Child Cober

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00025-1985.7

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00025-1985
• Occupation: 1875, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1888, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; minister
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Minister
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Rev. Peter Cober, "was born May 7th, 1853. (The writer heard him narrate the story of his conversion at the Breslau Camp meeting). When a young man he felt the influence of the Spirit striving with him, but for some time he resisted the Spirit and hence no regeneration was produced. Thus he lived for several years, until he was brought under conviction by a spiritual sermon to which he listened, and after a protracted struggle committed himself to God. He soon joined himself with the Mennonite Brethren in Christ. Some years ago he entered the ministry and has been stationed on different fields of labor under the Canada Conference and has so far proved himself to be an able minister and a useful instrument in the hands of God in winning souls for the Lord's kingdom. At the annual conference held at Breslau, Ontario, the last week in March 1895, Mr. Cober was elected presiding elder for the North District. He is married to Martha Steinacker and resides in Stayner, Ontario. Their family consists 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

___________________________

Cober was converted at the age of 21 and the following year he united with the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church (now the Evangelical Missionary Church). A few years later Cober moved to Michigan, and in 1881 he began preaching at Brown City as the first pastor of the church there. He also served for a few years in the Indiana-Ohio Conference (at Bethel), being ordained by that conference in 1884. Soon afterward this ordination he returned to Ontario, where he spent most of his 42 years in the active ministry, serving pastorates at Markham, Kitchener, Kilsyth, New Dundee, Shrigley, Breslau, Maryboro, and Hespeler.

Cober was presiding elder of the Ontario conference for 10 years, 1895-1901 and 1903-1907, and chairperson of six conferences, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1905, and 1906. He also served at various times as conference evangelist and as a member of the several boards of the Ontario conference. He was a delegate to general conferences and chairperson of one ( Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, 1896).

In a few respects Peter Cober's record was unique. He was the first subscriber to the Gospel Banner, opened the first city mission of the Ontario Conference (Collingwood, 17 September 1897), and attended 60 consecutive annual conferences (1881 to 1940 inclusive).
In 1923 he retired from pastoral work, residing at Kitchener, Ontario, from then until his death 23 March 1941. Interment was made in Woodlawn cemetery.

Storms, Everek R. "Cober, Peter (1853-1941)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1953. Web. 25 February 2011. https://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/C634ME.html.

_________________

COBER, PETER

An active clergyman of Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church for approximately forty years, prior to his retirement eighteen years ago, in his 87^th year, at his home, 21 Chapel St. in Kitchener, following an illness of several months. His last surviving sister, Mrs. Abram Witmer died a few hours earlier at her home in Victoria, BC. Rev. Cober entered the ministry in 1881 and was ordained in 1884. His early years as a clergyman were spent in Michigan and Indiana. In addition, he served several churches in Ontario. Prior to his retirement, Rev. Cober was presiding elder of the M. B. C. Church for ten years. He served as pastor of Kitchener Church for four years. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Cober, he was born on May 7, 1853 on the 3^rd concession of Puslinch Township, just east of the townline. In his passing, a descendant of one of the pioneer families was lost. His parents took up residence in a log house on lot 2, shortly after their marriage. At that time, the whole district was a hardwood forest. Wild game was plentiful and deer, bears and wolves were common. Rev. Cober did not live in the old house, however, as the family moved into a new home, which is now still standing on the property. In 1875, he married Martha Steinbacher, who predeceased him in 1935. Rev. Cober was noted, in the ministry, for his cheerful disposition. Surviving are three sons, Vernon L. of Kitchener; Wilfred A. of Buffalo; Milton S. of Kitchener; three daughters, Mrs. Allen Good of Conestoga; Mrs. Harvey Stauffer of Kitchener; and Mrs. William G. Waldron of Brantford. Two sons died in infancy. He was predeceased by two brothers and five sisters. A short private service was held Wednesday, March 26, 1941 at 2 at his residence, followed by public service at Bethany Mennonite Church at 2: 15. Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

________

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Cober, Peter - Born in Pushlinch Township, Wellington County, Ontario, May 7, 1853. Parents were Nicholas and Nancy (Holm) Cober. Raised on the farm and educated in the common school.

Converted at the age of twenty-one, entered the ministry in 1881, and ordained in 1884.

Married to Martha Steinacher, September 28, 1875. Eight children: Rosa, Addie, Ira, Samantha, Vernon, Wilfrid, Milton, and Gordon, the third and last being deceased.

