Walter Elroy "Wally" Sauder

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22890312
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134483

Walter — Mary MacKenzie Duff. Mary was born 20 May 1922; died Nov 2021; was buried , Zion United Maple Grove Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Abram Sauder
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1823.5
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Abraham — Laura Iva Hagey. Laura (daughter of Joseph B. Hagey and Rebecca Snyder) was born 15 Feb 1890, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1974; was buried , Zion United Maple Grove Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Laura Iva Sauder
• Eby ID Number: 00047-3473.6
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Name: Jerry Sauder
• Eby ID Number: 00115-7268
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Jeremiah Souder, "was born July 4th, 1848. He is married to Priscilla Clemens. They reside on the old 'Clemens Farm' and have a family of 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

Jeremiah married Priscilla Clemens 2 Mar 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Priscilla (daughter of George H. Clemens and Catherine Bowman, daughter of George H. Clemens and Salome S. Bowman) was born 29 Nov 1858, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Dec 1932; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Priscilla Sauder
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1823
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Priscilla Clemens, "was born November 29, 1858. She is married to Jeremiah Sauder. They reside on the old homestead of her father where he is engaged in farming. To them were born 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:

• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 126, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Eby ID Number: 00047-3473
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Elected Office: 1894, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Waterloo Township
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, Shares
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Joseph B. Hagey, "was born October 4th, 1848. He possesses the old 'Bishop Hagey' homestead on the east side of the road leading from Preston to Breslau. He is a good farmer and is highly esteemed by all classes of people. He has been a member of the township council for some time. 'Young Joseph' (or Der jung Josey Hagey) as he is generally called, is married to Rebecca Snyder. They have a family of five 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.].

_________________________


HAGEY - Joseph B. Hagey was born Oct. 4, 1848; died Oct. 1, 1924, just three days before his 76th birthday. He was a son of Bishop Joseph Hagey, who served the Mennonite Church a generation ago, and he spent his entire life on the old homestead. On Sept. 11, 1877, he was married to Rebecca Snyder. To this union were born six children (Edith, Irvin, Elsie, Lora, Walter, and Samuel). Samuel died in infancy, Walter at the age of 5, and Elsie, wife of Dr. Sauder, in 1918. He left a sorrowing companion, one son, two daughters, two brothers, one sister and 11 grandchildren. The funeral was held on his 76th birthday from his late home to the Cressman Mennonite Church for services and adjoining cemetery for burial. Services conducted by Brethren Whitham and Oscar Burkholder. Text, Romans 14: 10.

Gospel Herald - Vol. XVII, No. 28 - October 16, 1924 - pages 575

Joseph married Rebecca Snyder 11 Sep 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Rebecca (daughter of Levi Snyder and Elizabeth Clemens) was born 19 Sep 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Jan 1925; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rebecca Hagey
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5914
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Rebecca Snyder, "was born September 19th, 1855. On September 11th, 1877, she was married to Joseph B. Hagey. They reside on the old "Hagey Farm."


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:

• Land: Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 31, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Name: Joseph Souder
• Name: Joseph Souter
• Eby ID Number: 00115-7265
• Occupation: 1842, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; labourer
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Joseph Souder, "son of John and Catherine (Snyder) Souder, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, December 17th, 1822. He came to Canada in 1841 and settled in Waterloo County, near Hespeler. On March 26th, 1843, he was married to Christina Calfass. She was born March 28th, 1822. He followed farming many years but at present he and his aged partner have their home with their son, Jeremiah, who resides about two miles south of Breslau, on the old 'Clemens Farm'. To them were born 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.].

Joseph married Christina Margaret Kalfass 26 Mar 1843, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Christina was born 28 Mar 1822, , Wuerttemberg, Germany; died 19 Dec 1922; was buried , Zion United Maple Grove Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Christina Calfass
• Name: Christina Margaret Sauder
• Name: Margaret Kalfass
• Eby ID Number: 00115-7265.1
• Immigration: 1830, , Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1830, , Canada
• Residence: 1842, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 123, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1819
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Directory: 1864, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 02, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

George H. Clemens, "the youngest son of Abraham and Rachel (Dierstein) Clemens, was born July 25th 1831. On February 4th, 1851, he was married to Salome S. Bowman. She was born July 26th 1830. Soon after his marriage he moved on his father's old homestead two miles south of Breslau where she died June 24th, 1882. On January 15th, 1884, he was married to Catharine Weichel who was born February 3rd, 1845. He died June 8th, 1892. To him and his first wife were born 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.].

