Nelson O. Bowman

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-242
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheran
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheren

Other Events:

• Interesting: life, religion
• Name: Jacob B. Bauman
• Occupation: Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; postmaster
• Eby ID Number: 00002-238
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Preacher
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheran
• Occupation: 1881, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; minister
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Preacher
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheren
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Minister
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretren
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clergyman

Notes:

Jacob B. Bowman, "the eldest son of John B. and Nancy (Bechtel) Baumann, was born near Freeport, December 26th, 1827. In 1850 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Rachel (Baumann) Oberholtzer. She was born in Bloomingdale, October 8th, 1831. After their marriage they moved on his father's old homestead where they resided for twenty-four years, thence they moved to Freeport where they resided for nine years, from there they moved (in 1883) to Berlin where they still reside. In 1855 he entered the ministry and labored for the Lord's cause ever since. The first two years of his ministerial life were spent in the services of the Baptist church. In 1857 or 58 he joined the United Brethren in Christ for which body he proved himself to be an honorable and hard working servant both in and out of the pulpit. He is one of those men who are naturally gifted with an ability of making friends of all with whom they meet. As a minister he is much beloved by both his own and other congregations. His family consists of five 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

____________________________________

Roseville United Brethren in Christ Church

Although early meetings are reported to have begun in the Roseville area as early as 1860, it was not until 1881 that Rev. George Backus of New Dundee came to the area to conduct regular services in Roseville homes on Sunday evenings. The first services were held in the home of Mrs. Jacob Bricker; there were seven charter members in the group. Shortly after this time, c.1884, the present church building, which was originally of frame and dates to 1852 when it belonged to a Lutheran Congregation, was bought from the Wesleyan Methodists who had acquired it earlier from the Lutherans. The first United Brethren in Christ pastors after Rev. Backus were Revs. David B. Sherk and Jacob. B. Bowman. The congregation remained on a circuit until 1969 when the connection ended with New Dundee and Roseville became independent. A parsonage was purchased in 1971 and on September 9, 1973 a sod-breaking ceremony was held for the Christian Education addition. Dedication services were held on October 6, 1974.

A split in the United Brethren in Christ in 1889 resulted in two groups calling themselves by that name. One group joined the Congregationals in 1906. The other group remained United Brethren in Christ until November 16, 1946 when most congregations of the United Brethen in Christ organization joined with the Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church - later to join with the United Church on January 1, 1968. This congregation is one of three United Brethren in Christ Churches in Waterloo County today. The others are Stanley Park in Kitchener, and New Dundee. The headquarters of the church is in Huntington, Indiana.

Although the building was originally of frame construction, remodelling and renovations have resulted in the church building of today.

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

____________________________

A Bad Fall
Rev. J. B. Bowman, Church street fell while proceeding along the sidewalk in front of the post office this morning and striking his head with great force on the walk was rendered unconscious. He was taken home in a conveyance and a physician called in. At three o'clock in the afternoon he was still unconscious and no one was allowed to see him. We trust that his fall may not result seriously.

The Daily Record 18 Dec 1893

____________________

Pioneer Minister of Waterloo County Passes Away Wednesday

WAS IN HIS 83RD YEAR

The Grim Reaper called one of Waterloo County's, most widely known and respected residents, Rev. Jacob B. Bowman, who passed away at 12:30, Wednesday morning, at the residence of his son, Mr. A. O. Bowman, Church street, Berlin. The deceased has been in poor health for the last eighteen months and for the past two months has been in a helpless condition, his death being calm and peaceful. The late Jacob B. Bowman was born on the old Bowman homestead near Freeport, in 1827 and was 82 years and 24 days of age. He was a son of John Bowman, one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He was educated in the common schools and when about 30 years of age he entered the ministry of German Baptist church and afterwards united with the United Brethren denomination. He resided on the farm near Freeport, until 26 years ago, when he took up his residence in Berlin. The deceased was actively engaged in the ministry for many years and had charge of nearly all the U. B. circuits in this county. During his ministerial career he performed over 400 marriage ceremonies. Had the late Mr. Bowman lived until February 17th next, he would have been married 60 years. He is survived by his bereaved widow, who is in her 78th year and one son and one daughter, Mr. Abram O. Bowman, of the Customs staff and Mrs. (Rev.) W. A. Hutchison of Elyrie, Ohio. Three children died in infancy. The deceased was a brother of the late I. L. Bowman and the late Mrs. Amos Weber. He was a living example of a true Christlike life and his death removed a useful and highly esteemed citizen from this community. The funeral will take place from the residence of A. O. Bowman, 87 Church St., on Friday at 2 o'clock p.m. and proceed to Allan St., U.B. Church and thence to Mount Hope cemetery, for interment.

