Felix Anstett was the youngest son of the thirteen children of Francis Antoine and Therese. He seemed to have located in Galveston, Texas. At age forty-seven, during the time of the 'Great Texas Storm', Felix lost his life. This horrendous hurricane claimed the lives of some six to eight thousand persons.

GFROERER

Mr. Gilmar was the second teacher in Formosa. He taught for five years. The third and most prominent lay teacher to accept the challenge of instilling education in the area children was Sabastian Gfroerer. Sebastian was born in 1832 in Emfinger, Province of Hohenzollern, Prussia. At the age of twenty-two he applied for a passport to France, apparently to further his studies in music. We do not seem to be able to trace his next movement until he arrived at Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence moved on to New Hamburg, Ontario, where he applied the trade of shoemaker. He is also recorded as having been a bookkeeper for the Rau Brewery in New Hamburg.

Father Joseph Schmitz of Formosa was in need of a teacher and organist, and, learning of the many versatile qualifications of Mr. Gfroerer, engaged him. In the twenty-two years that he served at Formosa as a teacher, he was loved and honoured by all who came to know him_ After ending his teaching career in 1890 he continued as organist, choir director, band leader and music teacher until shortly before his death on June 15, 1897.

His daughter Mary followed him as organist and choir leader until 1903 when his son Isadore took over.

Daily. for the next fifty years, Isadore attended to the musical direction of our parish. Without modern amplification, his voice could literally make the rafters in our cathedral ring. His rendition of 'Holy God We Praise Thy Name', whether it was sung in Latin, German or English, was his musical and vocal masterpiece.

For most of these years Isadore also acted as the sexton at our church, which included the daily ringing of the Angelus bell morning, noon and evening, and the firing of the steam boiler_ He also was the fireman at the school, gave music lessons and acted as Bandmaster. Upon his retirement due to illness, the parishioners made a presentation to Isadore in appreciation of his long and faithful service.

Isadore Gfroerer

Bernard Beingessner was the last of the men who taught the upper grades boys' school at the turn of the Century. A picture of Mr. Beingessner and one of his classes can be found in Schools, Chapter 4.

Following his teaching career, Mr. Beingessner became a notary and general agent.

SEITZ

Among the first settlers to come to the vicinity of Formosa were Joseph and Michael Seitz. Joseph J. Seitz, son of Joseph, became president of the Underwood Typewriter Company and was a great philanthropist. Ernest Seitz, son of Joseph, was a world famous concert pianist.

UHRICH

Charles Uhrich, came to Formosa from 'New Germany' around the year 1854. His son, Dr. John Michael Uhrich was born in Formosa on June 7, 1877. As a young man he taught school, for five years at Ambleside and then in Saskatchewan. John then went to Chicago to study medicine. After graduation, Dr. Uhrich, practiced as a country doctor in Saskatchewan for thirteen years. In 1921, his interest in politics was rewarded by election as a Liberal M.P.P. for the Rosthern area, of Saskatchewan. In 1923 he was appointed the first Minister of Health and held this portfolio for sixteen years. During his term of office, public funds were made available to provide free treatment for sufferers from tuberculosis. He also served as Minister of Public Works and as Provincial Secretary. To mark his renowned contributions to medicine and public health, Dr. Uhrich in 1928, was created a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Pius XI. In 1944 Dr. Uhrich retired from political life, but in 1948 he was made Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan, an office he served until his death on June 21, 1951.

John Michael Uhrich

THE MESSNERS

It would appear that the Messners came to Formosa from the New Germany area between 1858 and 1860. Very early they showed themselves as most brilliant, devout Catholics, extremely interested in the welfare of their community.

While quite a number of families of Messners are recorded, the two most prominent would appear to have been Francis Xavier and that of his brother Anthony. The former had the honour and distinction of being named the original postmaster of our village as early as 1861.

These two brothers saw their venture into the business sector expand very rapidly. They soon became the leaders in a number of ventures under their control, by having employed men such as Julius Noll, a most thorough and renowned bookkeeper. A private bank, a conveyance business along with a voluminous general merchandising establishment was conducted by them. According to the few records that can be found they soon had dozens of men in their employ.

F.X. as he was affectionately called, seemed to have become the lay leader of this community. Apparently his foresight and direction in business was constantly sought. Everyone, young as well as old, seemed to have implicit trust in the empire he surrounded about himself. By the year 1866 the present (Oberle) store building had been constructed and used as the headquarters for a general store, post office, bank and bookkeeping establishment.

Soon after erecting the oldest and certainly the most permanent building of stone, brick and frame, he donated the lands for a new enlarged school building which was constructed of local field stone. This 1868 structure measured thirty-five feet by fifty-five feet with fifteen-foot ceilings and had built in cloakrooms. A bell cupola and a large headstone added much to the appearance of the then commodious structure set on the brow of the hill.

