Harness Shop Research Report

Transcription

Table of Contents for Report
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Harness Maker vs Saddle Maker .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Training and Employment………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Raw Materials ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Products......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Advertising ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Routine ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Apparel………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
The Rural Harness Shop ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
Exterior Architecture.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Interior Architecture and Furniture.................................................................................................................................................................... 16
The Urban Harness Shop .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Exterior Architecture.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Interior Architecture and Furniture.................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Location and Surroundings of a Harness Shop ................................................................................................................................................... 22
The Doon Heritage Village Harness Shop....................................................................................................................................................... 23
The Harness and Saddle Making Industry ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
Challenges to the Industry ............................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Other Potential Challenges ........................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Trade Unions ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Horse Breeding and its Effect on the Industry.................................................................................................................................................... 29
Exploiting the Trade ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Adapting to a Difficult Market ...................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Harness Makers and Their Shops .................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Sattler Leather Goods Store ............................................................................................................................................................................... 35
The Store……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….35
Louis Sattler 1861-1924………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..….36
Rufus Sattler b. 1895……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………….…36
The Business………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………37
Strebel Harness Shop ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
The Store……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….38
John Strebel c.1864-1940………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....38
John George Strebel……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……39
The Business……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..39
Introduction
Document Number: 1227889
Version: 1
Document Name: HARNESS SHOP RESEARCH REPORT
Document Author: PMEGAN
8/17/2012 12:00:00 AM
Relegated from an indispensable item to more of a recreational tool, harnesses have served the
needs of travel for generations. Horses have long since been exploited for work, transport and fieldwork
as beasts of burden. To domesticate and train these animals an apparatus, like a harness, was
necessary for training and work. The first style of harness consisted of breast and girth bands that caused
1
discomfort for the animal. This style inevitably interrupted their air supply from the front band pressing on
2
their lower neck. Parts of the harness were eventually replaced by a breast collar or strap. It wasn’t until
th
the 5 century AD that the Chinese invented a padded collar that transferred the weight from the neck to
3
the shoulder area, allowing the animal to work more freely without irritation. Warfare was an element that
had a rapid affect on the diffusion of riding and saddlery. Vases from Greece in the late eighth century
4
depicted men mounted on horses, and chariotry as instruments of war. Horse traction and the
development of effective riding gear became a priority. An obstacle that continued to cause problems with
making the harness and saddle was the struggle of comfort versus practicality. The equation is simple, a
placated or happy horse means a relatively manageable or workable horse. An invention, like the
5
saddletree, which spread the weight of the load across the horses back instead of directly on its spine,
6
refined the harness making and saddle trade. It then took sophisticated skill to produce an item that
required a great deal of leather cutting and sewing.
7
8
A motto for harness makers and saddlers was “speed is a matter of pride.” If the saddler was
efficient and fast it gave him a competitive edge. Reoccurring motifs, like neatness of sewing and custom
9
workmanship were other principal characteristics. Closeness of the stitch or how many stitches per inch
10
helped to determine the value of the product which also affected the appearance and strength. Harness
1
Salaman, R.A.”Section 9: Harness Maker and Saddler.” Dictionary of Leather-Working Tools, c. 1700-1950 and the
Tools of Allied Trades. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1986.
2
3
4
5
The saddletree is the frame of a riding saddle usually made of wood.
6
7
HasLuch, Paul. N. Harness Making: With Numerous Engravings and Diagrams. London, Paris, New York and
Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario.
8
9
th
Sound Recording Tape No. 232, Interview with Albert Fiederlein,12 May 1983 by Ryan Taylor at.Harness Making/
New Dundee. Grace Schmidt Room, Kitchener Public Library, Ontario.
10
McBride, W.M. Master Harness Makers Association of Ontario: Price List. Toronto:Master Harness makers
Association, 1907.
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makers were no longer considered primarily as artisans and craftsmen, but became professional
tradesmen.
11
Harness Maker vs. Saddle Maker
During the period under discussion (1900-1914), the term ‘harness maker’ became
interchangeable with the title of ‘saddler‘. They were most recognized first as a saddler, who was a
tradesman that primarily created saddles for riding horses.
12
This was significant at a time when many
travelled horseback in areas unsuitable for vehicular transportation.
13
Harness makers, on the other hand,
produced harnesses and collars that consisted of multiple leather straps and hooks intended for drawing
vehicles or loads behind the horse.
14
Finding that there were no saddlers listed in the 1906 Union
Publishing Company Directory and saddlery was still a commodity, it is safe to say that saddlery was sold
by harness makers within Waterloo Region.
harness and saddle making.”
16
15
Generally, “country tradesman have often to do both
After cross-referencing the 1911 Canadian census with the 1906 local
directories, there were several harness shop owners whose chief occupations were recorded as saddlers
(i.e. Chas Ottmann, George Strebel, David Saunders and Charles Fehrenbach), yet they were listed in
the directory as harness shop managers.
17
In that same 1906 directory, David Saunders is listed under
the title “harness” but in a deed of partnership he is described as a saddler.
18
Even though there were two
sectors of the trade according to training standards, harness shops, in some cases, would have yielded
11
Tools of Allied Trades. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1986. A notion that was recognized
12
A saddle is a piece of equipment that goes on the horses back which the rider sits in. (See charts and Diagrams
section in the appendices for details on the parts of a saddle).
13
Brewster, Winfield. “Saddlers”. The Street Business: Queen Street Hespeler, Ontario.Hespler, 1954: 57. Accession
No. 2006.020.002. (Waterloo Region Museum)
14
See diagrams and charts section in appendices.
15
Union Publishing Company. Farmer and Business Directory for the Counties of Halton, Waterloo and Wellington.
Union Publishing Company, 1906. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario.
16
-HasLuch, Paul. N. Harness Making: With Numerous Engravings and Diagrams. London, Paris, New York and
Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901, pg. 133. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener,
Ontario.
17
Union Publishing Company, 1906.; 1911 Canadian Census.
18
Union Publishing Company, 1906. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario.; Macgregor
Conveyancer to Galt. Deed of Partnership (Dissolved) David Saunders and George A Quarrie. Galt: Conveyancer to
Galt, Feb 2, 1880. (Cambridge City Archives)
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saddlery. The general public recognized ‘harness maker’ as general term that applied to businessmen
that sold both saddle and harness goods.
19
Training and Employment
Apprenticeships were the most common form of training for harness makers, lasting from two to
five years.
20
Namely, J.P. Luckhart served an apprenticeship under A. Steinmann for three years;
Cherry from Palmerston trained in North Dakota for two years.
whether they were learning to make harnesses or saddlery.
23
22
21
Fred
The extent of their training relied upon
If they were being trained to create saddles
than the apprenticeship would last longer (approximately 7 years).
24
As young as 17, Henry Ebel started
his own harness business in Conestogo, but did not appear to make saddles.
25
A couple of Mennonite
harness makers claimed to have taught themselves such as Aiden Sauder from St. Jacobs and a harness
maker from Vaughan Ontario. They both worked on their own harnesses and their neighbours’ to develop
skills.
26
As their patrons increased, so too did the amount of tools and size of their shops on their farm
properties.
27
Official apprenticeships started out with shop maintenance (i.e. carrying freight boxes and
inventory) and oiling the harness.
28
Following the tutoring sessions of thread waxing, leather cutting and
hand sewing, one would graduate to machines (ie. creasing, slitting and sewing machines).
29
Beyond
19
Sound Recording Tape No. 47, Interview with Rufus Sattler, unknown date. Sattler Leather Goods. Grace Schmidt
Room, Kitchener Public Library, Ontario.
20
Roehl, Louis M. Harness Repairing. Milwaukee Wis.: Bruce Publishing Company, 1921. (Guelph University)
21
Klinck, George Publisher. Enterprising Elmira.Elmira: The Elmira Signet, 1903. (Waterloo Region Museum)
22
Palmerston Scrapbook at Perth County Archives Listowel Branch. “Master Leatherman Fred Cherry: at 81 he’s
th
Selling Out”. Listowel Banner, Oct. 28 1976.
23
24
Campbell, S.L. The Harness Shop. Ontario Agricultural Museum, 1984. (Vertical File: “Harness Making and Trade”.
Waterloo Region Museum Curatorial Centre, Kitchener, Ontario.
25
Sound Recording Tape OHT 86, Interview with Mae Ebel by Joanne Venton in Conestogo, April 26, 1982. Oral
History Records at the Kitchener Public Library.; Henry W. Ebel Daily Account Book, Sept. 14, 1898. Accession #
2006.023.025.3. Waterloo Region Museum Archives Bay 5, Section 4, Kitchener Ontario.
26
Reesor, Ruth. Check Rein: A Journey of Remembrance. Markham: Stewart publishing and Printing, 2003. Ayr
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Ontario.; Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St.
th
Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.
27
th
Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.
28
Jupenlaz, Ernest. Changing Times In the Harness Shop 1890-1980. Mansfield, Pennsylvania Historic Businesses.
Jupenlaz Harness Shop. Website. Jan. 2008. http://www.joycetice.com/business/jupenlaz.htm.
29
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learning how to handle the tools and the machines, one might become proficient enough to work on more
specialized harnesses and saddles (coach and parade harnesses and show saddles).
30
The number of employees in a single shop would range from one to five individuals, but would be
contingent on the scale of the operation.
31
If it was a larger urban shop (ie.Sattler Leather Goods and
Quarrie and Saunders Harness shop) it would have three to five employees. A small business would have
one to two workers.
gain experience.
32
Each employee might be given a specific duty or machine to speed production and
33
Raw Materials
Obtaining raw materials and supplies for harness making was a constant exercise for harness
makers. Leather was the first priority, which was easily sourced from local tanneries in Waterloo
34
Region. At this point (1900-1914), harness makers were generally not tanning their own hides.
35
One of
the primary sources for harness leather in the region was the reputable Lang Tanning Co. in Berlin.
was acknowledged as the “largest harness leather tannery under the British flag.”
was another trustworthy source for harness leather in Kitchener (Berlin).
38
37
36
It
Breithaupt Tannery
Various animal hides (mainly
steer, horse and pig) were processed at these tanneries that would be stretched for harness leather.
