William Alfred "Alfred" Pannabecker

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210668424
• Name: Alfred Pannabaker
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1981.4

Notes:

PANNABAKER, ALFRED

One of the well-known citizens of Hespeler, on Saturday morning, September 20, 1930. While working at the carpentering trade a few weeks ago, he hit his head against a nail. From this injury, blood poisoning ensued. On Friday he was taken to Galt Hospital and a couple of operations performed in the hope of saving his life were unsuccessful. He was born in Puslinch Township 60 years ago, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Elias Pannabaker. He farmed until about nine or ten years ago, when he retired and came into town (Hespeler), purchasing the flour and feed business, which he sold about a year ago. Of an affable disposition, he made many friends, not only among his business associates but among all who knew him. He has been treasurer of the United Church for several years. Survived by his wife and three sisters, Mrs. Ephriam Pannabecker of Cabri, SK; Mrs. A. Hutchings and Miss Nancy Pannabecker of Walker St. in Hespeler. The funeral on Monday afternoon was largely attended. It was conducted by Rev. I. M. Moyer, assisted by Rev. M. Cousins of Mount Forest and Rev. P. Cober of Kitchener.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 2 Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark

William married Eliza Jane "Jennie" Cosens 1 Jun 1898, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Eliza (daughter of George Cosens and Catherine Neu) was born 14 Mar 1869, Trowbridge, Elma Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada; died 11 Mar 1940, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210475571
• Name: Elias Pannebecker
• Eby ID Number: 00087-5124
• Residence: 1864, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: CA 1917, Walker St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Elias Pannebecker, "was born in February, 1838. He is married to Sallie Cober and resides on his father's old homestead, near Hespeler where he is engaged in farming. To them were born 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.].

____________________

PANABAKER, ELIAS

Mr. Panabaker was born on the farm now owned by Mr. O. B. Ellis, formerly the property of the late William Ellis, now known as the lime kiln property, when Hespeler was known as Bergeytown and afterwards as New Hope, 71 years ago and resided there for many years before removing to Puslinch Township, where he lived until he removed to Hespeler some eighteen (or sixteen - differing reports) months ago to enjoy the fruits of a well-spent, well-ordered life. He was an untiring worker, always of an even temper and thus, a general favourite with whom to do business. Mr. Panabaker was always reckoned as one of the most trustworthy and thrifty citizens in this part of the country. He was one of the most successful farmers in this district and was greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends. He had amassed a comfortable competence and before removing to town, had built for himself a handsome brick residence on Walker St. , in which to enjoy the evening of his days. Providence deemed to rule that he would not be long a resident and he was submissive, as he always was, to the Divine will. The loss to so many of his friends, who would hope to have him remain, becomes his heavenly gain and so they do not murmur, as those without hope. The reward of all the faithful will surely be his, according to the promise. He was a son of the late Cornelius Panabaker, who was born in these parts. His grandfather was one of the Pennsylvania Dutch who immigrated to Canada many years ago. He was a life-long and consistent member of the Mennonite Church. He was a member of the board of the Adam Street Mission and in his life, did a great deal to foster and forward the work of this congregation. Always connected with every noble effort to lift mankind and a promoter of every good work, he lived the high ideal Christ-like life, as laid down in the oracles of that denomination. He was one of its chief supporters and the church suffers, perhaps, its greatest possible loss in his demise. He had been ailing for the past few months but his illness was not considered especially serious and the sudden call at 11 o'clock in the forenoon on Thursday, July 29, 1909 to the home of the Father was a shock. Even those who were attending him so carefully and patiently had not looked for the end so soon. Not until a more acute stage took place two or three days ago was the end considered near, his trouble being that of the heart. He leaves his widow, Sarah Cober, who is a sister of J. N. Cober; three daughters, Mrs. Ephriam Panabaker of Indian Head, SK; Mrs. Charles Hutchings of Toronto; Miss Anna "Nancy", at home; a son, Alfred, who resides on the homestead. A daughter, Minerva died some years ago. The funeral was held from his residence to the Hespeler Cemetery on Saturday at half past two and was very largely attended, services being conducted by Rev. Amos Eby of Berlin, assisted by Rev. D. Eby and J. Wilson of Hespeler. Pallbearers: Gilbert and Arthur Panabaker, Elias and Archie Holm, Cyrus and Oliver Gingrich, all nephews.


