David B. Eby

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2385
• Residence: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• 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
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1887, 78 Erb St. E., Waterloo, Ontario
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

David B. Eby, "was born August 26th, 1827. On January 21st, 1851, he was married to Lydia Bowman who was born September 10th, 1831, and died August 14th, 1882. Shortly after his marriage he moved on his father's old homestead, several miles west of the town of Waterloo where she died. After the decease of his first wife he was married, March 25th, 1884, to Mary Kercher, widow of the late Hiram Hewitt. She was born February 11th, 1853. In April 1891, they left the farm and moved to the town of Waterloo where they are still residing. To Mr. Eby and his first wife were born 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

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EBY - On the 19th of March, 1897, in the town of Waterloo, Ont. , Bro. David Eby, aged 70 years, 4 months, 13 days. Bro. Eby had been failing for a number of years, and had not expected to cross the threshold of 1897, but he was fully resigned to God's will. Buried on the 21st at the E. Eby M. H. Funeral services by Solomon Gehamn. A widow and family of three children mourn his departure.

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXIV, No. 8, April 15, 1897 - Page 124, 125

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THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE

An interesting meeting took place the Saturday before last in the old log cabin in Waterloo Park.

This house was, of course, the first schoolhouse in this area and stood originally on the school-house square at the corner of King and Church Streets in Waterloo. It was built in 1820 and served its purpose until 1842, when it was torn down and a 1-storey stone house was constructed on the site. The dismantled log house was erected again in Greenbush and served as a residence for a long time for the coloured man, Mr. Carroll and his family. In the course of this year, the Waterloo Park Commissioners purchased the house, moved it to their park and furnished it again as it was when it was a school-house.

At this gathering, in addition to many other ladies and gentlemen, the following (male and female) former pupils attended, took their places on the benches, and were called to order by the 82-year-old teacher, Benjamin Burkholder, who held the scepter, or rather, the switch, from 1831 to 1842 in the old log-house: Joel Guth, 80 years old; Abraham Scherk, Blair, 79; Jakob Bricker, Waterloo, 77; Sarah Burkholder, nee Erb, Bridgeport, 75; Amos Weber, Berlin, 73; John C, Bricker, Hawksville, 71; Maria Erb, nee Quickfall, Norwich 69; David B. Eby, Waterloo, 69; Wendel Baumann, Woolwich, 68; Henry Stauffer, Erbsville, 67; Simon Beatty, Elmira, 67; Jakob Ratz, New Hamburg, 67; Israel Baumann, Berlin, 65; George Elbert, Moorefield, 63; George H. Baumann, Elmira, 63; John Devitt, Waterloo, 62; Richard Quickfall, Bridgeport, 62; Isaak Hoffmann, Waterloo, 61; Robert Barkwell, Peel, 60; Diana McMahon, nee Dekay, Berlin, 60; Thomas Quickfall, Floradale, 60; Benjamin Devitt, Waterloo, 60; Isaak Devitt, Floradale, 58; John Longmann, Peel, 57. In addition, to these, the teacher read the names of 25 pupils from the roll; they were, however, absent.

Mr. Burkholder gave an interesting talk about the history of the old school-house, and after him, Rev. J.A. MacLachlan, Rev. J. McNair, Mr. J.E. Baumann, M.P., and Mr. Jakob Ratz spoke about the old days which brought many things out of the past to mind again. School was, as a rule, only in session in winter and the costs were borne by the parents of the children. There were few subjects taught, namely: Reading, Writing and Sums. The children heard little about language, and geography; no child had more than 2 or 3 books. The predominant language was German. The pupils learned to read and write English, but didn't understand a word of it. Among the teachers in the old school-house from 1820-1842, with the exception of Mr. Burkholder, were the following whose names are still recognized: Jephtha DeKay, Joseph Guth, John Herringer, Peter Otto, John Dobbin, Elias Eby, Robert Barber, & Joseph Eby.

After those present, on hearing the various speeches felt themselves transported back to the past, the school was closed at four o'clock and the pupils were gathered together in front of the school and photographed as a group. On their return into the school, they found it had been transformed into a dining room with heavily-laden tables, which the old-timers thoroughly enjoyed. After everyone had chatted cordially for a while longer, the gathering broke up. The company will not meet again in complete numbers, nor in such a way.

