Bertha Martin

Other Events:

• Name: Bertha Stahlbaum
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-191218
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Bertha — Henry Peter Frederick Stahlbaum. Henry (son of William Andrew Stahlbaum and Anna Mary "Annie" Schell) was born 29 Jun 1899, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Jul 1970; was buried , Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00075-4410
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Misfortune: 1910; killed a train accident west of Sudbury in 1910.

Notes:

Oliver S. Martin, "born Sept. 28th, 1866."

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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


__________________

Oliver Martin's Death is Almost Certain Now
Work of Rescue is Given Up

It is now almost a certainty that Oliver S. Martin of Waterloo, traveller for the Hibner Furniture Co., of Berlin, lost his life in the terrible railway wreck at Webbwood, on the C. P. R., at the bridge over the Spanish river.

Ever since the news of the catastrophe was flashing on the wire, first, friends here have been busy endeavoring to get information. It was extremely difficult to do so. But on Monday afternoon a message was received by his wife at Waterloo, stating that some of his baggage had been found among the wreckage. News was also received that he had called on customers at Sudbury, but had not reached the Soo, where he was next due.

These circumstances all caused grave anxiety and a despatch from Sudbury seems to confirm the fears that he has been lost. A hat, bearing the initials O. S. M., and the dealers name, John Ritzer of Waterloo, is certain to be that of the missing man, and is conclusive evidence that he was a passenger on the ill-fated train. The had was found by divers, but the body has not been recovered.

The Canadian Pacific officials come in for a littel share of indignation on the part of the friends and relatives of the victims. Even as yet, it is stated, friends cannot find anything about the disposal of the remains of their loved ones.

It is doubtful whether the body will ever be recovered as the work of recovering the bodies of the victims of Friday's disaster stopped last night and it is altogether likely that the remaining bodies in the first-class couch slipped into the river and were carried away by the current when the attempt was made to raise the car further up the bank. It is reported that seven were lost when the car broke and buckled. The remainder of the second-class car is not out of the river, and may still contain a number of bodies.

The late Mr. Martin was about 42 years of age, and is survived by a widow, one son about sixteen years old and an adopted daughter. Mrs. Elisha Schiedel of Port Elgin, is a sister.

Mr. Martin was a member of the Waterloo Evangelical church and some years ago was an active member of the Waterloo Broom and Brush Company.

Berlin News Record, January 25, 1910

Oliver married Amanda Brubacher 25 Nov 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Amanda (daughter of John E. Brubacher and Magdalena Musselman) was born 22 May 1868, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Jun 1943, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Amanda Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1410
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Amanda Brubacher, "was born May 22nd, 1868. She is married to Oliver Martin. They reside in the town of Berlin where he is engaged in the J. Y. Shantz Button Factory. They have one son named Earl."

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: 00075-4405
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Benjamin S. Martin, "the second son, was born June 12th, 1830. He was married, January 25th, 1859, to Nancy, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Detweiler) Schneider. She was born June 3rd, 1831. They reside near Roseville, Ontario, where he is engaged in farming. To them was born 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.].

_______________________________

Kitchener, Sept. 10 - Benjamin S. Martin, one of Kitchener's best known and oldest residents, died at his home here last evening following a long illness. He was in his 88th year and was born in Woolwich township. He was engaged in farming at Roseville for many years. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. A. C. Beidel, of this city, and two brothers, Noah G., St. Jacobs, and Aaron, of Elmira.

Elmira Signet Sep 13 1917

Benjamin married Agnes "Nancy" Snyder 25 Jan 1859. Agnes (daughter of Samuel Snyder and Mary Detweiler) was born 3 Jun 1831, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Jun 1900; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Agnes "Nancy" Martin
• Name: Nancy Snyder
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6022
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Nancy Snyder, "was born June 3rd, 1831. On January 25th, 1859, she was married to Benjamin S. Martin, a farmer. See Benjamin S. Martin's family."