Mr. Messner in his philanthropy must have become especially attached to the order of the Sisters of Notre Dame, who had arrived at St. Agatha in 1871 to take charge of teaching at the school and operating the newly formed orphanage. F.X. in 1872 donated a further twenty acres of land and in his generosity constructed a two and one half storey forty feet by sixty feet, limestone building which he gave to the Sisters of Notre Dame. This he did in the expectation that the Order would use the building to train girls in higher education, especially with the view of them joining this blossoming teaching order. The School Sisters of Notre Dame originated from Munich, Bavaria and had for many years a North American Mother House established and operating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The ultimate aim of this building which Messner donated, here in Formosa, becoming the Canadian Mother House for these Nuns never materialized. It was not until 1927 that the Canadian Mother House was established at Waterdown, Ontario. Just before the turn of the century Messner's limestone convent school was converted into a four room Separate School with Convent attached and served well until its destruction by fire in 1926. A similar school was donated by him as a Girls Academy at Walkerton. A water system was donated for the orphanage at St. Agatha as well as a convent built at Deemerton.

In the early 1900's Formosa had developed into a village with a population of about six hundred. The Township of Carrick had five thousand two hundred and seventy-eight persons. Culross township exclusive of Teeswater Village was shown as having a population of three thousand and eleven.

Anthony Messner and his brother, F.X., dissolved their extensive partnership and some twenty-five local families moved with Anthony to St. Leon, Manitoba where the promise of another Messner empire seemed possible. Among those who left were the surnames of Brick, Montag, Hell, Fornwalt, Bergman, Uhrig, Graf, Fischer, and Bitschie. This community also grew very rapidly with stores, shops and mills much under the control of the Messners. A disastrous fire wiping out the entire village brought an abrupt end to this newly founded empire.

In the mean time due to unforeseen circumstances, poor crops, a few unprofitable investments and a severe frost as late as July 11, 1896 a run or demand on the Private Bank occurred. Mr. Messner with the most honourable intentions was forced into bankruptcy. To protect his creditors Mr. Messner had carried term life insurance in amounts, which if creditors had not panicked, would have given them one hundred percent return of the monies he had loaned from them.

ZETTEL

Lucas Zettel, born in 1785, and his wife Monica came to North America on July 11, 1831 from Schwaldorf, Rottenburg, Kingdom of Wuertenburg. They drove with horses and wagon to Strassburg in Alsace then through France to Le Havre. It took them three weeks to reach the ocean. There they sold the horses but brought the wagon to America with them. They were on the ocean thirty-one days in a three-masted ship. They went to Albany by ox cart, then to Buffalo by canal boat, and from there they journeyed to Waterloo County, Canada, to a little place called New Germany (Maryhill), where they purchased one hundred acres of land. Lucas had seven children.

Andrew Zettel, son of Lucas, who was married at Guelph to Magdalena Holrad, was one of the early pioneers to come to Bruce County. Andrew toting a fifty pound sack of flour and his wife carrying a tiny infant three months old left Maryhill on foot accompanied by Christian Rich and Philip Hauck. Andrew left two boys and two girls with relatives in Maryhill, hoping to come back for them soon. Andrew and his wife arrived in 1852, squatted on a parcel of land, built a shack and claimed this land at Lot 36, Concession A, Culross Township. When they returned to Maryhill for the rest of the family in 1854 they learned that Anna had died the year before. Andrew (1817-1894) and Magdalena (1822-1883) had eleven children.

Lucas Zettel born in 1854, son of Andrew was the earliest known white child born in the area. Lucas in turn married and had ten children. His son Frank (1898;1975) farmed in Greenock Township until he retired to Formosa as postmaster from 1957-1968). Frank had five children. His daughter Geraldine and her husband John Benninger are farming in Culross. His son Melvin farms in Greenock near Formosa.

Ambrose Zettel, another son of Andrew, took over the farm and his son Alphonse did likewise. Today Lot 36, Concession A, Culross Township is still in the Zettel family with Alphonse's son, Bill and wife Marie, operating a dairy farm.

Following is a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Zettel, on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Zettel was the former Helen Schumacher, daughter of Anton Schumacher.

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Zettel on the occasion of their Golden Wedding

HAUCK

In 1852, Philip Hauck in the company of the Zettels, journeyed on foot from Maryhill and settled on Lots 34 and 35 Concession A, Culross township. He married Marharte Berberick and they had two children. Philip's son, Engelbert, took over the farm but later sold to his son Albin. Engelbert became a hotel keeper in Alberta.

In 1951, Henry, son of Albin took over the farm and to date still farms on the same location.

MICHAEL FISCHER

Michael Fischer, born in Germany in 1821, settled in Bruce County in 1854. He owned two hundred acres, Lots 13 and 14, Conc. C, Carrick.

Michael Fischer had a large family, including two sons who became medical doctors. Dr. Henry Fischer became famous for his operation of mineral baths. Both doctors located at Shokapee, Minnesota. Dr. Peter conducted a large general practice.

