the original structure. The application of a vertical board and clapboard which does not align is further evidence that it was added at a later date. The second addition, probably built by Hoffman around 1855, included the two-storey verandah at the front.

Elias Snider acquired the home and later sold it to Christian Kumpf in 1869. Kumpf was a newspaper owner, Mayor of Waterloo from 1879-1880, as well as Postmaster for 42 years. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Dominion Life Assurance Company in 1889. His son Ford, who became affectionately known as "Mr. Waterloo", was born in the home in 1877 and assumed ownership in 1899. One of the community's most public-spirited citizens, he served as Treasurer of Waterloo and Clerk/Manager of the Water and Light Commission. He was President of the Waterloo Red Cross Society and The Dominion Life Assurance Company.
At present, the house demonstrates a mixture of architectural styles. Among its Georgian characteristics is the six-over-six window pane arrangement. The facade, with its two wings, treillage, Gothic barge board and Doric columns, reflects the Regency influence.
In 1979, the home was sold to a law firm which has maintained the integrity of the exterior. A third addition in keeping with the style of the building has since been constructed.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Designated Properties www. waterloo.ca

Alfred married Anna Kathlin Henrich 23 Jun 1923, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. Anna was born 1877, , Ontario, Canada; died 1972; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]