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:

• Historic Building: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 025, Waterloo County, Ontario; The Schweitzer House
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1397
• Residence: 1846, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1850, Columbia Street West, Waterloo, 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
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

John E. Brubacher, "second son of John and Catharine (Sherk) Brubacher, was born August 9th, 1822. On February 6th, 1846, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of David and Esther (Martin) Musselman. She was born December 16th 1827, and died July 5th, 1877. After her deceased he was married, in December, 1882, to Esther Musselman, sister to his first wife. She was the widow of the late Amos Martin, and was born November 18th, 1842. To him and his first wife 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.].

___________________

Waterloo County lost another of its pioneers on Sunday evening, when Mr. John E. Brubacher passed away at his home, about two miles northwest of Waterloo. Deceased was 80 years of age and was one of the oldest settlers. A family of ten children survive. They are- David, St. Jacobs; Martin, Kansas; John and Benjamin, near home; Noah, at home; Mrs. Samuel Snyder and Mrs. O. S. Martin, Waterloo; Mrs. Levi Groff, Lexington; Mrs. David Martin, Elmira, and Harriet at home. The funeral took place at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning to the old Mennonite church, Berlin.

Elmira Signet 28 Aug 1902

_______________

Death of Mr. J. E. Brubacher

This district lost another of its pioneers on Sunday evening when Mr. John E. Brubacher passed away at his home about two miles northwest of Waterloo. Deceased was 80 years of age and was one of the oldest settlers. A family of ten children survive. They are David, St. Jacobs; Martin, Kansas; John and Benjamin, near home, and Noah at home; Mrs. Samuel Snyder and Mrs. O. S. Martin, Waterloo; Mrs. Levi Groff, Lexington; Mrs. David Martin, Elmira; and Harriet at home. The funeral will be held at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning to the old Mennonite church, Berlin.

Berlin News Record, August 25, 1902
__________

Death of John E. Brubacher

John E. Brubacher, one of the oldest pioneers of Waterloo County, passed away to the great beyond at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, the 24st inst., at his country home near Waterloo. Deceased had been ill for about three weeks with stomach trouble. This with the infirmities of old age gradually weakened him and his end was unexpected. He had reached the ripe old age of 80 years and 15 days. The funeral takes place at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning, August 27th, from his late residence, 2 miles northwest of Waterloo, to the Mennonite church, Berlin, for service and interment.

Berlin Daily Telegraph, August 25, 1902

Historic Building:
In 1846, John Brubacher married Magdalena Musselman, settling on Lot 25, German Company Tract. Their son John E. Brubacher married in the late 1800s and built a house on the farm.. John E. Brubacher had a daughter who married into the Groff family. The Groff family eventually inherited the house and lived there until it was passed on to their daughter, who married Stanley Schweitzer. In 1957 the Schweitzer family sold the farm to the Waterloo College Associate Faculties, which would soon become the University of Waterloo. In 1972 the Graduate Student Association leased the house. [from The Record, December 22, 2007]

Historic Building:
Beautifully situated on a hill overlooking Columbia Lake on the north campus of the University of Waterloo, the home was built in 1850 of granite fieldstone.
No two of the structure's four elevations are alike. The one to the south is the most interesting. A noteworthy feature is a large verandah spanning the length of the building on the south facade. The gables on both the east and west elevations exhibit return eaves and the attic, on each side, is lit by two small four paned windows. These features are typical of the Mennonite version of the plain Georgian style.
A fire in 1968 seriously damaged the structure's interior and prompted the restoration of the home. The generous financial support of the University of Waterloo, the Ontario Heritage Foundation and the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation allowed the restoration to be completed by 1975. The basement now contains a meeting room, the focal point of which is a large fireplace. The ground floor houses a furnished museum depicting the interior of a Pennsylvania-German farmhouse. The second storey provides accommodation for the Curator.1a

