Reuben B. Martin

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00075-4324.4
• Occupation: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Retired: 1911, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Reuben married Lydia Honsinger 6 Feb 1901, Yatton, Peel Twp., Mapleton Township Wellington Co., Ontario. Lydia (daughter of John Honsinger and Esther Sanderson) was born 20 Dec 1877, Peel Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 25 Apr 1966, Brampton, Peel Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Brampton, Peel Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Esther Martin was born Mar 1902, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Eva Martin was born Aug 1904, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
3. Ross Martin was born Jan 1909, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00075-4324
• Possessions: 1853, Woolwich Township German Company Tract 086, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Peel Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

David M. Martin, "the fourth and youngest son of Henry and Catharine (Miller) Martin, was born June 27th, 1846. He is a farmer and resides in Peel Township, Wellington County, and is married to Mary Ann, daughter of John E. and Magdalena (Musselman) Brubacher. She was born January 4th, 1850. 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

David married Mary Ann Brubacher 3 Mar 1868, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of John E. Brubacher and Magdalena Musselman) was born 4 Jan 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1938; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Ann Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1400
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Mary Ann Brubacher, "was born January 4th, 1850. She is married to David M. Martin, a farmer. They reside in Peel Township, Wellington 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.].

Other Events:

• Interesting: religion, story
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4296
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Possessions: 1853, Woolwich Township German Company Tract 086, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Probate: 20 Jun 1853, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Henry Martin, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 16th, 1794, and died on his farm now in possession of his son, Elias, June 8th, 1853. He was married to Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Bricker) Miller. She was born November 4th, 1803, and died after an illness of a few months, October 2nd, 1870. They had a family 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.].

_________________________

Martin Meeting House

According to Isaac Horst, "Martins meeting house was the first of the Old Order places of worship to be built. A meeting house is reported to have been built in 1830; burial was begun in the adjoining cemetery in 1831. Martins was aptly named. The first three bishops of the area were Martins, all descended from the pioneer, Peter Martin. The land on which the house stands was formerly owned by Martins (1979: 376)." Peter Martin, Jr. purchased 220 acres of land from his brother, Henry Martin, on May 8, 1824. Apparently he set aside four acres for a meeting house and burying ground at that time. The first burial is reported to have been that of Peter Martin, Sr., who died March 2, 1831. The meeting house was enlarged in 1900.

John Weber was the first minister, followed by Abraham W. Martin, Samuel Weber, Paul Martin, Tobias Martin and Urias Martin. At one time surrounded by countryside, the meeting house and cemetery are now completely encircled by the commercial development brought about by the rapid expansion northward of the city of Waterlo.


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

___________________________

A-1-8 Henry Martin: The Last Will and Testament of Henry Martin, Yeoman, late of the Township of Woolwich.