A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 2 Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark

_____________

Died In Hespeler, on Thursday, July 29th, 1909, at 11.15 o'clock a.m., Elias Panabaker, in his 71st year. Funeral Will take place from his late residence, Walker St., Hespeler, where services will be held, on Saturday, July 31st, at 2.30 o'clock p.m., to the Hespeler Cemetery for interment. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

Funeral Card

Elias married Sarah Cober 3 May 1864, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Nicolaus Cober and Nancy Holm) was born 15 Feb 1841, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 16 Dec 1927; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210475617
• Name: Sallie Cober
• Name: Sarah Pannabecker
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1981
• Residence: 1864, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Sarah Cober, "was born February 15th, 1841. She is married to Elias Pannebecker. They reside near Hespeler, Ontario, where he is engaged in farming. Their 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.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39052002
• Eby ID Number: 00087-5123

Notes:

Cornelius Pannebecker, "the youngest son of Cornelius and Anna (Dettweiler) Pannebecker, was born near Hespeler, Ontario, March 18th, 1817. He was married to Veronica Witmer and resided near Hespeler on the farm now in possession of their son, Elias, where they both died. His death took place, March 30th, 1875. To them were born 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.]

Cornelius — Veronica "Fanny" Witmer. Veronica (daughter of Rev Abraham Witmer and Anna Eversole) was born 28 Nov 1817, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Nov 1891, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39051905
• Name: Veronica "Fanny" Pannabecker
• Eby ID Number: 00135-8339

Notes:

Veronica Witmer, "the ninth and youngest child of Abraham and Anna (Eversole) Witmer, was married to Cornelius Pannebecker. They resided about two miles east of Hespeler, on the farm now in possession of their son, Elias. Here they died some years ago, leaving a family of four children, namely: Elias, Esther, Anna, and Samuel."

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.].

__________________

One by one the links that connect the early settlement of this country and the present one are being broken. Seventy-four years ago Mrs. Cornelius Panabaker of Puslinch was born on her father's farm on Preston Road, which is still owned and occupied by her nephew, Levi Witmer. In 1839, in company with her late husband, who preceded her sixteen years, she settled on the farm where she died, which was then in the wild woods of Canada. She was a partaker of all the joys and sorrows of pioneer life. Many were the interesting stories told by her about the early settlement of the township and being possessed of a bright and cheerful disposition, the hardships of life in these days were made to seem easier to her. She was a true Christian and her many virtues too well known to need recital here. She died in Puslinch on November 28, 1891, at the age of 74 years. She leaves two sons, Elias and Samuel and one daughter, Mrs. Daniel Holm, all of Puslinch. The funeral on Monday was very largely attended, interment taking place at Warner's burying ground. Elias Witmer of Hespeler is her brother.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 2 Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark

__________________


Hespeler Correspondence.

THE LATE MRS. PANABAKER. One by one the links that connect the early settlement of this country and the present one are being broken. Seventy-four years ago the late Mrs. Cornelius Panabaker of Puslinch, was born on her father's farm on Preston road, which is still owned and occupied by her nephew, Mr. Levi Witmer. In 1839 in company with her late husband, who preceded her 16 years, she settled on the farm she died on, which was then in the wild woods of Canada. She was a partaker of all the joys and sorrows of pioneer life. Many were the interesting stories told by her about the carly settlement of the township, and being possessed of a bright and cheerful disposition the hardships of life in these days made to seem easier to her. She was a true Christian and her many virtues are well known to need recital here. She leaves two sons, Elias and, Samuel, and one daughter, Mrs. Daniel Holm, all of Puslinch, The funeral on Monday Was very largely attended, the interment taking place at Warner's burying ground. Mr. Elias Witmer, of Hespeler, is her brother,

