Tilman S. Shantz

Other Events:

• Name: Dilman S. Shantz
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6861
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Elected Office: 1902, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Warden for the County of Waterloo
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Tilman Shantz, "was born January 8th, 1850. On March 20, 1871, he was married to Esther, daughter of Benjamin and Magdalena (Shantz) Snyder. After their marriage they moved on the farm now possessed by his brother Aaron S. Shantz. Here they remained for one year, then, on March 6th, 1872, they moved to Maryborough Township, Wellington County, 4th Concession, near Wallace line. Here they resided until March 6th, 1875, when they moved on the farm they now possess, north-east quarter of lot No. 9, German Company's Tract, about three miles north of the town of Waterloo where he is engaged as a farmer and breeder of thoroughbred stock. He has been councillor for two years, 1884-5, deputy reeve for six years, 1886-91, and reeve for the year 1892. He always takes an active part in political matters and strongly advocates the platform taken by the Liberals of this province. His family consists 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

________________

SALE OF DURHAMS - Mr. Tilman S. Shantz, who lives a few miles north of Waterloo, is one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers in this section. He takes great pride in raising thoroughbred stock. Recently he sold two thoroughbred Durham calves to Mr. Jacob Hux, of Marlborough township, near St. Thomas, for fifty and one hundred dollars, their ages being three and eight months respective'y. Evidently raising thoroughbred stock pays.

Waterloo County Chronicle 15 Sep 1898, p. 5

Tilman married Esther Snyder 20 Mar 1871, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Esther (daughter of Benjamin B. Snyder and Magdalena Shantz) was born 14 Dec 1846, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1925; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Henry Shantz was born 1871, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Harvey Herbert Shantz was born 30 Dec 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Dec 1937, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Alvin H. Shantz was born 11 Feb 1873, Maryborough Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 1942; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Alfred E. Shantz was born 6 Dec 1874, Maryborough Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 29 Apr 1959, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Urias A. Shantz was born 26 Sep 1876, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Jul 1967, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Angus M. Shantz was born 19 Jul 1878, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1941; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Walter Wells Shantz was born 4 Mar 1880, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1970; was buried , Fonthill, Pelham Twp., Welland Co., Ontario.
8. Elsie L. Shantz was born 3 Feb 1882, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Nov 1969, St. Jacobs, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Clementina "Tina" Shantz was born 16 Sep 1883, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Nov 1964, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Calvary United Brethern Cemetery, St. Jacobs, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
10. Ezra Ervine Shantz was born 11 Sep 1885, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Jan 1948; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 009W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6860
• Residence: 1849, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1869, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Moses Shantz, "the second son of Joseph and Catharine (Schneider) Shantz, was born August 22nd, 1819. On March 18th, 1849, he was married to Susannah, daughter of Jacob C. and Elizabeth (Cressman) Snider. She was born April 4th, 1840. Soon after their marriage they moved on the farm they still possess, his father's farm, being composed of west half of lot No. 9, German Company's Tract. Here they raised 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.].

_______________

SHANTZ - Moses Shantz was born on the 22nd of August 1819, about three miles north of Waterloo, Ont. On the 18th of March, 1819* he was married to the youngest daughter of the late Bro. Jacob C. Snyder, of Waterloo. He was a member of the Mennonite church since his youth. Deceased was afflicted for about 6 years, and suffered much pain, which however was patiently borne through all the weary years, until his final release on the 17th of January 1897, at the ripe old age of 77 years, 4 months and 26 days. He leaves a sorrowing wife, six sons and six daughters, also thirty-six grandchildren to mourn the loss of a kind companion and father. His was the first death out of this large family. The funeral was held on the 20th from his late residence. Interment at Martin's M.H., where many relatives and friends assembled to pay their last tribute of love and respect to one who had been so dearly loved and highly esteemed in life. Funeral services by Amos Cressman and Noah Stauffer.


Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXIV, No. 3, February 1, 1897 - Page 45, 46

Moses married Susannah Snider 18 Mar 1849, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susannah (daughter of Jacob C. Snider and Elizabeth Cressman) was born 4 Apr 1830, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 May 1916; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susannah Shantz
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5903
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of Susannah Snider
• Residence: 1849, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Susannah Snider, "was born April 4th, 1830. on march 18th, 1849, she was married to Moses Shantz, a farmer"


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.].

____________________

Shantz. - Susannah Snider, wife of the late Moses Shantz, was born in Waterloo, Ont., April 4, 1830; died May 14, 1916; aged 86 y. 1 m. 10 d. The deceased was married to Moses Shantz Mar. 18, 1849, who preceded her 19 years ago. This union was blessed with a family of 12 children, of whom 11 are still living. There are 50 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren of whom nearly all are living. She was the last of the Snider family. Her brothers and sisters have all preceded her. By her passing away, the family loses a kind and patient mother, the church a consistent member, and the fruits of her exemplary and devoted Christian life, will never be forgotten. Funeral services on May 17, conducted at the house by Bro. Noah Stauffer, and at the Waterloo Mennonite Church by Bro. Stauffer and Noah Hunsberger, from Job 5: 26. Burial at the Martin Cemetery.


Gospel Herald - Volume IX, Number 9 - June 1, 1916 - pages 158,159

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00110-6849
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of Joseph R. Shantz
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 009W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: 1849, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 026, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Joseph Shantz, "the youngest son of Isaac and Barbara (Reiff) Shantz, was born near Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1795. In May, 1808, his mother, with her three youngest children, David, Veronica, and Joseph, who was then only thirteen years of age, moved to Canada and arrived in Waterloo County in June. On the 21st or 22nd of the same month she took possession of her bush farm, being composed of part of lot No. 52, German Company's Tract. About six acres were cleared and cleaned and a log house put up, but this house was without roof and floor until their coming. The lumber was purchased in Galt and the first thing the party had to do on their arrival was to put on the board roof and lay the floor, and then the house was ready to move into. By four o'clock in the afternoon everything was put in its proper place and everybody felt happy and well at home except Joseph who stood outside the house and wept bitterly, being sick of the wild and romantic life and wishing himself home at Pottstown again. So much did he weep that his mother came out to speak words of comfort to him, upon which he said, 'O mother, what made you leave our beautiful home and come here where there is nothing but bush and flies? Why had you listen to Christian? (His brother who settled here in 1806 always spoke well of Waterloo) It is not at all as he used to say.' The mother, listening to her son's lamentable tale, said, 'Joseph, now do quit crying and come into the house with me or else I shall have homesick like you and begin to cry.' They both went into the house and that ended 'Homesick'. (This story Mr. Joseph Shantz related to the writer in the year 1869) Here he was raised and on July 8th, 1817, he was married to Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Eby) Schneider. She was born February 12, 1799, and died September 15th, 1881. Soon after their marriage they moved on their farm, being composed of west half of lot No. 9, German Company's Tract, now occupied by their son, Moses. Here they resided until 1849 when they moved on the farm being composed of west half of lot No. 26, German Company's Tract, now in possession of his sons, Joseph and Menno. Here he built a dam and erected a sawmill and for quite a number of years did a large business in sawing during the spring months. After his sons, Joseph and Menno, were married, he divided his farm into two and gave each one about half, Joseph retaining the part with the old buildings and the sawmill. Here he died, March 19th, 1882, six months after the decease of his wife. They had a family of seven children"


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

Joseph married Catharine Schneider 8 Jul 1817. Catharine (daughter of Joseph Schneider and Barbara Eby) was born 12 Feb 1799, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 15 Sep 1881, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Shantz
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6347
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of Cahtarine Snyder
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

SHANTZ. - Dec. 15th in Waterloo Co., Ont., of the infirmities of old age, Sister Catharine Shantz, wife of Joseph Shantz, aged 82 years, 7 months and 3 days. Buried the 17th in Martins burying-ground


