Uella Snider

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00106-5937
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Hiram Snider
• Occupation: 1881, Plattsville, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; miller
• Residence: 1907, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States

Notes:

Hiram Snider, "was born September 25th, 1850. On November 5th, 1872, he was married to Leah Bricker (No. 1288). Some time after his marriage he moved to Plattsville, Ontario, where he, in partnership with Mr. Stoeckle, was engaged in the milling business until 1887 when he sold out and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he is now engaged in some business."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

Hiram married Leah Bricker 5 Nov 1872. Leah (daughter of John Bricker, III and Susannah Bergey) was born 20 May 1849, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Feb 1921; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Leah Snider
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1288
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Leah Bricker
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Leah Bricker,"is married to Hiram Snyder. They reside in Chicago, Illinois, U. S., where he is engaged in business. 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20974184
• Name: S. S. Snider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5933
• House: CONSTRUCTED 1840, 39 Doon Valley Dr., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1853, 194 Forsyth Dr., Waterloo, Ontario
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Business: 1878, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lancaster Flour Millers
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Samuel S. Snider, "was born October 9th, 1821. After the decease of his father in 1834 he had his home with his uncle, Benjamin Shantz who then resided at Freeport (Toll Bridge) on the old "Abraham C. Weber Farm." On March 5th, 1844, he was married to Anna, daughter of Jacob C. and Elizabeth (Cressman) Snider. She was born July 23rd, 1824, and died April 23rd, 1890. After his marriage' he moved on a farm adjoining the town of Waterloo where he was engaged in farming for a number of years. In connection with the farm he also had an interest in the Union Mills, Waterloo, and later in the Lancaster Mills of Bridgeport, Ontario. After the decease of his first wife he was again married to Elizabeth Reist, widow of the late Joseph Heckedon. They reside in the town of Waterloo. "

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.].

_________________


Snider.- Samuel S. Snider was born in Waterloo Co., Ont., Oct. 9, 1821; died March 24, 1912; aged 90 y. 5 m. 14 d. He was married to Anna Snider March 5, 1844. Their home was blessed with 14 children, 3 of whom died in infancy, the mother dying April 23, 1890, aged 65 y. 9 m., whose death was mourned by a father and 11 children. On April 19, 1891, the father again married Elizabeth Reist, since which time family have had occasion to mourn the loss of 2 children, Titus, the fifth son dying Oct. 16, 1907, aged 47 y., and Cyrus, eldest son dying Aug. 17, 1909, aged 65 years.

The death of the father at this time leaving a widow, 4 sons, 5 daughters, 25 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren to mourn his departure. Funeral services were held at the Waterloo Mennonite Church, conducted by Bro. Noah Stauffer in English and Bro. Solomon Gehman in German. Interment in the David Eby Cemetery.

Gospel Herald - Volume V, Number 2 - April 11, 1912 - page 31, 32

______________________

Snider - Forsyth - Home
194 Forsyth Dr, Waterloo
Part of Lot 22, German Company Tract


The Germany Company, originating in Pennsylvania, was initially comprised of 26 shareholders. These shareholders raised 10,000 pounds to purchase 60,000 acres of property which came to be known as Waterloo Township. The property was bought from Richard Beasley. He, along with two partners, had purchased a total of 94,012 acres from the Crown who held the land in trust for Chief Joseph Brant of the Mohawk or Five Nations Indians. This transaction took place in 1798.

Lot 22 of the German Company Tract originally comprised 448 acres stretching between boundaries now defined approximately by streets Erb and Glasgow. It was sold by David and Jacob Erb, agents of the German Company, to Abraham Gingrich in 1805. In 1815, David Gingrich, Abraham's son, sold the lot to John Binkley of Ancaster. Binkley, in turn, sold the entire 448 acres to Jacob C. Snider in 1842.

Jacob C Snider was a Mennonite. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1790 and worked as a yeoman. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1791. The house at 194 Forsyth Drive was built by Jacob C. Snider in 1845. This fact is recorded in the census records of 1861. The original house was a two-storey, typical Georgian frame with walls 15 - 16 inches thick. These walls were made of concrete and brick, and were covered by a clapboard exterior. The entire house, at that time, was comprised of the present day living room and centre hall.

In 1853, Jacob C. sold the property to his nephew, Samuel S., a farmer. In 1864, Samuel took out a mortgage for $6,000 from the Canada Permanent Building Society. The mortgage was discharged in 1863 according to the 1861 census. Samuel and his wife Anna had 8 children - Cyrus, Elizabeth, Catherine, Hiram, Samuel, Menno, Susanna and Titus. With a family of this size it is speculated that the money was used for very needy additions. These included four second floor bedrooms, a third floor attic, a dining room, and the present-day kitchen. The architectural design of the addition was Gothic rather than the original Georgian. This is evident in the pointed cathedral window, the centre peaked roof, and the decorative mouldings above the east and west entrances to the centre hall.

One of the interesting additions to the house involves a separate building of brick construction which may be entered from the living room of the main house. The date of this addition is unclear according to some reports. It was used as a laundry prior to 1936. In a recent interview with Mrs. Howard Snider, who moved into the house as a new bride in 1929,[Howard and Linda were married in 1919] this addition was referred to by her as the "milk house," for the farm was still operational in those years. Mrs. Snider's daughter recalls, "my sister was old enough then to do the selling [of milk] to the townspeople. We would bring the milk from the barn, and use the milk house as our dairy." It is quite possible, however, that this building had been constructed prior to 1851 as "the doddy house" of Jacob and Elizabeth, for the census records of that year described their home as a "one storey brick." It was a very common Mennonite practice in those days for parents to have an add-on building constructed to the home of a son or daughter. Housed in this room is an enormous Dutch oven which was used for cooking. It remains uncertain whether this was the original location, or whether it had been relocated from another area of the house. While the large metal doors used to close the oven have been removed to expose the hearth, the cranes for supporting huge cooking pots remain.

Of the 448 acre property, Samuel sold 117 acres to his son, Titus, in 1903 for $8,000. In 1908, the executors of Titus Snider sold the property to George H. Hahn for $10,550. Six years later, the land was returned to the Snider family, this time to Jacob S., a ninth child of Samuel S., born after the 1861 census. The cost was $17,550. For the same amount Jacob sold the land to his son Howard S. in 1929. Jacob and his family then moved to the farm house now designated as 131 William Street West [Waterloo]. Howard sold various parcels of his land off, including a sizeable portion to the Westmount Golf and Country Club, and 56 acres, a
at a cost of $16,782 to John Derby C. Forsyth.

The Forsyths, who purchased the property in 1936 never lived at 194 Forsyth Drive, the street which now bears his name. It was purchased as a guest house. Shortly after they acquired the property, the old barn was torn down and an elaborate new one was built. Pine beams from the old were salvaged and sawed into mellow panelling for the livingroom and master bedroom of the house. "He didn't want to leave the land empty," said Mrs. Forsyth, "so he put in grain and bought a herd of purebred Jersey cattle. He lost money every year."

In 1947, the house was sold to Dominion Life Assurance Company. They planned a housing development and put the house up for sale. While the tender of Dr. Archie Case was not the highest submitted, his plans for the house most appealed to the company, and the property became his the following year. In his renovations, three-quarters of the house was replastered, and the old fashioned closed stairway was opened onto the centre hall. Part of the livingroom was put up on jacks, and garages were constructed under it at basement level. Adverse to change of any sort in the refurbishing, Dr. Case contracted for copies of the rotting window sashes, interior trim; and clapboard for exterior repairs was specially milled.

In 1963, the house was sold to Mr. and Mrs. J. Askin. Subsequent owners to the Askins included Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Epp in 1978 - 1980, and a Ms. D. Crossan and a Mr. D. Zimmer, 1980 - 1982.

Much of the research for the history was done by Marg Rowell, Waterloo. This was printed with permission by Marion Roes from the framed history hanging in the hall of the 2008 owners.

House:
39 Doon Valley Drive is associated with three prominent citizens of Waterloo County. The first owner, the Honourable Adam Ferrie, was the founder of Doon Village. Samuel Snider, who purchased the property from Ferrie, owned the Blair Mill, as well as other mills that he and a partner operated in Bridgeport and Baden. Thomas Slee, one of the first trustees of the area, and the Doon Postmaster from 1867 to 1893, was the last significant owner of the property, purchasing it from Snider in 1878. In addition to its association with persons of historic significance, Doon Valley Drive (formerly Doon Village Road), was once an important linkage between the Village of Doon to Tow Town and Oregon (today Upper Doon).
39 Doon Valley Drive is unique in its use of building materials and the methods of construction. This one-and-a-half-storey house combined granite, limestone, fieldstone and lime mortar in its construction. It retains many original, intact features, such as the stone chimney with cove moulding, and the single door with a transom, on the north façade.<sup>1a

1a</sup>City of Kitchener Heritage Property Report, November 1990, Jean Haalboom; City of Kitchener By-law 91-142

Business:
Shirk & Snider Proprietors

Samuel married Anna Snider 5 Mar 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Jacob C. Snider and Elizabeth Cressman) was born 23 Jul 1824, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 Apr 1890, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Snider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5897
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Anna Snider
• Residence: 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

SNIDER.-On the 23d of April, in the town of Waterloo, Waterloo county, Ontario, Sister Anna Snider, wife of Samuel Snider, aged 62 years and 9 months. Buried in the afternoon of the 23d at David Eby's meeting-house, where a very large number of relatives and friends gathered. Services were held by Moses Bowman and Noah Stauffer from Rev. 14: 13.


Herald of Truth pages, Vol. XXVII, Number 10, May 15, 1890, p. 157 and 158

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94678433
• Name: Johann Bruecker
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1260
• Residence: 1835, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Land: 1861, North Dumfries Concession 11 Lot 33, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Bricker," the fifth son of John and Annie Bricker, was born February 15th, 1805. He was first married to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Polly (Detweiler) Rosenberger. She was born April 7th, 1806. After their marriage they moved on a farm a little east of Roseville, Ontario, where she died of cholera, August 2nd, 1834. After her decease Mr. Bricker was married to Susannah, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wagner) Bergey. She was born December 14th, 1814 and died February 7th, 1888. He died May 20th, 1871. His family consisted of eighteen children, five of which were born unto his first wife and thirteen to the second 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.].

______________________________


On the 20th of May, in Dumfries township, Waterloo county, Ont., John Bricker, aged 66 years, 2 months and 5 days. He was buried on the 23rd at Carlisle. Funeral discourses by Enoch Detweiler and John McNelly. His death occurred suddenly. His Son came home late at night with a team, and he was holding the horses by the head until his son would get a lamp, but before the Son had reached the house, the horses ran away, an he was found lying on the ground near the place where the horses started, and soon expired.

Herald of Truth - Volume VIII, Number 7 - July, 1871 - pp 110,111

John married Susannah Bergey 25 Aug 1835, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susannah (daughter of Joseph Bergey and Elizabeth Wagner) was born 14 Dec 1814, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 7 Feb 1884, Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200923080
• Name: Susannah Bricker
• Name: Susannah Schwartz
• Eby ID Number: 00004-839
• Residence: 1835, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Susannah Bergey, "was born December 14th, 1814, and died February 7th, 1884. " Susannah Bergey," was born December 14th, 1814. She was married to John Bricker. They resided near Roseville, Ontario, where she died February 7th, 1888. To them was born a family of fourteen children".

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

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00106-5905
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Epidemic: 1834, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cholera

Notes:

John C. Snyder, "was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, February 1st, 1792. In 1806 he came to Canada with his parents and was raised at Doon, Ontario. In September, 1814, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Christian and Hannah (Paul) Shantz. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, September 5th, 1792, and died in Waterloo County, Ontario, February 27th, 1854. They resided near Kossuth, where he died of cholera, July 31st, 1834. To them was born 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.].

John married Catharine Shantz Sep 1814. Catharine (daughter of Christian Schantz and Hannah Paul) was born 5 Sep 1792, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 27 Feb 1854, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Snyder
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6909
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

Notes:

Catharine Shantz, "was born September 5th, 1792. In September, 1814, she was married to John C. Schneider and died February 27th, 1854."

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

Other Events:

• Name: Jacob C. Schneider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5817
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Occupation: 1835, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; miller
• Residence: 1845, 194 Forsyth Dr., Waterloo, Ontario
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Jacob C. Snider "was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, February 19th, 1791. On July 21st., 1812, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Anna (Schowalter) Cressman. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 10th, 1791 and died in Waterloo, Ontario, January 12th, 1879. Soon after his marriage he moved on his farm a little to the west of the town of Waterloo where he resided until his death. Not many years after his arrival in Waterloo County he purchased the mill property belonging to the estate of Abraham Erb. Here he was engaged, besides farming, in the milling and saw-mill business and later erected the distillery. He died June 19th, 1865, leaving 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.].

__________________________

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

The congregation was founded in 1837 by Rev. F.W. Bindemann, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Kitchener; early services were held in homes or other suitable meeting places. Property for the first church building was purchased from Jacob C. Snider for 5 shillings (approximately $1.25). The cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1838 and dedication services in the new church at 72 King Street North in Waterloo were held in the fall of the same year. Rev. Bindemann was pastor. He was replaced in 1841 by Rev. Jacob Huettner of Preston who then ministered to both congregations. When the church's first membership list was compiled on October 24, 1841, the congregation numbered sixteen persons.

The frame church was destroyed by fire and replaced by a new, larger one in 1883. This, too, was destroyed by fire - on October 31, 1959. The congregation then built a new stone church at a new location on Willow Street, with dedication taking place on October 14, 1962.

Early pastors except for Rev. Bindemann (1837-1841), who was asked to resign in 1841, were Revs. J. Huettner (1841-1849), F.A. Peifer, Immanuel Wurster (1851-1855), and Jacob Hoelsche who began his ministry in 1855. Rev. Wurster ministered to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Preston jointly with St. John's for one year until assuming charge of only Preston in 1855.

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

_______________________


On the 19th of June, in Waterloo Co., C.W., of liver complaint and dropsy, Jacob Schneider, aged 74 years, and 4 months. He was born in Franklin Co., Pa., in 1791, emigrated with his father to Waterloo Co., C.W., in 1805; married to Elizabeth Kressman in 1812, and leaves an aged widow and 5 children to mourn their loss. He was calm and composed during his sickness and we hope he has gone from this weary world to rest in his Father's house in heaven. He was buried on the 21st, followed to the grave by a large concourse of relatives and friends, on which occasion the brethren Geo. R. Schmidt and Joseph Hegey preached a funeral discourse from Rev. 3: 21. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I I(sic) also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne." E.S.

Herald of Truth July 1865 - Vol. II, No.7 Page 56

______________________

On September 1st, 1829, Abraham Erb transferred 240 acres of land including his saw-mill and flour-mill to Jacob C. Snider, who had moved from Pennsylvania to a farm a little west of the present town, and Mr. Snider, great-grandfather of Frederick W. Snider, who is now, with his partner, the owner of the same flour mill, carried on business here for many years.

As the waterpower was not sufficient for his purposes, he installed a steam plant. As he then had more power than he required, he added a distillery to his other lines, and this branch of the business was carried on actively for a long time.

His son Elias then rented the mill, and, as he objected to having the still, his father removed it to his own farm. Jacob C Snider transferred 320 acres to his son Elias in 1853, (see County Records), including the mill property and much of what is now the central part of town. A landmark for many years was a tall poplar tree which stood near the mill. It was said that early in the century a poplar switch was used to drive a team of horses from Pennsylvania, and, on his arrival, the driver planted the switch near the mill. It grew to be a very large tree, five feet or more in diameter, and for many years a heavy cable circled it several times as an anchor for a tall iron smokestack, the bark finally growing over the cable. The tree was cut down in the 90's to make way for street improvements, the tree having been planted before there was a street.

The community had a very slow growth for three decades or more after Abraham Erb first located in the cedar swamp, for Jacob C. Snider, like his predecessor, was not anxious to sell his land in small lots to intending settlers. He had a large family and preferred holding his lands as an inheritance.

....In the year 1854, Elias Snider sold most of his holdings of land to John Hoffman and Isaac Weaver, retaining the mill property, the dam and various lots. The price obtained was said to have been $32,000. The land was surveyed by Mr. Schofield, a well known Berlin surveyor of that time, staked off into lots, and the lots sold.

Sixteenth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1928, A Historical Sketch of the Town of Waterloo, Ontario, Clayton W. Wells, L.D.S., D. D. S.

________________________

Snider - Forsyth - Home
194 Forsyth Dr, Waterloo
Part of Lot 22, German Company Tract


The Germany Company, originating in Pennsylvania, was initially comprised of 26 shareholders. These shareholders raised 10,000 pounds to purchase 60,000 acres of property which came to be known as Waterloo Township. The property was bought from Richard Beasley. He, along with two partners, had purchased a total of 94,012 acres from the Crown who held the land in trust for Chief Joseph Brant of the Mohawk or Five Nations Indians. This transaction took place in 1798.

Lot 22 of the German Company Tract originally comprised 448 acres stretching between boundaries now defined approximately by streets Erb and Glasgow. It was sold by David and Jacob Erb, agents of the German Company, to Abraham Gingrich in 1805. In 1815, David Gingrich, Abraham's son, sold the lot to John Binkley of Ancaster. Binkley, in turn, sold the entire 448 acres to Jacob C. Snider in 1842.

Jacob C Snider was a Mennonite. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1790 and worked as a yeoman. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1791. The house at 194 Forsyth Drive was built by Jacob C. Snider in 1845. This fact is recorded in the census records of 1861. The original house was a two-storey, typical Georgian frame with walls 15 - 16 inches thick. These walls were made of concrete and brick, and were covered by a clapboard exterior. The entire house, at that time, was comprised of the present day living room and centre hall.

In 1853, Jacob C. sold the property to his nephew, Samuel S., a farmer. In 1864, Samuel took out a mortgage for $6,000 from the Canada Permanent Building Society. The mortgage was discharged in 1863 according to the 1861 census. Samuel and his wife Anna had 8 children - Cyrus, Elizabeth, Catherine, Hiram, Samuel, Menno, Susanna and Titus. With a family of this size it is speculated that the money was used for very needy additions. These included four second floor bedrooms, a third floor attic, a dining room, and the present-day kitchen. The architectural design of the addition was Gothic rather than the original Georgian. This is evident in the pointed cathedral window, the centre peaked roof, and the decorative mouldings above the east and west entrances to the centre hall.

One of the interesting additions to the house involves a separate building of brick construction which may be entered from the living room of the main house. The date of this addition is unclear according to some reports. It was used as a laundry prior to 1936. In a recent interview with Mrs. Howard Snider, who moved into the house as a new bride in 1929,[Howard and Linda were married in 1919] this addition was referred to by her as the "milk house," for the farm was still operational in those years. Mrs. Snider's daughter recalls, "my sister was old enough then to do the selling [of milk] to the townspeople. We would bring the milk from the barn, and use the milk house as our dairy." It is quite possible, however, that this building had been constructed prior to 1851 as "the doddy house" of Jacob and Elizabeth, for the census records of that year described their home as a "one storey brick." It was a very common Mennonite practice in those days for parents to have an add-on building constructed to the home of a son or daughter. Housed in this room is an enormous Dutch oven which was used for cooking. It remains uncertain whether this was the original location, or whether it had been relocated from another area of the house. While the large metal doors used to close the oven have been removed to expose the hearth, the cranes for supporting huge cooking pots remain.

Of the 448 acre property, Samuel sold 117 acres to his son, Titus, in 1903 for $8,000. In 1908, the executors of Titus Snider sold the property to George H. Hahn for $10,550. Six years later, the land was returned to the Snider family, this time to Jacob S., a ninth child of Samuel S., born after the 1861 census. The cost was $17,550. For the same amount Jacob sold the land to his son Howard S. in 1929. Jacob and his family then moved to the farm house now designated as 131 William Street West [Waterloo]. Howard sold various parcels of his land off, including a sizeable portion to the Westmount Golf and Country Club, and 56 acres, a
at a cost of $16,782 to John Derby C. Forsyth.

The Forsyths, who purchased the property in 1936 never lived at 194 Forsyth Drive, the street which now bears his name. It was purchased as a guest house. Shortly after they acquired the property, the old barn was torn down and an elaborate new one was built. Pine beams from the old were salvaged and sawed into mellow panelling for the livingroom and master bedroom of the house. "He didn't want to leave the land empty," said Mrs. Forsyth, "so he put in grain and bought a herd of purebred Jersey cattle. He lost money every year."

In 1947, the house was sold to Dominion Life Assurance Company. They planned a housing development and put the house up for sale. While the tender of Dr. Archie Case was not the highest submitted, his plans for the house most appealed to the company, and the property became his the following year. In his renovations, three-quarters of the house was replastered, and the old fashioned closed stairway was opened onto the centre hall. Part of the livingroom was put up on jacks, and garages were constructed under it at basement level. Adverse to change of any sort in the refurbishing, Dr. Case contracted for copies of the rotting window sashes, interior trim; and clapboard for exterior repairs was specially milled.

In 1963, the house was sold to Mr. and Mrs. J. Askin. Subsequent owners to the Askins included Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Epp in 1978 - 1980, and a Ms. D. Crossan and a Mr. D. Zimmer, 1980 - 1982.

Much of the research for the history was done by Marg Rowell, Waterloo. This was printed with permission by Marion Roes from the framed history hanging in the hall of the 2008 owners.

Jacob married Elizabeth Cressman 21 Jul 1812. Elizabeth (daughter of John Cressman and Anna Schowalter) was born 10 Jun 1791, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 12 Jan 1879, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Snider
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2064
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Residence: 1845, 194 Forsyth Dr., Waterloo, Ontario
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elizabeth Cressman, "the third daughter, was born June 10th, 1791. She was married to Jacob C. Schneider who was born February 19th, 1791, and died June 19th, 1865. She died January 12th, 1879. 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.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00016-1221
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Old Survey Lot 11, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 011, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 036, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Bricker," the eldest son of Peter Bricker, was born December 28th, and died February 19th, 1854. He was married to Anna, daughter of Christian and Mary (Scherch) Erb. She was born December 11th, 1774, and died October 13th, 1866. In 1802 they, with others, moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, near the village of Blair where he died. After his death the mother had her home with her son David who resided near Roseville where she died. They had a family of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy and are buried at Blair. There were three Johns, the first died, aged nearly nine years; the second was born a few weeks after the decease of the first; and after second's decease they named a third one John."


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

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A-1-29 John Bricker Snr.: Last Will and Testament of John Bricker, Sen. of North Dumfries, deceased.

…I, John Bricker, senr., of the Township of Dumfries…make and publish this my Last Will and Testament. (First) I will that my funeral expenses and all my other debts, if there shall be any, be paid out of my estate as soon as can be after my decease. I will that my beloved wife Nancy shall have to live in the house which we now occupy during her natural life, and my son David Bricker shall keep a cow for my wife Nancy during her life, which cow he shall in every respect keep in the same manner as he keeps his own cows. I also give and bequeath unto my wife during her life, all my household furniture which I may be possessed of at my decease and that my beloved wife Nancy Bricker, shall yearly and every year as long as she lives, have Twenty five pounds, and if my wife Nancy shall through sickness or otherwise happen to need more than twenty five pounds, then my Executors shall give her so much more as will suffice to keep her comfortable. I will that all the above-mentioned bequests to my said wife shall be instead of her lawful Dower. And it is my will that the real and person property together with the five hundred dollars, together with all I have heretofore given and paid to my eldest son Peter Bricker, shall be taken, and the same really is, the whole share of my said son Peter Bricker's heirship by me bequeathed to him out of my real and personal estate. And it shall be considered, and it is so truly, that my said son Peter Bricker is, by his having receiv'd from me as before said, amply remunerated for which time he has worked for me, after he was twenty-one years of age. And I consider that my son David Bricker and my daughters Nancy and Susanna have their full share of heirship out of my real estate, in the land and their property which they have already received from me, for which reason I exclude them from any further share out of the same. I will that after the decease of myself and my wife, all the household furniture then belonging to my estate shall be equally divided between my three daughters, Mary, Magdalena and Lydia, except my Clock, which I have already given to my son David Bricker. I will that they residue of my real property of whatever kind or nature it may be, shall after the demise of myself and my wife be equally divided between my sons John and Abraham, and my daughters Mary, Magdalena and Lydia, share and share alike. Nevertheless I give, devise and bequeath all that legacy left to me by my brother Peter Bricker of Cumberland County, State of Pennsylvania, deceased, to be equally divided between my children now living likewise including my son Peter, and likewise the share that would have come to my daughter Nancy, if living shall be equally divided amongst all her children, share and share alike. I will that for the above legacy of my brother Peter Bricker, as said before, I have executed a power of Attorney to Wendell Bowman, Esq., and my son John Bricker to settle that part of my estate. And lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son John Bricker and Samuel B, Bowman to be the lawful executors.

Witnessed by Benjamin D. Rosenberger and Jacob W. Detweiler.
Will dated: 10 January 1852
Proved and insinuated 1 March 1854
Inventory £550/-

Surrogate Court Records Copybook Register A 1853-1871 transcript to 1863. Frances Hoffman transcriber.

John — Anna "Nancy" Erb. Anna (daughter of Christian Erb and Maria Scherch) was born 11 Dec 1774, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania; died 13 Oct 1866, Roseville, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 16 Oct 1866, Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna "Nancy" Bricker
• Name: Annie Erb
• Name: Nancy Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1221.1
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

In Wilmot, Waterloo Co., C. W, at the residence of Abraham Bricker, son of the deceased, on the 14th October, Nancy, wife of the late John Bricker, at the advanced age of 91 years, 10 months, and 2 days. She came from Cumberland Co., Pa., to Canada in the Spring of 1802, and lived here, respected by all, to the day of her death. She was a sister of Daniel and Jacob Erb, to whom the German Company Tract of Waterloo Township was deeded in 1865, also of Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo Village. She was buried on the 16th in the old burying-ground in the village of Blair. This is the oldest piece of ground selected for burying purposes in Waterloo, and she was the one who made the selection. Sixty-two years ago, while her husband was away to the States, one of her sons died, and as there was no place to bury the dead she went up to the hill, a little distance from where they were then living, and found an open little little(sic) place where she decided to bury her dead. She planted a tree at the foot of the little grave which tree is now about ten inches in diameter. She herself gave ground for a public cemetery, and for that reason wished to be buried there. Moses Bowman and Daniel Wismer officiated on the occasion. Only one or two are still living who came to Canada so early as the deceased.- Waterloo Chronicle

Herald of Truth November 1866 - Vol. III, No. 11 Page 92

Other Events:

• Name: Joseph Berge
• Eby ID Number: 00004-836
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Retired
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Joseph Bergey, "was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about the year 1792. He was married to Elizabeth Wagner. They had a family of eight children"


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

Joseph — Elizabeth Wagner. Elizabeth was born 1787, Of, Montgomery Co. Pennsylvania; died 18 Apr 1824; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Bergey
• Eby ID Number: 00107-6443.3