_______________________

CLEMENS.--On the 8th of June, 1892, at High Banks, near Breslau, Waterloo Co., Ont., of neuralgic rheumatism, followed by general debility, Bro. Geo. H. Clemens, aged 60 years, 10 months and 13 days. His remains were laid to rest in the burying ground at the Cressman Mennonite church near Breslau, on the 11th, followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted by Bish. Elias Weber in German from Acts 9: 6, and Pre. Noah Stauffer in English from 2 Cor. 5: 1. Bro. Clemens was twice married. His first wife, Sister Salome Bowman, with whom he was joined in matrimony on the 4th of February 1851 died about 10 years ago. This union was blessed with nine children, of whom seven are still living. On the 15th of January, 1884, he was married to Sister Catharine Weichel.

Bro. Clemens was confined to his bed the greater part of the spring. At times his bodily sufferings were severe, but he possessed that sweet consolation which a firm trust in his Savior gives to the believer. His mind was fixed upon Jesus, and he was permitted to obtain a glimpse of that beautiful land for which he longed and of which he spoke repeatedly. He rejoiced in a crucified Redeemer, and enjoyed telling others of the grace of God. In practical piety and love for the cause of Christ he leaves a beautiful example for all. He spoke guardedly and encouragingly to those who were willing to accept Christ, and to them as well as to the brethren in the ministry, he was an able support and sympathizing friend, He was a true helping brother of the family of the church, as many both in and out of the ministry, can testify. The church of which he was a dearly beloved member feels deeply the loss it sustains, but none so much as the members of the family to whom he especially attached. They have lost a beloved companion, an affectionate father, the church a pillar, the community a kind neighbor. May the missionary spirit that was in him, burn in us and influence others to accept the Savior in whom he trusted and died. Nearly all of his family have accepted their Savior. May God comfort the bereaved hearts and give us grace to walk faithfully in the way of the Lord that we may meet our loved ones who have crossed death's river before us.

"O what has Jesus bought for me!
Before my raptured eyes,
Rivers of life divine I see,
And trees of Paradise.
I see a world of spirits bright,
Who taste the pleasures there;
They all are robed in spotless white,
And conquering palms they bear.


Herald Of Truth, Vol. XXIX, No. 14, July 15, 1892, page 222, 223

George married Salome S. Bowman 4 Feb 1851, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Salome (daughter of Jonathan B. Bowman and Maria Snyder) was born 26 Jul 1830, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Jun 1882, Near, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Salome S. Clemens
• Eby ID Number: 00002-232
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Salome S. Bowman, "the second daughter of Jonathan Bowman, was born July 26th, 1830. On February 4th, 1851, she was married to George H., son of Deacon Abraham and Rachel (Dierstein) Clemens. He was born July 25th, 1831. They resided on a farm two miles south of Breslau where she died June 24th, 1882. 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.].

_________________________

CLEMENS.- On the 24th of June, in Waterloo county, Ontario, Salome, wife of George H. Clemens, aged 51 years, 10 months and 29 days. She was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church, and beloved by all who knew her. She leaves 7 children and a sorrowing husband to mourn her departure. The remains were buried at Cressmans in the presence of many friends


Herald of Truth Obituaries - Volume XIX, Number 14 - July 15, 1882 - p 221, 222

Other Events:

• Land: 4425 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Name: Joseph Haegy
• Occupation: Cressman Mennonite Church, Breslau, Ontario; minister
• Eby ID Number: 00047-3465
• Land: 1861, 4685 Fountain St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1861, 4650 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1861, 4600 Fountain St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Website: 2007
• Website: 2007; wikipedia

Notes:

Bishop Joseph Hagey, " the second son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Bergey) Hagey, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 11th, 1810, and came to Canada with his parents when twelve years of age. Some time during the summer of 1832 he was married to Sophia, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Eby) Bricker. She was born December 20th, 1812. Soon after their marriage they moved on the farm now possessed by their son, Joseph B., where they resided until his death which took place December 31st, 1876. On May 31st, 1851, he was ordained as a minister of the Mennonite body, and on October 11th, 1852, he was ordained bishop which position he held until his death. He was well received by both his and other denominations. His fame as a preacher was widely known and served to fill the houses of worship to their utmost capacity wherever he was known to officiate. His sermons were short and always well seasoned with a grand exhortation to be more like our Lord and Master. He was greatly respected by the young and always gladly received by his many friends. His last days on earth were much clouded with the church controversy which was carried so far as to cause a division among the Mennonites. Just at this time came the winged arrow of death and bore the soul of Bishop Hagey from the scenes of his life's activity, from the companionship of his faithful circle of followers, and from the worrying of this world, to the regions beyond the skies where trials and temptations are no more, where Christ reigns supreme, in Heaven. His last words were, 'O what a good and merciful Lord we have'. His end was peace. His widow is still living and has her home with her daughter, Mary. Their family consists 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.].

