Franklin "Frank" Shuh

Other Events:

• Name: Frank Shuh
• Eby ID Number: 00107-6458
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ?
• Occupation: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Franklin Shuh, "was born in the town of Waterloo, June 26th, 1858. On January 10th, 1882, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Moses Shantz. She was born June 8th, 1863. Soon after his marriage he moved two miles north of the town of Waterloo, on the farm known as "Conrad Schmitt's Place" where he still resides. His family consists 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

Franklin married Catharine Shantz 10 Jan 1882. Catharine (daughter of Moses Shantz, daughter of Moses Shantz and Susannah Snider) was born 8 Jun 1863, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1958; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Clayton H. Shuh was born 29 Oct 1883, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 Jul 1955, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Mabel Shuh was born 28 Mar 1887, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1945; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Walter Shuh was born 1891, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
4. Clarence Shuh was born 15 Mar 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Oct 1985, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Norman Shuh was born 24 Apr 1894, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Apr 1898, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Vera Mary Shuh was born 11 Dec 1902, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Business: Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; John Shuh & Co.
• Employer: Merchantile Fire Insurance Co., Waterloo, Ontario; Vice-President - Merchantile Fire Insurance Company
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/202812485
• Interesting: insurance
• Eby ID Number: 00107-6457
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; clerk
• Occupation: 1856, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Occupation: 1861, 2 King St. S., Waterloo, Ontario; merchant
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Protestant
• Elected Office: 1870, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waterloo City - councillor
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Elected Office: 1876, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Shuh, "was born October 30th, 1828. After the decease of his father, he, together with his mother and his sister, Lydia, made their home with George D. Shoemaker, where he was raised. In 1846 he went to Jacob S. Shoemaker, Bridgeport, where he was engaged in the large mills. Here he remained until 1851, then he went to Berlin and commenced clerking for Mr. Henry Huber who then did business in a small roughcast store situated where now is the American Hotel. A few months later he engaged himself to Hoffman & Co., in whose services he remained until 1856 when he came to the town of Waterloo and entered into partnership with J. Hoffman and Isaac Weaver, under the firm of John Shuh & Co. Here he remained in active service as a general merchant until 1889 when he sold out to the firm of Shuh & Snider (Mr. Shuh of this firm was Mr. Levi Shuh, youngest son of John Shuh). Since then he has lived a more retired life. He is president of the Waterloo Woollen Mills and also one of the directors of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was married to Susannah, daughter of David and Catharine (Eby) Weber. She was born April 19th, 1836, and died August 7th, 1863. After her decease he was again married to Magdalena, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Landis) Hoffman. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 16th, 1840, and came to Canada in 1862. Mr. Shuh's family consists of three children, two of whom were born unto his first wife."


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.].

_________


Death Of John Shuh
A PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN AND A GOOD CITIZEN

A pall was cast over the town and surrounding country on Sunday night on the announcement of the death of Mr. John Shuh, one of Waterloo's most respected citizens and a prominent business man. He had been in feeble health for some time past, taking a change for the worse about two weeks ago when he gradually sank, passing peacefully away Sunday night at ten

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon and was attended by a large gathering of relatives and friends of the deceased from all parts of the country who had come to pay their last respects to deceased. Most of the business places were closed and the staff's of many of the institutions with which deceased had been connected attended in a body. After a short service at the house the cortege proceeded to the Methodist church for service, in the following order of procession: Pubilc School Board; Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Co.; Mercantile Fire Insurance Co. Waterloo Woollen Company; Dominion Life Assurance Co.; Mutual Life of Canada; and Town Council. At the church short discourses were delivered by Rev G. A. Mitchell in English and Rev Noah Stouffer in the German language both of the reverend gentlemen paying high tributes to the sterling worth and nobility of character of deceased. Revs M. L. Wing, P.E., of Berlin, and Culp of New Hamburg also took part in the service. The remains were afterwards taken to the old Mennonite burying ground south of Berlin for interment and

Among prominent gentlemen present from a distance we noticed: PH Sims, Secretary British-America Fire Insurance Co.; Alfred Wright and T. H. Hall, of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Co., W. R. Brock M. P., U. Brown, representing Bradstreets, Toronto; Jas McMullen, ex-M. P.; Jas. Innes, Ex- M.P.; E. W. B. Snider, ex M.P.P., St. Jacobs; P. E. Shantz, Preston, and others.

John Shuh, was born on his father's farm, a short distance east of Berlin October 30th, 1828, being a son of Henry Shuh one of the pioneer settlers. Early in life he entered the employ of Jacob S. Shoemaker, Miller, of Bridgeport, and in 1851 began to collect for Henry Huber, Berlin. A few years later he engaged with Hoffman and Co., general merchants with whom he remained until 1856 when he came to Waterloo and began business as general merchant, under the firm name of John Shuh & Co., his partners being Isaac Hoffman and Isaac Weber. Here he conducted the business with good success until 1889 when he sold out to Messrs Levi Shuh and J. B. Snider.

