Rev. John G. Bear

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39053199
• Name: John Baer
• Eby ID Number: 00003-597
• 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
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Bear, "was born near Preston, Ontario, May 15th, 1804. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. When eighteen years of age he commenced life as a builder and contractor. Many a house and barn still standing in this and adjoining counties. were erected by him between the years 1823 and 1835. He was also the possessor of a beautiful farm lying between Preston and Hespeler, now owned by Anson Groh. Here he resided until the death of his wife in 1875. Then he had his home with his youngest son, Joseph, for five years. In 1880 he went to live with his son John, who resides a little west of Doon, where he died happy in the Lord, December 24th, 1894. He was converted unto the Lord when a young man, and in 1833 he joined the Mennonite Church. On December 2nd, 1838, he was ordained as Minister of the Gospel by the late Bishop Benjamin Eby. His field of labor was to be at 'Wanners', for which locality he was ordained. In 1870-71 when the first glimmerings of dissatisfaction were observable among the Mennonites, Mr. Bear was an active worker to keep up the union (The writer heard him advocate strongly in favor of union in 1870-71-72) but the spirit of disunion was carried so far (1873-4), which ultimately caused a division into the old and new communions. Mr. Bear joined himself with the new party and was one of their first ministers. We might add in conclusion that his educational attainments were very limited. Besides the acquisition of the simple elementary branches of reading, writing, and arithmetic, he in his youth was not favored, as the country was new and the schools in their primeval state. Being possessed of a very retentive memory, he exhibited a great taste for reading and was remarkably fond of investigation. He seldom accepted anything without first giving it due consideration and careful study. What little spare time he was able to snatch from the labors of the farm, he studiously devoted to the reading of such works as came within his reach. His library was composed of books pertaining to religious and devotional works. He was well versed in the Bible and works of a religious character. On February 11th, 1827, he was married to Anna, daughter of Cornelius and Anna (Detweiler) Pannabecker. She was born near Hespeler, Waterloo County, Ontario, April 23rd, 1812, and died February 16th, 1875. They had a family of thirteen 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.].

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"Bear, John (1804-1894)

John Bear: minister and building contractor; born 15 May 1804 near Preston, Upper Canada to Martin and Catharine (Gingrich) Bear. He was the oldest child in a family of six sons and seven daughters. On 11 February 1827 he married Anna Pannabecker (23 April 1812-16 February 1875); they had ten sons and three daughters. John died 24 December 1894.

By vocation John Bear became a carpenter and builder. One of his projects was the Union Mennonite/Tunker school and meetinghouse of 1829 that predated the Wanner building of 1837. This building was used as a school until 1848. He did much of his construction work between 1823-1835. He also farmed between Preston and Hespeler (both now part of the city of Cambridge).

John Bear was baptized as a member of the Mennonite Church in 1833; on 2 December 1838 he was ordained as a minister by Benjamin Eby particularly for service in the Wanner/Hagey area of the conference. He was widely read, but had only the basic primary education of the day. He was a second generation minister in the conference; his father had been one of the first persons ordained as a minister in the Waterloo region.

When a doctrinal conflict arose in the Ontario Conference beginning in 1869, John Bear led an party of three ministers to investigate revival activities in Solomon Eby's congregation at Port Elgin, ON. Bear's group brought back a positive report in early 1870, but a division ultimately could not be averted. Bear then joined the new "Reformed Mennonites"; a group that ultimately became part of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ denomination (later known as the Evangelical Missionary Church). He served as a minister in that denomination until his death. He was ordained as an elder in that denomination on 4 March 1888 by Menno Bowman.

Bear's departure from the Ontario Mennonite conference was very significant because of his longstanding leadership role in the conference. As leader of the investigation committee to Port Elgin he carried the respect of his fellow ministers, and his loss to the movement was keenly felt."

