John Metz Schneider

John Metz (J.M.) Schneider (17 February 1859 in Berlin, Ontario – 23 February 1942 in Kitchener, Ontario) was a Canadian businessman and founder of Schneider Foods, now a division of Maple Leaf Foods.

John Metz Schneider
Born(1859-02-17)February 17, 1859
Berlin, Ontario
DiedFebruary 23, 1942(1942-02-23) (aged 83)
Kitchener, Ontario
CitizenshipCanadian
Known forSchneider Foods

Early life

Schneider was born in Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener) on February 15, 1859 to Johann Christoph and Anna Elizabeth (née Metz).[1][2] He married Helena Ahrens November 8, 1883 and together they had five children: Charles Alexander (1884-1945), Herbert John (1886-1905), Norman Christoph (1888-1985), Frederick Henry (1890-1959) and Emma Louise (1894-1952).[2][3][1]

Career

Schneider began working as soon as he was of age.[4] He founded what would become Schneider Foods in 1886 after injuring his hand on the job at the Dominion Button Works factory.[5] Unable to work, he and his wife, Helena, began making sausages which they sold door-to-door, which they kept up after he was able to return to work.[5] The recipe was based on one his mother used for pork sausage.[6] He later expanded operation into a butchering service and retail store next to his home on Courtland Avenue in Kitchener.[7] Built in the 1890s, it was constructed to look like a home in case the business failed.[8] The company grew and survived the Great Depression, becoming one of the largest meat producers in Canada. It specialized in wieners, luncheon meat, sausage and other forms of specialty and delicatessen meats, and was the first company in Canada to introduce vacuum packaging.[9]

Schneider was active in municipal politics, sitting on the board of trade for more than 40 years and serving as city alderman from 1905 to 1907.[4] He was also a long-time member of the Swedenborgian Church and played a significant role in the building of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitchener.[8]

Death

Schneider died February 23, 1942 at his home in Kitchener following several weeks of poor health.[1] An estimated 1,000 people attended a memorial service held at the Church of the Good Shepard in his honour.[8] His remains were entombed at the Woodland Cemetery Mausoleum.[1]

References
  1. "J. M. Schneider, Kitchener, dies: Founded Meat-Paclting Company 52 Years Ago Funeral Tuesday". Globe and Mail. 24 February 1942. p. 20.
  2. "Schneider, J.M. (John Metz)". archives.uwaterloo.ca. University of Waterloo Library - Special Collections & Archives. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  3. "John Metz Schneider". Waterloo Region Generations. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  4. "J.M. Schneider, Leading Meat-Packing Industrialist, Is Laid To Rest; Aged 83". Waterloo Chornicle. 27 February 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  5. Simone, R. (19 October 2011). "Schneiders: End of an era". therecord.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  6. Philpott, Jane (6 September 1984). "The house that Schneider made". Globe and Mail. p. L9.
  7. Mercer, Greg (19 July 2014). "Schneider's gamble paid off". therecord.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  8. Fear, J. "Flash from the Past: Funeral cortege stopped outside J.M. Schneider plant". GuelphMercury.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  9. "History of Schneiders foods". Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
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