Alonzo H. Erb

Other Events:

• Business: Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Weber and Erb
• Organization: Elmira Public Library, Elmira, Waterloo, Ontario
• Name: A. H. Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2796
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant
• Occupation: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; General Merchant
• Residence: 1891, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyteian
• Elected Office: 1897, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Occupation: 1901, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; general merchant
• Residence: 1903, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Elonzo Erb, "was born March 8th, 1857. His nature prompted him to make exertions to have his life directed in the mercantile channel. With a fair education he entered upon the life of his choice when a young man, and when arriving at the years of maturity he entered into partnership with Mr. David Betzner and opened a large general store in the village of St. Jacobs in 1878. After the term of agreement of partnership had expired they sold their business to the late J. B. Snyder. Mr. Erb then went to Elmira and entered again into the mercantile business with Mr. Menno Weber where they have since built up one of the largest trades in North Waterloo. Some years ago he was elected reeve for Elmira, a position which he still holds. He is in his sentiments entire liberal and charitable and has never been known to attempt to dictate to men under his control for whom they shall vote. He always permits men to exercise their own judgement. As a man he is honest and upright and has ever maintained an irreproachable reputation. On June 6th, 1883, he was married to Isabella G., daughter of Andrew and Christina (Clark) Scott. She was born March 11th, 1859. To them was born a family of three children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

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…This week we are called upon to report the demise of a prominent and useful citizen, who has lived and laboured amongst us a score of years and who was called away in the prime of life. Mr. .H. Erb, respected by all and loved by all who had the pleasure of a closer acquaintance, a kind father and husband, a holder of positions of trust and a prominent figure in society, passed away at his home last Tuesday evening, at the age of 47 years 1 month and 11 days. Although not of robust health deceased was able to attend constantly to his duties. Several weeks ago, he contracted a bad cold but had recovered sufficiently to attend to his duties until several days before his death when he was attacked by pleuro-pneumonia. His disease was apparently relinquishing when paralysis of the brain set in which was the immediate cause of death, everything that medical skill and attentive nursing could do, proving of no avail. Alonzo H. Erb, was born in the town of Waterloo, in 1857. Then he removed to Berlin where he obtained his education in the public school. He entered first on his mercantile career at Waterloo in 1875 and commenced business on his own account at St. Jacobs in 1878. In 1882 he sold his interest there and entered into partnership with Mr. M.L. Weber, of Elmira. The year after Elmira became incorporated, Mr. Erb was elected a member of the Village Council. He served three years in this capacity. Then he was elected Reeve and held the position for six years. When the new law of municipal representation was introduced, Mr. Erb was elected County Councillor for the district of Woolwich and Elmira. He was Warden of the County of Waterloo in 1897 and held the position of County Councillor three years longer, at the end of which time he retired from public life…member of Gale Presbyterian Church….[leaves a wife and family]…. [Article contains a photograph of A.H. Erb.]


Elmira Signet Newspaper 21 Apr. 1904 p. 1, col. 3-4

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Mr. A. H. Erb, was born in the town of Waterloo, in 1857. Then he removed to Berlin where he obtained his education in the public school. He entered first on his mercantile career at Waterloo in 1875 and commenced business on his own account at St. Jacobs in 1878. In 1882 he sold his interest there and entered into partnership with Mr. Menno L. Weber, of Elmira. The year after Elmira became incorporated, Mr. Erb was elected a member of the Village Council. He served three years in this capacity. Then he was elected Reeve and held the position for six years. When the new law of municipal representation was introduced, Mr. Erb was elected County Councillor for the district of Woolwich and Elmira. He was Warden of the County of Waterloo in 1897, and held the position of County Councillor three years longer at the end of which he retired from public life

Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.

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HIS WAS A USEFUL AND HONORABLE CAREER.

One of the prominent personages in North Waterloo answered the summons of the Grim Reaper on Tuesday evening. It was Mr. Alonzo H. Erb of the firm of Weber & Co.. He contracted pneumonia, which proved fatal, despite the most skilful of medical attendance.

A Biographical Sketch.

The late Alonzo Erb was born on March 8^th, 1857. He was the son of the late Samuel L. Erb, who resided for years in Waterloo and carried on a store business with John Shuh. Alonzo received a fair education and when a young man he entered into partnership with D. Betzner and opened a large general store in St. Jacobs in 1878. After the term of partnership had expired they sold the business to the late J. B. Snyder. Mr. Erb went to Elmira and entered into partnership with Mr. Menno. Weber, and the two had built up one of the largest businesses in North Waterloo. He was a member of the firm until his death. He was reeve of Elmira for several years, and was a valued and respected member of the Waterloo county council in the years of 1891, 1896, 1897 and 1900. In 1897 he ably filled the warden's chair. He always viewed county projects in a broad and liberal light. He was opposed to the debenture principle, and at that time Elmira had no debenture debts.

