Elmer Brenneman

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-213925

Notes:

BRENNEMAN. Elmer Brenneman was born in Oxford Co., Ont., Feb 10, 1893; died Oct. 28, 1935 at his home at Milverton, Ont.; aged 42 y. 8 m. 18 d. He was married to Sister Laura Oesch of Milverton on June 27, 1917. He leaves his beloved companion, 1 daughter, 2 sons, and his parents. Bro. Brenneman had accepted Christ in his youth, being baptized in the East Zorra A. M. Church. Since marriage he had been a faithful member of the Poole A. M. Church, where he was Sunday School superintendent at the time of his death. He had been laboring in that capacity for some years. He became suddenly ill, suffering from a stroke, from which he was seriously ill for about six days, when the Lord called him home. In his passing the Church loses a faithful, consecrated Christian worker and he will also be much missed in the home and community for his kindly, loveable, and peaceable disposition. We cannot understand why, but we pray to God that he will give us grace that we say, "Thy will be done." Services were held at the Poole A. M. Church by Brethren Jesse B. Martin of Waterloo and Christian Schultz of the Poole congregation. Texts, Phil. 1:21 and I Sam. 20:3. Interment in the adjoining cemetery. The funeral was the largest ever attended at the church.

Yet again we hope to meet thee
When the day of life is fled;
Then in heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tear is shed.

GOSPEL HERALD - Vol. XXVIII, No. 34 - Nov. 21, 1935

Elmer married Laura Catherine Oesch 27 Jun 1917. Laura was born 26 Mar 1893, Pigeon, Huron, Michigan, USA; died 9 Jul 1965, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Poole Mennonite Cemetery, Mornington Twp., Perth Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

1. Marion Brenneman
2. Ronald Brenneman
3. Franklin Elmer Brenneman was born 1 May 1932, Milverton, Mornington Twp., Perth Co., Ontario; died 5 Jan 1958, Milverton, Mornington Twp., Perth Co., Ontario; was buried 7 Jan 1958, Poole Mennonite Cemetery, Poole, Perth County, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-219231
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish

Notes:

GOSPEL HERALD - Vol. XXXI, No. 9 - June 2, 1938, Page 189, 190, 191, 192

Brenneman - Henry, son of Peter and Catherine (Kuepfer) Brenneman, was born in Waterloo Co., Ont., March 11, 1868; died at his late home in Tavistock, Ont., April 26, 1938; aged 80 y. 1 m. 11 d. His father died when he was four years old, and his mother, as wife of Nicholas Roth, moved to Henry Co., Ia., in 1876, where he went to public school and Sunday school. At the age of 14 years he returned with his widowed mother to St. Agatha, Ont. In his youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and was received into church fellowship of the East Zorra A.M. congregation by water baptism upon confession of faith, and was a faithful member of this congregation until his death. On March 5, 1889, he was united in matrimony to Sister Catherine Oesch of Huron Co., Ont. This union was blest with 7 children of whom two preceded him in infancy, and 1 son (Elmer) died in 1935. The mother passed away in 1907. On Sept. 24, 1908, he was joined in matrimony to Sister Magdalene Bender of East Zorra, Ont. This union was blest with 1 daughter, who passed away in infancy. He leaves his loving companion, 1 son (Rudolph of Tavistock, Ont.), and 3 daughters (Susanna, wife of Joseph Zehr; Emma, wife of Emmanuel Zehr; Annie, wife of Chris Ruby, all of East Zorra), 22 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He was the last member of the Peter Brenneman family of 9 children, all of whom passed away in youth and infancy. There also survive 2 stepsisters (Catherine, wife of Martin Eicher, Milford, Neb.; Mary, wife of Dan Troyer, Shickley, Neb.); 1 stepbrother (Ben Roth, of New Hamburg, Ont.). Bro. Brenneman was an active Christian worker. As Sunday school superintendent he served the East Zorra A.M. congregation for nearly thirty years, taking an active part in all services, and also in young people's meeting, where he seldom failed to be present. He also took an active part in using his influence in bringing about the opening of a new place of worship for this congregation at the 17th line, where he attended from the beginning in 1935, as long as health permitted. Funeral services April 29 at the home were conducted by Bro. Jacob R. Bender, and the East Zorra A.M. Church by Bros. Menno Kipfer and Dan S. Iutzi, where a large concourse of friends gathered to pay their last tribute to the departed one. Interment in adjoining cemetery.
Jac. R. Bender

