The Ratz family was a prominent Mennonite family hailing from the Kitchener-Waterloo area. John Ratz was the first of the family to be born in Canada. He purchased a farm in Elmira in 1855 and was eventually elected the first Reeve of Elmira in 1887. John Ratz was a miller and owner of the Ratz Brothers Company as well as having a large amount of real-estate in the Elmira area. John Ratz had 10 children including George Ratz who was married to Clara Dunke in 1863 and had 6 children. One of these children, Elmer Ratz, was the executor to the estates of John, Clara, and George. Elmer was also brother to Herbert Ratz.