John Kalbfleisch (1846-1925)

Born July 4, 1846 on a farm in the Township of South Easthope. Third son of the late Eckhardt Kalbfleisch and Marie Schnarr. Attended public school at Sebastopol. In 1859 he went to Preston and entered Guggensberg's Furniture Factory [Frederick Guggisberg chair factory est. 1841] to learn the trade of cabinetmaker. 1866 moved to Stratford where he opened a cabinet shop in a small frame building which he erected on Ontario Street. The building was later bricked over and is next to Carter's Garage (1925). Moved to Tavistock in 1867. Formed a partnership with his brother-in-law Adam Schaefer who had been a successful building contractor in 1869. Under the name Kalbfleisch and Schaefer erected a factory and carried on the manufacture of furniture, undertaking, contracting and also dairy supplies. Partnership dissolved in 1892. Kalbfleisch continued on alone until 1906 when he sold to Zimmerman Bros. Mr. Kalbfleisch was the first undertaker in Tavistock and had been in business 56 years.

First wife Catharine Bauer, 2nd wife Hannah Bauer.

He erected many fine residences in Tavistock, built the Opera Hall, public meeting place.