Chronicle-Telegraph 20 Jan 1910 pg 10

_________________

Post office closed - Freeport post office, which has been in existence for the last 50 years or more, was closed last week by order of the Postmaster General. This office, which was opened in the early sixties. In the old Academy building, (now a mass of ruins), had for its first postmaster Mr. Charles Lutz, only brother Mr. Hy. Lutz of this place. Later on it was transferred to the house now occupied by Mr. Adam Sherman, when Mr Jacob Lutz father the Lutz brothers took over the office. Next and turn as postmaster came Mr. John Schlichter, who was followed by Rev. J. B. Bowman with Miss Harriet Pogson as deputy. On the removal of Mr. Bowman to Berlin Miss Pogson assumed the duties of postmistress, which she filled for some years. On her resignation the office was moved to Centreville, with Mr. Ferdinand Latsch in charge. When he resigned Mr. Jacob Ebel was appointed in his stead, and for the past few years he has been our postmaster, until now on the closing of the office he has been relieved of its duties. With the introduction of the ever popular rural mail delivery there is no call for this office, and said it was closed. 'Aurevoir.

Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph 22 May 1913


Occupation:
Although early meetings are reported to have begun in the Roseville area as early as 1860, it was not until 1881 that Rev. George Backus of New Dundee came to the area to conduct regular services in Roseville homes on Sunday evenings. The first services were held in the home of Mrs. Jacob Bricker ; there were seven charter members in the group. Shortly after this time, c.1884, the present church building, which was originally of frame and dates to 1852 when it belonged to a Lutheran Congregation, was bought from the Wesleyan Methodists who had acquired it earlier from the Lutherans. The first United Brethren in Christ pastors after Rev. Backus were Revs. David B. Sherk and Jacob. B. Bowman . <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]

Jacob married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Oberholtzer 17 Feb 1850, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of Abraham Oberholtzer and Rachel Bauman) was born 8 Oct 1831, Bloomingdale, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 31 Mar 1910; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bowman
• Eby ID Number: 00086-5073
• Residence: 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheran
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheren
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren

Notes:

Elizabeth Oberholtzer, "was born October 8th, 1831. She is married to Rev. Jacob Bowman. They reside in Berlin and have a family of five children... Elizabeth Oberholtzer, "was born October 8th, 1831. She is married to Rev. Jacob Bowman."


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: 00002-41

Notes:

John Baumann, "the fourth son of Joseph Baumann, was born April 4th, 1800, and died of paralysis, September 22nd, 1850, in Lincoln County, Ontario. He was married to Nancy Bechtel."

John B. Baumann, "the fourth son of Rev. Joseph and Mary (Baer) Baumann, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, April 4th, 1800. In 1816, he in company with his parents and their family, moved to Canada and settled at Blair, Waterloo County. About the year 1825 he was married to Nancy, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gabel) Bechtel. She was born June 6th, 1808, and died August 3rd, 1855. Soon after their marriage they moved a little north of the "Toll Bridge" on the farm now possessed by George Becker. Here they resided until their death. When he was about thirty-five years of age he was called to the ministry. He proved himself to be an able minister and a good worker among his class. While on his pastoral duties he died of paralysis, September 21st, 1850, at the Twenty, Lincoln County, Ontario. Their family consists of three 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.].

___________________________


Bloomingdale (Schneider or Snyder) Mennonite Church

Services began in 1824, and in 1826 a first meeting house, known as Schneider's or Snyder's, was built northwest of Bloomingdale, and east of the Grand River, on land (part Lot 7) donated by Jacob Schneider. Henry Weber was the first minister to this congregation, from 1824 until 1854. He was followed by Moses Erb who was ordained minister to the congregation on April 14, 1854. The church building was primarily used as a school in the beginning; the first teacher was John Bauman from Pennsylvania. Church services were held in homes. Dorothy Sauder, in her 1972 history of the church, states that "Prior to 1860, Schneider's was the only [Mennonite] place of worship on the Grand River and, until the 1889 Martin schism, it was one with the Martin congregation with ministers serving both groups" (Sauder 1972: 8). Services were held on a two-week schedule, at one meeting house and then at the other.

Snyder's was affected by division in the church in the early 1870s. The majority of the congregation joined the Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites, a group organized by Solomon Eby on May 15, 1874, and from 1875-1879 the meeting house was used almost exclusively by them. It was here that the conference was held on March 23, 1875 in which the New Mennonites and the Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together as the United Mennonites. However, because the original deed to the church property had been lost or perhaps never duly executed, a new deed was drawn up on January 15, 1879, giving ownership of building and property to the group of more conservative Mennonites in the congregation.