Herald of Truth - Volume XIX, Number 2 - January 15, 1882 - page 29,30

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: 00110-6535

Notes:

Isaac Shantz, "was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, January 14th, 1748. On May 4th, 1774, he was married to Barbara Reiff who was born September 12th, 1753. He died on his farm situated on the Schuylkill River, within the corporation of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania on October 11th, 1802. They had a family of nine children, eight of whom they raised. Their names are as follows: III Mary, III Abraham, III Christian, III Jacob, III Isaac, III David, III Veronica, III Samuel, and III Joseph. In 1808, she with her two sons, David and Isaac, and her daughter Veronica, moved to Canada and settled on the farm now possessed by Abraham H. Wambold, about one and one-half miles south of Berlin, and part of this farm is now possessed by Enos Shantz, one of her great-grandchildren. Here she resided until her death which took place September 25th, 1820. (Contributed by her son, Joseph) She was of an amiable disposition, rather small in statue but robust and of a quick turn. At 60 years of age she would mount her pony like a young man. She is buried in the Christian Eby Burial Ground, Berlin, Ontario. We shall now give the descendants of Isaac Shantz."


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.].

Isaac married Barbara Rife 4 May 1774. Barbara (daughter of Christian Rife and Veronica Reiff) was born 12 Sep 1753, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 1820, South Of Berlin, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Shantz
• Eby ID Number: 00092-5275.1
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 052, Waterloo County, Ontario

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27232276
• Historic Building: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Interesting: religion, pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6346
• Historic Building: 1807, 393 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Site of first log cabin
• Historic Business: 1816, 113 David Street, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawmill
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 017W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 023W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Historical Event: 29 Aug 1839, Evangelical Association Church, Waterloo, Ontario; church founding

Notes:

Joseph Schneider, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, May 24th, 1772. On February 21st, 1798, he was married to Barbara, daughter of Christian and Catharine (Bricker) Eby. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 29th, 1774, and died in Berlin, Ontario, March 13th, 1843. On May 8th, 1807, Mr. Schneider with wife and family and a large company of others (See Vol. 1 pages 39, 40 and 41 for particulars) moved to Canada and settled where now is the town of Berlin, Ontario. Here he was engaged in farming. His first buildings were erected where now his grandson, Samuel B. Schneider, lives, a little west of the Walper Block, Berlin. Here he died October 27th, 1843, leaving a family of seven children".


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

__________________________

Zion United Church

A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob, was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider. The church was dedicated on September 25th of that year, with Rev. Christian Hummel of Buffalo, New York, officiating. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was pastor from 1840-1842. In 1842 the Waterloo Mission became a Circuit of the East Pennsylvania Conference. Two years later it was part of the New York Conference.

The second church building was built of brick on the same site in 1866, and dedicated in 1867; Rev. C.A. Spies was pastor at the time. The old frame church was sold and moved to Elgin Street where it was used as a dwelling. In the same year Berlin became a station.

The present church building was built in 1893 on Weber Street; dedication services were held on June 15, 16 and 17, 1894. This building was heavily damaged by fires in 1942 and 1965 but was renovated and restored each time.

The union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 created the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The name of the church was to change again, to Zion United Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada on January 1, 1968. Of interest: some maps of early Berlin show this church as a German Methodist church.


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

___________________________

SCHNEIDER, JOSEPH, settler and sawmill owner; b. 24 May 1772 in Lancaster County, Pa, son of Jacob B. Schneider and Maria Herschi; m. 21 Feb. 1798 Barbara Eby, sister of Benjamin Eby*, and they had seven children; d. 27 Oct. 1843 in Berlin (Kitchener), Upper Canada.