He was an honest, upright man and enjoyed an irreproachable reputation. On June 6^th, 1883, he was married to Isabella G. Daughter of Mr. Andrew Scott. A family of three children survive.

Paper unknown

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WEBER & ERB.

The individual interests of these two well known gentlemen were consolidated on July 28th, 1882. To look at their mammoth establishment of to-day and the small beginning they made in their first business venture the reader is at once reminded of what men of pluck and eminent business qualifications can accomplish. Their first stock of merchandise was kept in a building which has since been converted into a residence that is at present occupied by James Nicol. This they soon found to be too small for their rapidly increasing business, and they moved to the corner building formerly occupied by Mr. J. S. Bauman. At the end of two years they found this building also entirely inadequate to meet the requirements of their constantly increasing trade and they purchased what was then known as the "Ratz Block." To this they erected an addition equal in dimensions to the original building, and which now comprises their two mammoth double stores of 75 feet in length and two stories high. This spacious structure is packed from cellar to garret with foreign and domestic merchandise and seldom do we find such a varied exhibit of that line in a country town. Mr. M. L Weber, the senior member of the firm, was born near Elmira in 1856 and spent, the first fifteen years of his life on the farm. He is a business man from the ground up and an adherent of the Methodist church. He has had a thorough and practical experience in the vocation in which he is now engaged, having for a number of years been connected with some of the prominent mercantile establishments of several of the leading towns and cities of Ontario. Mr. A H. Erb, the junior member, was born in the town of Waterloo, in 1857, his father at that time being in partnership with Mr. John Shuh, at present of that town. Mr. Erb's first business venture was at St. Jacobs in 1876, being associated with Mr. David Betzner in the business formerly carried on by Peter Gleiser. In 1881 the firm sold out to one Ortwein and Mr. Erb became a business partner of Mr. Weber. He was Reeve of the village for six years in succession, and would likely have had the office thrust upon him that many times more had he not declined to further serve in that capacity. In January, 1897, after the county had been divided into districts, he was elected a member of the Council and at the first meeting of the County Council he was unanimously chosen warden of the county, the responsible office of which he is now the incumbent awaiting the appointment of his successor. Messre. Weber & Erb have been in every sence of the word honorable in their personal and business relation with the public in general. They are public spirited, for it cannot be said that in any worthy enterprise that meant increased prosperity for the town they have not shown a liberal hand.

Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1, 2, 3

Organization:
On January 24, 1888, a meeting was held to organize a Mechanics' Institute in Elmira. Membership cost $1 a year. The first board members were: David Bean, George Klinck, A. Werner, John Ratz, A. H. Erb, A. Blatz, Wm. Behrens, Sol Laschinger, Dr. Ullyot, and M. Weber. The librarian/caretaker, C. K. Jansen was paid $30 a year.

Alonzo married Isabella G. Scott 6 Jun 1883, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Isabella (daughter of Andrew Scott and Christina Clark) was born 11 Mar 1859, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 17 May 1877, Union Presbyterian Church, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Apr 1947, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Edna Mabel Erb was born 15 Mar 1885, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 8 Aug 1977, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Grace Irene Erb was born 8 Oct 1890, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
3. Douglas Scott Erb was born 8 Oct 1891, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1969; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00032-2791
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant

Notes:

Samuel L. Erb, "was born September 13th, 1820. He was married to Miss Annie Kay. They resided in the town of Waterloo where he was engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Mr. John Shuh until his death which took place June 27th, 1861. To them was born a family of six children"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Samuel married Annie Kay 11 Jul 1844, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Annie (daughter of George Kay and Jane Fenby) was born 6 Jan 1824, , England; died 2 Jan 1910, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Erb
• Name: Annie Eschleman
• Name: Widow
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2791.1
• Immigration: 1858, , Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant
• Residence: 1866, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Brethren
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Brethren
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren

Notes:

MRS. MOSES ESCHELMAN

Death claimed one of Berlin's oldest and most respected residents on Sunday evening in the person of Mrs. Annie Eschelman, wife of Mr. Moses Eschelman. The funeral was held on Wednesday, at 2 o'clock pm, from her late home at 51 Church St., to Alma St. U.B. Church, and to Mt. Hope Cemetery for interment.

Deceased had reached the ripe of age of 86 years less four days, and had enjoyed good health up to a week ago, when she contracted bronchitis, since which time she has gradually weakened, passing peacefully away on Sunday evening. Mrs. Eschelman was a faithful and consistent member of Alma St. U.B. Church and during her thirty-one years' residence in Berlin made many friends, who will sympathize with Mr. Eschelman in the loss he has sustained.


