Ida Rosella Witmer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-82653
• Occupation: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Mill Worker
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1901, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mender
• Occupation: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Teacher, Music
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00135-8309
• Occupation: 1884, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; pump maker

Notes:

Samuel Witmer, "was a carpenter by trade. He was married to Sarah Rife and resided in Hespeler where he died some time ago."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

Samuel — Sarah Ann Rife. Sarah (daughter of Samuel Rife and Mary Hilborn) was born 25 Jul 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Mar 1919, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Ann Witmer
• Eby ID Number: 00092-5287
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard
• Residence: 1891, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1911, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Sarah Rife, "was born July 25th, 1851. She is married to S. Witmer and resides at Hespeler, Ontario."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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: 00135-8295

Notes:

Abraham Witmer, "third son of Abraham and Annie (Eversole) Witmer, was married to Catherine Groh. They resided north of Hespeler, near what is known as "Tuck's Hill" where they possessed a beautiful farm. They are both dead. To them was born a family of fifteen children"

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

Abraham — Catharine Groh. Catharine (daughter of John Groh and Susannah Wanner) was born 25 Nov 1813, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Jul 1891, Howick Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Holm
• Name: Catharine Witmer
• Eby ID Number: 00045-3408
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunker

Notes:

Catharine Groh, "was born November 25th, 1813. She was first married to Abraham Witmer, a farmer. They resided in Guelph Township, near Waterloo Township line. They had a large family, namely:...Joseph, Polly, Susannah, Abraham, Benjamin, Hannah, Annie, Henry, George, Sarah, Samuel, Elizabeth, John, Isaac, and Moses. After the decease of her first husband she was married to Rev. Peter Holm, bishop of the Dunkard Church."


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/215736749
• Eby ID Number: 00092-5281
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard

Notes:

Samuel Rife Jr., "was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, October 12th, 1818. He resides on the old homestead. He was married twice, first to Mary Hilborn, March 10th, 1840, and after her decease to a Mrs. Hine. His family, all of the first wife, consisted of twelve children"

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

___________________________


Samuel Rife's Funeral Card

Died In Guelph Tp., on Tuesday, Sept. 27th, 1898, at 5 o'clock a.m., Samuel Rife, Sr., Aged 80 Years. Funeral Will take place from his late residence, Waterloo Road, Guelph Tp., where services will be held, on Thursday, Sept. 29th, 1898, at 2 o'clock p.m., thence to the Hespeler cemetery for interment. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation. Hespeler, Sept. 27th, 1898.

Samuel married Mary Hilborn 10 Mar 1840. Mary (daughter of James Hilborn and Mary Bechtel) was born 26 Aug 1823, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 15 Apr 1875; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/215738511
• Name: Mary Rife
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0738.15
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00135-8267
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 06W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 25NE, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Abraham Witmer, "Could not obtain any dates in regard to Abraham's birth or death) was married to Anna Eversole. In 1804 he, with his wife and family of three children, moved to Canada and settled on the farm now possessed by their grandson, Mr. Levi Witmer. This farm is situated about one and one-half miles north-east of Preston. Here they resided until their deaths. 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.].

Abraham — Anna Eversole. Anna was born 7 Apr 1777, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 7 Mar 1858; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Witmer
• Eby ID Number: 00135-8267.5

Notes:

In 1851 Anna lived with her son Jacob in Waterloo Township.

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47386041
• Name: Johannes Groh
• Eby ID Number: 00045-3406
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 2 Lot 07W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 07, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 3 Lot 11, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tunkard
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tunker

Notes:

John Groh, "the second son of Michael Groh, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 19th, 1788, and came to Canada in 1804. He and his brother, Jacob, assisted their mother in clearing up their new home. On December 1oth, 1811, he was married to Susannah, daughter of Henry and Anna (Mosser) Wanner. She was born in Pennsylvania, November 29th, 1791, and came to Canada with her parents in 1810. Soon after their marriage they moved on the farm now possessed by their son, Isaac. Here they resided until their deaths. His death took place January 16th, 1871, and she died March 30th, 1888. Their family consists 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.].