The present church was built in 1878 on approximately the same site as the first meeting house. Renovations to the church building were carried out in 1951. One main entrance, to replace the two separate entrances, was part of the changes made. Further improvements were made in 1985. The name of the church is now Bloomingdale Mennonite Church.

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

Johnnes — Nancy Bechtel. Nancy (daughter of Deacon Jacob Bechtel and Elizabeth Gabel) was born 6 Jun 1808, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Aug 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Nancy Bauman
• Name: Nancy Oberholtzer
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0805
• Residence: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Nancy Bechtel "the eighth member of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gabel) Bechtel's family, was married to Rev. John Baumann. They resided on the west side of the "Toll Bridge" where they had a family of two 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.].

Nancy's tombstone has her name as Oberholtzer.

Residence:
Lived with Jacob Bowman and family.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5071
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 070N, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Abraham Oberholtzer, "son of John and Susannah (Moyer) Oberholtzer, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1802. In 1826 he, in company with his brother Jacob and others, moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario. He was married to Rachel, daughter of Martin and Magdalena (Bear) Baumann (No. 553). She was born April 21st, 1801, and died November 28th, 1851. They resided at Bloomingdale, on the farm now possessed by Isaac E. Weber. He died February 24th, 1855, leaving a family of four 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-1-62 Abraham Oberholtzer: The Last Will and Testament of Abraham Oberholtzer, of the Township of Waterloo.

In the name of God, Amen. I Abraham Oberholtzer, of the Township of Waterloo, in the County of Waterloo, Yeoman, do make and constitute these presents, dated the fifteenth day of May 1854, my Last Will and Testament, ordaining and directing concerning my worldly estate as follows, viz : (1) My hereinafter named Executors I hereby authorize to collect all my outstanding debts, notes and bonds, and pay and discharge all my own lawful and just debts and dues. (2) Having sold and disposed of my Real Estate to my son Owen Oberholtzer for the purchase sum of Three Thousand Dollars, out of which there are to remain standing the sum of One Thousand Dollars for the Dowry of my Widow, I hereby ordain that my beloved widow Nancy shall have, draw and receive the annual interest of that sum during her widowhood, and also the interest of Two Hundred Dollars which my Executors shall invest out of my Estate for that purpose, but in case she married again, these two hundred dollars shall be her portion for and in lieu of her Widow Third in my real property, the grant of Deed whereof being as yet in my possession, and of which, if not done by myself during my life time, it shall be executed and given by my Executor….my property being composed of the North East Third part of Lot number Seventy of the German Company Tract of Waterloo. My widow is further to have during her widowhood the free use and benefit of all my household chattels and goods, but if she intermarries again, she is to have as her own for ever, out of the same, one full Bed, one Bureau, one Table, six Chairs, and all her necessary Kitchen furniture. (3) After the demises of my widow shall the above mentioned Two Hundred Dollars fall to the present children of my widow, she of late having been the widow of John Bowman, deceased, and then after her demise, or at her intermarriage, the remainder of my chattels and goods shall be equally divided, or be sold and the proceeds thereof be equally divided, amongst all my own children, and which also shall be so done with all my monies, notes, bonds and other obligations including the above said One Thousand Dollars. (4) In case I shall be at the time of my demise in possession of some landed property, my widow shall of course have her regular widow third therein, but she shall never the such be obliged for and in lieu of a fair commutation and compensation thereof to release her Dower therein, so that a clear Deed may be given to the Purchasers thereof…As executors to my Estate I hereby appoint my beloved son Owen Oberholtzer and my beloved Son-in-Law Jacob B. Bowman, both of Waterloo, Yeomen.

Witnessed by Jacob Hailer and Henry Boedecker
Will dated 5 May 1854
Proved 7 March 1855
Inventory amount £1371/18/8
Died 24 February 1855

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

Abraham — Rachel Bauman. Rachel (daughter of Martin Bauman and Magdalena Baer) was born 21 Apr 1801, Alleghany Valley, Berks Co., Pennsylvania; died 28 Nov 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Oberholtzer
• Eby ID Number: 00002-558

Notes:

Rachel Baumann, "was born April 21st, 1801, and died November 28th, 1851. She was married to Abraham Oberholtzer, who was born January 17th, 1802, and died February 24th, 1855. They resided at Bloomingdale, on the farm now possessed by Isaac E. Weber. Their family consisted of four 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:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65137428
• Eby ID Number: 00002-34
• Land: Bef 1831, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Joseph Baumann, "the fourth son of Christian Baumann, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, July 19th, 1766. He was married to Mary Baer, who was born January 23rd, 1772, and died October 29th 1842. In 1802 he was ordained as minister of the Mennonite body. He was a good man, and his sermons always made a deep impression upon the audiences who assembled at places of worship on Sabbath days. In May, 1816, he with his family moved to Canada and settled near Blair, Ontario. The family consisted 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.].

