John George Reiner

When John George Reiner arrived in Berlin on October 18, 1852, he was glad his journey had ended, because he had walked from Hamilton. Born in 1832, in the Black Forest, Germany, he had just emigrated to Canada. He spent his last shilling for lodging in Gaukel’s Tavern, where the Walper House was later built.

Reiner worked at Mannheim, manufacturing fanning mills and furniture, and then built houses and barns in the United States. In 1858 he returned and again demonstrating his ability to endure lengthy journeys on foot, walked from Goderich to Neustadt, where he built a dam across the Saugeen River and a sawmill. In 1866 he went to Smithville, later Wellesley, operated a flour mill and a sawmill, and altogether during his residence there erected thirty-two buildings, including a woollen mill and general store.

He also organized the Wellesley and North Easthope Agricultural Society.