____________________

Groh. - On the 15th of January, in Waterloo Township, Waterloo county, Ontario, John Groh, aged 82 years, 6 months and 20 days. He was buried on the 18th at Wanners Meeting-house where funeral discourses were delivered by Peter Holm in German and Rev. Williams in the English language. He was a member of the Tunker church

Herald of Truth - Volume VIII, Number 2 - February 1871, page 30, 31

John married Susannah Wanner 11 Dec 1811, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susannah (daughter of Henry Wanner and Anna Mosser) was born 29 Nov 1791, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 30 Mar 1888, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47386029
• Name: Susannah Groh
• Eby ID Number: 00045-3406.1
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tunkard
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunker

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180090719
• Eby ID Number: 00092-5277
• Death: 7 Jun 1856, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Samuel Rife, "fourth son of Rev. David Rife, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, April 15th, 1788. He was married to Elizabeth Hoke who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, January 7th, 1793. In 1825 they moved to Canada and located in Waterloo County for a short time, then moved to what was afterwards called Guelph Township, Wellington County where he squatted on a tract of land before the survey of the township was made. The old homestead is now in possession of their son, Samuel. Here and on the farm adjoining their homestead Mr. and Mrs. Rife resided until their deaths. He died June 7th, 1856, and she died August 21st, 1873. Their family consisted of eight children, the five eldest of whom were born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and the three younger in Guelph Township, Wellington County, Ontario."


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-1-99 Samuel Rife Sr. Probate of the will of Samuel Rife Senior, Late of the Township of Waterloo, granted the 8^th day of July 1856 on the petition of Samuel Rife, David Rife and George Rife the Executors named in said will.

I Samuel Rife Senior of the Township of Waterloo…It is my wish and will that all my honest debts be paid. Secondly, It is my wish and will and do hereby give and bequeath unto my dear and beloved wife Elisabeth, the use of my small homestead which I bought of Jacob Bretz and Joseph Cook[?], with all its privileges and as much of the household furniture, mare harness buggy and spring wagon, two cows, chattels as she thinks proper to make use of during her natural life. I also bequeath unto my dear and beloved wife Elisabeth, fifteen pounds lawful money of Canada in each and every year during her natural life to be paid to her by my Executors out of my Estate of Lot number Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen in the Township of Guelph, an amount left in the farm aforesaid sufficient so that the interest will pay the aforesaid amount. Thirdly, my Executors shall have full power and authority at any time where they see proper to sell my farm lot number thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen in the south east side of the Waterloo road in the Township of Guelph and then equally divided among my six children namely Samuel, David, Joseph, George, Elizabeth, Maria, share and share alike until the six aforesaid children shall have one hundred and fifty pounds currency of this province each of them as their share, then my eldest daughter Nancy shall come in heir, equally, share and share alike with the rest of my six children. It is my wish and will that my daughter Maria's share aforesaid is collected and the aforesaid farm sold, the sum or share is to be let out on interest by my Executors for her support during her natural life and after her death to her children although if she become a widow and the Executors think or believe that she is in need of her share they can give it to her, all what I have charged in my Book. I also give and devise unto my eldest daughter Nancy, formerly the wife of Edward Vance all the farm Lot number two, south west half in the fourth concession of Division B, Guelph Township during her natural life but after her death my Executors shall have full power aned authority to sell the aforesaid farm to any person or persons, and sign seal and deliver a deed of conveyance and of the same, and the price of sasid farm to be equally divided among my daugher Nancey's children namely Mary,, John, Edward, which she had by her first husband Edward, but should my daughter Nancy choose to have the said farm sold before her death, my Executors shall have full power and authority to sell the same and to sign seal and deliver a deed of conveyance of the same and divide the price of the same between my daughter nancy and her three before mentioned children. The one third to be given to my daughter Nancy and the other two thirds is to be equally divided among her three children….I do hereby nominat, constitute and appoint Samuel, David and George, my three sons my sole Executors of this my last will and testament.

Witnessed by, John Ellis, John McIntosh and William Henry.
Will dated 10 March 1856
Proved 8 July 1856
Died 10 March 1856
No inventory.

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

Samuel — Elizabeth Hoke. Elizabeth was born 7 Jan 1793, , Chester Co., Pennsylvania; died 21 Aug 1873, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180090921
• Name: Elizabeth Rife
• Eby ID Number: 00092-5277.1
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00007-0738.1
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 22S, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 23W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 05W, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Did James have two wives, according to his wife's tombstone she was born in 1810 too young to be the mother of his earliest children.

_________________

According to various online family trees: James' parents are Thomas Hillborn and Martha Lever who both died in Pennsylvania.

James — Mary Bechtel. Mary (daughter of Deacon Jacob Bechtel and Elizabeth Gabel) was born 18 Aug 1793, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 1 Jul 1864, Near Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Hilborn
• Name: Mary Slipper
• Name: Mollie Bechtel
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0738

Notes:

Mollie Bechtel "the eldest in family, was married to James Hilborn. They resided near Preston where she died."


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.].