Henry — Catherine Oesch. Catherine (daughter of Menno Oesch and Susannah C. Meyer) was born 20 Feb 1869, , Ontario, Canada; died 9 Aug 1907, , Ontario, Canada; was buried , Amish Mennonite Cemetery, East Zorra Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Brenneman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-75186

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-59611
• Birth: CALC 25 Oct 1840
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1869, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish

Peter married Catherine Kuepfer 19 Feb 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of Jacob S. Kuepfer and Mary Lichti) was born 1839, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Brenneman
• Name: Catherine Kipfer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134451
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60004854
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-44317
• Residence: 1864, Hague

Menno married Susannah C. Meyer 7 Feb 1864, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susannah (daughter of Jacob Meyer and Catherine Charpis) was born 19 Sep 1848, , Alsace Lorraine, France; died 23 Apr 1905, Hay Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Lakeview Conservative Mennonite Cemetery, Blake, Stanley Twp., Huron Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60005162
• Name: Susannah C. Oesch
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-44319
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-216454
• Residence: 1838, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish

Daniel — Catherine Sommer. Catherine was born 1801, , Germany; died 8 Jan 1870, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Brenneman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134450
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Land: Wilmot Township - Concession North of Bleam's Road Lot 21, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Name: Jacob S. Kipfer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-58360
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Yeoman
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Jacob — Mary Lichti. Mary (daughter of Johannes F. "John" Lichti and Magdalena Joder) was born 1807, Flanders, , Belgium; died 20 Dec 1889, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Marie
• Name: Mary Kuepfer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-125050
• Immigration: 9 Jul 1825, New York City, New York, USA.
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Amish
• Residence: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Lived in 1881 beside her son Menno.

Immigration:
Departed Le Harve, France on the passenger ship "Elizabeth" arrived New York City 9 Jul 1825"
John Leichy, age 67, farmer, from France
Madelina Leichty, age 52
Joseph Leichty,, age 26
Maria Leichty, age 18
Elizabeth Leichty, age 16
Nicholas Leichty, 1

Other Events:

• Residence: Hay Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-127086

Notes:

Oesch, John (1791-1850)

John Oesch (as he became known in Canada) was born in 1791 to Hannes Esch and Freni Heres (spelling uncertain). There is evidence that "Freni" was of Dutch origin. At that time, the Esch family was living on the Barbelsteinerhof at the foot of the Berwartstein Castle near the village of Erlenbach some distance east of Zweibrücken. The spirit of the French Revolution had crossed the border into the German states, and the local residents were giving Hannes, the farmer at Barbelstein, a great deal of trouble.

When King Maximillian of Bavaria issued an invitation to residents of the Palatinate and Alsace to settle the farming cloisters which he had confiscated from the Catholic Church and to develop the Danube Marsh in the area between Neuburg and Ingolstadt in the early 1800s, Hannes was among those who responded.

John married Barbara Schultz in 1820 at Rothsee, a former cloister farm, southeast of Munich. In 1823 a passport was issued to John at Weilheim, a town south of Munich, allowing him to visit Zweibrücken and the place of his birth.

Later in 1823 John and Barbara were at Probfeld on the Danube Marsh where their third child was born. Shortly after the death of this child the following spring, they were on their way to Canada, leaving Neuburg on the Danube on 1 June 1824. The traveling group consisted of John and Barbara Oesch, their two children, Barbara's widowed father, several unmarried Schultz young people, and Jacob Steinman. They made their way to Amsterdam where they boarded the Brig Ospray, arriving in New York on 2 September.

Some of the travelers may have remained in Pennsylvania for a while, but John and Barbara acquired oxen and a wagon and continued their journey to Upper Canada. When they got to Waterloo, the survey in Wilmot Township had just been completed. They settled in Waterloo Township for a few years until John was able to establish a home on Lot 15, North Snyder's Road, the southern end of which would eventually be part of Baden and Castle Kilbride would be built on land he had cleared.

In February 1829 John was ordained to the ministry in the Wilmot Amish Mennonite congregation and in September of the same year he was ordained to the office of "full minister" (bishop) to take the place of Peter Nafziger who was leaving for Butler County, Ohio. Joseph Goldschmidt and John Brenneman were the first Amish Mennonite ordained ministers in Wilmot in 1824. Nafziger was already an ordained bishop when he arrived from Germany in 1826, making John the first Amish-Mennonite bishop ordained in Canada.

For the next 20 years John served the growing Amish Mennonite community as a bishop. A congregation was organized in South Easthope and East Zorra townships, but no bishop was ordained until several years later, making them dependent on the services of the Wilmot bishop.

