William John Wintemberg

Lack of education does not keep a man from reaching great heights. William Wintemberg, a blacksmith’s son, born in New Dundee of German-Alsatian parents, overcame several handicaps, and was elected to fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada.

A shy, retiring boy, weak physically, he was apprenticed to a tailor. At sixteen he worked in Toronto as a printer, and later a coppersmith. He became a helper at the Ontario Provincial Museum, and due to his great interest in native Indian artifacts was appointed assistant to the chief archaeologist of the Royal Victoria Museum, Ottawa. In 1926, for health reasons, he curtailed his work but continued to take part in excavations throughout Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. He worked at the St. Ignace II research project.

An expert in Iroquoian archaeology, he published seventy-five articles and pamphlets. His book, Folklore of Waterloo County , gives a true picture of the early settlers.