,,,I Henry Martin, yeoman of the Township of Woolwich, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament.. First that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my Executors, trusty and beloved son and brother, Peter Martin and John Martin, As to my worldly estate, I will to my beloved wife Catharine, two cows out of my stock after her own choice and three beds, and if my executors see fit, they are at liberty to leave as many more beds in the possession of my beloved wife as they deem necessary, and my five stoves and pipes and as much house and kitchen furniture as she and my Executors see fit and proper, which she, my beloved wife, is to have in lieu of Dower. I further will to my beloved wife Catharine, the privilege to occupy the adjoining house and garden I now lived in on the old homestead, as long as she remains my widow. During her widowhood, she is to have as much firewood as she wants for her own use, delivered to her house, she is also at liberty to go in my orchard at all tims and take as much of all kinds of fruit as she wants for her own use and as much good merchantable wheat well ground, delivered to her house, as she wants for her own use, and three hundred pounds of good pork and fifty pounds of good beef, which is to be delivered to her house yearly. She is also to have each and every year, the interest of one hundred and fifty pounds, which are to be paid out of my farm on the old homestead, whereupon I now reside, and the cowshed that I have willed to my beloved wife are to be kept for her on my farm in good order during summer and winter so long as she remains my widow, and the old homestead my two youngest sons are to have for the consideration sum, of eight hundred pounds as soon as they have obtained the age of twenty one years, and as soon as they have obtained the said age, each of them are to have one hundred and twenty five pounds, which is to be deducted out of the said Eight hundred pounds as a part of their legacy, and should my two youngest sons not wish to have the said old homestead, my Executors are to sell, or lease, as they see fit, with the consent of my beloved wife, and of my sons. They are to deliver to my beloved wife, yearly, all the above mentioned articles, which she is to have yearly, and until my two sons have obtained the age of twenty one years, and herein after named Executors are to deliver to my beloved wife yearly fifteen bushels of potatoes, and after they have obtained the said age, they my said sons are to deliver the fifteen bushels of potatoes yearly, further that the one hundred and fifty pounds are to remain in the old homestead during my beloved widows natural life, or so long and she remains my widow, which my two sons, as aforesaid are to pay the interest of as above mentioned. The remaining four hundred pounds are to be paid as follows: in fourteen equal annual installments the first of each becomes payable three years after my said two youngest sons have obtained the age of twenty one year. Should my beloved wife die or not remain my widow when the last installment becomes due, my said sons are to have three years after the said last installment becomes due, to pay the said one hundred and fifty pounds with interest. My two youngest sons are to have along with the old homestead, the cedar swamp on lot number eighty six in Woolwich, that lies between my sons Elias and Peter's Swamp. I also give and bequeath the remainder of the whole of my real estate the proceeds there from, and my personal estate which remains in the hands of my Executors after payment of debts and other charges, to be divided unto and equally between and among all my sons and daughters, share and share alike. As soon as any of my daughters shall stand in need of house furniture, my Executors shall give each and everyone of them to the same amount as I gave my eldest daughter.

Witnessed by Moses Springer, Elias Martin and David Martin
Will dated 21 May 1853
Will proved and insinuated 20 June 1853
No Inventory rendered at the time.

Wills of Waterloo County Register A 1853-1871, transcribed by Frances Hoffman

Henry — Catharine Miller. Catharine (daughter of Jacob Miller and Magdalena Bricker) was born 4 Nov 1803, , Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania; died 2 Oct 1870, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00079-4773
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

Notes:

Catharine Miller, "was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 4th, 1803. She was married to Henry Martin who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 16th, 1794, and died in Woolwich Township, about three miles north of Waterloo, June 8th, 1853. She died October 2nd, 1870. To them was born a family 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.].

Other Events:

• Historic Building: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 025, Waterloo County, Ontario; The Schweitzer House
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1397
• Residence: 1846, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Historic Building: 1850, Columbia Street West, Waterloo, 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: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

John E. Brubacher, "second son of John and Catharine (Sherk) Brubacher, was born August 9th, 1822. On February 6th, 1846, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of David and Esther (Martin) Musselman. She was born December 16th 1827, and died July 5th, 1877. After her deceased he was married, in December, 1882, to Esther Musselman, sister to his first wife. She was the widow of the late Amos Martin, and was born November 18th, 1842. To him and his first wife was born a family of fourteen 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.].

___________________

Waterloo County lost another of its pioneers on Sunday evening, when Mr. John E. Brubacher passed away at his home, about two miles northwest of Waterloo. Deceased was 80 years of age and was one of the oldest settlers. A family of ten children survive. They are- David, St. Jacobs; Martin, Kansas; John and Benjamin, near home; Noah, at home; Mrs. Samuel Snyder and Mrs. O. S. Martin, Waterloo; Mrs. Levi Groff, Lexington; Mrs. David Martin, Elmira, and Harriet at home. The funeral took place at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning to the old Mennonite church, Berlin.