39
These tanneries (Lang and Breithaupt) applied hemlock and oak bark for tannin on harness leather;
30
th
31
th
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded. Berlin News
Record Council of New Hamburg. Enterprising Hamburg and Her Industries. Kitchener: Council of the Town of New
Hamburg, 1908: pg 12.
32
th
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded. Berlin News
Record Council of New Hamburg. Enterprising Hamburg and Her Industries. Kitchener: Council of the Town of New
Hamburg, 1908: pg 12.; “Last harness Maker Turns To Other Work”. Kitchener Waterloo Record, Jan. 14th, 1956, p.
3. (Waterloo Public Library)
33
34
th
Sound Recording. Melvin Bauman Born 1910 January 17 1991 by Francis Hoffman conducted at Mr Bauman’s
home.
35
36
37
2. Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “The Lang Tanning Co., Limited”. The Twin-City Berlin & Waterloo And Their
Industries. Kitchener: Berlin News Record, 1908: 33. Accession no. X.961. 517.001. (Waterloo Region Museum).
38
Henry W. Ebel Daily Account Book, Sept. 14, 1898. Accession # 2006.023.025.3. Waterloo Region Museum
Archives Bay 5, Section 4, Kitchener Ontario.
39
Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario.;
th
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making it suitably stronger in contrast to the chrome tanning for lighter leather materials.
40
Patent leather
(treated with layers of linseed-oil based lacquer) was used in both factory-made collars and harness
shops for slightly more finish and malleability.
41
When a large order of harness leather was made, they came stored in rolls.
$46.20 on rolls of harness leather from John Tanner’s tannery.
come in five to ten rolls.
44
43
42
Henry Ebel spent
Shipments for large operations could
Hides and treated leather could have also been sourced at the local farmer’s
markets. The Galt market sold 7.5 pounds of leather for .07 cents in 1914.
45
To slice these hides and
leather, harness makers would cut lengthways.
Treatment agents (chemicals for preserving
leather) were another important tool to the harness
maker. Before and after cutting the leather for parts,
it was soaked in oil agents and sometimes polished
for a glazed coating. Prepared harness oil, waxes
and polishes came from companies like Frank Miller
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for Easy
Harness Eureka Harness Oil, Sept. 1, 1900.
Brand, Eureka Harness Oil and Easy Harness Oil
46
(made by Imperial Oil Company) ; all advertised as preservatives in the Farmer’s Advocate and local
newspapers.
47
Even though there were readily available harness oil company brands, harness makers
would sometimes concoct their own recipes.
48
Formulas and instructions were recommended in manuals
49
for the harness maker. They included ingredients like oil of turpentine, linseed, neatsfoot, palm and
sweet oils along with other additives, turpentine, tallow, resin, dyes and waxes (bees, candle, African and
40
Skene, Angus. Working In: Story of the Breithaupt Tannery 1858-1990. Kitchener: City of Kitchener L.A.C.A.C.,
1990.
41
Fisher, Arthur Thomas. Through Stable and Saddle- Room. New York: R. Bentley and Son, 1896, pg. 156.
(University of Guelph Library).
42
phtograph of rolled harness leather
43
Archives Bay 5, Section 4, Kitchener Ontario. Note that the exact identity of this tannery is unclear because could not
find any records for this report.
44
45
“Market Reports”.The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, March 6, 1914, pg 10.
46
Imperial oil company out of London. Imperial Oil Limited. About Imperial Oil. July 9,
2012.http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Imports/history/about_who_history.aspx
47
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for Easy Harness, Sept. 1, 1900.Farmer’s Advocate Collection. Accession #
991.008.001.035.001. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener Ontario.
48
Seaverns, John A. The Harness Makers Guide. Walsall, Great Britain: Office of Saddlery and Harness, 1907.
49
See appendices recipe section
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black cobbler's).
50
Giving a dark glazed effect, black cobblers wax and polishes were the most prominent
for harness leather.
51
The black wax was widely used for harnesses because it was typically a stronger
agent to resist water and dirt.
52
There was also a decreased risk of staining from horse perspiration that
would weep into the leather if a black wax was not applied.
53
Many other raw materials were required at the shop. Stuffing collars required flax seed, rye and
wheat, straw stalk and sometimes animal hair.
54
It is unknown exactly where these mediums were bought,
but Henry Ebel noted that he accepted flax seed, rye and wheat stalk in exchange for harness parts form
55
local farmers.
The threads (linen) were sometimes prepared by the harness maker with wax in a
twisting motion to combine and ensure the thread could be fed through the holes of the leather.
56
By wax
thread, it is generally meant that black or cobbler’s wax was applied. Other waxes like beeswax and white
wax (from paraffin candles) could be used, but were not ideal due to their colour and lack of durability.
57
These and other types of sewing threads could be ordered by catalogue through Samuel Trees and Co in
58
Toronto.
50
Seaverns, John A. The Harness Makers Guide. Walsall, Great Britain: Office of Saddlery and Harness, 1907.;
Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario
51
52
Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario
53
Fitz-Gerald, William N. The Harness Makers’ Illustrated Manuel. New York,1886. (reprint)
54
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Ontario.; McBride, W.M. Master Harness Makers Association of Ontario:
Price List. Toronto:Master Harness makers Association, 1907.
55
56
Fisher, Arthur Thomas. Through Stable and Saddle- Room. New York: R. Bentley and Son, 1896. (University of
Guelph Library).
57
Roehl, Louis M. Harness Repairing. Milwaukee, Wis.: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1921.
58
Samuel Trees & Co. Limited. Samuel Trees and Company Limited Toronto Catalogue: Saddlery and Harness.
Toronto: E.H. Harcourt Company, circa 1911. (See charts in appendices for a description of hardware).
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One of the other concerns for harness makers was the question of hardware. Buckles, dees,
rings, turrets, snaps, rosettes and bits were often found at the local hardware store or at foundries
(specifically for rosettes).
59
Yet, there remained many that would travel or order their hardware supplies
from catalogue companies and mass producers, like Samuel
Trees and Company at the Whitby warehouse.
60
Transporting
the hardware by the Grand Trunk Railroad was optional, but
some would travel long distances (St. Jacobs to Toronto or
Whitby) to the distributor for parts.
61
These hardware supplies
commonly came in brass, nickel, japanned, iron and on
occasion, silver, depending on the value and purpose of the
harness being pieced together.
62
Besides silver, solid nickel
was the most expensive and appeared the most attractive.
63
Rubber for rings and dees became another type of material for
hardware that grew in popularity between 1900 to1914.
64
These rubber pieces would have been easily accessed
through the Kaufman Rubber Company in Kitchener (Berlin),
1903.
Advertisement for “Harness: C.F.
Ottmann” in the Wellesley Maple
Leaf Newspaper of 1907.
65
Products
At one time, the harness maker exclusively offered harness and repair services.
66
However, in the
early 1900s most expanded their businesses to adapt to an unpredictable economy. They became a
source of leather and horse goods ranging from fur apparel to equine medicine.
67
Due to the easy
accessibility of factory merchandise, the harness maker would also deal in factory items; to compete with
59
60
Toronto: E.H. Harcourt Company, circa 1911. (See Fig. 28, 29 and 30 in appendices).; Interview with Mr. Aiden
th
Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.
61
th
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.
62
Association, 1907.
63
Association, 1907.
64
65
Walter, David F. Manufacturing In Kitchener Waterloo. Waterloo: Department of Geography University of Waterloo,
1987.
66
67
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the wholesaler.
68
Quoted in one advertisement for C.F. Ottmann shown in the Wellesley Maple Leaf,
“factory harness is constantly kept in stock and sold at factory prices.”
69
It would also be safe to assume
that many would have sold saddles and training equipment as revealed in James Sweeney’s harness
shop invoice from Guelph.
$0.60.
71
70
Henry Ebel (Conestogo harness shop) is cited as selling a saddle tree for
Taking their market a step further, horse goods like cough cure from J. Fehrenbach’s harness
shop and gall cure from Henry Ebel’s shop in Conestogo, were sold.
72
A notice in the Chronicle Telegraph
(Waterloo) newspaper claimed that H.M. Wilhelm had a “full line of horse goods kept in stock.”
73
Others were recognized as general leather good producers and dealers. Similar to Sattler Leather
Goods store in Kitchener (Berlin) that sold luggage from the local McBrine Baggage manufacturer.
74
Clippings from the Elmira Advertiser stated that harness shop proprietor Ed. Foerster sold “Robes,
Blankets, Fur Coats and Mitts.”
75
It was, however, customary for most to remain within the realm of
harness as they mentioned both double and single harnesses in their ads.
76
They disclosed in the
newspapers that “new harnesses always on hand” and old harnesses were “oiled and repaired.”
77
A
harness maker in New Hamburg named H. Deichert was credited as shipping “40 sets of harness to
outside points of town” in one year.
78
In exchange for these products many harness makers accepted
customer service or produce from their clients.
79
Old harnesses, apples, berries and medical
appointments were among the goods traded with patrons.
80
68
Nonetheless, currency was the most
Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “J.H. Fehrenbach”. The Twin-City Berlin & Waterloo And Their Industries.
Kitchener: Berlin News Record, 1908: 16. Accession no. X.961. 517.001. (Waterloo Region Museum)
69
Advertisement. “Harness: C.F. Ottmann”. Wellesley Maple Leaf, Vol. 7, No 21. March 21st, 1907, p. 3. (Waterloo
Public Library).
70
Invoice of James Sweeney: Manufacturer and dealer in Saddles and Harness etc. Customer Mr. W. Sanders.
Guelph, 1901. Accession Number 2002.27.87. (Guelph Civic Museum).
71
72
Advertisement for Heave Cure. The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Volume 47, No. 27. July 3, 1902.; Henry W.
Ebel Daily Account Book, Sept. 14, 1898. Accession # 2006.023.025.3. Waterloo Region Museum Archives Bay 5,
Section 4, Kitchener Ontario.
73
Notice,” Harness Shop Moved.” The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Volume 46, No. 2. Jan 10, 1901.
74
Hunsberger, Albert. “Sattler leather Goods”, Waterloo Historical Society, Volume 65 (1977).
75
Advertisement for Conestogo Harness Shop. Elmira Advertiser. Elmira, Volume 23, No. 52. Dec. 2, 1905.
