Sarah Emmaretta Devitt

Other Events:

• Name: Emaretta Devitt
• Name: Emma Devitt
• Eby ID Number: 00030-2345.3
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.
• Residence: 1933, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Business: Brown & Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00030-2345
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinet Maker
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
• Residence: 1864, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.

Notes:

Joseph Devitt, "was born August 19th, 1839, and died December 29th, 1878, aged 39 years, 4 months, and 10 days. He was married to Mary Ann Hoffman who died in June, 1874. They resided in Berlin. He was a builder and manufacturer. They had a family of four daughters, namely: Martha Rebecca, Sarah Emmaretta, Angeline Matilda, and Mary Ann. They all reside in Berlin and are doing well."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

Business:
In 1867 C. F. Brown began the manufacture of furniture in West King Street, next to Simpson & Co.'s warehouse. Afterward he bought Paul Schmidt's house, 200 feet east of Gaukel Street, on the south side of King Street. Up to 1880 Joseph Devitt was his partner; then Menno Erb. Brown & Erb made also mattresses and gloves.<sup>1a

1a</sup>History of Kitchener

Joseph married Mary Ann Hoffman 2 Feb 1864, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Jacob Hoffman and Veronica Eby) was born 10 Feb 1845, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Jul 1874, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Hoffman
• Name: Mary Ann Devitt
• Eby ID Number: 00055-3811
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ea
• Residence: 1864, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.

Notes:

Mary Ann Hoffman, "was born February 10th, 1845. She was married to Joseph Devitt. They resided in Berlin where she died July 1st, 1874, leaving four 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.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00030-2343
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Dennis Devitt, "the fourth son of his father, Dennis, was born in New Jersey, August 18th, 1813. After his mother returning to New York State, his father had him placed with David Shantz who resided near Berlin, on the farm now possessed by David Shuh. Here he was raised and on May 2nd, 1837, he was married to Magdalena Keller who was born January 27th, 1819. After his marriage he resided for over a year with Mr. and Mrs. David Shantz, his foster-parents. In 1838 they moved on their farm, four miles west of Berlin, on the Petersburg Road, where they resided for thirty-six years. Then he sold the farm to the late Samuel S. Shantz and moved to Berlin where his widow still resides. He died June 1st, 1880. They were blessed with a family of thirteen children, all of whom became of age"


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.].

Dennis married Magdalena Keller 2 May 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of John Keller and Magdalena Shuh) was born 29 Jan 1819, , York Co., Pennsylvania; died 9 May 1896, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Devitt
• Eby ID Number: 00063-4029
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Magdalena Keller, "was born January 29th, 1819, in York County, Pennsylvania, and came to Canada with her parents in May, 1826. On May 2nd, 1837, she was married to Dennis Devitt who was raised by old David Shantz who lived on lot No. 1, German Company's Tract, about one mile south-east of Berlin. After their marriage they resided about eighteen months with old David Shantz, then they moved on their farm four miles west of Berlin, on the Petersburg Road, where they resided 36 years. He was born August 18th, 1813, and died July 1st, 1880. She is still hale and hearty and resides in Berlin in company with her youngest daughter who is unmarried. They had a family of thirteen children, all of whom arrived at maturity."


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.].

Other Events:

• Name: Jakob Hoffman
• Eby ID Number: 00055-3799
• Historical Event: 29 Aug 1839, Evangelical Association Church, Waterloo, Ontario; church founding
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; chair and cabinet maker
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

Notes:

Jacob Hoffman, "son of Peter Hoffman, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 18th, 1809. When a young man he came to Canada and settled in Waterloo County where he worked with the carpenters for a number of years. He was married to Veronica Eby who was born March 8th, 1817, and died December 19th, 1876. They resided in the town of Berlin where he was engaged in manufacturing all kinds of furniture. He died November 15th, 1864. They had a family of eight children, two of whom died in infancy."


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.].