The first municipal organization of Carrick township occurred in 1856 and Michael Fischer was a member of that first council. For many years he was reeve of Carrick.

His grandson Michael, lived on Conc. 11, Culross and was reeve of Culross from 1952 to 1960. He was Warden of Bruce in 1960.

The fourth generation Michael still lives on the farm occupied by his father on Conc. 11, Culross, and the fifth generation Michael Fischer lives across the road from his father.

THE CHRISTIAN RICH FAMILY

Christian Rich was among the first settlers in the Formosa area. He settled on the land of the present church site, and donated part of his farm as the site for the church, cemetery and rectory.

When Rev. Gstir, the first resident priest, held the first Corpus Christi procession, Christian Rich allowed the use of laneways on his land for the procession; and the building of small altars at each of the four corners of the route. Later, when Christian's son. Gregory, occupied this farm the procession followed the same route. In later years the route was shortened and new altars built.

The Rich farm was next occupied by Gregory's son. George and family. In the George Rich family are sons Rev. Gerald C.R., Rev. George C.R., Brother Norbert, James and Norbert, as well as daughters Mrs. Bernice Snatynski, Mrs. Helen Schlosser and Mrs. Barbara Zettler.

On the original Rich farm now live Jim and Stella Rich, their five sons and three daughters.

ANTON SCHUMACHER, J.P.

Among the first settlers in the vicinity of Formosa in 1853-54 were natives of the southerly part of Germany.

Anton Schumacher, the first Justice of the Peace in the area, was known as "Baier Tony", meaning that he came from Bavaria. He was of great assistance to the people because he was fluent in both German and English.

He was born in 1828, died in 1891, was married to Anne Marie Kirsch who died in 1918. They are buried in Formosa cemetery.

They farmed on Conc. 12, Cuirass, a farm occupied later for many years by William Kelp. When Anton Schumachers retired to the village they lived in the house now occupied by Clarence Brick.

Among Anton Schumacher's great grandchildren in Formosa are Anthony and Harry Opperman, Mrs. Clayton Schnurr, Bill Zettel, Melvin Zettel, Mrs. John Benninger, Oscar Heisz, and Mrs. Clarence Schill.

Formosa from the south. Note the road curving around the rock at the store corner. Formosa from south hill. Note Brewery smokestack near right side of picture.

Formosa from the foot of the church hill, Formosa hotel on left. Roads were still unpaved. St. John Street looking north. Note that maple trees have just been planted along street.

Taken at the bridge over the creek. Arnold's taller shop in the foreground.

12th Concession. Second building is the Ernewein Hall. Stoney Creek, now called Formosa Creek, in spring. The southern part of the

village was at first called Stoney Creek.

Winter scene on the school hill. Convent Street Taken about 1909 by Mr. Kelsey St. John Street, Formosa. Looking north toward Church

L to R Joseph Fedy, Eugene Biengessner, Joseph Massel, Edward Massel

Both of these Post Cards were printed in Germany

STAGE COACH

A daily run of stage coach between Walkerton and Teeswater passed through Formosa. The in-and-out going mails were carried in this manner. Various hotels and railway stations formed the stopping places. One could also board or leave same enroute.

Among the various well known drivers were George Lambertus, Alex Kropp and George Kruetzwiser. Trunks and parcels were carried on the roof tops of the coaches.

ROADS

66 foot width was already in vogue when townships were surveyed. Many detours were made around rock out-cropping such as Meyers and Weilers in Stoney Creek, Formosa Quarry and Flack's Hill_

Roads were purchased to connect Elora Road and side roads 5 & 10.

Carrick Concessions were laid out west to east numbers 1 to 15. A and B south to north. Elora Road D and C north westerly to south easterly. It is surmised that surveyors tippled a little while marking designations.

First Roads were built with dirt or ground placed over logs and were called corduroy roads.

Roads were cut out through timber, creeks and streams, forged with wooden bridges. Sharp knolls were removed by shovels.

ADVENT OF CARS

One of the first car owners in the area was John Korman, owner of the Hartley House, Walkerton — in 1912 or earlier.

People occasionally would phone him or inquire whether he was going to use his car. If so, they would not take out driving horses, as they would shy and run away.

One of the first trucks making regular calls had hard tires, chain drive on rear wheels, and carrying coal oil tanks.

In the very early 1920's Wm. Thompson of Teeswater Creamery picked up cream and eggs at various stores with Ford trucks.

Some of the earliest car owners in the area were E.G. Kuntz, John J. Waechter, Alex Strauss, Joseph Kunkel, Father Brohman, Michael Fischer, Frank Rettinger, Michael Rettinger and Philip Weiler.

In those exciting first car rides some women passengers would hold the car door open so that they could jump out in case the car wouldn't stop.

NATIVE SONS

One of our people, Ben I. Goetz, came to the point of manufacturing a healing ointment. It was patented under the name "Benedictine" and became known far and wide for its healing qualities.