76
Advertisement of James McGhee Harness Shop. Ayr News. Ayr, Volume 6, No. 39. December 22, 1904.
77
Advertisement for Conestogo Harness Shop. Elmira Advertiser. Elmira, Volume 24, No. 30. April 14, 1906.
78
Berlin News Record Council of New Hamburg. Enterprising Hamburg and Her Industries. Kitchener: Council of the
Town of New Hamburg, 1908: pg 12.
79
80
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dominant form of payment.
harness cost beyond $30.
81
For a price of $12 and up a single harness could be purchased; a team
82
While attempting to fabricate their own handmade items, harness makers dealt with brands that
were becoming new and reliable products. It wasn't long before they decided to sell these brands along
with their own.
83
Raw materials were franchised as brands. Among the local leather brands was “Anchor
Brand’ registered in 1888 by R.L. Lang (Lang Tannery) in Berlin.
84
An adopted motto for the brand was
“best by test...acknowledged by the harness maker to be well merited.”
85
Other popular leather brands
were “Empress, Crown, Hand Stuffed, Eclipse, Sterling, Eclipse Oak,” all sited in the 1907 Master
Harness Makers Association of Ontario, Price List.
86
There was a wave in harness treatment products
that may have been stocked at the harness shop. Eureka Harness Oil, “sold everywhere in cans”
87
and
Mica Axle Grease by Imperial Oil Company (London, Ontario), “makes your horse glad, in every town and
village may be had,”
88
were both harness commodities potentially sold at harness shops. Another
mentionable brand was the ‘Imperial Brand’ of harness.
89
Advertisements for the ‘Imperial Brand’ and
others declared that “The above brand of harness and horse blankets are familiar terms to great majority
of Canadian Harness Makers… If you are not buying them it will pay you to do so.”
90
Taking into account
that harness makers and saddlers sold manufactured products, it is probable that these brands were
amid the factory items at the harness shop.
Advertising
81
th
Advertisement of James McGhee Harness Shop. Ayr News. Ayr, Volume 6, No. 39. December 22, 1904.;
Advertisement . J. W. Schweitzer Harness Business. Circa 1893. Accession Number 2006.023.025.2A (See charts in
appendices for a description of single and double harnesses)
83
Public Library).
84
Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “The Lang Tanning Co., Limited”. The Twin-City Berlin & Waterloo And Their
85
Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “The Lang Tanning Co., Limited”. The Twin-City Berlin & Waterloo And Their
86
Association, 1907.
87
Advertisement. The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Vol. 46, No. 32. Dec. 12, 1901, pg 7.
88
th
Advertisement. The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Vol. 46, No. 32. Aug. 8 1901, pg 6.
89
Toronto: E.H. Harcourt Company, circa 1911.
90
Association, 1907.
82
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When a business owner detects a potential decline in the market a common reaction is to
advertise wares in a fresh and alternative manner. Harness makers conventionally resorted to
newspapers and store signs, but tactfully managed to find other methods.
The average harness maker hung shingle signs, band signs and painted his
windows that simply verified the proprietor and “harness shop” title.
91
In
some special cases the shop would have painted symbols of horses,
harnesses or collars on the building or sign.
92
On a regular basis,
successful harness makers would place ads in local newspapers. Common
phrases in these ads included, “repairing a specialty,”
and double harness”
94
93
“all kinds of single
and the owners name. Along with the short and
direct choice of words some encouraged customers to visit the harness
shop and evaluate the merchandise themselves.
95
One clearly stated, “Call
and inspect if you don’t buy it, it won’t cost you anything to look.”
96
Periodically they would publish the cost of single and double harnesses
to possibly compete with catalogue and other shop prices.
97
Dually, these
ads represented both products and types of services that were offered at
the harness shop. They also listed other products that leaned away from
Photograph of Main
Street Mitchell, Ontario
(Broderick Harness
Shop), c. 1900.
harness and horse goods. Namely, an ad posted in the Elmira Advertiser offered “all kinds of blankets
whips, brushes, curry combs, bells, robes, trunks, valises, telescopes, leather mitts and gloves.”
98
Posters
were another option for promoting their stores and merchandise. A lithograph print of J.A. Tovell Harness
and Trunk shop was composed of pictures and images illustrating harness and saddlery being utilized.
99
Aside from the customary notice in the newspapers, fairs and exhibitions were promising
opportunities to promote the quality of harness products. Classes at the fairs consisted of “Best single
carriage horse, best roadster horse, best span of heavy draft horses, best saddle horse,”
100
giving the
harness maker a chance to showcase their merchandise. Harnesses would be “polished days before the
91
See Fig. 11, 17 and 26 in appendices
See Fig. 17 in appendices
93
Advertisement. “St. Jacobs Harness Shop.” Elmira Advertiser. Elmira, Volume 23, No. 52. Dec. 2, 1905.;
94
Public Library).
95
96
97
Advertisement . J.. W. Schweitzer Harness Business. Circa 1893. Accession Number 2006.023.025.2A
98
Advertisement. “St. Jacobs Harness Shop.” Elmira Advertiser. Elmira, Volume 23, No. 52. Dec. 2, 1905.
99
Advertisement in Lithogrpah Print. J.A Tovell Harness and Trunks. Circa 1900. Accession Number 1975x.00.575.
100
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Moffat, John and Springer, M. North Waterloo Fall Exhibition. Waterloo: Telegraph Office, Program for 10 and
th
11 October, 1882. (Kitchener Public Library)
92
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fair”
101
to impress spectators at the horse ring which “held the spotlight.”
held that featured leatherwork and the talents of tradesmen.
103
102
Additional competitions were
Homemade products were submitted to a
judges’ panel and awards were administered to those who created the best items.
104
At the Wellesley fair
in 1906, C.F. Ottmann (harness maker) received “Best Team Harness and Fine Boots” under the
“Harness Tandem” category.
105
Some may have participated in the exhibits as vendors set up in sheds,
drill halls and other buildings at the fairs.
106
The Samuel Trees and Company Limited were a present
vendor at the 1911 Toronto Exhibition presenting their harness brands. It is clear that harness makers
made every effort to support and advocate their trade.
Routine
It is hard to know exactly what filled the daily lives of these skilled tradesmen, but it is possible
that there were similarities to their routines. According to the 1911 census, work weeks would last at least
60 hours.
107
Once the fire had been started in the stove on a cold day, sweeping and cleaning the shop
was scheduled in the morning while the shop warmed up.
orders or preparing leather for new harnesses.
pattern sizes and styles.
110
109
108
A day may have begun with doing back
Occasionally the entire hide would be cut to fit certain
At random, new customers could have arrived with an order or repair.
repair could be completed swiftly then those customers would have taken first priority.
112
111
If the
Repairs
consisted of adding or replacing straps, hardware and stuffing in the collars to shape to the contours of
113
the horse’s neck.
While the harness maker was doing the quick repairs the customer would often wait
101
Scott, Guy. A History of Agricultural Societies and Fairs in Ontario 1792-1992. Peterborough: Ontario Association
of Agricultural Societies, 1992, pg 89.
102
Scott, Guy. A History of Agricultural Societies and Fairs in Ontario 1792-1992. Peterborough: Ontario Association
of Agricultural Societies, 1992, pg 89.
103
Dodd, Philip. Ontario Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions 1792-1967. Picton: The Ontario Association of Agricultural
Societies, 1967.
104
“Elmira Annual Fair was An Unqualified Success”.The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Oct. 2, 1913, pg 6.
105
Green, J.W. “Wellesley Fair”. Wellesley Maple Leaf. Wellesley, Volume 6 No. 46. Sept 20th, 1906.
106
Dodd, Philip. Ontario Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions 1792-1967. Picton: The Ontario Association of Agricultural
Societies, 1967.
107
1911 census of Canada
108
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Ontario.
109
th
Sound Recording Tape No. 232, Interview with Albert Fiederlein,12 May 1983 by Ryan Taylor at.Harness
Making/ New Dundee. Grace Schmidt Room, Kitchener Public Library, Ontario.
110
111
th
112
113
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and keep the company of the harness maker.
114
Just as they were permitted to admire his craftsmanship,
it was also significant for customers to socialize to maintain good relations.
115
Until an order had been made, handmade collars were sometimes left without stuffing because it
was susceptible to insects.
116
A collar could take one to two days to construct.
117
In order to encourage
business the harness maker would have, in special circumstances, travelled to customer homes to do
custom fittings.
118
In large shop operations,
employees acted like a factory assembly line.
119
Each individual would be assigned a specific task
that complimented their expertise, like running the
heavy sewing machine, all to speed the process of
completing merchandise.
120
Those doing certain
jobs would make items (i.e. reins, bridles) in
separate lots, which meant multiple projects were
being attended to at one time.
Photograph of Sattler Leather Goods storefront,
1898.
121
If there were at
least three employees in a harness shop an entire
team harness could be created within a day.
122
Apparel
Clothing for the harness maker was a combination of a shop owner and tradesman garments.
Whether they were in a rural or urban setting, most of the shop workers would be wearing collared shirts
and sometimes a tie.
123
Photographs indicate that the colouring of their shirts did not appear to have any
114
115
th
116
117
th
118
th
119
th
120
121
122
123
See Fig. 13, 14 and 16 in appendices.
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patterns, but are either plain white sateen (cotton fabric with luster) or a dark shaded shirt.
124
To avoid
damaging their shirts, they would sometimes roll their sleeves up to their elbows. In larger harness shops,
the proprietor may have dressed in a waistcoat or vest and tie, which may have fashionably improved
their professional status.
125
One of the most prominent markers of a harness maker was his apron. Styles
varied, from denim to striped pattern cotton.
below the knee with a slit below the waist.
126
127
Yet, they all appeared to cover most of the chest and hang
It was important that the apron covered the knees because
some would use their thigh and knee as a prop to apply wax and other treating agents to sewing thread
and leather.
128
For footwear it is most likely that they wore leather shoes, due to the cotemporary trends
and convenience of leather products in a harness shop.
129
The Rural Harness Shop
Exterior Architecture
Ontario commercial shops in small towns and
villages in 1880s and 1890s, regardless of their function,
were fairly universal in their design.