1aDesignated Properties List www.waterloo.ca

John married Magdalena Musselman 3 Feb 1846, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of David Musselman and Esther Z. Martin) was born 16 Dec 1827, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Jul 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Brubacher
• Name: Martha Musselman
• Eby ID Number: 00083-4922
• Residence: 1846, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Magdalena Musselman, "was born December 16th, 1827. On February 6th, 1846, she was married to John E. Brubacher. They resided several miles north-west of Waterloo where she died July 5th, 1877. "

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: 00075-4392
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist

Notes:

Samuel Martin, "the fifth son of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 18th, 1805. In 1819 he came to Canada with his parents. In 1826 he was married to Susannah, daughter of Christian and Hannah (Paul) Shantz. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 24th, 1807, came to Canada when three years of age, and died May 16th, 1881. They resided on a farm about one mile south-west of St. Jacobs. It is now possessed by their son, Noah. They were blessed with 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.].

___________________________

A-1-83 Samuel Martin, Letters of Administration to the estate of Samuel Martin, late of the Township of Woolwich, Yeoman, deceased, granted the 28^th day of December 1855, to Susannah Martin, widow of the said deceased, on her giving proof that her said husband died Intestate on or about the fourth day of December, last past, on her giving a Bond and security for the due Administration of such Estate, herself and two securities in the persons of David Musselman and David Martin, both of the Township of Woolwich, Yeomen, each in the sum of Five Hundred Pounds, the Inventory delivered being to the amount of Two Hundred and Thirty five pounds, six shillings and ten pence halfpenny.

Letters granted 28 December 1855
Died 4 December 1855
Inventory amount £235/6/10 1/2.

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

Samuel married Susannah Shantz 1826. Susannah (daughter of Christian Schantz and Hannah Paul) was born 24 Jan 1807, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 16 May 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susannah Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6953
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm Wife
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Susannah Shantz, "was born January 24th, 1807. She was married to Samuel Martin and died in Woolwich Township, May 16th, 1881."


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: 00106-6005
• 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
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Samuel Snyder was born in Franklin, County, Pennsylvania, April 29th, 1801. He was five years of age when his parents moved to Canada and settled at Doon, Ontario, where he was raised. In 1825 he was married to Mary Detweiler (No. 2274) who was born September 20th, 1806, and died July 4th, 1874. They resided in North Dumfries Township, Waterloo County, near Roseville, where he was engaged in farming for many years. He died May 15th, 1887. His family consisted 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.].

Samuel married Mary Detweiler 1825. Mary (daughter of Rev. Jacob Detweiler and Susannah Rosenberger) was born 20 Sep 1806, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania; died 4 Jul 1874, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Roseville Mennonite Cemetery [Formerly Detweiller], Roseville, Waterloo, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Snyder
• Eby ID Number: 00029-2274
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Mary Detweiler," was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, September 20th, 1806. In 1825 she was married to Samuel Snyder who was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 29th, 1801, and died May 15th, 1887. They resided near Roseville, Ontario, where she died July 4th, 1874. To them were born 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.].

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1389
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 057, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 059, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 006, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Brubacher, "the youngest son of Jacob and Susannah (Erb) Brubacher, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, July 11th, 1793. In 1815 he came to Canada (See pages 45, 46 and 47) and selected his lot, No. 57, German Company's Tract, township and county of Waterloo, Ontario, a little to the east of Berlin. Here he had a small clearing made and a log shanty erected thereon. Late in fall of the same year Mr. Brubacher returned to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to make arrangements for moving to Canada the following spring. Early in 1816, he, in company with his mother, moved to this country and had their home with Bishop Benjamin Eby. As soon as the log shanty on his large farm was finished he started housekeeping for himself. His mother proved to be his female assistant for one year. On March 6th, 1817, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Betzner) Sherk. She was born February 11th, 1798 and died October 8th, 1882. He died October 10th, 1875. When quite a young man he was ordained as deacon of the Mennonite Church for the Eby field of labor. This position he held until his death. To them was born a family of fifteen 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.].

________________________________________________


October 10th, in Berlin, Canada, John Brubaker, one of the first settlers in this section, aged 82 years and 3 days.


Death Announcement - Herald of Truth, November 1875

_____________

JOHN BRUBACHER

John Brubacher came to Canada in 1816 and was accompanied by his widowed mother, Mrs. Susanna (Erb) Brubacher. She was a plucky woman and whatever she did was done aright. On the way over Mrs. Brubacher rode on a horse and killed a rattlesnake with her whip. Her son drove a heavily-laden Conestoga. Among other articles he brought in a churn. When they reached this settlment, their first meal was eaten off a pine stump. Mother and son then threaded their way through the woods to her son-in-law, Ben Eby's place,

John Brubacher made a clearing on Lot 57 and erected a log home. His mother kept house for him until 1817, when he married Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Betzner) Sherk. Ezra Eby said that Mrs, Susanna Brubacher sold her son 896 acres for $672 and then returned to Pennsylvania. Later on John Brubacher. as has been said, bought the Elias Eby farm in the East Ward and built a home in Brubacher Street that is still in use. Eventually John is said to have acquired 3,000 acres of land and to have given each of his fifteen children a farm.

John Brubacher was a short, dark man, and could lift a barrel of cider to his shoulder and take a drink out of the bunghole. His favorite saying was: Truth lasts the longest. His great-grand-father, also named John, when urged by his neighbors in Pennsylvania to build a gristmill declined, because he feared he might he tempted to take too heavy tolls.

Mrs. John Brubacher dressed plainly and wore a white cap. Her descendants treasure the heirlooms she handed down. There were no locks on their doors and often at night Indians entered her kitchen and slept on the floor. Once she was alarmed at breakfast time when a squaw fed a young papoose a piece of liver-sausage.

Fire was hard to make, for the settlers had no matches. A handful of dry cedar-bark was shredded and sparks struck from a flint with a piece of steel. Some families kept their fire burning the year round.

One night an Indian buck rapped on John's window and pleaded for a drink of whisky, but the pioneer did not give him any. Wild animals were all too plentiful and wolves a menace. Occasionally he heard the squeal of a pig as it was dragged from its pen by a black bear.

The Mennonites loved music. Once, while revisiting his old home in Pennsylvania, John Brubacher called on a man who owned a medodeon and had him play a hymn often sung in Ben Eby's church. As he listened tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. The pioneer walked with his head bent Ward Bowlby once met him in East King Street and said, "Mr. Brubacher, when walking you should keep your head up" John responded, "Mr. Bowlby, yonder is a field of wheat. Some of the stalks stand with their heads up those are empty; the bent heads only are filled with grain."

Mr. Brubacher's youngest daughter, Veronica (Mrs. Moses Betzner) died in 1936, when in her ninety-second year. She was an early riser; ate whole-wheat bread and until her fortieth year never tasted tea nor coffee after that she drank milk or butter-milk. "Sunrise," said she, "has a virtue no other part or the day has. Work is a blessing. Without it He would not be worth living."

"This community," she added, "was based on practical Christianity. The people were honorable and in business matters no writings passed among them It was all done by word of mouth and a man's Yes was binding."

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937, pg 23, 24

John married Catharine Shirk 6 Mar 1817. Catharine (daughter of Joseph Sherk and Mary Betzner, daughter of Joseph Schoerg and Elizabeth Betzner) was born 11 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 8 Oct 1882, near, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 11 Oct 1882, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Brubacher
• Name: Catherine Scherich
• Eby ID Number: 00101-5638
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Catharine Shirk, "was born February 11th, 1798. She was married to Deacon John Brubacher. They resided near Berlin where they both died. She died October 8th, 1882"


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/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.].