Dec 10, 1891-Guelph Mercury

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25901036
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1978

Notes:

Nicolaus Cober, "was born March 4th, 1811, in Vaughan Township, York County, Ontario. On April 3rd, 1832, he was married to Nancy Holm who was born November 4th, 1813, and died April 5th, 1878. After their marriage they resided for several years in Vaughan Township, then they moved to Puslinch Township, Wellington County, near Hespeler, Ontario, on the farm now possessed by Gottlieb Stunn. Here they resided until their deaths. He died June 22nd, 1887. To them was born a family of eight 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.].

________________

COBER, NICHOLAS

Death of an Old Settler of Puslinch

On Wednesday morning, 29^th June 1887, Mr. Cober of Puslinch breathed his last, at the good age of 76 years. When he first came to this country a young man, this part of Waterloo and Puslinch was a vast forest and one or two houses were built. Guelph, Galt and Preston were but small hamlets. The nearest flour mill was at Dundas and was only visited once a year. He settled on his farm in Puslinch over thirty years ago and by his industry, he accumulated a large fortune. He leaves a large family of grown up children, one of whom, J. N. Cober, is in the firm of Cober & Bechtel of Hespeler. He was a Christian in every sense of the word. Although very quiet and unassuming, he cheered many a poor person's life with his liberality and was a liberal giver to all good objects. Mr. Cober will be very much missed, as he was a very courteous old gentleman, well beloved by all who knew him. His funeral took place on Friday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in Puslinch. His body was taken for interment to the Union Cemetery at the brick church on the third concession. Rev. Henders conducted the services.

-Information from the death certificate: Born in Vaughan Township.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Nicolaus married Nancy Holm 3 Apr 1832. Nancy (daughter of Niehls P. "Nelson" Holm and Anna Catharine Philips) was born 4 Nov 1813, Markham Twp., York Co., Ontario; died 5 Apr 1878, , Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Crossroads Brethren in Christ Cemetery, Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125517166
• Name: Nancy Cober
• Eby ID Number: 00056-3854

Notes:

Nancy Holm, "was born November 4th, 1813. On April 3rd, 1832, she was married to Nicolaus Cober. He was born in Vaughan Township, York County, March 4th, 1811, and died June 22nd, 1887. Some years after their marriage they moved from York County to Wellington County, near Hespeler, where she died April 5th, 1878. They had eight 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.].

___________________

COBER, NANCY (Nee Holm)

Near Hespeler, on the 7^th April 1878, after a painful illness, aged 65 years, 5 months. The wife of Nicholas Cober.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29726013
• Historic Building: 655 Blackbridge Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; 2 story stone house
• Military: War of 1812
• Eby ID Number: 00087-5083
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 128, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 2 Lot 09, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 3 Lot 08, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

"The Pannebeckers (To have a complete history of the Pannebecker family, write to Mr. Samuel W. Pennypacker, Philadelphia, Pa., and get the book, "Historical and Biographical Sketches of the Pannebeckers", edited by Pennybecker. It is well worth the money and one of the most complete works of its kind in existence) were of the first settlers of German origin who settled in Pennsylvania over two hundred years ago. We find them to have been a prominent family in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as early as 1709."

Cornelius Pannebecker, "a native of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was born December 8th, 1770. In April, 1792, he was married to Anna Dettweiler, sister to old Rudolph Dettweiler who resided near the Wanner Meeting House at Hespeler. She was born November 16th, 1775, and died October 27th, 1855. In 1810 they, in company with Christian Shantz and family, Jacob Shantz and wife, and others, moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario, near the present village of Hespeler, on the farm now occupied by Peter Wier. Here they resided until their deaths. He died June 22nd, 1855. To then was born 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.].

____________________

About the year 1822, Joseph Oberholtzer, a sawyer, and Cornelius Pannabecker, a blacksmith, both sound men, had come to the conclusion that, having regard to the fact that so many new buildings were being put up by the settlers, a saw mill in this locality would pay.

In 1823, Joseph Oberholtzer bought from Christian Strome (Strohm) 24 acres of land lying both sides of the River Speed at some distance below the present D. W. & W. Buildings and on it they erected a small saw mill building, installed sawing machinery and built a dam on the Speed to furnish power to operate it.

After it had been in operation for a time they discovered to their sorrow that their mill was not big enough to handle the huge logs the farmers were hauling in to be sawn, and so, later, when their frail dam went out in a flood it was not replaced; They salvaged what they could and wrote off the rest to profit and loss. They had made the mistake of building too small and they paid the shot.


Le Rue De Commerce, Other Times Other Customs Other Days Other Ways, Winfield Brewster 1954

__________________________

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

_________________________________

About the year 1840, the third saw-mill in New Hope was erected. It was located just below the Forbes Mill site by a partnership composed of another great-grandfather of the write, the late Cornelius Pannebecker, and one Joseph Oberholtzer, whose sister was married to Bergy.

Cornelius Pannebecker arrived from Montgomery County, Pa. in 1810 and was the son of a Mennonite minister who lived on the Schuylkill River at the present site of Spring City. Joseph Oberholtzer was evidently a native of the same county in Pennsylvania and located here probably in 1826 and information in hand also points to his having been the son of a Mennonite preacher. The family was of Swiss descent, while Pannebecker was descended from a Dutch family which had migrated for a few years into Germany about Kriegaheim near Worms, before participating in the exodus of Quakers and Mennonites to Pennsylvania, about the year 1700.

It would appear that Bergy's first saw-mill was too far up the river and the partnership mill too far downstream to quite meet the tastes or requirements of the times, for within a few years Cornelius Oberholtzer erected the fourth saw-mill about midway between these two points, and with it a small foundry or shop, probably for mill repairs etc. Some particulars of this fourth mill are available.

It continued in operation until sometime in 1864, although it evidently changed ownership, September 27th, 1863, to a partnership composed of George Randall, then of Berlin, Herbert M. Farr of Waterloo and Shubel H. Randall of New Hampshire, the purchase price according to the Galt Reporter files of that time being $8,000. The old mill was used to saw the timber and lumber for the Randall-Farr Woolen Mills, two stone structures erected in 1864, but as the saw-carriage had capacity only for logs up to 16 feet in length, the large timbers for the new Woolen Mills had to be hewn and were not sawn. It had been said with perhaps some little exaggeration, that the process of sawing logs of large diameter with the vertically operated drag-saw then in use was so slow that the operator after starting to log, had time to walk up town a half mile or more to the hotel, for liquid refreshments and return before the cut was finished.

The timbers of white-pine, taken out of this Oberholtzer mill when the woolen-mill buildings crowded it out of its place were used in the construction of the Lewis Kribs saw-mills which in 1865 were located close to the old public school site. When Mr. W. A. Kribs erected his present manufacturing buildings alongside the G. T. R. lines in 1902, these same old timbers were for the third time used and are at the time of writing, as sound as when first used in 1840.


Tenth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1922, pages 213 - 224.

Historic Building:
In 2009 this 2 story fieldstone house was in good condition, still used as a residence and their are still farm buildings on the site. There is a great deal of new construction not far from the house and soon the house will be surrounded with new housing.

Cornelius married Anna Detweiler Apr 1792. Anna (daughter of Abraham Detweiler and Elizabeth Kolb Ziegler) was born 16 Nov 1775, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 27 Oct 1855, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29726056
• Name: Anna Pannebecker
• Eby ID Number: 00087-5083.1

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:

• Eby ID Number: 00025-1970

Notes:

Nicholaus Cober, "from whom all the Cobers in this country are descendants, was born in Pennsylvania, U. S., November 24th, 1763. In 1796 he was married to Eva Fisher who was born June 27th, 1777. In April, 1800, they, with their two children and others, moved to Canada and settled in Vaughan Township, York County, Ontario, about twelve miles north of Toronto. During the first years of their Canadian life they had to contend with numerous hardships and self-denials. In 1810 they had already cleared some eighty acres of their large farm and had erected a comfortable log dwelling and log barn thereon. In course of time the first buildings were replaced by more expensive residences. (Old Mr. Cober must have seen quite a difference in the country from 1800, when it was all forest, until 1840 when York was the Banner County and Toronto the capital of Canada). Mr. and Mrs. Cober raised 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.].

Nicholaus married Eva Fischer 1796. Eva was born 27 Jun 1777, Of, , Pennsylvania; died 2 Feb 1858; was buried , Baker Cober Cemetery, Vaughan, York Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Eva Cober
• Eby ID Number: 00025-1970.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00056-3823

Notes:

Niehls P. Holm, "was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19th, 1774. He was a sailor in his younger days, and when Admiral Parker, assisted by Nelson, bombarded Copenhagen in 1801, young Holm was present and had a very narrow escape of his life. After the fall of his native city he, in company with other sailors, boarded a vessel and struck for the open sea where they led a piratical life for a few years. When once landing at one of the Atlantic ports on the American coast, he, not wishing to meet the fate of pirates, made his escape under the cover of night. Shortly thereafter he arrived at Little York (Toronto) where he was married to Anna Catharine Philips who was born in the Free City of Hamburg, Germany, November 7th, 1785, and died October 11th, 1858. They resided in Markham Township, York County, where their family was born and raised. About the year 1839 they moved to Puslinch Township, Wellington County, near Hespeler, where he died January 12th, 1865. Their family consisted of ten 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.].

Rsrch. Note:
Holm's Mill
(a.k.a. Krib's, Cole's and A. J. Shants' Mill)
From A History of Vaughan Township by G. Elmore Reaman
Neihls Peterson Holm was a Dunkard and a sailor. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in Oct.19, 1774, he came to Canada ( Waterloo County ) with the Mennonites from Pennsylvania. He was a sailor in his younger days, and when Admiral Parker, assisted by Nelson, bombarded Copenhagen in 1801, had a narrow escape with his life. After the fall of Copenhagen, he and others like him, took to the open seas, where, for a few years, they led a piratical life. Having eventually landed on the east coast of America, and wishing to avoid punishment for his crimes, Neihls made his escape to Little York (Toronto) under the cover of night. He there married Anna Catharine Phillips of Hamburg, Germany. The couple resided in Markham Township, York County where their children were born.
Although the Eby book states that they came to Puslinch in 1839, it is recorded by others that they were here 10 years prior, when the first small dam was constructed( lot 1- 3rd concession ), on the outlet from Puslinch Lake, used to power a small saw mill . In 1850, a new dam powered the larger saw mill erected at the same time. No longer able to tolerate his land legs, and having built a suitable vessel, Neihls first sailed the waters of Puslinch Lake in 1845. What a joyous occasion that must have been, for Neihls and for all the "sailors" since!
Early assessment rolls of Waterloo County indicate that among his neighbours there, were the Pannabeckers Clemens, Baer, Bergey and Ellis families, other surnames common to Puslinch history.
By 1856 a grist mill had been added which was operated by his son Peter Niles Holm ( born March 16, 1811). His wife, Susannah Cober, ( born June 4, 1813 ) was the daughter of Nicholas Cober of Vaughan Township. Peter's son Daniel married Esther Pannabecker and Anna Pannabecker, and farmed lot 6 in the 3rd concession. At about age 35 Peter was ordained as a minister of the River Brethren church, and it is said that his friends and admirers were of all denominations and that possibly when Peter died on Dec.13,1880, he did so without a single enemy.
1851 Puslinch Census

Niehls married Anna Catharine Philips Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. Anna was born 7 Nov 1785, Hamburg, , Hamburg, Germany; died 11 Oct 1858. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Catharine Holm
• Eby ID Number: 00056-3823.1