Joseph — Mary Baer. Mary was born 23 Jan 1772; died 29 Oct 1842, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65138108
• Name: Maria Baer
• Name: Mary Bauman
• Eby ID Number: 00002-34.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00007-0737
• Residence: Abt 1817, 1490 Blair Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Old Survey Lot 03, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Old Survey Lot 03, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Beside the many hardships, labors and sufferings in getting here and making themselves homes, quite a few settlers along where Blair is now situated were visited by a fire this spring of 1806.

On the 6th of May fire was set to a Job [a tract of land with timber slashed down ready to be burned so that the land could be farmed later] of 10 or 15 acres, soon after which a great wind arose, and swept through the new clearings and destroyed fences, houses and barns.

Abraham Stauffer had his barn burnt.
Abraham Bechtel had his house and barn burnt.
Jacob Bechtel's house was saved but his barn and everything else were consumed.
Nathaniel Dodge who was the last of the settlers along the river, had two barns with all their contents burnt.

The fire went on making the most fearful destruction of all kinds of valuable timber. Thus those settlers who were probably the most advanced with their new homes were suddenly left without house, food or clothing, and were obliged to go below Dundas through mud, water, swamp and forest for provisions and other necessaries, which were not obtainable from their neighbors.

MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO WATERLOO COUNTY - THE MOYER JOURNAL

Attributed to Samuel S. Moyer 1849 - 1941

Jacob — Elizabeth Gabel. Elizabeth was born CA 1775, Of, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Bechtel
• Eby ID Number: 00037-3022.3

Notes:

Unwilling participants in the War of 1812
About 20 Mennonite men were conscripted to haul supplies for an 1813 engagement

...No one was exempt from non-combatant duties, although some resisted at times. Some were fined heavily in court. Cornelius Pannebecker removed the wheels from his wagon to save it, although his horse and son were still conscripted. Elizabeth (Gabel) Bechtel was threatened at sword-point by an officer who knew she was hiding oxen, which he sought for a massive-scale transport operation to the Detroit River.

Waterloo Region Region 23 Jun 2012 Jonathan Seiling

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5043

Notes:

John Oberholtzer, "(From Rev. Jacob Oberholtzer) was married to Susannah Moyer. They resided in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where they had a family of several children, three of whom settled in Canada"


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 — Susannah Moyer. Susannah was born Abt 1770, Of, Montgomery Co. Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susannah Oberholtzer
• Eby ID Number: 00086-5043.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235870348
• Eby ID Number: 00002-94

Notes:

Martin Baumann, "was married to Magdalena Baer, lived and died in the Alleghany Valley, Berks County, Pennsylvania, one-half mile from his uncle, Christian Baumann."

Martin Baumann, "the youngest son of Jacob Baumann, and grandson of Wendel Baumann, resided in the Alleghany Valley, Berks County, Pennsylvania, one-half mile from his uncle, Christian Baumann, was born October 3rd, 1768, and died February 13th, 1813, He was married to Magdalena Baer. Their family consisted 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.].

___________

BIRTH AND PARENTS
Martin Bowman (also known as Bauman) was born in 1768 in Pennsylvania to Jacob Bowman and to Veronica (no maiden name known as of 2020). They were born about 1722 in Berks County where they gave birth to eight of their nine children. Their community was Pennsylvania Dutch.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Martin married Magdalena Newcomer Baer in 1791 in Allegany, Pennsylvania. They had nine children during their marriage including a daughter, Susanna, who was named Susan in the Mennonite records.

DEATH
Martin Bowman died on February 13, 1813, in Pennsylvania at the age of 44. Since he lived in Cumru Township in 1800 according to the census, he may have died there.

PROBATE
He had his Will written for him on November 30, 1812. The will's text named him Martin Bauman. The Will was probated on March 2, 1813. The title page named him Martin Bowman.

BURIAL
In 2022 it was suspected that he was buried in the Allegheny Mennonite Cemetery.

Gravesite Details
History of Cemetery: It was originally named after the families that contributed the land: Bowman (Bauman) and Eshelman.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235870348/martin-bowman

Martin — Magdalena Baer. Magdalena was born CALC 18 Sep 1775, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 12 Sep 1851, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44827605
• Name: Magdalena Bauman
• Name: Magdalena Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00002-94.1