Elmira Signet 28 Aug 1902

_______________

Death of Mr. J. E. Brubacher

This district lost another of its pioneers on Sunday evening when Mr. John E. Brubacher passed away at his home about two miles northwest of Waterloo. Deceased was 80 years of age and was one of the oldest settlers. A family of ten children survive. They are David, St. Jacobs; Martin, Kansas; John and Benjamin, near home, and Noah at home; Mrs. Samuel Snyder and Mrs. O. S. Martin, Waterloo; Mrs. Levi Groff, Lexington; Mrs. David Martin, Elmira; and Harriet at home. The funeral will be held at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning to the old Mennonite church, Berlin.

Berlin News Record, August 25, 1902
__________

Death of John E. Brubacher

John E. Brubacher, one of the oldest pioneers of Waterloo County, passed away to the great beyond at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, the 24st inst., at his country home near Waterloo. Deceased had been ill for about three weeks with stomach trouble. This with the infirmities of old age gradually weakened him and his end was unexpected. He had reached the ripe old age of 80 years and 15 days. The funeral takes place at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning, August 27th, from his late residence, 2 miles northwest of Waterloo, to the Mennonite church, Berlin, for service and interment.

Berlin Daily Telegraph, August 25, 1902

Historic Building:
In 1846, John Brubacher married Magdalena Musselman, settling on Lot 25, German Company Tract. Their son John E. Brubacher married in the late 1800s and built a house on the farm.. John E. Brubacher had a daughter who married into the Groff family. The Groff family eventually inherited the house and lived there until it was passed on to their daughter, who married Stanley Schweitzer. In 1957 the Schweitzer family sold the farm to the Waterloo College Associate Faculties, which would soon become the University of Waterloo. In 1972 the Graduate Student Association leased the house. [from The Record, December 22, 2007]

Historic Building:
Beautifully situated on a hill overlooking Columbia Lake on the north campus of the University of Waterloo, the home was built in 1850 of granite fieldstone.
No two of the structure's four elevations are alike. The one to the south is the most interesting. A noteworthy feature is a large verandah spanning the length of the building on the south facade. The gables on both the east and west elevations exhibit return eaves and the attic, on each side, is lit by two small four paned windows. These features are typical of the Mennonite version of the plain Georgian style.
A fire in 1968 seriously damaged the structure's interior and prompted the restoration of the home. The generous financial support of the University of Waterloo, the Ontario Heritage Foundation and the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation allowed the restoration to be completed by 1975. The basement now contains a meeting room, the focal point of which is a large fireplace. The ground floor houses a furnished museum depicting the interior of a Pennsylvania-German farmhouse. The second storey provides accommodation for the Curator.1a

1aDesignated Properties List www.waterloo.ca

John married Magdalena Musselman 3 Feb 1846, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of David Musselman and Esther Z. Martin) was born 16 Dec 1827, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Jul 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Brubacher
• Name: Martha Musselman
• Eby ID Number: 00083-4922
• Residence: 1846, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Magdalena Musselman, "was born December 16th, 1827. On February 6th, 1846, she was married to John E. Brubacher. They resided several miles north-west of Waterloo where she died July 5th, 1877. "

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/38400277
• Interesting: story, pioneer, religion
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4295
• Residence: 1830, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 010, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Peter Martin, "was born in West Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 26th, 1769. He was married to Anna Zimmerman, December 25th, 1793. She was born February 18th, 1775. He followed farming in his native state, but owing to the poor harvests for several years in succession, together with low wages and many business failures, caused him to make arrangements with his numerous family to move to Canada. Two of his daughters, Barbara, married to David Martin and Maria, married to Christian Zimmerman, remained in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, while the parents with fourteen of their children, together with Daniel Weber and others, moved to Canada in 1819. They, at their arrival here, settled first on the farm now owned by Dilman Shantz and the heirs of the late Abraham Groff, but not finding this to their taste they finally located on the farm now possessed by Menno Gingerich. Here they resided until their deaths. He died March 2nd, 1831, and she died December 12th, 1836. They had a family of seventeen children, all of whom were married."