________________________

Bridgeport United Church

The early Evangelical Association congregations in Berlin and Waterloo date back to August 1839 when a Camp Meeting was held over a number of days at David Erb's farm (Lot 7, German Company Tract) at Lexington. Classes (or congregations) in Berlin and in Waterloo were organized at that meeting by Bishop John Seybert - on August 29th. Twenty-six charter members were divided into the two classes. Class leader for Waterloo and vicinity was Jacob Hoffman. His brother, John, was class leader for Berlin.

The Waterloo class, along with classes at Lexington and Breslau, was connected to the Berlin Mission until the organization of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association in 1864. The Waterloo Mission was formed at that time. In 1866 the Breslau class was merged with the Lexington class and in 1876 the Lexington class, with 31 members, was referred to as the Bridgeport class for the first time.

An old log schoolhouse was purchased in 1879 for $500.00 on condition that it be used only for Sunday School services, not for preaching. The exterior walls were covered with lumber and the building was dedicated on November 9, 1879. A new white brick church was built ten years later, in 1889, when the old schoolhouse became inadequate for the growing congregation. This church was in use until 1934 when the present building was completed. A decision had been made at a congregational meeting in July 1933 to proceed with construction of a new church. The ground-breaking service was held on August 28, 1933 and on October 1 of that year the cornerstone was laid by Rev. W.J. Zimmerman. Dedication services were held in the new red brick church on Sunday March 18, 1934. In 1942 the old brick church was sold to Mr. Minnacker for $100. An addition which was built on to the west side of the church in 1958 provided additional space for the Sunday School, as well as offices and a kitchen. The new complex was dedicated on November 30, 1958 with Professor John F. Schaefer of Naperville, Illinois preaching the dedication sermon.

Bridgeport and Waterloo were a joint parish from 1876 until 1910, when Bridgeport was joined with Strasburg. This association lasted until 1914 when Bridgeport called its own full-time pastor. The Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. On January 1, 1968 when the Evangelical United Brethren joined with the United Church, Emmanuel's name was changed once again - to Emmanuel United Church. In February 1987 the congregation voted to change the name of the church to Bridgeport United Church.

Rev. J. Kaechele (1864-1865) was pastor in 1864 when the Waterloo Mission was formed; Solomon Kraft was the Bridgeport class leader when the schoolhouse was bought in 1879 and Rev. S.R. Knechtel (1888-1891) was pastor in 1889 when the new white brick church was built.

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

___________________________

Zion United Church

A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob, was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider. The church was dedicated on September 25th of that year, with Rev. Christian Hummel of Buffalo, New York, officiating. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was pastor from 1840-1842. In 1842 the Waterloo Mission became a Circuit of the East Pennsylvania Conference. Two years later it was part of the New York Conference.

The second church building was built of brick on the same site in 1866, and dedicated in 1867; Rev. C.A. Spies was pastor at the time. The old frame church was sold and moved to Elgin Street where it was used as a dwelling. In the same year Berlin became a station.

The present church building was built in 1893 on Weber Street; dedication services were held on June 15, 16 and 17, 1894. This building was heavily damaged by fires in 1942 and 1965 but was renovated and restored each time.

The union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 created the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The name of the church was to change again, to Zion United Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada on January 1, 1968. Of interest: some maps of early Berlin show this church as a German Methodist church.

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

_______________________

Emmanuel United Church

The first Evangelical missionaries arrived in the Waterloo area in 1837. The first Waterloo class (congregation) was formed on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert during a camp meeting at David Erb's farm near Lexington. Jacob Hoffman was the Waterloo-Lexington class leader; his brother, John, was class leader in Berlin. A brick building which was erected by Samuel Burkholder in 1849 on Church Street, near King, was offered to the congregation for their use as a church, rent free, provided that they agreed to finish and furnish the building. Dedication of the new church was in 1851. The house, known as Burkholder House, is still standing, but Church Street in Waterloo is now known as Central Street.

In the early 1890s Waterloo was in the North District of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association, and was ministered to jointly with Bridgeport. Pastors in those years were Revs. C.R. Knechtel (1890-1891), F. Meyer (1892), D. Kreh (1893), and W.J. Yaeger (1894).

A new church, which was built in 1871 at the corner of Cedar and Water Streets (now Bridgeport Road and Dorset Street), was replaced in 1905 by the present structure. Dedication was in May, 1906. Emmanuel Hall was built in 1938. Changes made in 1963 included an addition, a new front entrance and renovation of the former Christian Education area.

On November 16, 1946 the Evangelical Church joined with congregations of the United Brethren in Christ Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. When the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada as of January 1, 1968, Emmanuel became a United Church..

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

______________________

King Street , North Side

Foundry Street (now Ontario Street).

Jacob and John Hoffman, brothers, who came from Pennsylvania, erected a furniture factory on the corner about 1840. It was a two story frame building extending along King St., had 25 to 30 employees and a 15 h.p. engine brought from Buffalo.

Eby's history gives John Hoffman as having come from Pennsylvania in 1825; Jacob, almost two years older, seems to have come before. They both worked at carpentry, etc., for a number of years before starting the factory in which enterprise they were assisted by Benjamin Eby. On the ridge of the factory roof there was a belfry with the only larger bell in Berlin. This bell served not only the factory but the village as well, pinging at 7 in the morning, at 12, at 1 and at 6 o'clock in the evening. It was used also as a fire bell and was tolled for funerals.

By some prank or spite the bell was stolen in 1850 before there was a night watchman at the factory, and disappeared for two or three years. Eventually it was found in a well at the comer of Duke and College Streets, put back in place on the Hoffman factory and later was taken to a belfry on the Simpson factory spoken of, where it was used until this factory was discontinued. It was then taken to the pavilion in Victoria Park and was melted down when the pavilion was destroyed by fire.

Behind the Hoffman factory there was a pond, about three feet deep, fed by a spring, the water being used for the factory boiler, etc. About 1860 a frame building, used by the firm for a warehouse, covered the site of the spring. Further back there was a saw mill, also a planing mill, the first of its kind in Berlin. A two story frame building extending along Foundry Street was later added to the factory and used as a turning shop. At the rear of this building was the factory boiler house.

Next to the factory on King Street there was a three story brick building. The ground floor was used as a store, called the Berlin Warehouse. Jacob Hoffman, who by this time was alone in the business, John having gone to Waterloo, announced himself as dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, china, glassware, crockery, and paint and oils and manufacturer of all kinds of furniture, also sash doors, etc., selling low for cash. An overhead passage way on a bridge connected the second stories of the factory and brick building. Over the store was the paint shop and in the rear a warehouse. Hoffman's store was later occupied by William Schmidt, son of Rev. Wm. Schmidt, an early minister of the Evangelical Church. Schmidt had a dry goods store only, known as the Golden Lion store because of a large gilt lion over the entrance. Isaac Hoffman, son of Jacob, carried on the factory and store for several years; later John S. Anthes was in possession while Hoffman went to Waterloo and continued the furniture business there with Adam Klippert and Martin Wegenast as partners. Jacob and John Hoffman erected a number of houses in Berlin.

Jacob Hoffman was very stout, weighing over 300 pounds. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. For a time he served on the village council. He resided on Foundry Street in the rear of the Canadian Block in a square, hip roof, two story, frame house, until it was destroyed by fire, when he moved to the west side of Foundry Street, south, where now is the Robe & Clothing Co. building. Here he had a one and one-half story frame house with a large two story addition at the rear where were lodged apprentices and other factory employees. There was a small portico over the front door and a porch extending along the northerly side of the house.

Next to the Hoffman warehouse there was a saloon and restaurant occupied by a Mr. Unger. He served, among other things, oysters which came in small wooden, 1-gal. kegs. Adjoining Hoffman's store there was the tailor shop of H. J. Nahrgang, later occupied by Henry Glebe, an early band master; next a store differently occupied at various times and next the shoe store of Wm. Niehaus. A three story brick building occupied by Wm. Young as a grocery. Mr. Young eventually went to the Canadian Block and the store was used for various purposes, among them auction sales in the evening. Here there was sold the first white crockery offered in Berlin. Later the building was occupied by the Berliner Journal.

