The History of Zurich

ZURICH was first organized by a Swiss, Frederick Knell, whop settled on Lot 21 of the 11th Concession, in the township of Hay. The property was purchased from Andrew Hey and registration was effected on the 3rd day of July, 1856. He at once launches a development program. One year later a post office was established with three times a week service from Bayfeild, Frederick Knell was the first postmaster and at the same time operated  the first general store. Soon after, he expanded his activities and built the first grist in the township of Hay. He also erected  a saw-mill. These industries were built on the property known as the Mill Survey. During his lifetime, the founder of Zurich was active in all municipal affairs, and served four years as Reeve of Hay Township. Mrs Knell was a school teacher by profession and taught in Zurich and Community.

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The Village has four Surveys: Knell, Vauthier, Brown and Volland.

The early settlers of Zurich were predominately of German origin.

The first family to settle in Hay Township, was  that of John Oesch who arrived in the year 1846. Among the earliest were Peter Deichert and Frederick Axt, blacksmiths. Other settlers were Henry Wohlnich, Henry Greb and John Goetz, carpenters.

Soon after Zurich became organized new stores were built and operated by Robert Brown and Bernard Hofele. The first hotel was kept by Henry Soldan who was also a shoe maker by trade. He later moved to Dashwood. By 1864 Zurich had two hotels - the "Zurich" operated by Barnard Hofele and Henry Steinbach, and  the "Victoria" run by Louis Vauthier. I addition, there were two shoe shops run by Casper Hill and Henery Soldan; one tailor shop operated by A.F. Zimmerman; two saddlery shops operated by Henry Koehler an Nicholas Deichert; and one tin shop run by Charles Grieman. Micheal Zerrer, Conveyancer and Notary Public and Division Court Clerk was also one of the early settlers, as well as Christian Hess, manufacturer of pottery and earthware.

The first church was the Reformed Lutheran. It was a mission congregation fro 1858 to 1861. The Rev. I.N. Muenzinger was the first pastor. The small frame church was situated on the corner of Edward and Frederick Streets.

Within ten years of its founding, Zurich had acquired a population of 300 inhabitants. more industries were quickly added. A tannery operated by Walper & Co.; a glue factory, by Louis Vauthier; and two wagon and carriage shops whose owners were Charles Bauer and Conrad Wagner. A Town Hall was built and a school, which had an average attendance of 90 pupils.

Early history tells us that Dr. Buller was the first practising Physician.

Even in its earliest days, the inhabitants of Zurich took some care to erect their buildings of the most enduring materials. Some of them are standing today after the ravages of wind and weather of one hundred years. In the year 18666 the Baptist Church was erected with John Sumpt as pastor. The building remains with us, but the congregation has long disbanded.

George Hess, watchmaker and photographer, another well known pioneer arrived in Zurich in 1867. He immediately opened the first jewellery shop, on Goshen Street, the jewellery shop was later operated by his grandson. In 1870 a photographic gallery was added to the jewellery shop. In 1886 he built a tower clock for Trinity Lutheran Church in Sebastapol. Tower clocks were built for Exeter Town Hall in 1887 and for St. Peters Lutheran Church in 1888. All three clocks are still running at the present time. in 1888, George Hess made history by inventing the first electric clock. He received a patent for it in the following year, but unfortunately, never exploited the product of his genius. The clock was operated on dry cell batteries and later on an Edison gravity battery.

In the latter part of the first 25 years there was added business operations and other changes effected are as follows:

General merchants: Daniel Steinbach and Deniel Faust, the latter being at a later date, postmaster. J. Grandby was a general merchant, ship owner, dealer in lumber and cordwood and farmer. The Granby store was later operated by R.R. Johnson. Shoe merchants were W. Roedding and Fred Kibler. Harness makers were William Klopp, Ed. Hardy and Herman Well. Herman Well later operated a furniture and music store.

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