Charles William Stielow (1884 - 1956)

Born 9 Mar 1884 in Altenwalde, Pommern, Germany

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Christine (Loock) Stielow — married 4 Jun 1912 in Arnprior, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 23 Feb 1956 at age 71 in Arnprior, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

Charles was born in 1884 to Eduard August Stielow and his wife Johanna Louise Spieker. Charles, known as Carl to his parents, left Germany when he was a few months old and traveled to Renfrew County, Ontario with his mother and older brothers. They joined their father who was already there. Charles began working in a saw mill at age 17, the same occupation as his father and brothers.

Charles Stielow 1910

Charles lived in Arnprior, Renfrew County. A view of the Town of Arnprior in 1906.

Arnprior 1906

In 1912 he married Mary Loock who worked for the Arnprior Chronicle newspaper.

Portrait of Mary Loock

Charles and Mary had one child, Evelyn, born in 1914.

Mary Stielow and her Baby Evelyn

But there were problems for the young family. The saw mill that employed so many went out of business. By November 1925 Charles Stielow headed south with his brother-in-law Charles Loock to find work in Detroit. The Stielows and Loocks were close. Charles Loock was Mary's brother and he had married Minnie Stielow, sister of Charles Stielow. The brothers-in-law found work and a place to live at 1303 Lillibridge Street in Detroit. They sent money home to their wives and intended to emigrate to the United States as they both filed Naturalization papers January 2, 1926. It is unclear how many years they worked in Detroit or where they worked. Perhaps their wives didn't want to leave Arnprior. When new jobs opened up at Kenwood Mills in Arnprior, Charles Stielow became a blanket finisher there. Charles Loock returned to Arnprior as well.

Mary Stielow passed away suddenly in 1936 of a heart attack while washing the dishes. Their daughter Evelyn, a teacher, married John Miller in 1942. Charles remained in Arnprior, living with his niece, Alice Kerr. He was retired from Kenwood by 1949. Charles was an excellent carpenter and made a large cedar chest for his daughter that she always treasured. Charles died in 1956 after suffering a stroke and was buried in the Albert Street Cemetery in Arnprior.

Place of Birth

Despite the mention in an obituary and funeral card that Charles was born in Canada, he was not. The Hamburg passenger list shows he sailed with his mother and brothers Albert and August at 41 days old. The census records for 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921 all say he was born in Germany.

Sources

• He is listed as Carl, 4 months old, passenger on ship called Hamburg, Captain Krabbo, leaving Hamburg, Germany April 18,1884, destination Quebec. He traveled with his mother Hanne Stielow and brothers Albert and August.
• Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934
• 1891 Census of Canada under Stelon (actual record says Stelow), Edward 39, Hanna 40, Albert 12, August 10, Charles 7, Fred 4, Anna 5/12
• 1901 Census of Canada under Strelow, Eduart 48, Joanne 50, Albert 22, Carl 17, Friedrick 14, Minna 1
• 1921 Census of Canada under Strilaw (they list his occupation as "lawyer", but the actual record reads sawyer. He was working in a saw mill.) Arnprior, Renfrew, Ontario, Alicia Street, Albert Loach (Loock) 63, Annie Loach 24, Charles Loach 20, Charles Strilaw (Stielow) 36, Mary Strilaw 32, Evelyn Strilaw 7
• Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1801-1928, CHARLES WILLIAM STIELOW, 28 and Mary Christina Loock 24, married in Arnprior, Renfrew County June 4, 1912, witnesses Fred Stielow, Annie Loock
• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS8D-6N9
• Michigan, Federal Naturalization Records, 1887-1931, November 20, 1925
• Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980, Renfrew South 1945, occupation finisher
• Canada Voters Lists, 1935-1980, Renfrew South,1949, retired
• Ontario, Canada, The Ottawa Journal (Birth, Marriage and Death Notices), 1885-1980
• Canada, Find A Grave, Index, 1600s-Current, Charles W. STIELOW b. 1884, d. 1956, Albert Street Cemetery, Arnprior, Renfrew, Ontario
• Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204521055/charles-w.-stielow?_gl=1*1m1c5kv*_gcl_au*NTgwMzA4NDE4LjE3MDc3NzI3OTU.*_ga*ODQxMjYyOTIwLjE2OTk5MDc0NDc.*_ga_QPQNV9XG1B*OGVmNjE0OTItZDFjYi00ZjcwLTljMTUtMjA2NGFiYzQwOTZiLjM0MC4xLjE3MTQyMjIyMzQuMC4wLjA.*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*OGVmNjE0OTItZDFjYi00ZjcwLTljMTUtMjA2NGFiYzQwOTZiLjM0MS4xLjE3MTQyMjIyMzYuNjAuMC4w