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

______________________________________

Martin Meeting House

According to Isaac Horst, "Martins meeting house was the first of the Old Order places of worship to be built. A meeting house is reported to have been built in 1830; burial was begun in the adjoining cemetery in 1831. Martins was aptly named. The first three bishops of the area were Martins, all descended from the pioneer, Peter Martin. The land on which the house stands was formerly owned by Martins (1979: 376)." Peter Martin, Jr. purchased 220 acres of land from his brother, Henry Martin, on May 8, 1824. Apparently he set aside four acres for a meeting house and burying ground at that time. The first burial is reported to have been that of Peter Martin, Sr., who died March 2, 1831. The meeting house was enlarged in 1900.

John Weber was the first minister, followed by Abraham W. Martin, Samuel Weber, Paul Martin, Tobias Martin and Urias Martin. At one time surrounded by countryside, the meeting house and cemetery are now completely encircled by the commercial development brought about by the rapid expansion northward of the city of Waterloo.

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

________________________________

...Martin was 62 when died in 1831, just 12 years after coming to Canada, but his important role in local history was not forgotten. His home doubled as the Martin's Church before the Martin's Meeting House on King Street North was completed.

The meeting house still stands today, next to the Martin's cemetery that holds Peter Martin's remains. Across King Street was the Martin's School (SS21), in use until 1972. It's gone now.

Because of his large family, 17 children in all, Martin was once described as "probably the most vigorous progenitor in the history of the region." His story is told in a booklet Thou Art Peter, published in 1983 by the Mennonite historian Isaac Horst of Mount Forest.....

Flash from the Past: Peter Martin House once stood in Waterloo, Waterloo Region Record 4 May 2013 Jon Fear, Record Staff

Peter married Anna Zimmerman 25 Dec 1793. Anna was born 18 Feb 1775, Of, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 9 Dec 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38400457
• Name: Anna Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4295.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37041817
• Eby ID Number: 00079-4747
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 007, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Jacob Miller, "a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, was born March 26th, 1777, and was married to Magdalena, youngest daughter of Peter and Mary (Bear) Bricker (No. 1322). She was born May 12th, 1775, and died in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario, January 6th, 1853. He died October 26th 1853. They moved to Canada some seventy years ago and settled a little north of Waterloo, on the farm now possessed by Andrew Groff. 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.].

______________________

A-1-18 Jacob Miller Sr.: The Last Will and Testament of Jacob Miller Senior, of the Township of Waterloo, Gentleman.

…I Jacob Miller, senior, of the Township of Waterloo, Gentleman, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament…I will and desire that all my just debts, testamentary and funeral expenses be paid as soon as conveniently can be after my decease, and as to my worldly estate, I will unto my daughter, Magdalena Miller, now Magdalena Pistor, the four acres of land where upon she now resides, being part of Lots numbers seven and twelve of the German Company tract in said Township, for her and her husband to have and to hold during their natural lives, and after their decease to be divided equally among her heirs, for the consideration sum of five shillings of lawful money.. As to my worldly estate the remainder thereof shall be divided equally among all my sons and daughters, share and share alike and as soon as conveniently after my decease, my hereinafter named Executors shall hold an appraisment, and have the whole of my property appraised, such that I have not willed to my daughter Magdalene, and sell the same by Public
Auction to the highest bidder and the roceeds thereof divide equally among my lawful heirs, my will further is that the money due me, or such that may soon be due, from Andrew Groff to me, shall not be drove in or collected from Andrew Groff, not until two years after my decease, and no sooner, and I nominate and appoint my trusty and worthy friend Joseph M. Weber to be the Executor of this my Last Will and Testament….

Witnessed: Moses Springer and Matthias G. Haug
Will dated the 15 Oct 1853
Proved and Insinuated 3 November 1853
[No inventory sum]


Wills of Waterloo County Register A 1853-1871, transcribed by Frances Hoffman

Residence:
Staying with Henry and Catherine Martin

Jacob — Magdalena Bricker. Magdalena (daughter of Peter Bricker and Mary Baehr) was born 12 May 1775, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 6 Jan 1853, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37041585
• Name: Magdalena Miller
• Eby ID Number: 00016-1322

Notes:

Magdalena Bricker,"the second and youngest daughter of Peter and Mary (Bear) Bricker, was born May 12th, 1775. She was married to Jacob Miller who was born in Pennsylvania, March 26th, 1777, and died in Waterloo County, October 26th, 1853. She died January 6th, 1853. 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.].

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1389
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 057, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 059, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 006, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Brubacher, "the youngest son of Jacob and Susannah (Erb) Brubacher, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, July 11th, 1793. In 1815 he came to Canada (See pages 45, 46 and 47) and selected his lot, No. 57, German Company's Tract, township and county of Waterloo, Ontario, a little to the east of Berlin. Here he had a small clearing made and a log shanty erected thereon. Late in fall of the same year Mr. Brubacher returned to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to make arrangements for moving to Canada the following spring. Early in 1816, he, in company with his mother, moved to this country and had their home with Bishop Benjamin Eby. As soon as the log shanty on his large farm was finished he started housekeeping for himself. His mother proved to be his female assistant for one year. On March 6th, 1817, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Betzner) Sherk. She was born February 11th, 1798 and died October 8th, 1882. He died October 10th, 1875. When quite a young man he was ordained as deacon of the Mennonite Church for the Eby field of labor. This position he held until his death. 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.].

________________________________________________


October 10th, in Berlin, Canada, John Brubaker, one of the first settlers in this section, aged 82 years and 3 days.


Death Announcement - Herald of Truth, November 1875

_____________

JOHN BRUBACHER

John Brubacher came to Canada in 1816 and was accompanied by his widowed mother, Mrs. Susanna (Erb) Brubacher. She was a plucky woman and whatever she did was done aright. On the way over Mrs. Brubacher rode on a horse and killed a rattlesnake with her whip. Her son drove a heavily-laden Conestoga. Among other articles he brought in a churn. When they reached this settlment, their first meal was eaten off a pine stump. Mother and son then threaded their way through the woods to her son-in-law, Ben Eby's place,

John Brubacher made a clearing on Lot 57 and erected a log home. His mother kept house for him until 1817, when he married Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Betzner) Sherk. Ezra Eby said that Mrs, Susanna Brubacher sold her son 896 acres for $672 and then returned to Pennsylvania. Later on John Brubacher. as has been said, bought the Elias Eby farm in the East Ward and built a home in Brubacher Street that is still in use. Eventually John is said to have acquired 3,000 acres of land and to have given each of his fifteen children a farm.

John Brubacher was a short, dark man, and could lift a barrel of cider to his shoulder and take a drink out of the bunghole. His favorite saying was: Truth lasts the longest. His great-grand-father, also named John, when urged by his neighbors in Pennsylvania to build a gristmill declined, because he feared he might he tempted to take too heavy tolls.

Mrs. John Brubacher dressed plainly and wore a white cap. Her descendants treasure the heirlooms she handed down. There were no locks on their doors and often at night Indians entered her kitchen and slept on the floor. Once she was alarmed at breakfast time when a squaw fed a young papoose a piece of liver-sausage.

Fire was hard to make, for the settlers had no matches. A handful of dry cedar-bark was shredded and sparks struck from a flint with a piece of steel. Some families kept their fire burning the year round.

One night an Indian buck rapped on John's window and pleaded for a drink of whisky, but the pioneer did not give him any. Wild animals were all too plentiful and wolves a menace. Occasionally he heard the squeal of a pig as it was dragged from its pen by a black bear.