Mennonite Historical Society of Canada https://www.mhsc.ca/

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Wanner Mennonite Church
Begun: 1829

A small wooden meeting house was built in 1829 on a corner of the farm belonging to Samuel Bechtel which was located in the vicinity of the present-day regional headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources near the intersection of Highways 24 and 401. The site for this community meeting house, as well as a school and a burial ground, had been chosen on August 8, 1829. The land was donated by Samuel Bechtel and his wife Barbara (Baumann) on March 15, 1830. A new meeting house, of white brick, was built in 1837 on the east side of Henry Wanner's farm, somewhat north of the first meeting house. Meetings at first were held every eight weeks. The deed of land for the meeting house known as Wanner's was dated October 15, 1837. Early preachers were David Sherk, who had been ordained by Benjamin Eby in July 1837, Jacob Bretz, Jr., and Joseph Hagey.

Joseph Hagey was ordained bishop in 1851. During his time divisions occurred in the church by a surge of enthusiasm for a Methodist form of revivalism. Solomon Eby of Port Elgin, who announced his own conversion in December 1869, was leader of a group which believed that members could be converted through participation in revival meetings. John Baer of Wanner's became associated with Solomon Eby, and was compelled to leave the church in the spring of 1874, as were Eby and his other followers. The new church movement resulted in organization conferences which culminated in the conference on March 23, 1875 at Bloomingdale where New Mennonites and Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together as United Mennonites. The United Mennonites favored revival meetings, Sunday Schools and prayer meetings, and were opposed to the use of alcohol and tobacco.

The date of construction of the meeting house which replaced the one built in 1837 is somewhat in doubt. It is possible that a new building was erected in the early 1870s; it is also possible that the 1837 building only underwent extensive renovations at that time. There is no doubt, however, that a new brown brick church was built in 1938. An education wing was added in 1969.

The earliest Mennonite Sunday School in North America was begun in 1842 and was held jointly by the Wanner and Hagey Meeting Houses. It was discontinued after a short time because of a division of opinion within the congregations. An attempt was made later, in the mid-1860s, to begin another Sunday School, but this, too, did not last long. Many years later, on June 10, 1896, a meeting was held to organize a Sunday School. Anson Groh was appointed superintendent..

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

John married Anna "Nancy" Pannabecker 11 Feb 1827. Anna (daughter of Cornelius Pannebecker and Anna Detweiler) was born 23 Apr 1812, Near Hespeler, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Feb 1875, Near Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Magdalena Bear was born 7 Dec 1827, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 May 1846.
2. David P. Baer was born 5 Dec 1828, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 May 1907, Croswell, Sanilac, Michigan, USA; was buried , Croswell Cemetery, Croswell, Sanilac, Michigan, United States.
3. Moses Bear was born 8 Feb 1831, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Mar 1831.
4. John Bear was born 30 May 1832, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Feb 1908, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Aaron Bear was born 30 Mar 1834, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Dec 1870, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. Rebecca Bear was born 22 Feb 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Feb 1898, Colborne Twp., Huron Co., Ontario; was buried , Colborne Cemetery, Colborne Twp., Huron Co., Ontario.
7. Samuel Baer was born 9 Dec 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Bef 1911.
8. Leah Bear was born 2 Sep 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Aug 1908; was buried , Rosebank Community Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Martin Bear was born 25 Sep 1841, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 May 1843.
10. Cornelius Baer was born 11 Nov 1843, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Feb 1882, Hullett Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Ball's Cemetery, Hullett Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.
11. Lovina Bear was born 1844, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
12. Abraham Bear was born 23 Aug 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Jan 1846.
13. Benjamin Bear was born 2 Mar 1847, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Mar 1932, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Kinzie-Bean Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region. Ontario.
14. Joseph Bear was born 23 Apr 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176887467
• Name: Martin Baer
• Eby ID Number: 00003-596
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 06E, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 06, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Martin Bear, "was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1774. At the time when he was a young man, real estate in Pennsylvania, especially in the older counties, became so high in price that the majority of farmer's sons who wished to follow their paternal calling, were not in a financial position to procure a farm for themselves, hence the desire to seek homes elsewhere. This caused young Martin to make a journey to Canada to see the country before he would move here. In the summer of 1800 he arrived at old Joseph Schörg's who had located on the Grand River, opposite Doon, a few months previously. Finding the nature of the country, soil, timbers, and waters even beyond his expectations, he decided to settle here and immediately selected a tract of land (Now in possession of Anson Groh) situated between Preston and Hespeler, of which he cleared several acres and erected a small log house thereon, then returned to Pennsylvania. Early in spring, 1801, he in company with his wife and others, moved to Canada, and upon their arrival here each party settled on the locations made the year previously. In a few years nearly all these early settlers had comfortable homes. Old Mr. Martin Bear was an ordained minister of the Mennonite Church. He was one of the first that was ordained in this county (Ordained in 1808 by Bishop Moyer of the Twenty). He was married to Catharine, daughter of Abraham and Anna (Hunsicker) Gingerich. They had a family of thirteen 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.].

