A German church record shows that Jacob Kaufmann [sic] and Maria Funck (also spelled Funk and Fink in some records) were married on July 22, 1829, in Daisbach, Baden, Germany. The couple, along with children Barbara, Heinrich and Eva, emigrated from Germany, arriving in New York City aboard the ship Burgundy in 1941. The family made their way to Canada West (now Ontario) and settled in Waterloo Township.

Jacob and Maria's children were:
- Barbara (1832-1913)
- Henry (1834-1913)
- Eva (1841-1925)
- Elizabeth (1842-1921)
- Margaret (1844/45-1887)
- Magdalene (1846-1928)
- Jacob (1849-1940)
- Menno (1851-1943)

The circumstances of Jacob Kaufman's death were reported in the Waterloo Chronicle and Family Newspaper on April 29, 1869:

FATAL ACCIDENT
On Friday evening last a melancholy sequel, to the removal of our bridges, by the late freshet, took place here. At about ten o'clock of that evening a man by the name of Jacob Kauffman, aged about 60 years, a resident of the neighboring village of Lexington, while endeavoring to make his way home with a horse and buggy, himself being intoxicated, unfortunately forced the animal over the obstruction placed in the road to the Western side of where the bridge had been placed over Mill Creek on the Bridgeport road, and down the steep bank of the Creek into the latter, a distance of eight or ten feet perpendicularly. The noise of the fall attracted the attention of Mr. Menno Springer and Mr. James Fairbairn, who were in a neighboring house at the time. They rushed to the spot and after a little search saw the unfortunate man floating down the stream almost completely covered by the water. Mr. Fairbairn sprang in and with the assistance of Mr. Springer dragged him to shore in a state of insensibility. Dr. Walden was summoned and in a short time succeeded in restoring the man to life, He was then carried to Mr. Hewitt's hotel, his wet clothing removed, dry blankets substituted, and himself put contginous to a warm fire. He now raised so rapidly that in a short time the natural temperature of his body was restored and every appearance indicated that in a few hours he would be as hale as ever. A man was put in charge of him (he being able at this time to talk and sit up,) and the crowd dispersed. About two o'clock on Saturday morning, however, symptoms indicating some severe internal injury set in and in a few minutes thereafter he was a corpse

An inquest was held by Dr. Walden, Coroner, on Saturday, when the following verdict was returned: "That the deceased Jacob Kauffman came his death by driving into Mill Creek while in a state of intoxication, and that from the evidence adduced no blame can attach to any other than himself,"

We understand a report has been circulated by some evil disposed person, which reflects on the mode of treatment to which the deceased was subjected. Having heard the evidence adduced, we can state unequivocally that from the report of the witnesses, the man did not suffer from neglect but was treated successfully as far as the effects of the water were concerned. Reaction had fully set in and there remained not the least doubt in the minds of those present, that death was caused by some internal injury received by the fall into the Creek.

The doctor's orders with regard to the disposal of the patient during the night were strictly obeyed, and in our opinion there are no grounds for the charges of inhumanity which have brought against the hotel keeper, in whose house the death occurred.
(Appreciation to Darryl Bonk (47010264) for submitting this article)