Hanover in Grey County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Daniel Knechtel 1843 - 1936
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025
1. Daniel Knechtel 1843 - 1936 Marker
Inscription.
Born in Waterloo County, Daniel Knechtel came to Hanover in 1864. Two years later, he began producing handcrafted furniture and in 1874 opened a factory on this site. By using local timber resources and applying the latest techniques in furniture manufacturing, Knechtel built a successful business. Under his direction, subsidiaries were established in Southampton and Walkerton and markets expanded into the Canadian West. A fire destroyed Knechtel's factory in 1900 but another was built the following year and operated until 1983. Active in the community, Knechtel made substantial donations for a hospital, library and Baptist church, and served as first reeve and mayor of Hanover (1909-1911).,
Born in Waterloo County, Daniel Knechtel came to Hanover
in 1864. Two years later, he began producing handcrafted
furniture and in 1874 opened a factory on this site. By
using local timber resources and applying the latest
techniques in furniture manufacturing, Knechtel built a
successful business. Under his direction, subsidiaries were
established in Southampton and Walkerton and markets
expanded into the Canadian West. A fire destroyed
Knechtel's factory in 1900 but another was built the
following year and operated until 1983. Active in the
community, Knechtel made substantial donations for a
hospital, library and Baptist church, and served as first
reeve and mayor of Hanover (1909-1911).
Daniel Knechtel naît dans le comté de Waterloo. Il arrive à
Hanover en 1864 et, deux ans plus tard, commence à
fabriquer des meubles. En 1874, il ouvre ici une usine.
Une utilisation judicieuse des ressources locales en bois et
des dernières techniques de fabrication de meubles lui
permettent de monter une affaire prospère. Sous sa
direction, des filiales s'établissent à Southampton et à
Walkerton, et sa clientèle s'étend jusque dans l'Ouest
canadien. En 1900, un incendie détruit l'usine, mais dès
l'année suivante, une autre est reconstruite. Elle reste
ouverte jusqu'en 1983. Socialement engagé, Knechtel a fait
des dons importants pour un hôpital, une bibliothèque et
une église baptiste. Il a été le premier président du conseil municipal puis maire de Hanover (1909-1911).
Location. 44° 9.189′ N, 81° 1.537′ W. Marker is in Hanover, Ontario, in Grey County. It is at the intersection of 11th Avenue and 11th Street on 11th Avenue. The marker is near the northeast corner of Hanover Heritage Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 358 10th Street, Hanover ON N4N 1P4, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgian Bay Country and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the
4. Knechtel Furniture factory building in Hanover ca 1910
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025
5. Northeast entrance to Hanover Heritage Square Park
Marker is just visible on the left side of the walk way
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
![Daniel Knechtel 1843 - 1936 Marker [français] image. Click for full size.](Photos8/880/Photo880731.jpg?711202591000AM "Daniel Knechtel 1843 - 1936 Marker [français]. Click for full size.")
