George Klinck
Inducted In
1972
George Klinck, a native of Elmira, publisher, merchant and educator, had the distinction of being the founder in 1893, producer and editor of the highly regarded weekly newspaper, The Elmira Signet. He was the author of a book Early Days in Elmira.
At seventeen he had been apprenticed to the Pequegnat Clock Company in Berlin as a watchmaker. In 1881 he opened a watchmaking and jewellery business of his own in Elmira, and built a chopping mill as a service to farmers.
In 1885 he founded the Mechanics’ Institute Library for workers; was instrumental in having electric street lights in Elmira in 1886; established St. Paul’s Lutheran Parochial School in 1911; organized and played in the Elmira Band; served as reeve of Elmira; was the first chairman of the High School Board, secretary of the Public Library Board and a member of the Trustees and Ratepayers Section of the Ontario Educational Association.