Joseph Schneider's father immigrated with his parents to Pennsylvania from the Palatinate (Federal Republic of Germany) in 1736. In 1806, three years after Jacob's death, two of his sons, Christian and Jacob, settled in block 2 (Waterloo Township), in the vicinity of present-day Kitchener. Joseph and a group of other Mennonites followed them, making the month-long journey in horse-drawn wagons. Schneider purchased and settled on lot 17 of the German Company Tract of block 2. It was the attraction of inexpensive land, as well as the desire to remain under British rule in the years after the American revolution, that brought many Mennonites to the area, among them Benjamin Eby and Samuel D. Betzner*. Geographical isolation allowed them to practise their religion and language freely, although at first it forced them to travel to such centres as Dundas for supplies and services.

Schneider was an active figure among the Mennonite settlers and, with Eby, is often regarded as a founder of Kitchener. He helped open the first local road, which ran from his farmstead to the Dundas road and was known as Schneider's road until the 1870s. In 1808-9 he and four other heads of families hired a teacher to open the first school in the area. He was involved four years later in the building of the first Mennonite meeting-house, headed by Eby; in 1834 Schneider participated in the construction of a new church. Perhaps as early as 1816 he had built a sawmill on what is still known as Schneider's Creek, and in the 1820s a blacksmith shop and tavern were erected by Phineas Varnum on land leased from Schneider. Together these enterprises formed the commercial nucleus of the developing village, known variously as Sand Hills, Ebytown, and, later, Berlin. In 1835 Schneider strongly supported the establishment of its first newspaper, Heinrich Wilhelm Peterson*'s Canada Museum, und Allgemeine Zeitung, of which he was a stockholder.

Schneider died on 27 Oct. 1843. Among the possessions he left to his family were traditional objects valued by Pennsylvania Germans, including a tall case clock, the works for which he had brought with him in 1807. The clock still stands in the house he built about 1820, Kitchener's oldest structure and now a museum. In other local collections are two family bibles: one, in the Mennonite Archives of Ontario, a rare edition published in Zurich in 1560 by Christoph Froschauer and brought to Upper Canada by Schneider; the other, in the possession of a descendant, printed in Lancaster County in 1805 and containing striking examples of fraktur (ornamental writing), executed by teacher-artist Jacob Schumacher in 1821.

Schneider's farming and milling operations were continued by his youngest son, Joseph E., who in 1849 had the family's history printed in Berlin in a small booklet, possibly the earliest published genealogy in Canada. In 1874 he was a charter member of the Reforming/Reformed Mennonites (later the Missionary Church) .
E. Reginald Good and Paul Tiessen

Toronto and York Land Registry Office (Toronto), "Old York County," deeds, 5, no.1839 (mfm. at AO). Waterloo South Land Registry Office (Kitchener, Ont.), Waterloo Township, abstract index to deeds, German Company Tract, lot 17 (mfm. at AO). E. E. Eby and J. B. Snyder, A biographical history of early settlers and their descendants in Waterloo Township, with Supplement, ed. E. D. Weber (Kitchener, 1971), 136. John English and Kenneth McLaughlin, Kitchener: an illustrated history (Waterloo, Ont., 1983). Hannes Schneider and his wife Catharine Haus Schneider, their descendants and times, 1534-1939, ed. J. M. Snyder (Kitchener, [1940]). Herkommen und Geschlechts Register der Schneider Familie (Berlin [Kitchener], 1849). P. G. Klassen, "A history of Mennonite education in Canada, 1786-1960" (d.ed. thesis, Univ. of Toronto, 1970), 73-74. W. V. Uttley, A history of Kitchener, Ontario (Kitchener, 1937; repr. [Waterloo, 1975]), 17. M. [H.] Snyder Sokvitne, "The Joseph Schneider house, 1820," Waterloo Hist. Soc., [Annual report] (Kitchener), 1966: 20-27. W. V. Uttley, "Joseph Schneider: founder of the city," Waterloo Hist. Soc., Annual report (Waterloo), 1929: 111-19. G. K. Waite, "Joseph Schneider sawmill operations, 1848-1859," Waterloo Hist. Soc., [Annual report], 1985: 57-65.

