Valentine Reichert
Valentine entered the House of Refuge after being sick for years and no longer having anyone to care for him. He stayed in the House for 9 months before he died from paralysis.
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Category: People
Margaret Wirsching
Margaret Wirsching was admitted to the Poorhouse in 1899 for having “Weak Intellect” and was later sent to the Hamilton Asylum in 1911.
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James Smith
James was committed to the Poorhouse February 2, 1899 and absconded 8 months later. He went to Toronto where he committed suicide.
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George and Anna Eliza Martin
George and Anna Eliza Martin were the Keeper and Matron of the House of Industry and Refuge from 1898-1916, holding the position for the longest period of time.
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August Drexler
August Drexler was born near Halle, Germany around 1821. His parents and family are mostly unknown as he immigrated alone to Canada sometime before 1855. He was living in the Village of Preston and working as a musician. August became well-known throughout the Waterloo Region for his musical expertise and his wandering ways. He would travel by foot from town to town to play music and stay at friend’s houses. For an in-depth look at August’s life in Waterloo County, please visit his page on Waterloo Generations. Below is the article written by W.H. Schmalz in the Waterloo Historical...
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Louisa Finkelstein
Louisa Finkelstein entered the Poorhouse due to “insanity” and was sent to the County Gaol where she would die a few months later due to her presumed infliction.
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