Held pastorates at Ubly and Deanville, Mich.; Bethel and Goshen, Ind.; Markham, Berlin, Kilsyth, Bethel, Shrigley, Breslau, Maryboro, and Hespeler, Ont.

Presiding Elder of the Ontario Conference for two terms, totaling ten years; member of six General Conferences and chairman of one of them; member of the Executive Committee for a number of years; member of the Ontario Foreign Mission Board and of the United Orphan and Mission Board.

History of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church., Jasper Abraham Huffman ... editor-in-chief., The Bethel Pub. Co, New Carlisle

Rsrch. Note:
7 May 1853-23 March 1941). Peter Cober was the son of Nicholas and Nancy (Holm) Cober. He was born on May 7, 1853, in Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., ON. On Sept. 28, 1875, he married Martha Steinacher, and together they had eight children, two of whom died in infancy.
Cober was converted at the age of 21 and the following year he united with the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church (now the Evangelical Missionary Church). A few years later Cober moved to Michigan, and in 1881 he began preaching at Brown City as the first pastor of the church there. He also served for a few years in the Indiana-Ohio Conference (at Bethel), being ordained by that conference in 1884. Soon afterward this ordination he returned to Ontario, where he spent most of his 42 years in the active ministry, serving pastorates at Markham, Kitchener, Kilsyth, New Dundee, Shrigley, Breslau, Maryboro, and Hespeler.
Cober was presiding elder of the Ontario conference for 10 years, 1895-1901 and 1903-7, and chairperson of six conferences, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1905, and 1906. He also served at various times as conference evangelist and as a member of the several boards of the Ontario conference. He was a delegate to general conferences and chairperson of one (Coopersburg, PA, 1896).
In a few respects Peter Cober's record was unique. He was the first subscriber to the Gospel Banner, opened the first city mission of the Ontario Conference (Collingwood, Sept. 17, 1897), and attended 60 consecutive annual conferences (1881 to 1940 inclusive).
In 1923 he retired from pastoral work, residing at Kitchener, ON, from then until his death March 23, 1941. Interment was made in Woodlawn cemetery.

Peter married Magdalena Martha Steinacker 28 Sep 1875, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of Peter Steinacker and Margaret Voltz) was born 1 Mar 1860, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1935; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Martha Cober
• Name: Martha Steinacker
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1985.1
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25901036
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1978

Notes:

Nicolaus Cober, "was born March 4th, 1811, in Vaughan Township, York County, Ontario. On April 3rd, 1832, he was married to Nancy Holm who was born November 4th, 1813, and died April 5th, 1878. After their marriage they resided for several years in Vaughan Township, then they moved to Puslinch Township, Wellington County, near Hespeler, Ontario, on the farm now possessed by Gottlieb Stunn. Here they resided until their deaths. He died June 22nd, 1887. To them was born a family of eight 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.].

________________

COBER, NICHOLAS

Death of an Old Settler of Puslinch

On Wednesday morning, 29^th June 1887, Mr. Cober of Puslinch breathed his last, at the good age of 76 years. When he first came to this country a young man, this part of Waterloo and Puslinch was a vast forest and one or two houses were built. Guelph, Galt and Preston were but small hamlets. The nearest flour mill was at Dundas and was only visited once a year. He settled on his farm in Puslinch over thirty years ago and by his industry, he accumulated a large fortune. He leaves a large family of grown up children, one of whom, J. N. Cober, is in the firm of Cober & Bechtel of Hespeler. He was a Christian in every sense of the word. Although very quiet and unassuming, he cheered many a poor person's life with his liberality and was a liberal giver to all good objects. Mr. Cober will be very much missed, as he was a very courteous old gentleman, well beloved by all who knew him. His funeral took place on Friday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in Puslinch. His body was taken for interment to the Union Cemetery at the brick church on the third concession. Rev. Henders conducted the services.

-Information from the death certificate: Born in Vaughan Township.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Nicolaus married Nancy Holm 3 Apr 1832. Nancy (daughter of Niehls P. "Nelson" Holm and Anna Catharine Philips) was born 4 Nov 1813, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; died 5 Apr 1878, , Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Crossroads Brethren in Christ Cemetery, Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125517166
• Name: Nancy Cober
• Eby ID Number: 00056-3854

Notes:

Nancy Holm, "was born November 4th, 1813. On April 3rd, 1832, she was married to Nicolaus Cober. He was born in Vaughan Township, York County, March 4th, 1811, and died June 22nd, 1887. Some years after their marriage they moved from York County to Wellington County, near Hespeler, where she died April 5th, 1878. They had eight 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.].