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

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JOSEPH SCHNEIDER
Founder of the City

The first stones in the city's foundation were laid in South Queen Street, in 1807, by Joseph Schneider. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa, in 1798, and married Barbara, sister of the Rev. Benjamin Eby.

On Lot No. 17, Pioneer Schneider built a log cabin. It stood on the east side of Queen Street, where John McKay's former home rests. Next he cut a roadway from the house to the Walper House corner and easterly to No. 57 East King Street, where he built a barn. South Queen Street was the first thoroughfare in the city and until the eighteen-eighties was called Schneider's Road.


A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 pg 16

Historic Building:
Joseph Schneider's house is the oldest surviving in Kitchener dating from 1820 and has been made into the Joseph Schneider Haus Muesum.

Historic Building:
Now on this site is Barra Castle a 15 unit apartment building, due to be renovated for other purposes (2009).

Historic Business:
Joseph Schneider's Saw-Mill

The pioneers had then begun to replace their log-houses with frame homes. To meet a demand for lumber Joseph Schneider built a saw-mill in 1816 on Schneider's Creek. It rested on the easterly side of David Street, opposite Victoria Park. The mill dam was above the railway, and the mill-race crossed David Street between Schneider Avenue and Roland Street. The up-and-down or "muley" saw was run by an overshot waterwheel.1a

1aA History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 pg 17

Historical Event:
A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob , was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Ambrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]

Joseph married Barbara Eby 21 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA. Barbara (daughter of Christian Eby and Catharine Bricker) was born 29 Apr 1774, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 13 Mar 1843, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27232187
• Name: Barbara Schneider
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2422

Notes:

Barbara Eby, "the third daughter of Christian Eby and his wife, Catharine Bricker, was born April 29th, 1774. On February 21st, 1798, she was married to Joseph Schneider who was born May 24th, 1772, and died October 27th, 1843. She died March 13th, 1843. In 1807 they, in company with some of the Ebys and Erbs, moved to what is now Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario. They settled on lot No. 17, U. B., of the Township of Waterloo, now forming part of the town of Berlin. The old homestead is now owned by a grandson, Samuel B. Schneider. Here they raised a family of seven children."


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

Other Events:

• Historic Building: Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Christian Schneider's homestead
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5816
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Biehn's Tract Unnumbered Lots Doon, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Christian Schenider, "was born August 28th, 1758. In 1789 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Maria (Scherch) Erb (See No. 2777). She was born in Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, January 23rd, 1770, and died in Waterloo County, Ontario, September 29th, 1818. In 1806 they, in company with others, emigrated to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario, near where now is the village of Doon. Here he resided for a number of years. It was his intention to construct a dam across the creek flowing through his plantation and have a grist mill erected thereon. But in order to have the desired "head of water" he found that the "back water" would flood a few acres of Mr. Biehn's swamp adjoining that of his (Mr. Schneider's) property, This, although worth nothing, or comparatively little, Mr. Biehn would not sell to Mr. Schneider and thus prevented the building of a grist mill. Mr. Schneider died August 6th, 1850, leaving 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.].

Historic Building:
Two story wooden house built about 1807

Christian married Elizabeth Erb 1789. Elizabeth (daughter of Christian Erb and Maria Scherch) was born 23 Jan 1770, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 29 Sep 1818, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Schneider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5816.1
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2061
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 10, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John Cressman, "son of Nicolaus Cressman, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1755. He was married to Anna Schowalter who was born April 4th, 1761, and died in Waterloo County, Ontario, July 2nd, 1829. They with their family of seven children, moved to Canada in 1807, and settled in Waterloo County, near Freeport, Ontario, on the farm lately owned by Daniel B. Snyder. Here he died in 1818."


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 — Anna Schowalter. Anna was born 4 Apr 1761, Of, Pennsylvania; died 2 Jul 1829, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Cressman
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2061.1
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image