________________________________

Hagey, Joseph B. (1810-1876)

"Joseph B. Hagey: bishop and farmer; born 11 June 1810 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to Daniel and Elizabeth (Bergey) Hagey. He and his twin brother, Daniel, had an older brother, and a younger brother and sister. In 1832 he married Sophia Bricker (20 December 1810-4 November 1895). She was the daughter of Sam Bricker, famous for his role in raising funds in Pennsylvania to buy the German Company Tract (much of Waterloo Township) from Richard Beasley. Joseph and Sophia Hagey had six sons and five daughters. Joseph died 31 December 1876 and was buried in the Breslau Mennonite Cemetery. It was said that three hundred carriages were part of the funeral procession, with one thousand persons in attendance at the service.

In 1822 Joseph Hagey came with his family from Pennsylvania after his father went bankrupt in business there. They lived on a farm just north of Cambridge (Preston). After their marriage, Joseph and Sophia lived on the farm owned by her father; they became the owners in 1837.
On 10 February 1839 Joseph Hagey was ordained as a minister, probably by Benjamin Eby , and on 31 May 1851 he was ordained as a bishop to assist the aging Eby. He served in the Hagey congregation as a pastor, but as a bishop carried responsibility for all the congregations in Waterloo Township. His years of service followed those of a very charismatic bishop, and Hagey never received the acclaim of his predecessor. In his later years he was faced with division within the Ontario Mennonite Conference. The division was sparked by a revival in Solomon Eby's congregation in Port Elgin, Ontario in 1870, and a similar revival within Waterloo County. These Methodist-style prayer/revival meetings were often held in homes, and were not yet generally accepted within the Mennonite community. Initially Hagey responded positively and baptized converts from the Port Elgin revival. However he then declined to baptize the Waterloo converts because of objections that arose within the conference leadership. Although another bishop finally baptized this group in 1871, the controversy festered and finally resulted in the division that created the Reformed Mennonites (later part of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ ).
Although Hagey was not successful in maintaining peace in the Ontario Mennonite community, he was a peacemaker in spirit. He assisted several attempts to help settle a church conflict in Indiana as a participant and served as the nominal leader (as bishop) of an Ontario delegation that attempted to mediate the conflict. Joseph B. Hagey was a longtime leader in the largest Mennonite settlement in Ontario during troubled times; his failure to preserve unity does not diminish the magnitude of his service to the church."

Steiner, Sam. "Hagey, Joseph B. (1810-1876)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 2002. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 13 Nov 2005

_____________________________________

Breslau (Cressman) Mennonite Church

Services were begun in Breslau in 1815. In 1834, Benjamin Eby's log meeting house, which had been built in Berlin in 1813, was moved to Breslau to the Cressman farm. Preaching services which were held every four weeks began in the reconstructed meeting house in 1837. A new brick church was built in 1856, at which time the old log meeting house was moved to Frederick Schaefer's brickyard. The old building may have been used for storage or an office until approximately 1880 when it was clad with white "Breslau Brick" from the brickyard, and used as a home by Frederick Schaefer and his family. The address of the house is reported to have been 18 Woolwich Street; it was still standing in 1985, according to Alder 1985, with the original log walls possibly preserved within the brick ones.

A summer Sunday School was begun in June of 1872. It was held in the Breslau schoolhouse until 1877 when it was moved to the church. Sunday School continued on in the summers only until 1889 when Sunday School classes began to be held all year.

The 1856 white brick church was taken down in March 1908, and was replaced with a new white brick church. In 1968 the name of the church was changed from Cressman Mennonite Church to Breslau Mennonite Church. Major renovations were made to the church in the same year. It is of interest to know that land amounting to approximately three acres was deeded to the congregation by Christian C. Snyder in three parcels, in 1837, 1859, and 1870.