Berliner Journal September 26, 1895 Page 4 Column 4

David married Lydia Bauman 21 Jan 1851, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lydia (daughter of Benjamin W. Bauman and Anna Schneider) was born 10 Sep 1831, Near Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Aug 1882, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Amanda Eby was born 31 Oct 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Jun 1910, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Joel Eby was born 25 Feb 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 4 Aug 1915; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Cyrus Eby was born 18 Jan 1856, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Sep 1906, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Angeline Eby was born 6 Oct 1858, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
5. Amsey Eby was born 1 Dec 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Feb 1866; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
6. David B. Eby was born 1 Jun 1864, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 Oct 1864, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Lydia Ann Eby was born 18 Apr 1866, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Sep 1918; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
8. Nelson Eby was born 14 Jan 1868, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Apr 1883; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Mary Ann Eby was born 14 Apr 1870, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Dec 1941, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
10. Selina Eby was born 21 Oct 1872, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Feb 1947, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

David married Mary Kaercher 25 Mar 1884. Mary (daughter of Michael Kaercher and Anna Maria Gingerich, daughter of Michael Kaercher and Anna Maria) was born 11 Feb 1853, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 11 Jul 1930, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2360
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 032, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Historical Event: 29 Aug 1839, Evangelical Association Church, Waterloo, Ontario; church founding
• Historic Building: 1842, 15 Fischer-Hallman Rd. N., Waterloo, Ontario
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

David Eby, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 23rd, 1785. The house in which he and the Rev. Benjamin Eby made arrangements in regard to the moving to Canada is still standing and occupied by a son of Henry E. Brubacher. On June 21st, 1807, David Eby, in company with Benjamin Eby and wife, Joseph Schneider and wife, Peter Erb and wife, Daniel Eby, Samuel Eby, Daniel Erb, and others arrived at George Eby's who resided on the farm now owned and occupied by Jacob B. Shantz, one-half mile south-east of Berlin. He made his home for a few months with Peter Erb for whom he cleared ten acres of forest. Peter Erb had settled on the west side of the Grand River, one mile north of Bridgeport. David Eby was always happy and merry, even while at his work clearing away the large trees of the dense forest he was either singing or whistling most of the time. On May 8th, 1810, he married Elizabeth Bechtel who was born March 5th, 1787, and died January 15th, 1844. They resided on lot No. 32, German Company's Tract, where he died April 1st, 1860. They 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.].

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Erb Street (David Eby) Mennonite Church

Early services which began around 1837 were held in private homes. Land at the corner of Erb Street and Hallman Road, where the present-day cemetery is located, was donated by David Eby Sr. on July 14, 1851; a red brick church known as David Eby's Church was built in the same year. The first minister in the new church was Jacob M. Oberholtzer who served from 1852 to 1874. He was followed by Elias Schneider (1874-1889), Jonas Snider (1892-1900), Newton Weber (1921-1923), and Noah Hunsberger (1923-1929).

Due to a difference of opinion in the David Eby congregation, Sunday School classes were held at first in a private home, that of Levi Groff, beginning in 1887. The dissension which resulted culminated in a division in the church in 1889; the minister, Elias Schneider, and the deacon, Menno S. Shantz, left the church and joined with the Old Order Mennonites of Woolwich Township. The following year, 1890, saw the commencement of "Edification Meetings", which were held in the homes of members of the David Eby congregation. These meetings later became the Young People's Bible Meetings.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, it was recognized that the church building was either in need of repair or in need of complete replacement. Consideration was given to building a new church on the same site or on a site on King Street North. A decision was made to accept from Samuel S. Snider the donation of a parcel of land which was also on Erb Street, but nearer town. Excavation of the foundation for the new church began in the Spring of 1902. A dedication service was held on August 17, 1902. A parsonage was built in 1929 on land donated by Herbert Snider, the son of Samuel Snider. The church building was renovated and enlarged in 1949-1950; a dedication service was held on April 9, 1950. Further renovations were made in 1974..


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

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In 1852 David lived with his son David.

Historical Event:
A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob , was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation.<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]

Historic Building:
Two story log house covered with clapboard was built in 1842. The logs were dressed down to 7" and by 1851 was covered in clapboard The date 1842 was carved into one of the second story logs. The house was on land in 1981 to be redeveloped and has probably been demolished.