By the late 1840s, John and Barbara had 14 living children, eight of them sons. John's 200- acre farm was beginning to look very small. So, one day John set out on foot on the Huron Road and discovered that in Hay township the unoccupied land was unlimited. When a large contingent of Waglers arrived in Wilmot in late 1848 or early 1849, John left his claim to Lot 15 to the new immigrants and contracted with the Canada Company for 600 acres in Hay Township. He moved the family to Bayfield where he and his unmarried sons set to work building their second home in Canada.

In March of 1850, John became ill with what was probably a ruptured appendix and did not survive. He had the time to compose a will in which he was careful to look after the needs of his wife and young children. Several family members became owners of some of the lots John had contracted for in Hay, and the Waglers bought the farm in Wilmot.

The Amish community in Hay grew and prospered, but the congregation did not ordain another bishop to succeed John. Not until 100 years later was Ephraim Gingerich ordained to that office. In the interim, the congregation was always dependent on the services of the bishops from "down east", usually Wilmot or East Zorra.

[Source: Roth, Lorraine. "Oesch, John (1791-1850)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. November 2005. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 27 October 2007 ]

Johannes — Barbara Schultz. Barbara (daughter of Heinrich Schultz) was born 1803, , Alsace Lorraine, France; died 1881, Hay Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Oesch
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-127087

Notes:

Oesch, Barbara Schultz (1803-1881)

Barbara Schultz likely was born in 1803 in Alsace. Her father was Henry Schultz. Her mother's name is not known. By 1820, the family was probably living in Bavaria and perhaps on the cloister farm Rothsee, southeast of Weilheim, because in February of that year she was married there at the age of seventeen to John Oesch. Barbara and John and two children were still living at Rothsee when John obtained an inland pass to travel to Zweibrücken, Germany in February, 1823.

The trip to Zweibrücken was likely made in preparation for a more extended one to America. By December 1823, the family was at Probfeld on the Danube Marsh between Neuburg and Ingolstadt. Barbara gave birth there to her third child in December, and they named him John. He died May 2 the following year.

By 1 June 1824 the Oesch family, along with Barbara's widowed father and several of her unmarried siblings left from Neuburg on the Danube en route to Amsterdam. There they boarded the Brig Ospray, arriving in New York on 2 September 1824.

John and Barbara stopped in Pennsylvania to procure a yoke of oxen and a wagon to make the trip to Upper Canada. They lived in Waterloo Township for a few years until John was able to prepare a cabin and clearing on Snyder's Road where the village of Baden would eventually be founded.

Barbara gave birth to two children in Waterloo (1825 and 1827). By that time they were assessed for two cows besides the oxen they had brought from Pennsylvania. The cows provided much needed nourishment for her growing family. By 1828 Barbara and John and their four children were settled in Wilmot Township.

For the next two decades, Barbara's time and energy was consumed in bearing children and feeding and taking care of them. In February 1829, John was ordained a minister in the small but growing Amish Mennonite settlement in Wilmot, and in September of the same year he was ordained to the office of "full ministry" (bishop) to succeed Peter Nafziger who leaving for Butler County, Ohio. Thus, the responsibilities of a minister's wife were added to Barbara's life.

By 1847 Barbara had given birth to 17 children, three of whom did not survive childhood. John was anxious to find more land for his growing family which included eight sons. Once more the frontier was beckoning and John set out on foot along the Huron Road which passed through the southern part of Wilmot and went all the way to Goderich on Lake Huron. Canada Company lands were still available, and John found what was needed in Hay Township.

Early in 1849 the family (except the children already married) moved to Bayfield on Lake Huron, from where John and the older boys began clearing and building a homestead on what is now the Bronson Line, a short distance south of the hamlet of Blake. In March Barbara gave birth to her 18th child in Bayfield.

In March of 1850, life for Barbara and her family changed drastically with John's death. The older children continued to build up the homestead and arranged for several of them - sons and daughters - to procure lands for which their father had signed contracts. The children found marriage partners. Six of them chose to leave Canada for the western states. Two died premature deaths, leaving spouses and children. One daughter and her husband took over the homestead farm and Barbara continued to live with them.

In January of 1881 Barbara died rather suddenly at the age of 77 years. She had given birth to 18 children, raised 15 of them to adulthood and outlived her husband by at least 30 years. The obituary in the Herald of Truth stated, "The Amish church has lost a shining light." It will be up to our imaginations to interpret her "shining light."<sup>1

1</sup>[Source: Roth, Lorraine. "Oesch, Barbara Schultz (1803-1881)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. November 2005. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 27 October 2007 ]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-90610
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Jacob — Catherine Charpis. Catherine was born 1813, , France; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Meyer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-90611
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite