47 -53 Market Place 

The  Ubelackers' dynasty   

The Ubelackers were a well-known and respected family that lived in Stratford since 1855. They originally came from Saxony in Germany. Christian, a butcher, and his wife Johanna and family arrived in Canada in between around 1852. They settled in the area around Seebach’s Hill. In 1855, they moved to Stratford and Christian established a meat business with partner George Larkworthy. It was the beginning of four generations of Ubelackers owning this business.

Christian’s son Henry joined his father in the business and, when Christian died in 1864, took over its operation. In 1888, Henry bought the property at the corner of Market Place and Wellington Street, where Cora Couture is today, and put up a new building for the meat market. The name of the business remains visible on the building's southwest wall as shown in header

Henry married Jane Glendinning in 1865. They had three children, all born in Stratford: Ada Marie, Frederick and Lillian May. In addition to being in the meat business, Henry was chief of the volunteer fire brigade in the early years of Stratford. 

In 1909, Henry’s son Fred  took over the business after being a partner for 18 years. He was the third generation of Ubelackers to run the business. After him, his two sons, Gordon and Eldon, carried on until 1954. At that time, they sold the name, abattoir and equipment to Gerhard Weidman. It was the first time in 100 years that a Ubelacker was not at the helm of that meat business. 

As of 2023 a street named Ubelacker has been nominated for the Ubelackers.