David married Elizabeth Bechtel 8 May 1810. Elizabeth (daughter of Rev. Joseph Bechtel and Magdalena Allebach) was born 5 Mar 1787, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 15 Jan 1844; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Eby
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0646

Notes:

Elizabeth Bechtel "the eldest in family, was born March 5th, 1787, and died January 15th, 1844. On May 8th, 1810, she was married to David Eby, who was born February 23rd, 1785, and died April 1st, 1860. They resided two miles west of the town of Waterloo where they both died. Their family 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.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2359

Notes:

John Eby, "the eldest son of Peter Eby, was married to Mary Gerber.(From Benjamin Eby's notes). They resided near Lititz, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He died while comparatively young, leaving a family of five children. Whether they all arrived at the age of twenty-one is doubtful and as far as can be ascertained there were but two sons, David and Peter who remained in Pennsylvania."


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 — Mary Gerber. Mary was born Abt 1730, Of, Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2359.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19546720
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Location of his log house.
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0645
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 04S, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Joseph Bechtel "son of Martin Bechtel, a minister of the Mennonites, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1761. He was married March 5th, 1786, to Magdalena Allebach who was born September 21st, 1761, and died September 21st, 1837. They moved to Canada in 1802 and settled on the farm situated at the mouth of the Speed River where it meets with the Grand River. Here they resided many years. In 1804 he was ordained as a minister of the Mennonite body which position he held until his death which took place April 11th, 1838. They had a family of seven 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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Preston (Bechtel or Hagey) Mennonite Church

The second meeting house in Waterloo County was built, probably in 1814, by John Erb, a wealthy miller of Preston. This brick meeting house served as a community church and was located "near Jacob Hagey's", which was on the road running from the top of the Kress Hill west and "adjoining the Kitchener Highway" (Witmer 1967: 26). Another meeting house, known as the Union Meeting House, was built in the area around 1824. A meeting was held in the Union church on November 20, 1824 to commence recording the accounts of the congregation in Hagey's Deacon Book. The deed of land for the Union Meeting House and burial ground, which was for one acre of part Lot 22, Beasley's Broken Front, was transacted in 1835.

Hagey Meeting House was buiilt of red brick in 1842 on part Lot 23, just north of Preston on the west side of the Breslau Road, and slightly north of the Union Meeting House site. The deed, dated February 2, 1842, recorded the purchase of the land from John Hilborn and stressed that the property was to be for "the purpose of public worship by the Mennonist Society" (Witmer 1967: 28). Joseph Bechtel was the first minister in the area, from 1804-1837; he was followed by David Sherk (1838-1843). Next came Joseph Hagey (1844-1877), who was ordained bishop in 1851, and then Jacob B. Gingrich from 1878 to 1901. Services were held every four weeks until 1890 when bi-weekly services were begun. A Sunday School was established in 1842 with the congregation of Wanner Meeting House near Hespeler, but it was discontinued because of a difference of opinion regarding the need for Sunday Schools. On April 26, 1891 a Sunday School was organized at Hagey's, with deacon Abraham Oberholtzer as superintendent. Five years later, on June 10, 1896, a Sunday School was organized at the Wanner church.

Major changes were made to the church building in 1927-1928 when the basement was excavated, new windows were installed and the roof was raised two feet. Fire on January 15, 1950 caused extensive damage to the interior and furnishings of the church. The building was completely renovated and also enlarged at the same time; dedication was on July 2, 1950. Another fire, on Feburary 19, 1953, completely destroyed the church. A congregational decision was made to build a new church, on Concession Road in Preston, and the cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, October 12, 1953. Official dedication services in the new Preston Mennonite Church were held on May 16, 1954. The building was enlarged in the summer of 1989.

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

Residence:
The current building contains some original logs from the home.

Joseph married Magdalena Allebach 5 Mar 1786. Magdalena was born 21 Sep 1765, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 21 Sep 1837, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19546759
• Name: Magdalena Bechtel
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0645.2

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2358

Notes:

Peter Eby, "eldest son of Theodorus Eby, was married to Annie Mylin and had a family of three sons"


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.].

Peter — Annie Mylin. Annie was born Abt 1696, Of, Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2358.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00007-0645.1