Joseph Hagey, the first minister at Cressman's, was ordained on February 10, 1839. He was ordained bishop in 1851. Ministers who followed him in serving the church at Breslau were Jacob Woolner Sr., Elias Weber, Isaac A. Wambold, Jacob S. Woolner, and Oscar Burkholder. Services were held every four weeks from 1837-1867, and bi-weekly from 1867-1894 when weekly services were begun

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

__________________________________________

Wanner Mennonite Church
Begun: 1829

A small wooden meeting house was built in 1829 on a corner of the farm belonging to Samuel Bechtel which was located in the vicinity of the present-day regional headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources near the intersection of Highways 24 and 401. The site for this community meeting house, as well as a school and a burial ground, had been chosen on August 8, 1829. The land was donated by Samuel Bechtel and his wife Barbara (Baumann) on March 15, 1830. A new meeting house, of white brick, was built in 1837 on the east side of Henry Wanner's farm, somewhat north of the first meeting house. Meetings at first were held every eight weeks. The deed of land for the meeting house known as Wanner's was dated October 15, 1837. Early preachers were David Sherk, who had been ordained by Benjamin Eby in July 1837, Jacob Bretz, Jr., and Joseph Hagey.
Joseph Hagey was ordained bishop in 1851. During his time divisions occurred in the church by a surge of enthusiasm for a Methodist form of revivalism. Solomon Eby of Port Elgin, who announced his own conversion in December 1869, was leader of a group which believed that members could be converted through participation in revival meetings. John Baer of Wanner's became associated with Solomon Eby, and was compelled to leave the church in the spring of 1874, as were Eby and his other followers. The new church movement resulted in organization conferences which culminated in the conference on March 23, 1875 at Bloomingdale where New Mennonites and Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together as United Mennonites. The United Mennonites favored revival meetings, Sunday Schools and prayer meetings, and were opposed to the use of alcohol and tobacco.
The date of construction of the meeting house which replaced the one built in 1837 is somewhat in doubt. It is possible that a new building was erected in the early 1870s; it is also possible that the 1837 building only underwent extensive renovations at that time. There is no doubt, however, that a new brown brick church was built in 1938. An education wing was added in 1969.
The earliest Mennonite Sunday School in North America was begun in 1842 and was held jointly by the Wanner and Hagey Meeting Houses. It was discontinued after a short time because of a division of opinion within the congregations. An attempt was made later, in the mid-1860s, to begin another Sunday School, but this, too, did not last long. Many years later, on June 10, 1896, a meeting was held to organize a Sunday School. Anson Groh was appointed superintendent..<sup>4a

4a</sup>Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

__________________________________________


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.<sup>5a

5a</sup>Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

__________________________________________


LARGE FUNERAL AT BRESLAU - On Tuesday of last week the funeral of the late Joseph Hagey, Bishop of the Mennonite Church at Breslau, took place, and was the largest ever held in that section, over three hundred teams being in the procession, and over one thousand people present, thereby testifying to the great respect entertained by all for the deceased. Mr. Hagey at the time of his death, must have been nearly eighty years old (ed. note actually 66), and for many years was recognized as the head of that body in Western Ontario. He was always distinguished for his Christian virtues, and was held in high esteem by the members of his own church and by all who knew him.<sup>6a

6a</sup>The Galt Reformer 3 Jan 1877

Website:
Gameo Entry

Website:
Wikipedia Entry

Other Events:

• Name: Sophia Hagey
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1342
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Sophia Bricker,"the second daughter of old Samuel Bricker and his wife, Rebecca Eby, was born December 20th, 1812. In 1832 she was married to Joseph Hagey who was afterwards ordained as minister and bishop of the Mennonite body. They resided about two miles south of Breslau where he died suddenly, December 31st, 1876. To them were born 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.].

Other Events:

• Residence: 1130 Maple Grove Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5906
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Levi Snyder, "was born August 16th, 1815. On March 17th, 1838, he was married to Elizabeth Clemens (No. 1636). They resided near Zion Chapel where he was engaged in farming. his death took place May 26th, 1890. Their family consisted 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.].

____________________________


SNYDER.-On the 26th of May, in Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Co. Ontario, Levi Snyder, aged 74 years, 9 months and 9 days. He was buried on the 28th at Wanner's M. H., followed to the grave by a large number of relatives and friends. Appropriate remarks were made by Bish. Elias Weber from Matt. 6: 19-21 and Noah Stauffer from 2 Cor. 5: 1.


Herald of Truth, Vol. XXVII, Number 13, July 1, 1890, pages 205 and 206

Residence:
Levi Snyder is reported to have lived at this site. There is no house and barn (2014) dates from 1890.

Levi married Elizabeth Clemens 17 Mar 1838. Elizabeth (daughter of Jesse M. Clemens and Margaret Miller) was born 6 Jul 1816, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 May 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Snyder
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1636
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elizabeth Clemens, "was born July 6th, 1816. She was married to Levi, son of John C. and Catharine (Shantz) Schneider. They resided near Kossuth where he owned a large farm. She died May 25th, 1890. To them were born 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.].