George Rumpel
Inducted In
1972
Berlin was the birthplace of felt manufacturing in Canada and the father of the industry was George Rumpel, a native of Germany. He came to Canada in 1868 when eighteen years of age and lived in Hamilton as a shoemaker for five years.
He moved to Berlin in 1871 and in 1875 established the Berlin Felt Boot Company, with three employees. He then also manufactured leather boots. Rumpel went to Germany to study felt making and after he returned and applied the knowledge he had gained his business grew rapidly. When he sold it to the Consolidated Felt Company in 1909 there were 300 employees. He continued as president but in 1912 started the very successful Rumpel Felt Company.
Rumpel was a member of the Park Board, the Water Commission and the Town Council, which he served for five years. He was reeve in 1897 and mayor in 1898.