HOffmeyer's History

Hoffmeyer's Mill was established in 1906 by Henry Hoffmeyer. It was previously a wooden well-pump factory with the original mainline-shaft dating back to the 1870's. In the early 20th century additional equipment was added in order to manufacture wooden sash/storm windows, wood mouldings, retail lumber, and building materials.

Henry was injured in 1926, his wound became infected leading to his untimely passing later that year. His son Lorne took over the business and continued the successful business another 20 years.

 Lorne fell ill which led to his decision to retire in 1945. He sold  the mill to his nephews/employees Carl and Otto Stoskopf. They ran the mill for 29 more years. 

In 1974 Carl and Otto sold the business to clients John and Sharon Ogilvie effectively making them the second family to run the business. When John first set foot in the mill he instantly fell in love with the place  when the opportunity came he risked all and bought the mill. He came in with ‘weekend warrior carpentry skills but loads of drive. His previous cost accountant and banking industry experience gave him business sense . While Carl Stoskopf held the mortgage and retired, younger brother Otto and longtime employee Stan Schellenberger stayed on at the business in order to teach John everything he needed to know to continue the success of the mill. Otto for about eight years until his retirement.  John also credits longtime mill employee Stan Schellenberger with teaching him the ropes and thanks him for his 37 years of service. “They treated me like a son.” Stan’s son Arnold also began his career and became a Red Seal Carpenter through his work at the mill.

Carl Strasser joins the team and brings in more skill to the team along with sons Paul and Steve with the latter also becoming a Red Seal Carpenter in the early 1980s and is still working at the mill today. Carl retired at age 69 in 2011 after some 34 years of service.  

Reg, son of John and Sharon joins the team full time. He works at a second location in Seaforth that the Ogilvie’s operated from 1983-1995

John and Sharon's son Reg (along with cousin Jennifer and friend Andrew) builds Hoffmeyer's first website as a 50th birthday gift to John. This historical business has now embraced the relatively new invention of the internet with a website! At the same time the mill was getting on line, John and Reg decided the business could no longer compete in the “lumber business” against the major building material chains and through a tough economy made the difficult decision to close the Seaforth location. The Ogilvie's decided to cut out their own market niche using the tools and skills they know and do best. No longer selling shingles, insulation, and drywall, they pivot to offering specialty work like wood mouldings, doors cabinets, and authentic reproductions of windows doors and furniture pieces. The move to the internet allows them to reach new customers not only in Canada but they also seized opportunity in the States and have clients in the UK and Holland.

IIn January of 2005, after 30 successful years of running the mill (an important milestone for John as it was longer than anyone prior), John and Sharon sell the mill to their son Reg and his wife Ruth Ann. The Ogilvie’s planned out the ownership change carefully, seeking the help of the business's longtime lawyer Stephen Montieth and accountant Steve Mitchell. Reg and wife Ruth Ann become the principal shareholders, buying the shares from John and wife Sharon, who hold the mortgage as their retirement income. Using their home equity for the business loan mimics what John and Sharon did when they bought the business in 1974, right down to the plan to have Reg and Ruth Ann buy their house beside the mill a year later.

"The fella that's owned the house has always owned the mill." - John Ogilvie

The Ogilvie family celebrates 50 years of owning the mill and decides it is time the Hoffmeyer's website undergoes a major overhaul and enters the world of responsive design.

Hoffmeyer’s Mill is set to become 120 year old business! All of the previous 4 owners of the mill (along with Carl Strasser) are resting in peace in the Sebringville Cemetary just east of the mill. In fact, John and Sharon lie only about 30 feet off the property line of the Mill. “It’s hard to get away from the place!” Reg jokes.