A one and one-half story frame building with gable toward King St. and a veranda, occupied by Mr. Fuchs, a tailor and shoemaker, whose wife assisted her husband as expert in repairing clocks. The family lived in the building. About 1865 the frame building was moved to the rear and Fuchs' block erected on the street. The ground floor had three stores, the west one occupied by Mr. Fuchs, the middle by John Kayser, dry goods merchant, and the third one by Tindall Simpson and Sons, shoemakers and tailors. The first building on part of the Fuchs' block site was a rough frame structure used by one Susand, colored, who was the first barber in Berlin.

A two story brick building with gable facing King Street, occupied by Christian Garman, harness maker, who later moved to New Hamburg and started a tannery. This building was later occupied by Levi Gaukel, son of Frederick Gaukel, after his father's death. He had a small hotel known as The Red Lion. In 1860 Urban Prinzer succeeded Gaukel and continued the hotel for a short time.

A two and one-half story brick building with gable facing King St. was occupied by Levi Gaukel, as a butcher shop after he gave up the hotel next door. Jacob Gaukel was associated with Levi. Later George Debus occupied this shop.

A building with gable and porch facing King Street, later occupied by George DeBus as a barber shop.

On the corner of King and Queen Streets there was first a driving shed for the Gaukel hotel opposite, until the Bowman block was erected in 1860. This was a three story brick building lengthwise with King Street. Joseph Bowman the noted violinist occupied the third floor of this building. Half of the ground floor of the building was occupied by Henry B. Bowman with a partner Heins as general dry goods store. This was on the corner. The other half was a brick store occupied by Cole and Graf, druggists, and later by Wm. Bowman in the same business. On the site of the Bowman block is the handsome Bank building built by the Merchants Bank and now occupied by the Bank of Montreal.


REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

Historical Event:
A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob, was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Ambrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]

Jacob — Veronica Eby. Veronica (daughter of George S. Eby and Barbara Wenger) was born 8 Mar 1817, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Dec 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Veronica Hoffman
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2744
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ea
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.

Notes:

Veronica Eby, "the youngest daughter of George Eby, was born March 8th. 1817, and died December 19th, 1876. She was married to Jacob Hoffman who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 18th, 1809, and died in Berlin, Ontario, November 15th, 1864.


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.].

_____________________


In Veronica's daughter's marriage (Maria) it states that Veronica's name was Fredericka.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00030-2322.1

Notes:

Maria Polly Banghart married J.George Ribble in 1793. He died 2 yrs later after fathering George Ribble Jr. December 25, 1800 she married Dennis Devitt, an Irish immigrant recently arrived in the German-Dutch community of Sussex, NJ. The family spelled the name DeWit while living there. By 1812 seven little DeWits had arrived. At this time the family re-located to Canada leaving behind her son George and the two oldest DeWit boys, Matthew and John. James had died in infancy. Going with them to the Hamilton, ON area was Barnabus, Barbara, John and Dennis who now all became Devitts. Maria and Joseph Banghart Devitt were added in Canada in 1813 and 1814. At this time another re-location found them moving further west into the mostly German area of Waterloo. Baby Joseph was left behind in the Hamilton area with a French Canadian family named Dionne. A family-written biography refers to him merely as Joseph, the Dionnes. Dennis and Polly are said to have had a row after moving to Waterloo at which time she packed up and fled in 1815, heading for the US. She left behind the five Devitt children, several of whom are known to have been taken in and raised by Mennonite families. It is said she picked Joseph up along the way and nothing more is known of either one of them at this time (2005). Maria Polly Banghart was a benefactor of her grandfather Andrew Banghart's will in 1818. Her name there was Mary DeWit. Joseph was not mentioned.

jcareypearce@home.com

Dennis — Mary Martin. Mary was born Abt 1790, of, Sussex Co., New Jersey; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Devitt
• Name: Polly Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00030-2322.12

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00063-4026
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 121, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John Keller, "the eldest in Christian Keller's family, was born in 1783. He was married to Magdalena Schuh who was born in 1782 and died on February 2nd, 1831. She was a daughter of John Schuh of York County, Pennsylvania, and sister to Henry Schuh, minister of the Mennonite body. They moved to Canada in 1826 and resided with Benjamin Eby, Berlin, during the summer months, then, in fall, moved on their farm, being part of lot No. 121, German Company's Tract, now possessed by Cyrus Cressman. Here they both spent their remaining days. He had the sad misfortune of being deprived of his eyesight for nineteen years. He died in April, 1838. They had a family of nine children, six of whom died in infancy. The remaining three were married"


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.].

John — Magdalena Shuh. Magdalena (daughter of Jacob Schuh) was born 1782, Of, Pennsylvania; died 2 Feb 1831; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Keller
• Eby ID Number: 00063-4026.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00055-3784

Notes:

Peter Hoffman, "the fourth son of old George Hoffman, was born September 27th, 1776. He resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His family consisted of five (there may have been more but the names of only five were received) 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.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191061171
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2581
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 001, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; gelder
• Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; veternary surgeon

Notes:

George Eby, "the fourth son of George Eby and his wife, Barbara Sensenig, was born May 8th, 1776, and was married, April 1st, 1797, to Barbara Wenger who was born in the year 1780 and died in September, 1834. In 1804 they moved from Pennsylvania to Canada. They were accompanied by his elder brother, Samuel, and a few others. He took up part of lot No. 1, German Company's Tract, in the township and county of Waterloo. The farm is now owned by Jacob B. Shantz. They had 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.].

_________________________

Among the early settlers of Berlin were August Fuchs, a jeweller, from Baden ; George Jantz, a grocer and tavern keeper, also from Baden ; Anselm Wagner, a potter from Alsace


Theobald Spetz, The Catholic Church in Waterloo County Book I

______________________

Anselm Wagner was the first potter in Berlin and had a shop for many years on King street south.

_________________

How More German Families Were Brought In

At that stage there was a further influx of German hand-workers. In the main they came from Hesse, with sprinklings from Baden, Saxony. Mecklenburg, and other States. Woodworkers predominated. The Dorf however boasted a weaver, wagonmaker, hatmaker. a tailor (John Nahrgang), two shoemakers, and several carpenters, while Anselm Wagner, potter, made shilling crocks and flowerpots for the Hausfrau. A Dr. Klinkert was the first doctor

A History of Kitchener

___________________

King Street , North Side

Frederick Street.

Bishop Benjamin Eby's farm came to the corner of King and Frederick Streets. Next to Frederick Street, Frederick and William Miller erected a frame building and used it as a general store. After the grading operations spoken of this building had to undergo the same process as the St. Nicholas Hotel. It was considered a fine building in its day with large windows on each side of the centre door. Henry Stroh finally bought the building and tore it down in 1868. Jacob Stroh has some of the window sash, shutters, stairway, etc., still in his possession. Later the building was occupied by Jacob Eckstein cigar maker and tobacco dealer. Mrs. Warren with a family lived on the second story for a number of years.

Vacant lot. Next a large brick building with double deck porch along the front, the Queen's Arms Hotel, built about 1840 and continued as a hotel until about 1860. A Mr. Butchard was the first landlord and later Levi Weber. From this hotel the first omnibus met the trains at the G.T.R. station in Berlin in 1856. Before that day it was a stopping place of stage coaches operating from Hamilton and Galt to Berlin and beyond. The old Queen's Arms long vacant and practically ruined as a building was sold finally and made room for the Market Building and Town Hall in 1869.*

Next we come to the John Roos house. This also had a double-deck veranda with heavy posts as was the style 1840-50. The building was later turned into a hotel known as the Market Hotel and kept by Casper Heller.

A lot with a log cabin in the rear, occupied by Jacob Sauer, who had come from Pennsylvania, father of Mrs. John Roat.

* See 1922 Annual Report W. H. S., p. 210.

A harness shop occupied by John Roat, then by his son John and later by John Haugh, a son-in-law of John Roat.

A garden. A dwelling, 4 or 5 feet lower than the street which had been filled up, where lived the Susand family. Mrs. Susand had a reputation with juveniles for tarts and molasses taffy sold in lc. bars. Her children were in the habit of selling these wares to passengers at the G.T.R. station. After her husband's death about 1860, widow Susand moved her shop to Foundry Street North, and there continued until she died. Susand was an ex-slave. In 1857 at a nomination meeting for Council, he was nominated and stood a good chance of being elected, as a joke. However, the more thoughtful element among the voters prevailed.

A two story, frame building, lengthwise with King Street, built in the '30's. After street grading this had to be raised so that what had before been the ground floor became the cellar or basement.

A house occupied by Wm. Hawke,-known as Bill Hawke- a mason. A stout, easy-going man. His wife was in the habit of standing in the door way, with white lace cap, smoking a clay pipe. The east end of this building was occupied by Winters, a hatter, the first hat maker in Berlin. He made the old style, broad brim, Mennonite hats in fashion up to about 1845. At the corner of Scott stood a brick building of good size with gable toward King Street, used to stable the first fire teams for a number of years. Later John Wagner had a waggon shop above and George Ward a blacksmith shop underneath. Scott Street was, however, not opened until many years later.

A one and one-half story building rough cast, gable facing King St., occupied by H. W. Peterson, who began publishing the "Canada Museum", in 1835 and so continued until 1840 when he went to Guelph as first Registrar of the County of Wellington. This was the first newspaper published in Waterloo County.

Jacob Hailer's house, a one and one-half story, frame building with porch along the front partly enclosed by lattice work. In this house was born in 1834, Catherine Hailer, who married Louis Breithaupt. She is said to have been the first child born in Berlin of parents who came from Germany. Hailer's barn was some distance back from the street and next along on the street front was his shop where he manufactured spinning wheels, etc., and chairs which had a large distribution. Hailer was an expert wood turner. He had two foot-power lathes and a number of German assistants from time to time, continuing his shop for about 40 years.

A two story frame building lengthwise with King Street, erected by Dr. John Scott. He had a drug store with two good-sized windows at the front. On the east gable of the building was a sign, "Med. Hall" in large letters. The sign was legible long after Dr. Scott's death. The doctor pursued his practice on horseback for which he used three horses. He was the first medical practitioner in Berlin, coming in 1834, at the time of the cholera epidemic. For a few years before he was married he boarded at the Gaukel Hotel. His later house, after the one described, is still standing on Weber Street at the rear of the Kitchener Public Library.

The old Scott house on King Street was later occupied by Franz Martin who kept a saloon. Martin had a musical family, with the zither as their principal instrument, which all the children could play.

A one and one-half story, frame building, painted, occupied by Anslm Wagner, a potter.

A brick building 1 ½ story lengthwise with King Street, the west end of which was John Eby's drug store, the rest of the building being his dwelling. This was the first regular drug store in Berlin.

A brick building with a frame extension in the rear used by David Eby as a pump shop. Part of the brick building is still standing, the rest having been cut off for the opening of Eby Street North.

A one story hip roof brick cottage occupied by Geo. Eby, a Notary, who came to Canada in 1804. He died in this house. A considerable fish story is told of how he followed a sturgeon in the Conestoga River, part of Grand River, and finally speared it.

A one and one-half story building, probably rough cast, occupied by Hy. Wurm, a carpenter employed at the Simpson factory.

A two story brick building painted red occupied by Henry S. Huber.'

A handsome brick building, two story, with veranda along the front and ground floor considerably above the street level, with broad steps, the width of the building, leading to it, was built in 1850. Some time later it was occupied by Casper Heller and known as the Royal Exchange hotel. Following the old custom its swinging sign had "Last Chance" on the side toward the village and "First Chance" outward, referring to liquid refreshments. Heller kept a good hotel and had also a large shed and ham next east of the hotel.

On the corner a steam grist mill was erected, about 1860. Louis Seyler, a German, was the miller. The custom was for farmers to bring in their wheat to have it ground, getting in return flour, bran and middlings, the miller retaining his toll. Later Lehnen & Shelly operated this mill.

REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.



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?living with George in Waterloo Township in 1851 was apparently a second wife named Elizabeth born 10 Oct aged 63 born USA. source: 1851 census of Waterloo Township.

George married Barbara Wenger 1 Apr 1797. Barbara (daughter of Martin Wenger and Anna Gingrich) was born 1780, , Pennsylvania, USA; died Sep 1834; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205499105
• Name: Barbara Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00013-1147.3