Waterloo County House of Refuge

newspapers, books) so that community residents and others interested in the topic have access to a piece of Waterloo Region's history that has been to date, largely untold. We will also explore how today's current ways of helping in a social work context are shaped by the past.One of our main objectives for this project is to bring from the obscure to the light the existence and history of the poor house. As social workers we are interested in how charitable work was organized within the context of the poor house and the vulnerable populations it served. As an academic partner in the Kitchener downtown core, we are interested in contributing to the historical memory of the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener and to honour the memory of the poor house residents.

View of Home from Frederick St.

To see more particulars about the operation of the Home go to Link below.

http://waterloohouseofrefuge.ca/people/edward-edna.amos

Convention Parkingin HofR Driveway

The Front walk

Mary & Edward Amos

Matron and Manager 1933-1953

Edward Amos (1888-1962) and Mary Edna Schmidt (1893-1970) were the last Keeper and Matron of the House of Industry and Refuge from 1933-1954.Edward was born in Puslinch, Ontario to William Scott Amos (1855-1935) and Nancy Robinson (1859-1939). He grew up alongside his five siblings: Isabella Beth (1879-), William Alexander (1881-1923), Ernest (1885-), Jessie Martha (1891-), and Ella Nancy (1897-). During Edward’s childhood, his father, William Scott, was working as a stone mason in Wellington County. By his late teenage years, Edward was working in a factory earning $150.00 annually. William continued working as a stone mason until his 60s when he became a labourer and did odd jobs for money.Mary Edna was born in Floradale, Ontario to Killean Schmidt (1846-1906), Catherine Grube (1852-1933). When Mary was young, the family moved to Waterloo where she grew up with her siblings: Lizzie (1875-1962), Henry (1877-1920), Levina (1879-1961), Marjorie (1881-1962), William (1883-1970), and Emil (1885-1886).Edward and Mary Edna Schmidt married in 1918 and moved to Elmira together to start a family. They had a number of children together. At the time of their marriage, Edward was working as an appraiser and Mary was working as a shoe fitter.