Martin — Catharine Gingrich. Catharine (daughter of Abraham H. Gingrich and Barbara Hunsicker) was born CA 1782, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 6 Mar 1849, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176887449
• Name: Catharine Bear
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3129

Notes:

Catharine Gingerich, "second daughter, was married to Martin Bear. They resided about one mile east of Preston, on the farm now possessed by Anson Groh, where they had a numerous 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:

• Eby ID Number: 00003-595

Notes:

Michael Bear, "was a native of York County, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1749. (From old John Bear) His forefathers were natives of Switzerland, and emigrated to America in 1715. Soon after their landing they moved westward and settled in Lancaster County. A son of the old progenitor settled in the county of York, where he had a family of several sons, one of whom was named Gabriel and one Michael. Of Gabriel no information could be obtained. Michael had a family of several children one son of whom was named Martin."


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/138031993
• Name: Abraham Gingerich
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3087
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 05, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Abraham Gingerich, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about the year 1751. He was married to Barbara Hunsicker and had a family of eleven children, ten of whom came to Canada. The father not being able, financially to procure a home for each of his sons in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, resolved to emigrate to some country where land could be purchased cheap, consequently his son David was requested to go on a journey to the much-spoken-of Canada and make a thorough inspection of the nature of the soil, timber, water, and of the advisability of settling there. No sooner had his son arrived in this part of he country, now Waterloo County, than he found everything far beyond his expectations and immediately a lot on which he intended to settle the following spring, was selected. This lot was west of Doon. Late in fall he returned to Pennsylvania where he and his father made ample preparations to move to Canada the following spring. In April, 1801, old Abraham Gingerich with his wife and family of ten children, of whom his son David and several daughters were married, moved to Canada, arriving at old Joseph Schoerg's (Now spelled Shirk and Sherk) place, opposite Doon, the first week in June. To their great surprise they found on their arrival that another party (This party was Henry Bechtel) had located on the lot selected by young David the fall previously. This caused the father and his sons to make another selection of a lot on which to settle. They then settled a little east of Preston. Abraham, the father, settled on the farm afterwards purchased by Isaac Bergey, where he died about the year 1814, while his son David settled on the farm now in possession of his grandson, Jacob S. Gingerich. The family of Abraham Gingerich consisted 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.].


From page 690
"N. B. - You will find the names of the eleven children of old Abraham Gingerich, but they may not be given in their proper order of birth. The family record, showing dates of birth is lost."

Abraham — Barbara Hunsicker. Barbara was born Abt 1751, Of, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died , Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Gingrich
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3087.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00003-595.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00039-3086

Notes:

Michael Gingerich, "the progenitor of this numerous family, emigrated to America in 1747 and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was born near the city of Strassburg, Alsace, Germany, about the year 1725. He was a farmer. His family consisted of several children but the names of only two have been received while the names of the others together with that of his wife have not been obtained. The two whose names we received were Abraham and Joseph. (From the late Jno. Gingerich near Waterloo, received by the writer in 1869.)"


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

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In Ezra Eby's book, the progenitor of the Gingrich family was named Michael. This has since been shown to be in error. The forefather of the Gingrich's in this record is Ulrich (not Michael). Therefore, there are differences between this and Ezra Ebys record. For more information, see THE GINGRICH GENEALOGY, 1981, John Edmund Gingrich, pg xi -xii in the introduction.

Ulrich Gingrich b. d. Y . (2020). Retrieved 16 February 2020, from https://ezraeby.com/getperson.php?personID=I14502&tree=mennonite