Charles August Ahrens

Charles August Ahrens, born in Port Elgin, Ontario, the second oldest of eleven children, served three years apprenticeship at harness making with Henry Roth in Berlin, Ontario. He then went to Iowa and specialized in making fancy harness for harness racing.

While in Berlin on his honeymoon in 1882, Ahrens was persuaded by his father to join him in shoe manufacturing. A factory, specializing in men’s work boots, was built at 43 Queen Street South and later a new factory was erected on Linden Street where “Chums” shoes for children were manufactured and sold nationally. Ahrens was very highly respected in his home community as a businessman and leading citizen.