___________________

COBER, NANCY (Nee Holm)

Near Hespeler, on the 7^th April 1878, after a painful illness, aged 65 years, 5 months. The wife of Nicholas Cober.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-24612

Peter — Margaret Voltz. Margaret was born Abt 1830, Of, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Steinacker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-24613

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00025-1970

Notes:

Nicholaus Cober, "from whom all the Cobers in this country are descendants, was born in Pennsylvania, U. S., November 24th, 1763. In 1796 he was married to Eva Fisher who was born June 27th, 1777. In April, 1800, they, with their two children and others, moved to Canada and settled in Vaughan Township, York County, Ontario, about twelve miles north of Toronto. During the first years of their Canadian life they had to contend with numerous hardships and self-denials. In 1810 they had already cleared some eighty acres of their large farm and had erected a comfortable log dwelling and log barn thereon. In course of time the first buildings were replaced by more expensive residences. (Old Mr. Cober must have seen quite a difference in the country from 1800, when it was all forest, until 1840 when York was the Banner County and Toronto the capital of Canada). Mr. and Mrs. Cober raised a family 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.].

Nicholaus married Eva Fischer 1796. Eva was born 27 Jun 1777, Of, , Pennsylvania; died 2 Feb 1858; was buried , Baker Cober Cemetery, Vaughan, York Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Eva Cober
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1970.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00056-3823

Notes:

Niehls P. Holm, "was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19th, 1774. He was a sailor in his younger days, and when Admiral Parker, assisted by Nelson, bombarded Copenhagen in 1801, young Holm was present and had a very narrow escape of his life. After the fall of his native city he, in company with other sailors, boarded a vessel and struck for the open sea where they led a piratical life for a few years. When once landing at one of the Atlantic ports on the American coast, he, not wishing to meet the fate of pirates, made his escape under the cover of night. Shortly thereafter he arrived at Little York (Toronto) where he was married to Anna Catharine Philips who was born in the Free City of Hamburg, Germany, November 7th, 1785, and died October 11th, 1858. They resided in Markham Township, York County, where their family was born and raised. About the year 1839 they moved to Puslinch Township, Wellington County, near Hespeler, where he died January 12th, 1865. Their family consisted of ten 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.].

Rsrch. Note:
Holm's Mill
(a.k.a. Krib's, Cole's and A. J. Shants' Mill)
From A History of Vaughan Township by G. Elmore Reaman
Neihls Peterson Holm was a Dunkard and a sailor. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in Oct.19, 1774, he came to Canada ( Waterloo County ) with the Mennonites from Pennsylvania. He was a sailor in his younger days, and when Admiral Parker, assisted by Nelson, bombarded Copenhagen in 1801, had a narrow escape with his life. After the fall of Copenhagen, he and others like him, took to the open seas, where, for a few years, they led a piratical life. Having eventually landed on the east coast of America, and wishing to avoid punishment for his crimes, Neihls made his escape to Little York (Toronto) under the cover of night. He there married Anna Catharine Phillips of Hamburg, Germany. The couple resided in Markham Township, York County where their children were born.
Although the Eby book states that they came to Puslinch in 1839, it is recorded by others that they were here 10 years prior, when the first small dam was constructed( lot 1- 3rd concession ), on the outlet from Puslinch Lake, used to power a small saw mill . In 1850, a new dam powered the larger saw mill erected at the same time. No longer able to tolerate his land legs, and having built a suitable vessel, Neihls first sailed the waters of Puslinch Lake in 1845. What a joyous occasion that must have been, for Neihls and for all the "sailors" since!
Early assessment rolls of Waterloo County indicate that among his neighbours there, were the Pannabeckers Clemens, Baer, Bergey and Ellis families, other surnames common to Puslinch history.
By 1856 a grist mill had been added which was operated by his son Peter Niles Holm ( born March 16, 1811). His wife, Susannah Cober, ( born June 4, 1813 ) was the daughter of Nicholas Cober of Vaughan Township. Peter's son Daniel married Esther Pannabecker and Anna Pannabecker, and farmed lot 6 in the 3rd concession. At about age 35 Peter was ordained as a minister of the River Brethren church, and it is said that his friends and admirers were of all denominations and that possibly when Peter died on Dec.13,1880, he did so without a single enemy.
1851 Puslinch Census

Niehls married Anna Catharine Philips Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. Anna was born 7 Nov 1785, Hamburg, , Hamburg, Germany; died 11 Oct 1858. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Catharine Holm
• Eby ID Number: 00056-3823.1