130
To over simplify
and claim that all harness shops adhered to specific
architectural traits would be inaccurate. On the other
hand, there seemed to be certain similarities among each
of the shops. For many of the harness shops located in
small towns or rural areas, there was a general
appearance of the buildings’ architectural style that is
commonly associated with western settlement.
131
The
entire structure of the shop was usually located on a
124
125
Photograph of Snyder Post Office and
Harness Shop. Niagara Ontario. Circa
1900.
See page 94, figure 156 of Eaton’s 1901 Summer catalogue. The catalogue describes vest as Men’s Washing Vest.
126
T. Eaton Co. Limited Catalogue, 1901, 190 Younge St. Toronto. Toronto: Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited, 1991,
pg. 95.
127
128
129
130
th
Greenhill, Ralph and Verschoyle Benson Blake. Rural Ontario. Toronto: university of Toronto Pres, 1969:86.
131
Gottfried, Herbert and Jennings, Jan. American Vernacular Design 1870-1940. Ames: Iowa State University Press,
1988:166-167, pg. 244.
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narrow lot. The one to two storey building was composed of a wood frame, clapboard, weatherboard
and/or board and batten with a shallow gabled, shingled roof.
132
What identified these buildings as
commercial shops was their false-front that did not align with the roof. The storefront extended above the
roof to give the illusion that the building was taller. Square false-fronts were meant to “mask the gable of a
pitched roof and give greater importance to a shop front by giving it greater height.”
133
A typical façade
consisted of a false-front with multipane display windows, double doors with sometimes a shed-roof porch
on the first floor.
134
On the top floor of the building there were double paned windows with a plain cornice
on top of the false front.
135
Below the windows there was usually a sign band with the proprietors name
and the words ‘Harness Shop.’
for working.
length.
138
137
136
Windows could also be found on the building’s side to light the interior
The size of the buildings varied from approximately 18-25 feet across to 35-40 feet in
One harness shop in St. Jacobs was 25 by 37 feet with an additional 5 by 10 storage room
attached on the backside, farthest from the road.
139
These exterior features discussed above were also
common to other commercial buildings, but did appear to be characteristic of harness shops in general.
Interior Architecture and Furniture
Smaller rural harness shops did not tend to focus on neat or elaborate displays. Normally, there
was a methodical placement to their product and tools based on the practicality of creating the harness or
saddle. More specifically, most Mennonites and other rural shops would keep both their work station and
show room on the first floor.
140
Finished products and some that were in the process of repair were hung
throughout the shop on open beamed ceilings.
141
The wall and ceiling were comprised of either wood
panelling or left open; with the exterior board and batten walls visible from the building’s interior. In a
Mennonite shop near Vaughan, Ontario the walls were unfinished tongue and groove cedar.
142
To prevent
132
See Fig. 1 and Architectural Definitions section in appendices.
Greenhill, Ralph and Verschoyle Benson Blake. Rural Ontario. Toronto: university of Toronto Pres, 1969:86.
134
See Fig. 2 and 4 in appendices.
135
See Fig. 5 in appendices.
136
137
138
Fire Insurance Map of St. Jacobs. No. 31 Microfiche. Kitchener Public Library. 1904. (See Fig. 3 in appendices).
139
Fire Insurance Map of St. Jacobs. No. 31 Microfiche. Kitchener Public Library. 1904
140
Reesor, Ruth. Check Rein: A Journey of Remembrance. Markham: Stewart publishing and Printing, 2003, pg 5962. Ayr Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Onatrio.
133
141
th
142
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Onatrio.
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the pungent odour of leather and hides from
permeating the room, the walls would sometimes be
covered with fragrant wood.
143
Floors were usually
similar to the walls and sometimes unfinished, with
wood knots and nail holes exposed.
144
Lighting was typically natural, with large
windows to provide a bright and welcoming space.
However, when electricity became more readily
available to the Waterloo Region post 1911 through
the ‘Waterloo Water and Light Commission’
Photograph of Aiden Sauder Harness Shop
Interior in St. Jacobs, 2012.
(pronouncing the beginning of Waterloo North
Hydro), it is possible that many harness shop owners would have seized the opportunity for extra
lighting.
145
As Aiden Sauder (Mennonite harness maker) explains, he relies on his windows for natural
lighting, which is something that an oil lamp cannot replace.
146
When the light begins to recede inside
Aiden Sauder’s shop, there is no means to do fine stitching work. Although Mennonite harness makers
did not and do not rely on electric lighting, it is possible that many non-Mennonites would have tried to
acquire electrical power to maximize efficiency. In a 1910 photograph of a harness shop in Cobourg
Ontario and another photograph of a harness shop in Crossfield Alberta circa 1908-1913, there are light
bulbs hanging from the ceilings over their treadle sewing machines.
147
With this extra lighting, their
sewing jobs would have obviously been made easier and their work hours could have been extended.
On at least one wall of a harness shop there was an array of hardware supplies including dees,
buckles and rings in homemade or commercially fashioned boxes (wood or their original paperboard
143
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Onatrio.
144
Ruth Reesor describes that her father’s harness shop floor did not have a finish and the wood board nails would be a hazard.
(See Fig. 31 and 32 in appendices).
145
146
147
Waterloo North Hydro Incorporated. History. http://www.wnhydro.com/aboutwnh/history.shtml.
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containers from the distributor) piled on shelves.
148
Long work tables, approximately 4 feet high and 10
feet long, were positioned under windows to prepare the harness for sewing.
149
The tops of these tables
were occasionally removable, so the plane could be flipped; one side of the table was used for black dyed
leather and the other for brown dyed leather.
dulling the knives.
other supplies.
152
151
150
The table tops were also made of pine plank to avoid
Sometimes there were drawers or shelves beneath the tables for storing leather or
Above a portion of the long tables were units (either cabinets, shelves, wooden or
leather pallets) for storing hand tools, and additional shelves for small leather straps and conditioning
agents.
153
A back panel made of wood or leather pockets would be raised slightly above the table and
tacked to the wall for frequently used hand tools.
154
At the end of the table there were leather stripping
and creasing machines, along with a stitching horse and often a sewing machine near the main light
source.
155
There was normally a secretary’s desk or desk for bookkeeping on another wall and an extra
seating chair for waiting customers.
156
With the colder temperatures in the winter season there was also a
need for a stove that was usually situated near the back of the shop.
157
These items would be close to the
stove apart from the large table. If there was enough room for an extra table, it would typically be found at
either the back or centre of the shop for cutting and splitting leather.
158
Portable plane tables were best for
harness makers so they could be flipped or smoothed in case one side became stained from leather dyes
148
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Ontario. See Fig. 24 in appendices.
150
Branch of Region of Waterloo Library, Ayr, Ontario.; Roehl, Louis M. Harness Repairing. Milwaukee Wis.: Bruce
Publishing Company, 1921. (Guelph University). See Fig. 24 in appendices.
149
151
152
153
154
155
th
Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded. (See Fig. 32, 33 and 34 in appendices).
156
Aiden Sauder _harness maker St. Jacobs) had a secretary’s desk in his shop. Ruth Reesor describes her father’s desk as a
th
secretary’s desk. Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.
157
Albert Fiederline describes a stove inside the harness shop where customers sit. Sound Recording Tape No. 232,
th
Interview with Albert Fiederlein,12 May 1983 by Ryan Taylor at.Harness Making/ New Dundee. Grace Schmidt
Room, Kitchener Public Library, Ontario. See Fig. 8 and 9 in appendices.
158
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or rigid from cutting.
160
inch spikes.”
area.
161
159
Some of the displays were on large wooden spools nailed to a beam; with “five
Piles of horse blankets and/or trunks would be set on another wall away from the work
Finally there may have been a vat or tank, separate from everything else in the shop, for soaking
the harnesses in oil.
162
Not all harness shops were furnished as described above, and the arrangement of
materials and tools depended on the needs and comforts suitable to each harness maker.
The Urban Harness Shop
Exterior Architecture
Town and city architecture in Ontario tended to be dominated by an adaptation of Italian
Renaissance styles during the period of 1860-1910.
163
Buildings within the mercantile sector of urban
areas were mainly classified as a ‘Victorian Italianate’ design, composed of simple décor, repetitive
164
patterns and brick fronts.
There was, on occasion, some diversion from the ‘Victorian Italianate’ style
that reflected the buildings respective
functions.
165
Harness shops took some liberties
in their creation, emphasizing the idea that their
occupation was archaic, yet indispensable. A
good example of this was ‘Sweeney and Morris
Harness Shop’ in Guelph.
166
Despite the fact that
most of the buildings surrounding the shop were
brick and stone, it would remain wood until at
least 1929.
167
Clapboard and board and batten
materials were used for the construction of the
Photograph of J. Daniels Harness, Saddles and
Trunks store front in Brantford with staff c. 1890s.
159
160
161
th
162
163
Kalman, Harold. A History of Canadian Architecture Volume 2. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1994:566.
164
165
166
167
Fire insurance map of Guelph Onatrio, 1929. Sheet Number 4. Accession No. 1992.53.1 Guelph Civic Museum Archives,
Guelph ON.
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‘Sweeney and Morris Harness Shop’.
168
Whether it was intentional or unintentional, the harness shop had
an outdated look in comparison to its neighbors.
For harness shop façades the first floor display would have wood and plaster cladding used on
the courses, cornices, corbelling and kick plates.
169
Naturally, some of these buildings would have
appeared in this manner simply because they were some of the oldest structures in any given city or
town. This was the case for J. Strebel’s Shop in Waterloo, where the building was believed to be dated
back to the 1850s.
170
Cladding materials consisted of wood and plaster for the transoms, courses,
cornices, corbelling and kick plates on the façade of the building. For instance, both ‘Sattler Leather
Goods’ shop and J. ‘Strebel Harness and Collar Shop’ in Kitchener and Waterloo had these architectural
171
features.
There were few renovations to each of the buildings until the 1920s, which gave both shops
an antiquated appearance and made them distinguishable from the contemporary architecture (19001914).
172
Harness shops within towns and cities
were relatively diverse in size. According to a
1910 Fire Insurance Map of Galt Ontario, the
‘Quarrie Harness Shop’ was 12.5 feet wide by
25 feet in length.
173
This shop however, was
classified as a factory and office, which was
indicated in a Deed of Partnership agreement
from 1880.
174
One shop in Berlin (potentially
Sattler Leather Goods) was approximately 20 by
Photograph of Brodhagen (near Stratford
Ontario) Harness Shop, c. 1910.
168
Fire insurance map of Guelph Onatrio, 1929. Sheet Number 4. Accession No. 1992.53.1 Guelph Civic Museum Archives,
Guelph ON.
169
See appendices for architectural definitions.
170
“Landmark Razed in Waterloo: Demolished Old Harness Shop ”. Kitchener Waterloo Record, Sept. 19th, 1959, p.
3. (Waterloo Public Library
171
Firm Keeps Same Motto For 75 Years”. Kitchener Waterloo Record. Kitchener, April 6, 1960, pg 1-2; “Landmark
Razed in Waterloo: Demolished Old Harness Shop ”. Kitchener Waterloo Record, Sept. 19th, 1959, p. 3. (Waterloo
Public Library)
172
“Firm Keeps Same Motto For 75 Years”. Kitchener Waterloo Record. Kitchener, April 6, 1960, pg 1-2; “Landmark
Razed in Waterloo: Demolished Old Harness Shop ”. Kitchener Waterloo Record, Sept. 19th, 1959, p. 3. (Waterloo
Public Library)
173
See Map #1 in appendices.
174
Macgregor Conveyancer to Galt. Deed of Partnership (Dissolved) David Saunders and George A Quarrie. Galt:
Conveyancer to Galt, Feb 2, 1880. Cambridge ON. (Cambridge City Archives)
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40 feet; another in Waterloo (potentially Strebel Harness shop) was 15 by 28 feet.
175
They were usually
two to three storeys with the shop on the ground floor; offices, storage and residential suites on the other
floors. Proprietors would often live above the shop, much like the Sattler family in their Kitchener harness
shop.
176
By the 1880s buildings of this design were mainly brick with some plaster storefront.
177
Similar to
many of the rural harness shops, there were large display windows, a centre double door with glass
panels and glass transoms.
178
The front doors were sometimes recessed behind the large display
windows with a decorated course above the windows.
179
Signs typically named the owner and title of the
shop in a band or swinging shingle sign around the display windows or on the second and third floors.
180
Another opportunity to post advertising for harness shops was painted on the front windows with the
name of the shop and services it offered.
181
Interior Architecture and Furniture
Throughout the industrial period, harness shops in urban areas underwent a transformation from
a workroom to a showroom. While the front end would
contain display cases and counters for merchandise;
the back end of the shop would be a place for
labouring over repairs and products.
182
Walls and
ceilings were constructed of wood panelling that were
covered with harness parts, trunks and horse
equipment.
183
Dangling from virtually every portion of
the ceiling were extra harness parts, horse blankets
and riding supplies. Sometimes there would be a long
Photograph of Sattler Leather Goods store
interior in Berlin (Kitchener), 1898.
counter for presenting an article to a customer or for
175
Fire Insurance Map of Berlin. No. 2 Microfiche. Kitchener Public Library. 1904; Fire Insurance Map of Waterloo.
No. 1 Microfiche. Kitchener Public Library. 1913.
176
177
Gottfried, Herbert and Jennings, Jan. American Vernacular Design 1870-1940. Ames: Iowa State University
Press, 1988:166-167, 240-241.
178
179
See Fig. 15 and architectural definitions for a description on “courses” in appendices.
180
181
182
183
See Fig. 14, 23, 30 and 31 in appendices.
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doing last minute adjustments before purchase.
184
Behind the counter was a collection of leather
treatments, equine medicine and hardware for harnesses stored within a cabinet.
185
Upfront and centre in
the window ‘exhibit’ was a presentation of attractive products and brand name goods.
186
Another method
of display was using life size horse models and horse heads, which could be obtained from a local
toymaker in Kitchener (late 1800s) named Moritz Eduard Lindner.
187
These horse models were
convenient for fitting harness equipment and exhibiting valuable harness pieces.
harness shop somewhat resembles the interior of a tack room.
189
188
In its entirety, the
With all of the wood panelling and
commodities, it recreated the smell and sights of a horse tack room and stable. A booklet by Pratt Food
Company of Canada describes the proper setting and organization of a stable room that sounds oddly
th
similar to harness shops in the early 20 century. It advises to “have a place for every harness and keep it
in that place” and to store harness, combs, brushes, oils, wrenches and a medicine chest inside the
190
room.
However, it is not clear whether this was the objective of the harness maker to make his
harness shop appear to be a stable room. On the other hand, it would associate the design of the shop to
its individual purpose.
Location and Surroundings of a Harness Shop
As far as their location within a small rural village, while no specific spots are evident, most
harness shops seemed to be within reach of compatible stores and trades. Self-sustaining village shop
owners tried to arrange their perspective trade shops in a pattern that would compliment each of the
businesses. This made matters easier when shop owners needed materials, which made related services
available to customers. In the case of Sweeney and Morris’ Harness Shop in Guelph, the building was
adjacent to a blacksmith shop.
191
Near one of the harness shops in Waterloo, a 1913 fire insurance map
illustrates that the shop was situated by a hardware and implements store and a blacksmith shop.
192
A
1904 fire insurance map of Berlin shows that there was a harness shop on Queen St. (quite possibly
Sattler’s Leather Goods store) parallel to a wagon shop and livery stable.
193
Hill’s harness shop in
Conestogo (late 1800s) was directly across the street from a tinsmith, hardware store, and blacksmith
184
186
187
Bitzer, Irmgard. “Moritz Lindner-Berlin Toymaker.” Waterloo Historical Society. Waterloo,1971, pg 75.
188
See Fig 16 in appendices.
189
A tack room is a storage room in a horse barn for saddles, harnesses and horse goods.
190
Pratt Food Company of Canada. Pratts New Horse Book. Toronto: Department of Agriculture, pg 5-6 circa 1910.
185
191
See map #3 in appendices.
193
See map #2 in appendices.
192
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shop.
194
When a town developed into a more urban centre, those shops remained close because of their
initial proximity during the foundation of that town or city. If there was a constant flow of horse and
buggies outside the shop it was generally a promising sign that the business would prosper.
195
Ideally,
harness shops would situate themselves among liveries and blacksmiths, which was the case for some
shops in the Waterloo Region.
The Doon Heritage Village Harness Shop
The Doon Heritage Village Harness Shop building was constructed in 1963.
196
It was created
from new materials (wood frame and board and batten), partially donated by Louis Kaiser.
the public in 1964, most of the harness shop was equipped by W. Fehrenbach.
198
197
Opening to
A total of 16
acquisitions were garnered from W. Fehrenbach that were all on display in the harness section.
west half of the building houses the harness shop and the east half is a print shop.
200
199
The
There are limited
footings and foundations to the building, which poses a dilemma when there is a frequent threat of
flooding in its current location.
201
A flood in 1988 saw the water level rise above 23 cm from the floor.
Prior to this damage in 1984, the harness and print shop received restorations.
time was performed and recommendations ensued.
204
203
202
An assessment at this
Those suggestions included advice to replace roof,
194
Miller, Roger H. ed. “Map of Conestogo”. Woolwich At the Turn of the Century. Elmira: Woolwich Historical
Foundation, 2001.
195
History Records at the Kitchener Public Library.
196
Groh, Howard. “Progress At the Pioneer Village 1963”. Waterloo Historical Society, (1963): 86. Waterloo Region
Museum Library Curatorial Centre, Kitchener, Ontario.
197
Groh, Howard. “Progress At the Pioneer Village 1963”. Waterloo Historical Society, (1963): 86. Waterloo Region
Museum Library Curatorial Centre, Kitchener, Ontario.
198
Tivy, Mary Elizabeth. The Local History Museum in Ontario: An Intellectual History1851-1985. Waterloo: University
of Waterloo, 2006: 203-206.
199
Schmalz, W.H.E. A Dream Come True. Waterloo: Ontario Pioneer Community Foundation, 1975.
200
Reitz, Thomas. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo Direction of Heritage Resources. Waterloo: Heritage
Resources Department, July 23 1989, pg 24-25.
201
202
203
204
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chimney and verandah.
205
A final proposal was made that said to “replace with a proper building because
more money would have to be spent than the building is worth.”
206
The Harness and Saddle Making Industry
Although the harness making trade was in demand until 1920, when tractors had replaced the
207
horse in the field, a decline in the business manifested before the onset of WWI.
The decline became
evident from 1905-1914, when rates of pay remained static and the industry coasted without growth.
208
Prior to this drop, there were indications within the area that the business was not thriving in spite of a
209
zenith in the horse population (in 1910 there were 14,000 horse on Waterloo county farms).
In fact, the
number of harness shops in Waterloo Region dropped from 35 to 26 stores in a ten year span (18961906).
210
Even though the average farm in Waterloo had five to ten horses with one to two carriages,
implying that there was a demand for harnesses. There was, however, no significant increase in the
harness makers’ income over a 40 year period. Starting in 1871 the average annual income for a harness
maker was approximately $300.00 in Waterloo;
211
by 1911 the average was $425.00 per year.
212
Henry
205
206
207
Macnaughton, Elizabeth. “Horses”. The New Agriculture In Waterloo County. Waterloo Region: Heritage
Resources Department, Doon Heritage Crossroads, pg 101.
208
HasLuch, Paul. N. Saddlery and Harness Making: With Numerous Engravings and Diagrams. London, Paris, New
York and Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener,
Ontario.
209
210
Union Publishing Company, 1896. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario.; Union Publishing
Company. Farmer and Business Directory for the Counties of Halton, Waterloo and Wellington. Union Publishing
Company, 1906. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room, Kitchener, Ontario.
211
Bloomfield, Elizabeth. Canadian Industry in 1871: Ontario County Series #32. Index “Waterloo County Industries
1871: Saddlers by Value of Output, 1871.” Guelph: University of Geuph Department of Geography, 1991, pg 35.
212
1911 Canada Census, Waterloo North and South, Ontario.
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Ebel made approximately $884.00 in 1895 and $904.00 in 1903 (excluding expenses).
213
Throughout this
time, Ebel was charging the same prices for his harnesses; $14.00-18.00 for single harnesses and
$24.00-32.00 for team harnesses. These statistics imply that the business within the region was idling
and not increasing at a fundamental rate. Henry Ebel implied that his business was not overly profitable in
a 1898 financial statement to a customer requesting, “please be so kind and pay me because I am in
need of it.”
214
He went so far as to change his occupation entirely in 1905 when he bought out the flax mill
across the street from his shop in Conestogo.
215
Other harness makers in Waterloo Region were
changing from their original trade by selling alternative products and investing in new businesses. George
Bellinger’s harness shop in Wellesley, for example, also held a post office and library in 1909.
216
In 1896
J.P. Luckhart began operating a hardware store in Elmira on the location where he had established a
harness shop in 1878.
about 1910.
218
217
Valentine Seigner added a shoe repair shop to his harness shop in Breslau,
It was not uncommon, in the business directories of the Waterloo Region, to see the title of
harness maker coupled with an additional service or product. In the Union Publishing Company Farmer
and Business Directory for the Counties of Halton, Waterloo and Wellington, there were 14 harness
tradesmen out of 73 who were listed as operating another business. All this evidence leads to the
conclusion that the trade was not particularly lucrative and additional occupations were pursued to
increase revenue.
Challenges to the Industry
It became apparent in the late 1800s that harness makers were competing with factories, which
were combining skilled work with advanced sewing machines to manufacture quality items at a low
213
Compared to $312.00 to $780.00 annual income of a factory worker in the region (see Waterloo Region Museum
Education Manual pg. 100). Henry W. Ebel Daily Account Book, Sept. 14, 1898. Accession # 2006.023.025.3.
Waterloo Region Museum Archives Bay 5, Section 4, Kitchener Ontario.
214
215
History Records at the Kitchener Public Library.
216
Harding, Les. The Wellesley Post Office, Harness Shop and Library. Waterloo Region Museum, 1984.
217
Miller, Roger H. ed. “J.P. Luckhart’s Hardware”. Woolwich At the Turn of the Century. Elmira: Woolwich Historical
Foundation, 2001: 43. (Waterloo Region Museum).
218
Cressman, Ella M. “History of Village of Breslau”. Waterloo Historical Society. Volume 57 (1969): 32-35. Waterloo
Region Museum Library Curatorial Centre, Kitchener, Ontario.
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cost.
219
As early as 1850, manufactured harness goods were available to residents within the region.
Specifically, the Hainse Factory in Galt produced horse collars from at least 1850-1860.
220
Since 1866
until approximately the 1960s, Samuel Trees & Co. Saddlery and Harness distributer and manufacturer
(Toronto, Hamilton and Whtiby) was a major supplier of horse tack and harness equipment.
221
They sold
upwards of 75 different harness styles and types that would challenge small harness shops that provided
limited types and fewer styles of harness.
222
J.E. Edwards & Sons: Manufacturers of Harness Trimmings
and Fancy Leather Goods (Toronto) was another potential supplier to the region around 1914.
223
Stratford
saw the dawn of harness manufacturing in 1912, when G. L. Griffith established his plant that solely
created harness commodities.
224
According to Aiden Sauder (St. Jacobs Mennonite Harness Maker),
many from this region, including his father, would travel to Toronto, Hamilton and Stratford for
manufactured saddle and harness goods.
225
Listed in the 1906 local directories was W.C. Bruechner’s
horse collar manufacturer in Baden; another potential Waterloo regional source for harness goods.
226
Not
to forget the popular Eaton’s, Montgomery Ward, Sears and Roebuck catalogues that sold both saddle
and harness merchandise from their “Harness and Horse Goods” and “Saddle” departments.
227
219
Salaman, R.A.”Section 9: Harness Maker and Saddler.” Dictionary of Leather-Working Tools, c. 1700-1950 and
the Tools of Allied Trades. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1986, pg 222. (see appendices product charts
for details on price comparisons).
220
Industrial heritage Committee Report Project of the University of Waterloo. Tubular Index of the Industries of
Waterloo County 1850-1910. Waterloo: Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, 1984.
221
222
223
Order receipt. J.E. Edwards & Sons: Manufacturers of Harness Trimmings and Fancy Leather Goods. Toronto to
Berlin: Purchaser Walter G. Rumpil, 1916.
224
Dingman, Stanford. “From Harness to Rubber and Back.” Stratford Beacon Harold. Stratford Ontario, April, 17
1982. (Stratford Perth Archives, Stratford Branch).
225
th
th
226
227
T. Eaton Co. Limited Catalogue, 1901, 190 Younge St. Toronto. Toronto: Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited, 1991.
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Other companies and proprietors were also taking the opportunity to offer harness merchandise,
making the market increasingly competitive for smaller shops. The International Carriage Company out of
Brighton Ontario posted ads in the 1914 Farmer’s Advocate that they would sell both vehicle and harness
directly to the user.
228
Bypassing what they called the “middleman’s profit.”
229
C.K. Morton’s Grocer and
General Store in Ayr advertised harness goods for sale.
230
Hardware stores, like J.P. Luckhart’s sold everything from
“Harness, Hardware, Stoves, Tinsmithing and Farm Machinery.”
231
Taking advantage of the scores of accessible harness
merchandise, it is not surprising that auctions became yet another
venue for purchasing these products. Various postings for auctions
in the Farmer’s Advocate could be cited, like the advertisement for
Buns and Sheppard Props. in Toronto.
232
They sold “Horses,
Carriages, Buggies and Harness…” intended for both “buyer and
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement
for The Repository, Jan 3, 1907.
seller.”
233
It may have been an attractive alternative to the
harness shop, especially when consignments were solicited.
234
As the evidence has indicated above, harness shops were
obviously not the only places that sold saddles and harnesses, which would fundamentally threaten the
success of their respective shops.
228
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for Vehicles and Harness: International Carriage Company, March 26, 1914.
Farmer’s Advocate Collection. Accession # 986.027.014.325. pg 619. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener
Ontario.
229
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for Vehicles and Harness: International Carriage Company, March 26, 1914.
Farmer’s Advocate Collection. Accession # 986.027.014.325. pg 619. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener
Ontario.
230
Advertisement of C.K. Morton General Store. Ayr News. Ayr, Volume 9, No. 39. December 27, 1907.
231
Advertisement for J.P. Luckhardt Hardware. Elmira Signet. Elmira, Volume 3, No. 19. May 30, 1901.
232
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for The Repository, Jan 3, 1907. Farmer’s Advocate Collection. Accession #
986.027.014.217. pg 1866. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener Ontario.
233
234
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American markets around the turn of the 20th century, also became a cause for concern for
Canadian village shop owners.
235
A flood of implements and brand name commercial items entered the
Canadian market that competed with locally produced harnesses and saddles. Industrial Canada,
Canadian Manufacturers Association claimed that the United States was “supplying that market with
millions of dollars worth of goods, which should be supplied by Canadian firms from Canadian labor.”
236
Within Ontario catalogues, like Samuel Trees and Co. Limited, there were ads scattered in the catalogue
that promoted American made harness products and tools. Those companies included the “Perforated
Pad Co.” (Woonsocket U.S.A), which sold rosettes, leather blinds, horse boots and fronts and the “Henry
G. Gomph & Co.” (Albany, NY), that sold saddler and harness tools and supplies.
237
There were also
advertisements of American harness sewing machines and supplies in the back of the Master Harness
Makers’ Association of Ontario Price List (1907). The actuality of American harness and saddle products
being sold within the Waterloo Region is uncertain, but they were readily available to the market in the
early 1900s.
Other Potential Challenges
Trade Unions
On a provincial scale, harness makers and saddlers had formal representation as early as the
1870s.
238
However, there are no known records that document a union for Waterloo saddler and harness
makers. Surrounding the region there were the Harness and Trunk Makers Union (Toronto 1872),
Journeymen, Saddlers and Harness Makers Association (Hamilton, 1882) and the Journeymen Harness
Makers Protective Association (London, 1882). Some of these unions and organizations were initiated to
standardize wages, profit percentage margins on products and to qualify apprenticeship training.
239
The
closest organization that may have affected Waterloo harness and saddle makers was the Master
Harness Makers Association of Ontario (1907). There were executives of the association and a
committee assigned to compiling a list of prices and potential sales prices for harness makers that would
235
Phillips W.G. The Agricultural Implement Industry in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1956, pg 46.
236
Phillips W.G. The Agricultural Implement Industry in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1956, pg 46.
237
238
Forsey, Eugene. Trade Unions In Canada 1812-1902.Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982.
239
Forsey, Eugene. Trade Unions In Canada 1812-1902.Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1982.
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turn a 25%-35% basis of profit. It was not intended to be a compulsory list for members, but an advisory
one.
240
With the absence of an official Waterloo harness and saddler union, there was no specific
criterion for conducting business in harness shops. Thus, they may have had a tendency to place their
“prices below fair business rates.”
241
Thereto, business was recognized as being “less prosperous than it
should” and complaints were made about the “unprofitableness” of the trade.
242
It could be argued then,
that if Waterloo had a regional trade representative body it would have provided a platform and
systematic way of managing harness businesses. In turn, this would have helped to elevate profits and
guide the harness maker or saddler towards a more profitable and stable career.
Horse Breeding and Its Effect on the Industry
th
th
At the end of the 19 century near the beginning of the 20 century there were divisions in the
horse market among breeders.
243
Pedigrees were gaining popularity. However, the regular customer and
farmer would still identify horses by their intended purpose, which would be labelled as a type. There
were four main types starting in the 1900s; heavy draft (most profitable to produce), carriage, roadster
and saddler (information according to the Canadian farm press).
244
These types were named in
accordance with their function and were not necessarily purebreds. Often they were graded or a hybrid of
breeds to achieve what was called a “chunk or light” type that was suited for ‘general purpose’ work.
245
Most of the horse breeds within Waterloo Region were classified as grade stock (hybrid of multiple breeds
240
McBride, W.M. Master Harness Makers Association of Ontario: Price List. Toronto: Master Harness makers
Association, 1907.
241
242
Fitz-Gerald, William N. The Harness Makers’ Illustrated Manuel. New York,1886. (reprint); Interview with Mr. Aiden
th
Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.
243
Derry, Margaret. Horses In Society: A Story of Animal Breeding and Marketing. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press, 2006.
244
Press, 2006.
245
Press, 2006.
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or an unregistered breed).
and on the road.
247
246
Horse owners would invest in a horse that could be utilized in both the field
As an outcome of this selection of horse, one set of harness and collar could be
applied for all sorts of jobs on and off the farm. In practical terms, if there are fewer types of horses on a
single farm than fewer harness styles and sizes are necessary. Generally, those that could not afford the
expense of a harness for each horse and job would utilize one harness and collar for multiple horses.
248
Another argument can be made that with the arrival of mass production in the harness making
trade, horse owners made less attempt to fit each individual horse properly. Custom made harnesses
cost more than factory made brands, but those brands were not suited to each individual horse.
249
The
cost of harnesses and rise in horse population may have persuaded horse owners to use one harness for
several horses and for different purposes. Even though it was recommended that using “an ill-fitted collar
is cruel,”
250
customers would not always buy a new collar for each horse. For example, customers of
Aiden Sauder would use the same collar, breeching and other small harness parts for both field work and
transportation.
251
Rejecting recommended standards for collar and horse treatment, many would use one
collar on multiple horses and for different purposes.
252
The same could be said for saddle, bridles and
horse training equipment. As long as the rigging of a harness fit appropriately to the vehicle, it was an
acceptable practice for owners to apply one harness for many tasks.
253
246
247
Press, 2006.; Dan Patterson, local horse breeder and trainer, Brodhagen Ontario.
248
th
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded. ; Dan Patterson,
local horse breeder and trainer, Brodhagen Ontario.
249
See charts section in appendices.
250
Pratt Food Company of Canada. Pratts New Horse Book. Toronto: Department of Agriculture, pg 5-6 circa 1910.
251
th
252
th
253
th
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.; Telleen,
Maurice. The Draft Horse Primer. Iowa: Rodale Print, 1977, pg. 219.
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded. See appendices
for an explanation on harness and saddle parts
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Exploiting the Trade
Handbooks on harness and saddle making in the late 1800s to the early 1900s became popular
for publishers in Great Britain and North America. These books proposed methods and techniques of
making harnesses and saddles.
254
Anyone could refer to these books and manuals, whether they had no
experience or abundant knowledge of the trade. Paul N. Hasluck’s ‘Handbook on Saddlery and Harnessmaking’ was intended for an audience seeking introductory skills to both aspects of the trade.
“anyone possessing tact and sense can make a set of harness from the instructions given.”
255
256
It states
Those with
few skills to minimal practical knowledge could maintain there own harnesses by reading materials like
this book. In Louis M. Roehl’s “Harness Repairing” book (1921), he explains that the farmer has become
entirely self-sufficient in maintaining their own harnesses.
257
The book goes beyond simple leatherworking
by adding thorough directions on preparing and assembling harness work benches and tools.
254
See HasLuch, Paul. N. Saddlery and Harness Making: With Numerous Engravings and Diagrams. London, Paris,
New York and Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901. Kitchener Public Library Rare Book Room,
Kitchener, Ontario.: Fitz-Gerald, William N. The Harness Makers’ Illustrated Manuel. New York,1886. (reprint);
th
Interview with Mr. Aiden Sauder by Megan Patterson in St. Jacobs, June 14 2012. Unrecorded.:Seaverns, John A.
The Harness Makers’ Guide. Walsall, Great Britain: Office of Saddlery and Harness, 1907.
255
Ontario.
256
Ontario.
257
Roehl, Louis M. Harness Repairing. Milwaukee, Wis.: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1921.
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To enable the individual at home, harness making tools and equipment kits were openly
258
marketed.
A box within the Waterloo Region Museum titled The Luckhard Specialty Co./Shoe &
Harness Repair from 1908 was manufactured in Berlin to supply the average person with the gear
required to mend a harness or leather good.
259
Kits like these would contain approximately 31 tools, with
some small leather straps and harness treatments.
260
Majority of the tools were small hand tools that
were manageable for laymen adjusting to the
trade. Instead of being charged with the service
fee, these laymen would buy extra parts and
hadware for harnesses from the harness
261
maker.
Henry Ebel (Conestogo harness
maker) recorded in his ledger the distribution of
hardware and harness parts.
Artifact, Box. The Luckhard Specialty Co./Shoe &
Harness Repair Kit, 1908.
262
Among some
of these items were buckles, turrets, rings,
stirrups, felt, snaps, oil and leather pieces to
name a few. These books and tool kits may have substituted the harness makers for minor maintenance
and part renewals. If there were emergency repairs or it was not feasible to have the harness
professionally fixed than the farmer or individual could resort to these alternatives.
263
That is not to say
that substituting the harness maker with a book and kit was recommended, but the option was available.
Once again, this would have affected the value of the harness maker and the success of his business.
Adapting to a Difficult Market
258
H.S Howland, Sons & Co. Limited Catalogue No. 23. 1910-1914.Accession No. 971.016.004. (Waterloo Region
Museum Archives).
259
260
Artifact, Tool Set. A Group of 31 Leatherworking Tools. Accession No. 983.005.058. (Waterloo Region Museum);
H.S Howland, Sons & Co. Limited Catalogue No. 23. 1910-1914.Accession No. 971.016.004. (Waterloo Region
Museum Archives).
261
262
263
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At a time when there was notable change within an industry that was becoming less important to
everyday life, harness makers were making every effort to survive in their trade. Many became dealers in
both manufactured harness and saddles to avoid the process of leather handwork.
licences to sell permits (i.e. hunting)
machines).
266
268
business.
265
264
Some acquired
and became agents of specialized products (i.e. sewing
267
Horse goods like gall cure and colic treatment
were sold to augment their harness
It would not come as a surprise that some harness shops would attempt to become agents of
other horse care products. In the case of James Mcghee’s Harness shop in Ayr, he was a “sole agent” of
“Clydesdale Stock Food.”
269
This may have given him an edge over his competitors and attracted other
clients. New and innovative products were also endorsed, like the G.L. Griffith & Son training halter from
Stratford Ontario.
270
The Humane Horse Collar “sold by over 5000 harness dealers” was a novelty
potentially sold in Waterloo County harness shops.
271
It was an adjustable collar (16-26 inches) from the
Whipple Horse Collar Co., Limited in Hamilton, Ontario.
272
WM Spaetzel in New Dundee became a
manufacturer of an original collar design called the “Pneumatic Horse Collar” (made of leather and
rubber) in which advertisements claimed it was the “cure for sore shoulders.”
273
Another major sub-line for
harness makers was the sale, repair and production of valises, trunks and bags.
businesses was yet another alternative to the harness shop entirely.
275
274
Investing into different
Among those that resorted to
264
Henry W. Ebel Financial Statement, Sept. 14, 1898. Accession # 2006.023.025.3A. Waterloo Region Museum
Archives Bay 5, Section 4, Kitchener Ontario.; Advertisement. “Harness: C.F. Ottmann”. Wellesley Maple Leaf, Vol.
7, No 21. March 21st, 1907, p. 3. (Waterloo Public Library).
265
266
267
Gall cure is a ointment that is applied to bumps or swollen areas on a horse to reduce pain and inflammation.
Colic is a horse stomach condition caused by indigestion, stomach rupture, twisting of bowls, poor feed or stress.
268
Notice,” Harness Shop Moved.” The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Volume 46, No. 2. Jan 10, 1901.; Sound
Recording Tape No. 47, Interview with Rufus Sattler, unknown date. Sattler Leather Goods. Grace Schmidt Room,
Kitchener Public Library, Ontario.
269
Advertisement of James McGhee Harness Shop. Ayr News. Ayr, Volume 7, No. 48. March 8, 1906.
270
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for Griffith’s Giant Halter, Dec. 3, 1914. Farmer’s Advocate Collection.
Accession # 986.027.014.347. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener Ontario.
271
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for The Humane Horse Collar, Jan 6, 1910. Farmer’s Advocate Collection.
Accession # 986.027.014.217. pg 1866. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener Ontario.
272
Farmer’s Advocate advertisement for The Humane Horse Collar, Jan 6, 1910. Farmer’s Advocate Collection.
Accession # 986.027.014.217. pg 1866. Waterloo Region Museum Archives, Kitchener Ontario.
273
274
Advertisement for pneumatic horse collar. The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Volume 46, No. 3. Jan 17, 1901.
275
Advertisement for J.P. Luckhardt Hardware. Elmira Signet. Elmira, Volume 3, No. 19. May 30, 1901.
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surrogate businesses within Waterloo County were H.N. Huehn who owned a Heidelberg harness and
hardware store; a harness and grocer named CK Morton in Ayr and in New Dundee there was a coal and
harness business under WM. Spaetzel.
276
There was, however, a more recent market emerging that would have impacted the harness
trade. An interest in recreational riding and driving by the late 1800s was beginning to redirect the trade.
With an “overabundance of trotters”
and showing.
in Waterloo.
278
279
277
on the market, it is not surprising that this led to their use in races
Seagram Stables, founded in 1888 by Joseph E. Seagram, had a 5/8 mile outdoor track
A total of 15 Queen’s plates were awarded to Joseph E. Seagram from 1891-1919.
would be the first Canadian racing owner to import blood stock of thoroughbred horses.
281
280
He
In 1906
Seagram became the Ontario Jockey Club president; proof that hobby and competitive riding was alive
and well within Waterloo Region. Henry Sacks, a room clerk at the Queen’s Hotel in Hespeler said that
“Harness racing was so popular at the turn of the century, I heard stories of sulky track down by the
Speed River. There also were tales of horse racing on the ice over the mill dam.”
282
At exhibitions and
fairs, horse classes consisted of Best Single Carriage Horse, Best Roadster Horse, Best Span of Heavy
Draft Horses, Best High Jumper, Best Pony, to Best Saddle Horse.
283
Spectators would gather in the
stands for the Galt horse show held at Dickson Park in the early 1900s.
284
Exhibition in 1909 had an aggregate of $4,000 for harness racing winners.
The Toronto Canadian National
285
There was even a movement that predicted the horse was becoming an obsolete tool and
encouraged its use in shows. Commentators from the ‘Chronicle Telegraph’ newspaper were admiring
276
277
Trotters were a type of horse intended for pulling vehicles and riding for travel. Derry, Margaret. Horses In
Society: A Story of Animal Breeding and Marketing. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006, 94.
278
Press, 2006, 95.
279
Devilt, Ed, Rowell Marg, and McKegney, Pat . Welcome To Waterloo. Waterloo: Waterloo Printing Company,
1982, pg 47.
280
Devilt, Ed, Rowell Marg, and McKegney, Pat . Welcome To Waterloo. Waterloo: Waterloo Printing Company,
1982, pg 47.
281
Taylor, Len. “Seagram Stable…” Kitchener Waterloo Record. Kitchener, Sept. 22, 1966, pg.15.
282
O’Krafka, William C. Memories of Old Hespler. Cambridge: The Company of Neighbors, 2001.
th
Moffat, John and Springer, M. North Waterloo Fall Exhibition. Waterloo: Telegraph Office, Program for 10 and
th
11 October, 1882. (Kitchener Public Library); Green, J.W. “Wellesley Fair”. Wellesley Maple Leaf. Wellesley,
Volume 6 No. 46. Sept 20th, 1906.
283
284
Walker, Stephanie Kirkwood. A Waterloo County Album.”Parks and Good Sports.” Toronto: A Hounslow Book,
2002.
285
“Horses At the Fair”. The Berlin News Record. Kitchener, Sept 19, 1909.
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the horse show at the Elmira Fair and stated, “it will be a long time before the automobile drives out this
noble animal.”
286
Romanticism seemed to surround the horse with plays and books being written that
explored their welfare and honest nature.
Telegraph in 1913.
288
287
A play called “The Whip” was advertised in the Chronicle
It was based on a horse that struggles to race despite his injuries and in the
process, brings his owners together in a romantic interlude.
289
Support for the horse being employed in
travel and field work was beginning to wane, therefore saddlery and harness makers would have
experienced some of the effects. Nonetheless, with this newer market of recreational riding becoming a
priority for horse owners; harness and saddlers would have likely produced show equipment in order to
adapt.
290
Harness Makers and Their Shops
Sattler Leather Goods Store
The Store
For 92 years, the Sattler family owned and operated ‘Sattler Leather Goods’ located on 49 Queen
Street South in Kitchener.
291
According to the Board of Trade in the early 1900s, the store was considered
Kitchener’s “leading harness emporium.”
292
In fact, the store had such a vast collection of leather goods it
was deemed as the “most extensive in Ontario.”
293
During the month of October in 1977, the store closed
it doors when Rufus Sattler decided to retire after 53 years in the business.
294
Preceding Rufus’
ownership of the store, there had been two operators; Louis Sattler (father of Rufus Sattler), and John
Hoelscher, who both worked at the same store location.
measuring 20 by 40 feet.
296
295
The store consisted of three-storeys,
The building was constructed of white brick with front display windows that
frequently showcased new and attractive merchandise.
297
Above the store and storage floors, the Sattler
family made the top level their home. Simply as a means of convenience and cost, the top floor was
286
“Elmira Annual Fair was An Unqualified Success”.The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Oct. 2, 1913, pg 6.
Black Beauty was published in 1877. The story revolves around one horse and its journey being traded to various
owners.
288
“The Whip”. The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Oct. 23, 1913, pg 2.
289
“The Whip”. The Chronicle Telegraph. Waterloo, Oct. 23, 1913, pg 2.
290
Harness and saddles that were made with high quality leather and hardware in comparison to work gear. Most
would have more decorations (i.e silver rosettes) and tooling (engraving patterns and designs on leather and metal).
291
Hunsberger, Albert. “Sattler leather Goods”, Waterloo historical Society, Volume 65 (1977):1.
292
Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “Sattler L.”. The Twin-City Berlin & Waterloo And Their Industries. Kitchener:
Berlin News Record, 1908: 14. Accession no. X.961. 517.001.
293 293
294
295
296
Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “Sattler L.”. The Twin-City Berlin & Waterloo And Their Industries. Kitchener:
Berlin News Record, 1908: 14. Accession no. X.961. 517.001.
297
287
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transformed into a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and dining room in 1891.
298
Customers needed only to
ring the bell on the bottom floor of the harness shop to reach the home of the Sattlers.
299
It wasn’t until
1913 that the Sattler family moved out of the harness shop and into a house on Schnieder Avenue,
300
beside Victoria Park.
Louis Sattler 1861- 1924
Serving a three year apprenticeship in Heidelberg, Louis Sattler learned the harness making
trade. For Louis’ early career, each step of the harness making process was meticulously done by hand.
With the introduction of treadle sewing machines in the early 20th century, punching holes in leather with
an awl and sewing manually was virtually an outdated approach to harness making. However, hand
weaving/sewing was not abandoned; for three-ply or thick leather pieces hand weaving/sewing was still
necessary. He would serve on the Kitchener Public School Board, Victoria Park Board and had a keen
interest in local politics.
301
After he closed the store a night he would travel to political rallies with friends
and family members.
Rufus Sattler b. 1895
Rufus Sattler, also known as Rufe by close friends, operated the shop starting in 1924.
The Business
Although the business became a prominent outlet for general leather merchandise, it was more
common in its earlier days to produce and sell harnesses. Surrounded by other shops that not only
complimented but aided the harness trade, the Sattler family relied upon other businesses to supply
hardware and attract customers. Just across the street from Sattler’s store, Ephraim Bricker stalled 25
horses. Near by, Aaron Bricker, brother to Ephraim, ran a blacksmith shop. A livery stable, less than two
blocks from the Sattler store resided on the corner of Gaukel and King Streets. Not far from the shop,
Billy Berg was a wagon maker and buggy repairman. Whether it was for delivering goods, serving the fire
department, or simply a means of transportation, horses would pass daily, outside of Sattler’s store.
Consequently, the store was made a part of a booming industrial community that relied on their horses.
298
299
Sound Recording Tape No. 47, Interview with Rufus Sattler, unknown date. Sattler Leather Goods. Grace
Schmidt Room, Kitchener Public Library, Ontario.
300
301
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George Lang, member of Lang Tannery, approached Louis Sattler in his shop and offered a partnership
in a harness making factory. However, Loius was inclined to refuse because he knew that they needed
more than just leather, like buckles and machinery to start a proper factory.
302
A shift in prices and customer demands in the early 1900s forced both Louis and Rufus to apply
their skills to other forms of leather goods. Within reason, Rufus claimed that his father Louis could make
any product made of leather; e.g. wallets, luggage handbags, shoes, sports equipment and clothing. At a
price of one dollar, Louis would sell a billfold that would “today be worth at least $20.00.”
303
As a favour to
some of the local hockey players, Louis would create pucks made out of leather for practicing. He would
sell harnesses to the local fire brigade and sell skate straps to hardware stores.
305
Louis would offer walrus, elk and buffalo leather goods as novelty items.
mile radius to visit the store.
306
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On some occasions
People would travel within 100
Around Christmas was always the busiest time of year, when there was
winter harness repairs and quality leather gifts being made. Louis would be awake all hours of the night in
December. On Saturdays Louis would sometimes keep the store open until 10 p.m. to accommodate
customers with late work hours. Securing most of his leather from three local tanners, Lang and
Breithaupt in Kitchener and Stroh in Waterloo, Louis Sattler had no shortage of raw materials.
Strebel’s Harness Shop
The Store
Dating back to the 1850s, the harness shop building once acted as an implement shop, mattress
factory, butcher shop and general store.
307
It was demolished in 1959 to make way for a parking lot on
rd
23 Erb Street West in Waterloo. The side of the shop was four bricks thick with a 1 ½ inch thick wood
308
floor.
Come the 1950’s, the shop was next door to the only remaining blacksmith in Kitchener and
302
303
304
305
306
307
“Waterloo Loses Old Landmark”. The Waterloo Chronicle, Sept. 24, 1959, p. 1. (Waterloo Public
Library)
308
“Waterloo Loses Old Landmark”. The Waterloo Chronicle, Sept. 24, 1959, p. 1. (Waterloo Public Library)
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Waterloo.
309
of the shop.
There is evidence of prior owners that listed their bookkeeping records on the interior walls
310
John Strebel c.1864-1940
Starting his trade in 1881, John owned and operated the shop from 1890-1940.
Ohio and came to Wellesley accompanied by his parents in 1877.
312
311
He was born in
Strebel’s neighbor, Alfred Schafter,
was the last blacksmith in Kitchener and Waterloo and they both served each other as customers.
313
John George Strebel
Harness maker, John George Strebel, practised his trade starting in 1909.
314
He is a nephew to
John Strebel and managed the shop following his uncle’s death in 1940. From 1909-1912, he trained in
an apprenticeship under Charles Ottmann in Wellesley.
315
After spending 18 years as a harness maker in
Niagara Falls, he returned to Waterloo and continued his trade under his uncle’s employ. Following the
death of his uncle in 1940, he took ownership of the shop. He was considered the “last harness maker” in
Waterloo and Kitchener as of 1956.
316
The Business
309
310
311
“Last harness Maker Turns To Other Work”. Kitchener Waterloo Record, Jan. 14th, 1956, p. 3.
(Waterloo Public Library)
312
Dyas, John H. and Nichols, CM. “John Strebel”. Berlin. Kitchener: The Chronicle Telegraph, 1906: 16. Accession
no. 70.117.50. (Waterloo Region Museum)
313
“Waterloo Loses Old Landmark”. The Waterloo Chronicle, Sept. 24, 1959, p. 1. (Waterloo Public
Library)
314
315
“Last harness Maker Turns To Other Work”. Kitchener Waterloo Record, Jan. 14th, 1956, p. 3. (Waterloo Public
Library)
316
Library)
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The shop would be under the Strebel name for more than 65 years.
317
There were various
reliable and returning customers for many years. In fact that is the only reason that John George did not
sell his harness making tools and machines.
318
Hoping that the business would return, John George
claimed that he kept the shop open as a “convenience for my old customers than anything else.”
319
As a
secondary income, both John and John George resorted to sharpening, locksmithing and general
repairing for their livelihood.
competitors.
reside.
322
321
320
A significant portion of their market was accommodating show horses and
A portion of their business was lost to Woolwich where Mennonite farmers continue to
To John George’s disappointment, machines in the shop began to rust after WWII.
stitching horse would sit idle while the business simply “cease to flourish.”
323
The
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318
Library)
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Library)
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Library)
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Harness Shop Research Report

Transcription

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