Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Henry Wakefort

Male - Yes, date unknown


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Henry Wakefort 
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1897  St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-145339 
    Died Yes, date unknown 
    Person ID I145339  Generations
    Last Modified 19 Aug 2024 

  • Notes 
    • W. & A. SNIDER

      Here are two of the leading and most successful business men of St. Jacobs. They are sons of the late J. B. Snider who for many years carried on a large general mercantile establishment at Conestogo. He finally sold, the business there to his partner, Mr. N. S. Bowman, and established the business here in 1876 and continued it with marked success until his death which occurred in 1885. He was a man well known throughout Waterloo county and one who was highly respected and esteemed by all who came in contact with him either in a business way or socially. For many years he was Reeve of Woolwich township, and in which capacity he won the good will of every one who had business transactions with the Municipal Government. In 1886 his sons, William and Alfred, formed a partnership and took entire charge of the business. William was born in Conestogo in 1860, and Alfred at the same place in 1864. William still enjoys the life of single blessedness, but Alfred was married in 1895 to Miss Clara, daughter of Mr. E. W. B. Snider, and is now the father of one child, a son. They inherited the sterling business qualities so characteristic of the father, and it must be admitted without prejudice that they do as large a general country mercantile business as any one business firm in Waterloo county, and the fact that they carry as large a stock cannot be disputed. Their store is a large two- story building and is filled from top to bottom with general merchandise. The lower floor contains the dry goods, dress goods, groceries, etc. The display is of the latest styles in dress fabrics and ladies specialties in general. The upper floor contains the largest and finest display of crockery and glassware I have seen for a long time. Their large stock of hats and caps and boots and shoes is also in this department.

      Not only are the Snider Bros. proprietors of an extensive mercantile establishment, but with Mr. Wm. Brubacher they own and operate the St. Jacobs creamery, one of the most important industries of this section, and the first industry of the kind established in the Province. At first, when it was established in 1878, by Gales & Woodcock, it was a combined cheese and butter factory. But this did not seem to meet the desires of the farmers and the cheese department was abandoned. The latter firm failed after operating it two or three years. Several private parties then controlled it a few years. A joint stock company comprised of farmers finally took charge of it, but still it seems, it did not prove to be a profitable venture on this basis either. After it's many years of checkered career it was purchased by the Snider Bros. and Mr. Brubacher in 1891. In their hands it has been a success ever since. They use the cream gathering system. Their annual output of choice butter is 125,000 pounds, and some years it has been as high as 150,000 pounds. They make only for export to the old country.

      The factory is in charge of Mr. Brubacher who is an expert butter maker. They get cream from a radius of 20 miles north and south and 10 miles east and west. Henry Wakefort, one of the cream gatherers, has been with the factory ever since it was established, 18 years ago.

      Waterloo Chronicle 9 Dec 1897, p. 2

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1897 - St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth