Russel Esch

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-167705
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, Father's Farm
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53932
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm Labourer
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm Labourer
• Occupation: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, own farm
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1922, Woodstock, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

MR. AMOS ESCH

The death occurred at the K-W Hospital on Sunday at six a.m. of Mr. Amos Esch, after a brief illness.

The departed who was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Michael Esch was born at Drayton on April 15th, 1867.

On March 2nd, 1898, he was married to Miss Esther Musselman who pre-deceased him January 2nd, 1932. Following their marriage, the couple resided at Floradale for a few years when they moved to the farm where he resided since that time (now occupied by his son Clayton).

Mr. Esch retired from active farming about 17 years ago when his son took over the farm. He was the last member of the family of Mich. Esch. He is survived by two sons, Clayton of Conestogo and Russell of Elmira, and one daughter (Pearl) Mrs. Roy Klinck, also of Elmira. There are also five grand-children.

The remains rested at his late home where a brief service was held on Tuesday afternoon. at 2 o'clock followed by the main service at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of which he was a member for many years. Burial was made. in the adjoining cemetery. Flowers were omitted.

Amos married Esther S. Musselman 2 Mar 1989. Esther (daughter of Peter M. Musselman and Elizabeth Snider) was born 14 Jan 1868, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Jan 1932, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo, Woolwich, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Esther S. Esch
• Eby ID Number: 00083-4820
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Conestogo, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Esther S. Musselman, "was born January 14th, 1868. She is home with her parents and unmarried."

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00058-3909.1
• Residence: 1846, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Michael married Maria W. "Polly" Horst 22 Dec 1846, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Maria (daughter of Christian Horst and Eva M. Wanner) was born 30 Sep 1826, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Sep 1895; was buried , Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria W. "Polly" Esch
• Name: Maria W. "Polly" Koenig
• Name: Polly Horst
• Eby ID Number: 00058-3909
• Residence: 1846, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist

Notes:

Polly Horst, "was first married to Michael Esch and after his decease she was married to George Koenig. They reside in Peel Township, Wellington County, near Yatton P.O., where he is engaged in farming. She has a large family but names of children were not received"


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:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00083-4910
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Peter M. Musselman, "was born October 7th, 1825. On November 30th, 1847, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Magdalena (Shantz) Schneider. She was born April 2nd, 1829. After their marriage they moved on their farm near Conestogo where they are at present residing. 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.].

_____________________________

Mr. Peter Musselman, The former was one of the pioneers of this part of the county, and by industry and thrift he succeeded in hewing out of the wilds a good home for his old age. His death took place last Thursday and on Sunday his remains were laid to rest in Martin's cemetery, to which nearly 60 rigs followed, and where many more were waiting who could not cross the Grand river from the east. Needless to say he was a staunch Reformer and a true follower of that religious denomination the Old Mennonites. He leave an aged widow, 8 children and a number of brothers and sisters to mourn his departure. He reached the age of nearly fourscore years.

Elmira Signet 18 Aug 1904

___________________

PETER M MUSSELMAN.

This venerable citizen, who was born October 7tb, 1825, is the second offspring of the late David Musselman, who was the first white man to cross the Conestogo river to the north in this section. He was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and came to the banks of the Conestogo in 1819, on the farm where Mr. David Koch now resides. He died October 25, 1870, in the 81st year of his age. The mother was the daughter of Peter and Anna Martin. She was born in Lancaster County, Pa., August 29, 1803, and died July 31st, 1872. They had thirteen children.

The subject of this sketch was born October 7, 1825, and was joined in matrimony to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Magdalena Snider, in 1847. The latter was born April 2, 1829. Ever since they were married they have been residing where they now live, and are the parents of eleven children. Mr. Musselman's farm is part of the old tract first purchased by his father and contains 232 acres, being lot 42 Here he settled in 1847, and where he and his wife have incessantly labored until a few years ago they rested from their labors to enjoy the fruits thereof in the latter years of their lives. Mr. Musselman is now in his seventy-third year, and while, on account of rheumatic affliction, he is debarred from performing heavy labor, can walk all over his farm without experiencing much fatigue. Like many others of his class he has experienced the rough side of life as well as the smooth.

Waterloo County Chronicle, 12 May 1898, p. 8

Peter married Elizabeth Snider 30 Nov 1847, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of Christian J. Schneider and Magdalena Schantz) was born 2 Apr 1829, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 May 1911; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Musselman
• Name: Lizibeth Snider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6164
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elizabeth Snider, "was born April 2nd, 1829. On November 30th, 1847, she was married to Peter M. Musselman. They reside near Conestogo."


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: Waterloo-165251

Michael — Margareth Waltz. Margareth was born 19 May 1783, , Germany; died 12 Nov 1863, Floradale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margareth Esch
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-165252
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00058-3908
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Christian Horst, "a distant relative of David Horst, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, July 4th, 1803. He came to Canada when a young man and settled in Waterloo County where he was married to Eva Wanner who was born September 24th, 1809, and died April 28th, 1874. They resided in different places in the county but for quite a number of years they resided about two miles east of Elmira at a place generally known as 'Jerusalem'. Here he died November 23rd, 1879. To them was born a family of thirteen children of whom seven died in infancy whose names were not received."


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.].

Christian — Eva M. Wanner. Eva (daughter of John M. Wanner and Elizabeth Wecklin) was born 24 Sep 1809, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 28 Apr 1874, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Eva M. Horst
• Eby ID Number: 00126-7629
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Eva M. Wanner, "was born September 24th, 1809. She was married to Christian Horst. They resided in Woolwich Township, east of Elmira, where she died April 28th, 1874. To them were born thirteen children, of whom seven died in infancy and their names were not received. The names of the remaining six are...Polly, Isaac, Lydia, Christian, Elizabeth, and Joseph."


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.].

_______________________________


April 28th, in Woolwich, Waterloo County, Ont., EVE, wife of Christian HORST, aged 64 years, 7 months, and 4 days. Her mortal remains were consigned to the silent tomb in Martin's grave-yard. Remarks were made by Peter and Abraham Martin.


Herald of Truth - Volume X, Number 6 - June 1873 - Page 111

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37030080
• Interesting: pioneer, mill, story
• Eby ID Number: 00083.4908
• Birth: CALC 25 Apr 1799
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Musselman, "The two old pioneer settlers of this numerous family were David and Frederick who were no relatives to each other. They came to Canada in 1819 and settled in Waterloo County. The former, Mr. David Musselman settled in Woolwich Township, near Conestogo, on the farm now possessed by David Koch, while Frederick Musselman settled on the farm known as Rev. Elias Snider's place a little north of Waterloo. We shall first five the family of David and then of Frederick."

David Musselman, "was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 18th, 1799, and was married to Esther, daughter of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1803, and died July 31st, 1872. He died October 25th, 1870. To them was born a family of twelve 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.].

_______________________________

All lands in the early days was in the hands of large holders. Where the village now standing was part of a large holding belonging to David Musselman who himself lived on the western side of the village[Conestogo]. It was this man Musselman who started the wheels of Conestogo running by beginning the very important business of flour milling. This was urgent owing to the extreme distance that settlers had to hand for their supplies as all these were brought in on horseback from Dundas.

The Milling Industry

In 1845 the flour mill was built, also a saw mill, both run by waterpower, obtained from the waters of the Conestogo River diverted to these plants thru a raceway nearly a mile in length, the building of which was a colossal piece of work.

Mr. Musselman did not continue long as a miller, for in 1850 he sold the saw and grist mill with the property belonging to them to Henry Snider who conducted both for some years. The saw mill was finally abandoned and the mill taken away. More time was devoted to the flour mill which had attained wonderful proportions so much so that a new building on a far larger scale was put up equipped with more machinery.

About this time it was a common occurrence for farmers to come 40 and 45 miles with their wheat, so that very often from 20 to 30 teams stood waiting at this mill for their chance to unload. After a very successful term, Mr. Snider turned over his interests here to one of his sons Menno who remained at the head until about 1916. During this time he suffered reverses and a severe fire in 1904 wiped out the mill with its contents together with the storeroom for wheat all of which was lost.

Berlin Daily Record Apr. 26, 2008 typed by Marion Roes

______________________________

CONESTOGA

A pioneer named David Musselman is credited with having founded Conestoga. He first purchased 700 acres of forest in the vicinity. In 1830 he bought a parcel of land where the village stands from Abram Martin. It was watered by the Conestoga River and Spring Creek, on which he built a sawmill. In 1844 he built a dam across the Conestoga River and erected another sawmill and a flourmill. A hamlet sprang up. Among the first buyers of lots in Musselman's survey were: John Miller, Adam Heller, Stephen Washburn, John B. Eby, Christian Stuernagel, James Merrilees, H. von Trilera, Theodore Spetz, Henry Snider, Jacob Grosz, Philip Oswald, Joseph S. Weaver, George Davidson, Peter Eby, S. B. Eby, Peter Buchanan, Michael Oswald, Jacob Kuntz, Charles Hendry, Solomon Kaufman, and Jacob Lippert.

After their advent a cooper shop, blacksmithshop, a store, an hotel, and a post office followed. In time a brickyard, a school, and a church were added, and the place was called Musselman's Mills. Later Perine Brothers built a flaxmill on Spring Creek, while on the same stream Goodworth & Sills constructed a paint mill.

The hamlet was known as Musselman's Mills until 1852, when it was renamed Conestoga, after the Conestoga River or the town of Conestoga in Lancaster County, Pa., from which county many of the pioneers had come. David Musselman operated his mills until 1856 and then sold them to Henry Snider, who carried on the milling till his death in 1885. His executors sold the mills to Menno Snider, who operated the flourmill until his own death in 1916. During his closing years he was assisted by his son Walter J. Snider, who succeeded to the property. Walter Snider afterward purchased the flour-mill at St. Jacobs from W. W. Snider and operated the two mills as the Snider Flour Milling Company, Limited. After his decease, his son Russell became head of the industries..

Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1933 pg 16 - Woolwich Township - Its Early Settlement by W. V. Uttley

David — Esther Z. Martin. Esther (daughter of Peter Martin and Anna Zimmerman) was born 29 Aug 1803, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 31 Jul 1872, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Esther Z. Musselman
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4391
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Esther Martin, "the fourth daughter of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1803, and came to Canada when sixteen years of age. She was married to David Musselman who died October 25th, 1870. She died July 31st, 1872."

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/44610119
• Name: Christian J. Snyder
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6104
• Military: 1812; War of 1812
• 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
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

"... On the 18th day of June, 1812, President Madison declared war against England. This placed the Pennsylvania people in a very trying position and as they could not be induced to take up arms, they were pressed into service as teamsters and were obliged to furnish their own horses. Ox-teams were employed when no horses were to be had. Those who were required to serve in this capacity were Christian Schneider Jr., Peter Erb, Joseph Eby, Samuel Eschelman, Benjamin Springer, Frederick Herner, Jacob Bock, Henry Pannebecker, John Scheirich, Henry Wismer, John Biehn, Adam Shupe and Wildfong.

In January, 1813, General Proctor defeated the Americans near Detroit, capturing General Wilkinson with 500 men. In September General Harrison having been joined by a fierce body of riflemen from Kentucky, advanced towards Detroit in such force that General Proctor crossed the Detroit River and retreated up the Thames. On being followed by the American Army of 3500 men, he made a stand at Moraviantown with 800 British and 500 Indians under Tecumseh. This warrior was killed, and Proctor retreated in great confusion to Burlington Heights in order to join the Niagara Army. A number of the Waterloo people were up at the battle on the Thames. These Waterloo boys acting as teamsters had taken shelter in a swamp near by while the battle was being fought. An officer of the British army, seeing that all was lost, gave them warning, said 'Boys, all is lost, clear out and make the best you can,' upon which some ran, while others unhitched their horses and rode off for their lives. Christian Schneider Jr., who carried the money-safe on his wagon, cleared out on his horses, leaving the wagon with all its contents behind. In this defeat old Adam Shupe was taken prisoner by the Americans. He was taken before General Harrison who, perceiving his innocent and harmless appearance, dismissed him and granted him permission to return to his Canadian home. He lost both his horses and wagon. Christian Schneider was away the greater part of the summer. On his first trip he had a two-horse team. After being home a few weeks he had to go again, this time with a four-horse team. During this war which lasted a little more than two years, quite a number of small battles were fought in the Niagara Peninsula and in the vicinity of Detroit. Quite a few of these Pennsylvania Dutch boys were pressed to serve as teamsters and exposed to all manner of danger, but strange to say, not one lost his life through the war.

On the 24th of December, 1814, peace was made between England and the United States, leaving each in exactly the same position as they had been before the war. After peace was restored the government of Canada fully compensated those teamsters for their losses during the war and for their valuable services. Christian Schneider Jr. was paid $5.00 a day for the time he served with a two-horse team, and $8.00 per day for a four-horse team, besides they were paid for horses and wagons that were lost during the time they served the government."


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.].

Christian married Magdalena Schantz 20 Mar 1814. Magdalena (daughter of Christian Schantz and Hannah Paul) was born 15 Dec 1795, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 8 Feb 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44610326
• Name: Magdalena Schneider
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6911
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Magdalena Shantz, "was born December 15th, 1795. She was married, March 20th, 1814 to Christian J. Schneider, and died February 8th, 1867."

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

___________________________________


In Waterloo township, Waterloo Co., on the 8th of February, of dropsy MAGDALENA, wife of Bro. Christian SCHNEIDER, aged 71 years, 1 month and 24 days. She was buried at Schneider's Meeting-house. Funeral sermons preached by Samuel Weber and Joseph Hege.
E. S.

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