Mr. Shuh always took a very active part in promoting the manufacturing and insurance interests of the town, being President of the Waterloo Woollen Company from its inception up to a few months ago when the consolidation of a number of the largest Woollen Mills in Canada was effected under the name of the Canada Woollen Company, Mr. Shuh being for a time its president. He was vice-president of the Mercantile Fire Insurance Company for many years and subsequently was elected president which position he held at the time of death. He was also vice-president of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company being re-elected to this position at the meeting of Directors, after the Annual Meeting on Saturday last, and a Director of the Dominion Life Assurance Company. Mr. Shuh always took a deep interest in educational matters and was for forty years a member of the Public School Board, an unprecedented record. During thirty-three years of this period he was Secretary-Treasurer of the Board and for the past seven years was its chairman. Owing to the infirmities of old age he declined re- election upon the beginning of the year.

Always cautious, the name of Mr. Shuh was a tower of strength to all institutions with which he happened to be connected. He was simple and unostentatious in manner and exemplified the sterling virtues of thrift and economy. In the death of Mr. Shuh Waterloo loses a man of sterling worth, a good citizen and a fine neighbor and his loss will be severely felt and deeply mourned.

Deceased wat twice married, his first wife being Catharine [Susannah]Weber who died in 1863. Some time after he was married to Mary Hoffman, who survives him together with three members of the family. There names are: Levi, Secretary of the Waterloo Mutual Fire Insurance Company; Frank, farmer north of Waterloo and Mary at home.

The Chronicle Telegraph , 24 Jan 1901, p. 5

Occupation:
Worked for John Hoffman.

John married Susannah Weber 28 Dec 1856, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susannah (daughter of David M. Weber and Catharine Eby) was born 19 Apr 1836, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Aug 1863, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/202812893
• Name: Susannah Shuh
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7838
• Residence: 1856, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Susannah Weber," the second child of David and Catherine (Eby) Weber, was born April 19th, 1836, and died August 7th, 1863. She was married to John Shuh."

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: 00107-6439
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 121, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Henry Schuh, "eldest son of Jacob Schuh, was born March 22nd, 1785. On October 13th, 1807, he was married to Mary Kaufman who was born August 17th, 1788, and died July 27th, 1854. In spring 1824, he, with wife and family of seven children, moved from York County, Pennsylvania, to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario. They first located on the "Eschelman Farm" east of Berlin, now possessed by Henry S. Boehmer. Here they resided one year, then, in 1825, he purchased a farm two miles east of Berlin, now possessed by Cyrus Cressman, to which place he then moved. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom the three youngest were born in this county. He was an ordained minister of the Mennonite body whom he served faithfully unto his end. He died in Hay Township, Huron County, while engaged in fulfilling his ministerial appointments. While taking refreshments at the home of one of his friends he had a stroke of paralysis causing instant death. His death took place January 8th, 1837. had a family of ten children viz: Anna, Catherine, Mary, Benjamin, Lydia, Henry, Sarah, Magdalena, John and Jacob


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.].

Henry married Mary Kaufman 13 Oct 1807. Mary was born 17 Aug 1788, , USA; died 27 Jul 1854; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Kaufman
• Name: Mary Shuh
• Eby ID Number: 00107-6439.1
• Residence: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Residence:
Lived with George D. Shoemaker and his wife Nancy Shuh.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00127-7836
• Residence: 1836, 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; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

David Weber," the second son of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, June 22nd, 1811. When a mere lad he came to Canada with his parents, in 1817. He was raised a little to the north of the town of Waterloo where his father resided. The old home is now in possession of Joseph Weber, a grandson of old Benjamin Weber. He was married to Catherine Eby, February 3rd, 1833. She was a daughter of Bishop Benjamin Eby, and was born July 25th, 1815. and died March 30th, 1867. After their marriage they moved on the farm now forming a part of the town of Berlin. In 1849 they left this place and moved three miles east of Berlin, on the farm (east end of lot No. 120, German Company Tract) now possessed by his sons, Theodore and Henry. Here they resided until their deaths. He died September 17th,1877. His 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.].

________________________

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

Early Catholic settlers in Berlin travelled to St. Agatha for worship services. Father John Wiriath recorded only six Catholic families in Berlin as of 1837. Father Wiriath was followed by Fathers Peter Schneider and Simon Sanderl who served Berlin from their base at St. Agatha. The next missionaries in the area were the Jesuits, Fathers Lucas Caveng and Bernard Fritsch, who served from 1847. More Catholics settled in Berlin and when it was chosen as the county seat in 1852, with the expected arrival of additional settlers, plans were made to construct a church.

A site at Weber and Young Streets was purchased from Mr. David Weber, and the cornerstone for the church was laid in 1854. This brick church was completed and dedicated in 1856, but was used only on an average of perhaps once a month as the congregation had to share the time of the priests from St. Agatha. While Rev. George Laufhuber was priest from 1857-1859 a Separate School was organized. The congregation was primarily German at this time. Father Laufhuber was followed by Fathers P. Edward Glowacki (or Glowalski) and Francis Breitkopf, and then by Rev. Dr. Louis Funcken (1866-1890). Regular services began in 1866. Additions were made to this church with a new Sanctuary in 1871, and a larger Sacristy in 1881. A new school was built in 1874, and a new convent in 1885.

Land for the present church, adjacent to the old one, was purchased in 1899, sod was turned on Sunday, May 27, 1900 and the cornerstone of the new church building was laid on September 30, 1900. Dedication services were held in the new church on December 13, 1903. The full name of the church is Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

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

David married Catharine Eby 3 Feb 1833. Catharine (daughter of Bishop Benjamin Eby and Maria "Mary" Brubacher) was born 25 Jul 1814, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Mar 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Weber
• Name: Katharina Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2447
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Catharine Eby, "the fourth member and the second daughter of Benjamin Eby, was born July 25th, 1814. She was married, February 3rd, 1833, to David, son of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber. They moved on their farm now forming the North Ward of the town of Berlin. Their farm buildings were situated near where the Grand Trunk Railroad station is now situated. Some time before the Grand Trunk Railway was built they sold their farm to Rev. Abraham Weber and moved two and three-fourths miles east of Berlin, on the east end of lot No. 120, where they resided until their deaths. She died March 30th, 1867, and he died September 17th, 1877. 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.].

_________________________________________


On the 30th of March, in Waterloo Township, Waterloo Co., C. W., of consumption, CATHERINE, wife of David WEBER, and daughter of Bish. Benjamin Eby, deceased, aged 52 years, 8 months, and some days. She calmly fell asleep in Jesus. She was buried at Christian Eby's burying-ground, on which occasion Enoch Detweiler and Daniel Wismer delivered appropriate addresses.


HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume IV, Number 5 - May 1867 - Page 78

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00107-6438

Notes:

Jacob Schuh, "was born in 1755 and resided on the old "Schuh Farm" in York County, Pennsylvania. It is not known to whom he was married, neither what number of children he had. We know the names of two sons, Henry and Jacob, and one daughter was married to John Keller. Of Jacob nothing is known."


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/20684523
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7833
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 008, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 113, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; yeoman
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Benjamin Weber," the eldest son of Henry and Veronica (Hershey) Weber, was born near Blue Ball, Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 2nd, 1786. He was married to Veronica Martin, April 28th, 1806. She was born May 24th, 1784, and died 11th, 1859. In 1817, in company with others, they, with their family, left Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and moved to the wilds of Canada, and located on lot No. 8, German Company Tract, Waterloo County, Ontario, where they resided until their deaths. He died January 21st, 1863. To them was born a family of seven 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.].

Benjamin married Veronica Martin 28 Apr 1806. Veronica was born 24 May 1784, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 11 Apr 1859, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20684963
• Name: Fronica Martin
• Name: Veronica Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7833.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19044067
• Interesting: pioneer, story, religion
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2423
• Immigration: 1807, , Canada
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 002, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite minister
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; minister
• Probate: 22 Oct 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Benjamin Eby, "the sixth son and eleventh member of the family of Christian Eby and his wife, Catharine Bricker, was born on the old homestead on Hammer Creek, Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, May 2nd, 1785. Benjamin spent his boyhood days on the farm and in his father's cooper-shop making barrels for the mills. He received a fair common school education, and during the winter evenings he continued his studies. He had free access to his father's books, as well as to his brother John's library. He was not very strong and it used to be the common saying among the neighbors: "Aus'em Bennie gebts ka Bauer, er muss Schulmaster werre!" -- "Bennie will never make a farmer, he must become a school-teacher." On May 21st, 1804, he was baptized in the Conestogo Mennonite Meeting House by Bishop Christian Burkholder, and on the same day he was admitted as a member of that body. In 1806 he came to Canada for the first time. On May 24th of the same year he came to what is now Berlin. Here he remained with his cousin, George Eby, who then resided on the place now known as the Jacob Y. Shantz farm. He purchased his land (the farm now possessed by Mr. Moses Betzner), had a small clearing of about two acres made during August, then made preparations for the erection of a log-house which was put up and completed during the following winter. On November 4th he, in company with others, set out for home. The mode of travelling in those days was on horse-back. On February 25th, 1807, he was married to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Erb) Brubacher. She was born August 6th, 1789, and died of cholera August 18th, 1834.

On June 21st, 1807, the following party arrived at George Eby's, Berlin, viz: Benjamin Eby and wife, Joseph Schneider and wife, David Eby, Daniel Eby, John Eckert, Frederick Vogt, Peter Erb and wife, Daniel Erb, Samuel Eby and a few others. On the 30th day of the same month he took possession of his farm. On November 27th, 1809, he was ordained as a minister in the Mennonite Church, and on October 11th, 1812, he was ordained bishop in that body. No sooner was Benjamin Eby ordained as minister than he advocated strongly the building of meeting-houses. His idea was to have houses of worship built in which to hold regular services. Private houses, he said, answered the purpose very well as long as the membership was small, but since we have had such a large increase in membership it has become necessary for us to have churches. He found strong opposition at first, but the Erbs, Schneiders, Brubachers, Ebys, and a few others, agreed with him on this point, and the result was that a log church was erected in 1813. (See cut.) In this church Bishop Eby taught school during the winter months. The first regularly organized school in this section was held in a little log house situated near "Indian" Sam Eby's residence, now known as "Jacob Fry's old place", on the south side of the road leading from the "Two Bridges" to Mill Creek, near the former residence of Jacob Y. Shantz. This building, containing but one room, was erected for a private house, but the party ordering its erection failed to make his appearance, hence it was turned into a school house and utilized as such until the church was built in 1813. The school was first opened some time in October, 1809, by Mr. John Beatty, a native of Ireland, who came to the Eby settlement, as Berlin was then called, some time during the summer of the same year. After being convinced that Mr. Beatty had a fair English education, the following parties, viz: Benjamin Eby, Joseph Schneider, George Eby, Samuel Eby ("Indian Sam"), Jacob Erb and others, engaged him as their teacher for the winter months. School was generally closed the week before Easter. Among the first pupils who attended this, the first school opened in Ebytown, we find David Erb, George Eby, Catharine E. Schneider, Jacob E. Schneider, Elizabeth E. Schneider, Nancy Eby, John Eby, Peter Eby and others. Mr Beatty was re-engaged as their teacher in the fall of 1810, and according to the statements given me by some of the old pupils, he must have taught there three or four years in succession. After the erection of the Mennonite church in 1813 the school was moved to that place, where Bishop Eby taught for many winters in succession. In 1833 it was thought advisable to erect a new church, owing to the fact that the log church was too small to accommodate the large congregations that assembled here to worship. In 1834 the large church still standing was erected. (See cut.) This church is still known as Eby's Meeting House, or "'s Eby's versammlungshaus".

After the decease of Bishop Benjamin Eby's first wife he was married to Magdalena Erb, widow of old Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo. Bishop Eby died June 28th, 1853. To him and his first wife was born 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.].

_________________________

Eby, Benjamin (1785-1853)

Benjamin Eby (2 May 1785-28 June 1853) was a pioneer Mennonite bishop of the Mennonite Church (MC) serving in Ontario. The eleventh child of Christian Eby and his wife Catharine Bricker, Benjamin was born in the old homestead on Hammer Creek, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., PA, May 2, 1785. On Feb. 25, 1807 he married Mary Brubacher. That spring he and his wife immigrated to Waterloo Co., ON, arriving at what was later Berlin (now Kitchener) on June 21. He was ordained as minister (MC) on 27 November 1809 and as bishop on 11 October 1812. In 1813 his dream of having a meetinghouse was realized with the erection of a log structure of modest dimensions, the first building erected solely for religious worship in Waterloo County. The congregation had not fewer than 150 members. Possibly as early as 1815 Benjamin Eby built a frame annex to the log church, with a movable partition between it and the main building. This annex served as a schoolhouse of which he was for many years the teacher. At the same time he carried on his farming. His farm was lot 2 of the Beasley Tract, comprising a large part of the East Ward of the modern city of Kitchener. To Benjamin and Mary Eby were born eleven children. In August 1834, Mary died of cholera. Some time after her death Benjamin married the widow of Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo. On 28 June 1853, Eby died.

To sketch the life of Benjamin Eby is to consider the man, his work, his interests, and his influence. As a farmer he seems to have been successful. He was at least generous with his money, as the few remaining records of his financial transactions indicate. In 1816, when the church purchased an acre of land to add to its holdings, he donated an additional three quarters of an acre. All this is now part of the property of First Mennonite Church of Kitchener. Between 1825 and 1830 two men, John Hoffman and Samuel Bowers, wanted to establish a furniture factory. Appealing in vain to various sources for land, they came finally to Bishop Eby, who readily made land available to them. This too was a gift. The third transaction was in connection with the founding, in 1835, of the first newspaper in inner Canada, the Canada Museum, by Henry W. Peterson. Benjamin Eby not only encouraged this enterprise by word but purchased two shares of stock at $40.00 each, a larger risk than anyone else, apart from Mr. Peterson, was willing or able to take. Again, in 1836, he donated $16.00 toward the building of a cemetery wall, the next highest gift being $4.00. Relatively small as those sums are today they were important in those pioneer days. Judged in relation to his times and his contemporaries all these transactions establish Benjamin Eby as a substantial farmer in his community. Of his occupation as a preacher only a few recorded comments survive. H.W. Peterson, publisher and Lutheran lay preacher, says in his diary: "Stayed all night at Benjamin Eby's, went with him and his family to the meeting or church. He prayed and preached well. He is a good man." An anonymous writer in the Berlin Daily Telegraph for May 19, 1906, says: "His sermons were full of good sense, very intelligible, lying parallel with the understanding of attentive hearers." A tradition has it that there were invariably tears in his eyes when he entered the pulpit on a Sabbath morning. For many years, from 1818-19 to the early 1840's, he was also the community schoolmaster. In this period he wrote two spelling or reading books, Neues Buchstabir- und Lesebuch (1839) and Fibel (1843). He also wrote a work on Mennonite faith and history entitled Kurzgefasste Kirchen-geschichte und Glaubenslehre der Taufgesinnten Christen oder Mennoniten (1841). He was most likely the compiler of the Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung (Berlin, 1836), which was long used in Ontario. Thus he was farmer, teacher, preacher, and author. As might be expected, his interests went beyond his own community. He corresponded with European Mennonites and published some of the letters received in Briefe an die Mennonisten Gemeine in Ober Canada (1840) and Zweyter Brief aus Dänemark (1841).

The physical man must be noted briefly. There was a tradition that he was frail. Aus 'em Bennie gebts ka Bauer, er muss Schulmester werre. (Bennie will never make a farmer, he must become a schoolteacher.) Yet he made two journeys to Canada on horseback through the wilderness, hewed for himself a home, prospered substantially, and was unusually active in church and community affairs. One of his coats, seen by the present writer, would indicate that he was about five feet, six inches tall, weighing possibly 150 lbs.

Up to 1833 the Waterloo County settlement was known as "Ben Eby's" or "Ebytown," thus establishing Eby as the leading citizen of his community. With the arrival of increasing numbers of German non-Mennonites, the name of the settlement was changed in 1833 to Berlin. The record of his influence and activities bears eloquent testimony that he had both a keen sense of civic and denominational responsibility. In his account of Benjamin Eby's funeral, written for the July 7, 1855 issue of the Guelph Advertiser, H.S. Peterson calls him "an Israelite in whom there was no guile, and that he was sincerely pious, humble, exemplary, practical, and non-sectarian, and eminently successful in his day and generation." The anonymous friend in the Daily Telegraph (Berlin, ON, 19 May 1906) says: "He was a person of unblemished character. Naturally of a sweet and gentle disposition, friendly and obliging, always ready to serve his friends in any way that he could by his interest and authority. This he did freely and generously, not proud or haughty, but serious in giving good counsel, and greatly esteemed for his integrity by all ranks and denominations. All very much desired his company and wholesome conversations."

Cressman, J. Boyd. "Eby, Benjamin." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1956. 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..

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

__________________________

First Mennonite Church

The first church built in Waterloo County was erected in Berlin in 1813, and was known as Benjamin Eby's Meeting House.
Benjamin Eby had come to Canada in 1807 and in 1809 was ordained preacher. Three years later, in 1812, he was ordained bishop. His "parish included sections of Waterloo, Wilmot and Woolwich" (Uttley 1937: 27). In 1818 a frame addition, which was to be used as a winter school, was built on to the church. The log meeting house was replaced in 1834 by a larger frame church, and the old building was taken to Breslau to become the first meeting house in that community. (The Breslau church was known as Cressman Meeting House, a name which was changed in 1968 to Breslau Mennonite Church.) A Sunday School was opened in the church in 1841.

Benjamin Eby died in 1853. He was followed by Abraham C. Weber who served the congregation until his death in 1874. In that same year, a division in the church brought about the departure of a group who organized a congregation of Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites, to become United Mennonites in 1875 and then Mennonite Brethren in Christ in 1883. Their church is the present-day Bethany Missionary Church on Lancaster Street East. Christian Eby was the next minister of the Berlin Mennonite Church, until 1879. The church was known over the years as Benjamin Eby's Church, Christian Eby's Church (from 1854-1904), and the Berlin Church (from 1904 until 1917.) The name of the church became First Mennonite Church in 1917.

A new brick church was built in 1902. A Bible Study School was begun in 1907, and in 1928 a separate brick Bible Study School building was erected. Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church was formed by some members in 1924 as a result of a division in the church.

Of interest: when the new church was built in 1902, the 1834 frame church was bought by D.B. Betzner who moved it to Cedar Street where it became a woodenware business and then a furniture factory. It was destroyed by fire in 1937.

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

____________________________

EBY, BENJAMIN, farmer, Mennonite minister, bishop, educator, and author; b. 2 May 1785 at a homestead on Hammer Creek, Lancaster County, Pa, son of Christian Eby and Catharine Bricker; m. first 25 Feb. 1807 Mary Brubacher (d. 1834), and they had eight sons and three daughters; m. secondly Magdalena Erb, widow of Abraham Erb*; they had no children; d. 28 June 1853 in Berlin (Kitchener), Upper Canada.
Benjamin Eby, the sixth son and eleventh child of German-speaking Mennonites, "received a fair common school education" while working on the farm and in his father's cooperage. He was among the minority of Mennonites in Pennsylvania who were unhappy at the prospect of remaining under American rule in the aftermath of the revolutionary war, and in 1806 visited Upper Canada to inspect the land in Waterloo Township that fellow Mennonites Daniel Erb and Samuel Bricker had purchased from Richard Beasley* on behalf of the German Company. After claiming lot 2 of the Beasley Tract he went back to Pennsylvania to marry and then, in the company of other settlers, returned to Upper Canada, reaching his homestead on 21 June 1807. The role he played as a founder and leading citizen of the community was reflected in its being named Ebytown, or Ben Eby's, in his honour.

Although farming was always to be the chief source of Eby's livelihood, soon after his return to the province he became involved in the affairs of the pioneer settlement. After being ordained first as minister (27 Nov. 1809) and then as bishop (11 Oct. 1812) at ceremonies presided over by his brother Peter, a bishop from Pennsylvania, he was instrumental in erecting in 1813 the village's first meeting-house for religious worship, and two years later a frame annex to serve as a schoolhouse. Ben Eby's Church, as it was known during the bishop's lifetime, began with a membership of some 150. As the years went by he donated some of his own land to expand the church's holdings, including its first cemetery. As bishop he left his mark not only on the town but on the whole county, where all Mennonite congregations were under his supervision. He was a leader of the church conferences which emerged in the province during his lifetime. When the Niagara and Markham districts were without bishops he presided over the election of new ones and officiated at their ordinations. A family tradition that Benjamin's parents had decided he should become a teacher seems to have been fulfilled in the winter of 1818-19 when he began a teaching career that, with some interruptions, was to last until the early 1840s.

Eby made a major contribution to the Mennonite church and to the preservation of German-language education in the province through a number of published works. In 1836, in an effort to enrich the church's worship and congregational life in general while respecting the various traditions of its adherents, he compiled a hymn-book called Die Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung. Reprinted several times in both Canada and the United States, it was in use until the end of the century. His first original work was a primer, Neues Buchstabir- und Lesebuch, published in 1839. Other works of a religious and educational nature followed, including his most important book, Kurzgefasste Kirchen Geschichte (1841), a study of the Mennonite church's history and doctrine.

Apart from his roles as family man and farmer, and as preacher and teacher, Eby was a promoter of the general good. He was frequently called on to offer his counsel and he occasionally adjudicated community disputes. Business involvements included the donation of some of his own land to two men in need of a property on which to establish a furniture factory, generous support of the printer Heinrich Wilhelm Peterson, and the sale of land in 1833 to Friedrich Gaukel for an inn. That sale was among the first on record to refer to the town as Berlin, a change of name traditionally attributed to the bishop.

Eby also found time to look beyond his community by corresponding with church leaders in Europe, as well as in America, and thereby establishing and cultivating international connections. His biggest contribution, however, was in his own community where he raised a large family (his son Christian succeeded him as minister), promoted a diversified economy, established a broadly based religious worship, introduced elementary school education, and inaugurated a literary tradition which served many generations.
Frank H. Epp

[Benjamin Eby's work as educator and clergyman is reflected in his publications. He wrote Neues Buchstabir- und Lesebuch . . . (1st ed., Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.], 1839); a speller entitled Fibel zu den ersten Lese-Uebungen (Berlin, [1839?]), a second edition of which was published there in 1843; Kurzgefasste Kirchen Geschichte und Glaubenslehre der Taufgesinnten-Christen oder Mennonisten (Berlin, 1841); and a second primer, ABC- Buchstabir- und Lesebuch, zum Gebrauch fuer Deutsche Schulen in Canada (2nd ed., Berlin, 1842). In addition to compiling Die Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung . . . (1st ed., Berlin, 1836), he published an edition of a popular German Mennonite catechism, [Gerhard Roosen], Christliches Gemüths Gespräch . . . (Berlin, 1839). He subsequently arranged for the first English edition of this work, which was published under the title Christian spiritual conversation on saving faith . . . (Lancaster, Pa., 1857), and may even have been the translator. His correspondence with churchmen abroad resulted in the publication of some of their letters to him in Briefe an die Mennonisten Gemeine, in Ober Canada, mit einer Zugabe (Berlin, 1840) and Zweyter Brief aus Dänemark an die Mennonisten Gemeine in Canada (Berlin, 1841). f.h.e.]

AO, RG 22, ser.211, Benjamin Eby. Guelph Advertiser (Guelph, [Ont.]), 7 July 1853. E. E. Eby and J. B. Snyder, A biographical history of early settlers and their descendants in Waterloo Township, with Supplement, ed. E. D. Weber (Kitchener, 1971). The Mennonite encyclopedia: a comprehensive reference work on the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement (4v., Hillsboro, Kans., 1955-59). F. H. Epp, Mennonites in Canada, 1786-1920: the history of a separate people (Toronto, 1974). J. B. Cressman, "Bishop Benjamin Eby," Waterloo Hist. Soc., Annual report, 1941: 152-58; "History of the First Mennonite Church of Kitchener, Ontario," Mennonite Quarterly Rev. (Goshen, Ind.), 13 (1939): 159-86. Daily Telegraph (Berlin), 19 May 1906: 1-2. M. [L]. Gingerich, "Mennonite leaders of North America: Benjamin Eby (1785-1853)," Gospel Herald (Scottsdale, Pa.), 58 (1965): 178. I. D. Landis, "Bishop Peter Eby of Pequea, 1765-1843," Mennonite Quarterly Rev., 14 (1940): 41-51.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online 2000 University of Toronto/Université Laval

___________________

As has been seen, Benjamin Eby bought Cot 2, G.C.T., and came to Upper Canada in 1807. Before leaving Pennsylvania, he and Marie Brubacher were united in marriage. A good word is due the wives of the pioneers. Stanch as maples, they left comfortable homes in Pennsylvania, faced the difficile trail. and in a wooded wilderness bore the hardships of life without a murmur.

Benjamin Eby was of the leader type. Although just of age. he took thought of the settlers spiritual welfare. The pioneers at first worshipped God in their home. He had them gather together at a particular clearing, one Sunday here and the next there, until all had been visited. He was appointed preacher in 1809. Besides promoting the building of a church, he interested himself in prim-ary education.(1)

His log house stood west of the Mennonite Church. In 1814 he sold Samuel Eschelman 56 acres adjoining the church lands. So far as known he was the first settler to sell incoming townsmen plots of land. He sold his son-in-law, David Weber, 219 acres at the upper part of his big lot. His son Elias became the owner of the remaining part on the north side of King Street. The son sold his holding to John Brubacher and Menno Erb who in turn sold his land to William Moyer and Moses Betzner. As the history un-folds other activities of Ben Eby will come to light.

In 1834 a circus employee carried the Asiatic cholera to Galt. Nearly one-fifth of the inhabitants died of the scourge. Many persons from Waterloo Township attended the performance and numerous individuals, catching the disease from one another, died also, including Mrs. Ben Eby.

The Rev. Eby carried on his spiritual labors until his own death in 1853. He had then been the servant of the Mennonite Society for forty-four years.

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937

_________________________

Kinagaghig Creek (1806) [Canagagigue]
How the creek in Woolwich Township got its name...

This creek was so named by George and Benjamin Eby after Conococheague creek, a little creek which drains Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and flows through Washington county, Maryland, to the Potomac [the area where from many Pennsylvania-Germans travelled by foot and Conestoga wagons.] One historian says the name Conococheague is from the Delaware Indian language and signifies "long indeed, very long indeed," while another says the original word also refers to the winding course of the stream. Eby spelled the name as Kinacachic; another as Canagaguige and others as Kanakijige, Cinacaghic. On an early map of Woolwich Township in Belden's Atlas, it appears as Kinacaghig. There are many more early spellings, as one can imagine!

The Fifteenth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society 1927 ,pg 375.

_________________________

A-1-17 Benjamin Eby: The Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Eby, of the Township of Waterloo, Minister

…I Benjamin Eby, of the Township of Waterloo, Minister, do make and constitute these presents, dated the second day of April 1853, my Last Will and Testament….
(1) I hereby desire and empower my hereinafter name Executors, to collect, ask, demand, draw and receive all and singular my outstanding debts, dues, accounts, notes, bonds, obligations and charges whatever of right belonging to me, in due time or times, and this also to pay and discharge my own debts and charges, lawfully brought against me and my estate, and I specially desire, order and direct them to pay and discharge to my beloved widow Magdalena, a born Erb, and afterward widow of the late Abraham Erb, deceased, that sum, of money which I do owe her, in accordance with my Bond to her, dated the thirtieth of March 1855, viz: two hundred pounds

(2) This my said beloved widow Magdalena is further to have for and in place and stead of her widow third and dowry, as long as she shall and may live, all and singular the articles, goods, chattels, rights, privileges and benefits, which are mentioned and She also is to have all and singular the articles, goods, chattels, rights, privileges and benefits, which are mentioned and secured to her, in and by a certain articles of agreements between myself and my son Christian Eby, who holds our place, bearing date the third day of February A.D. 1848 and I hereby desire and enjoin my Executors, and each and either of them, to see and care that such articles be duly fulfilled. As her own property for ever, and left to her own final disposal, she is to have and use all and singuler the goods and chattels mentioned and put on the last page of my common housebook or account book. She is further to have for her own proper use and benefit during her her[?] life time all the notes, bonds and obligations, drawn in favor and name of herself, but after her demise, all that is left of such notes, bonds and obligations, in principal and interest is to fall back upon my own Estate, to be dealt with by my Executors as my own property left by myself in accordance hereinafter [rocided.[?]

(3) My son, Christian Eby is to have the farm, on which both of us do now live and dwell, it being lot number two of the German Company Tract of Waterloo Township, at the price and charge of seven hundred and fifty pounds… he is to pay to my executors - fifty pounds to be paid to the Executors one year after the day of demise of the last surviving part of myself and my wife, and thence the remainder in annual installments of fifty pounds each, until the whole be paid…

(4) All my own personal property and estates, except that belonging to my widow as herein before, provided, shall be sold by my Executors, amongst my children to the highest bidders, and the proceeds thereof be added to the general stock, consisting of the proceeds of my outstanding debts, notes, obligations and other dues. When debts, notes, obligations and other dues and such stock of proceeds of notes and other dues shall, as they shall and will be and become available from year to year, and be collected, and thus from year to year be divided and portioned and paid over by my Executors in equal shares and portions to my sons Isaac Eby, Elias Eby, Benjamin E. Eby, Henry Eby, Christian Eby, Abraham Eby, Jacob Eby and Peter Eby and my son-in-law David Weber, and their respective representatives. My son-in-law and my daughter William and Maria Bamberger shall share in the same dividends, but they, or the surviving part of them shall in the whole receive not more than fifty pounds.

(5) Concerning my son Abraham Eby, I do however direct and ordain and give it entirely over into the power and decision of my hereinafter mentioned Executors, as they shall and may deem it proper and will for him, either to pay over to him any, or either, or all such dividends, or put them, or any, or either of them, out in good and sure use for said Abraham Eby's children, to be paid to them as hereinafter mentioned. Concerning the landed property now in his possession, (but the right and title being in my own hands) the same consisting of four acres of a party of lot number fifty nine if the German Company Tract in the Township of Waterloo, aforesaid, situated in Lancaster, and as more particularly described in the Deed of Conveyance thereof from Elias Eby and wife to myself, he, my said son, Abraham and his wife and family are to have, retain and enjoy full and free possession, use and benefit there of during the whole lifetimes of both himself and his wife, but after the demise of both of them, and as soon thereafter as it conveniently can and may be, the same shall be sold, by my Executors, and the proceeds thereof, and also the aforesaid dividends, coming to Abraham Eby, or his children, be divided in equal shares amongst them - when the sons reach twenty-one year and the daughters, eighteen years. Should Abraham Eby die before his wife, and she marries again, then she is to draw her regular widow third, computed according to circumstances, and the property be sold and divided amongst his children.

(6) Concerning my daughter Maria Eby, now married to William Bamberger, I do ordain, that they shall continue to have and enjoy free, full and undisturbed possession, use and benefit of the property they now occupy, during the whole lifetime of both and either of them, but after the demise of both of them, and as soon thereafter as it conveniently can and may be, it shall be sold by my Executors, and the proceeds to be divided in equal shares between all my other children or their representatives, my son Abraham's share, however, as just before directed, such property consisting of a part of lot number nine of the German Company Tract of Waterloo, on the Waterloo and Arthur Road, and containing twenty four acres, two rods and eight perches. In case my said daughter Maria doth outlive her said husband, I hereby direct and enjoin my Executors, and also empower them to rent away such property for her benefit and use, and otherwise take proper interest and care in her well being; In case she then intermarry again, and have still no children, then after her demise the said property is still to revert upon my estate again and be divided as above directed….But if she then, or yet from her present husband, shall have issue out of her own body, then such her child or children shall have, drawn and receive the proceeds of said property, to be equally divided amongst them.

(7) I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved son Christian Eby and my trusty friend Joseph E. Schneider, both of the Township of Waterloo, Yeomen, my Executors.

Witnessed: Thomas Sparrow and Christian Schantz
Will dated: 2 April 1853
Received and insinuated 22 Oct 1853
Inventory £2,087/2/3
Died 28 June 1853

Wills of Waterloo County Register A 1853-1871, transcribed by Frances Hoffman

___________________

King Street, Kitchener

Cameron Street eastward.-A fine large holding extending along King Street to almost opposite the Mennonite Church, was Sheriff Davidson's place, Forest Hill, with square Colonial brick house, still standing, although materially changed, on a commanding hill.

Benjamin Eby's farm, occupied and owned later by his son, Elias Eby. J. Y. Shantz's farm, originally the Eby farm, with a large dam and saw mill. The pond was westerly of the present Doon Twines factory, was of good size, was fed by two creeks and gave water power for Shantz's saw mill for many years. There was no steam power. The ice supply for Berlin was largely taken from this pond in the earlier years.


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

________________________

King Street , North Side

Pandora Street

Pandora Street and next to it the site of Bishop Benjamin Eby's buildings and farm. A fine lawn surrounded a large frame house with spacious veranda between the house and King Street. There was a large barn and east of it a cider mill operated by Ely Eby, son of the Bishop. In later years the place was occupied by Rev. Moses Erb and his son Menno Erb, the cider mill long continuing. There was a large orchard between the farm buildings and the Mennonite Meeting House and cemetery. The Mennonites had at first no shed adjoining their church. Posts joined by a chain led along the King Street front, for tying horses. The sheds came later. In 1834 a frame building was erected for this Church. It was moved to Cedar Street in 1902 when the present brick Church was erected and is still used as a woodenware factory.

Eby school house was located at the easterly corner of the cemetery. A frame building, painted red, before 1830. In the rear and to the east of the cemetery was William Moyer's farm with his brick house still standing at the top of the slope from King Street.


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

Benjamin married Maria "Mary" Brubacher 7 Feb 1807. Maria (daughter of Jacob Brubacher and Susannah Erb) was born 6 Aug 1789, Elizabeth Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 18 Aug 1834, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19043926
• Name: Maria "Mary" Eby
• Name: Mary Brubacher
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1387
• Epidemic: 1834, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cholera

Notes:

Maria Brubacher, "was born August 6th, 1789. On February 25th, 1807, she was married to Bishop Benjamin Eby who was born May 2nd, 1785, and died June 28th, 1853. In 1807 they moved to Canada, and settled at Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario, where she died August 18th, 1834. To them was born 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.].