Chronicle-Telegraph Jan 6 1910 pg 3

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00032-2781
• Public Service: 1822, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Assessor - Waterloo Township
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; yeoman

Notes:

Samuel Erb, "the eldest son of John and Magdalena Erb, was born January 4th, 1792. On June 25th, 1816, he was married to Mary Lewis who was born August 14th, 1795, and died March 26th, 1877. They resided for many years about two miles south-east of Berlin, on the farm lately owned by Israel Snider, where there family was born. Later they moved to Norwich, Oxford County, Ontario, where he died June 26th, 1878. Their family consisted of eleven children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

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ERB.-June 26th, in Middlesex Co., Ont., SAMUEL ERB, aged 84 years, 5 months and several days.


Herald of Truth - Volume XV, Number 8 - August 1878, pages 141, 143 and 144

Samuel married Mary Lewis 25 Jun 1816. Mary was born 14 Aug 1795, Ancaster Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario; died 26 Mar 1877, South Norwich Township, Oxford Co., Ontario; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2781.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-91342
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

George — Jane Fenby. Jane was born 10 Feb 1800, , England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Kay
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-91343

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21698950
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2779
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 075E, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 004W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 011, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 104W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 020E, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

John Erb, "the third son of Christian and Maria (Scherch) Erb, was born December 8th, 1764, and was married to Magdalena Schrantz who was born in June, 1770. In 1805 he, in company with his wife and family, William Corwell, Henry Kraft and family, Peter Hammacher and family, Matthias Scheirich and family, Abraham Stauffer and family, and other families moved to Canada and settled in the township and county of Waterloo. John Erb settled on the Speed River about 200 rods from where now Erb's Mill, of Preston, stands. He proved to be the founder of Preston. In 1806 Mr. Erb erected his saw mill. Before this time no sawed lumber could be obtained nearer than Toronto or Niagara. A year thereafter (1807) he erected his grist mill which were rebuilt by their son, Joseph, in 1834. In a very short time Preston proved to be quite a business centre. Here he died September 2nd, 1832. His wife died June 2nd, 1826. They had a family of nine children"

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

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Preston (Bechtel or Hagey) Mennonite Church


The second meeting house in Waterloo County was built, probably in 1814, by John Erb, a wealthy miller of Preston. This brick meeting house served as a community church and was located "near Jacob Hagey's", which was on the road running from the top of the Kress Hill west and "adjoining the Kitchener Highway" (Witmer 1967: 26). Another meeting house, known as the Union Meeting House, was built in the area around 1824. A meeting was held in the Union church on November 20, 1824 to commence recording the accounts of the congregation in Hagey's Deacon Book. The deed of land for the Union Meeting House and burial ground, which was for one acre of part Lot 22, Beasley's Broken Front, was transacted in 1835.

Hagey Meeting House was buiilt of red brick in 1842 on part Lot 23, just north of Preston on the west side of the Breslau Road, and slightly north of the Union Meeting House site. The deed, dated February 2, 1842, recorded the purchase of the land from John Hilborn and stressed that the property was to be for "the purpose of public worship by the Mennonist Society" (Witmer 1967: 28). Joseph Bechtel was the first minister in the area, from 1804-1837; he was followed by David Sherk (1838-1843). Next came Joseph Hagey (1844-1877), who was ordained bishop in 1851, and then Jacob B. Gingrich from 1878 to 1901. Services were held every four weeks until 1890 when bi-weekly services were begun. A Sunday School was established in 1842 with the congregation of Wanner Meeting House near Hespeler, but it was discontinued because of a difference of opinion regarding the need for Sunday Schools. On April 26, 1891 a Sunday School was organized at Hagey's, with deacon Abraham Oberholtzer as superintendent. Five years later, on June 10, 1896, a Sunday School was organized at the Wanner church.

Major changes were made to the church building in 1927-1928 when the basement was excavated, new windows were installed and the roof was raised two feet. Fire on January 15, 1950 caused extensive damage to the interior and furnishings of the church. The building was completely renovated and also enlarged at the same time; dedication was on July 2, 1950. Another fire, on Feburary 19, 1953, completely destroyed the church. A congregational decision was made to build a new church, on Concession Road in Preston, and the cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, October 12, 1953. Official dedication services in the new Preston Mennonite Church were held on May 16, 1954. The building was enlarged in the summer of 1989.

Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

John — Magdalena Schantz. Magdalena was born Jun 1770, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 2 Jun 1826, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21698966
• Name: Magdalena Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2779.1