The Mennonites loved music. Once, while revisiting his old home in Pennsylvania, John Brubacher called on a man who owned a medodeon and had him play a hymn often sung in Ben Eby's church. As he listened tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. The pioneer walked with his head bent Ward Bowlby once met him in East King Street and said, "Mr. Brubacher, when walking you should keep your head up" John responded, "Mr. Bowlby, yonder is a field of wheat. Some of the stalks stand with their heads up those are empty; the bent heads only are filled with grain."

Mr. Brubacher's youngest daughter, Veronica (Mrs. Moses Betzner) died in 1936, when in her ninety-second year. She was an early riser; ate whole-wheat bread and until her fortieth year never tasted tea nor coffee after that she drank milk or butter-milk. "Sunrise," said she, "has a virtue no other part or the day has. Work is a blessing. Without it He would not be worth living."

"This community," she added, "was based on practical Christianity. The people were honorable and in business matters no writings passed among them It was all done by word of mouth and a man's Yes was binding."

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937, pg 23, 24

John married Catharine Shirk 6 Mar 1817. Catharine (daughter of Joseph Sherk and Mary Betzner, daughter of Joseph Schoerg and Elizabeth Betzner) was born 11 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 8 Oct 1882, near, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 11 Oct 1882, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Brubacher
• Name: Catherine Scherich
• Eby ID Number: 00101-5638
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Catharine Shirk, "was born February 11th, 1798. She was married to Deacon John Brubacher. They resided near Berlin where they both died. She died October 8th, 1882"


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/37030080
• Interesting: pioneer, mill, story
• Eby ID Number: 00083.4908
• Birth: CALC 25 Apr 1799
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Musselman, "The two old pioneer settlers of this numerous family were David and Frederick who were no relatives to each other. They came to Canada in 1819 and settled in Waterloo County. The former, Mr. David Musselman settled in Woolwich Township, near Conestogo, on the farm now possessed by David Koch, while Frederick Musselman settled on the farm known as Rev. Elias Snider's place a little north of Waterloo. We shall first five the family of David and then of Frederick."

David Musselman, "was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 18th, 1799, and was married to Esther, daughter of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1803, and died July 31st, 1872. He died October 25th, 1870. To them was born a family 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.].

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All lands in the early days was in the hands of large holders. Where the village now standing was part of a large holding belonging to David Musselman who himself lived on the western side of the village[Conestogo]. It was this man Musselman who started the wheels of Conestogo running by beginning the very important business of flour milling. This was urgent owing to the extreme distance that settlers had to hand for their supplies as all these were brought in on horseback from Dundas.

The Milling Industry

In 1845 the flour mill was built, also a saw mill, both run by waterpower, obtained from the waters of the Conestogo River diverted to these plants thru a raceway nearly a mile in length, the building of which was a colossal piece of work.

Mr. Musselman did not continue long as a miller, for in 1850 he sold the saw and grist mill with the property belonging to them to Henry Snider who conducted both for some years. The saw mill was finally abandoned and the mill taken away. More time was devoted to the flour mill which had attained wonderful proportions so much so that a new building on a far larger scale was put up equipped with more machinery.

About this time it was a common occurrence for farmers to come 40 and 45 miles with their wheat, so that very often from 20 to 30 teams stood waiting at this mill for their chance to unload. After a very successful term, Mr. Snider turned over his interests here to one of his sons Menno who remained at the head until about 1916. During this time he suffered reverses and a severe fire in 1904 wiped out the mill with its contents together with the storeroom for wheat all of which was lost.

Berlin Daily Record Apr. 26, 2008 typed by Marion Roes

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CONESTOGA

A pioneer named David Musselman is credited with having founded Conestoga. He first purchased 700 acres of forest in the vicinity. In 1830 he bought a parcel of land where the village stands from Abram Martin. It was watered by the Conestoga River and Spring Creek, on which he built a sawmill. In 1844 he built a dam across the Conestoga River and erected another sawmill and a flourmill. A hamlet sprang up. Among the first buyers of lots in Musselman's survey were: John Miller, Adam Heller, Stephen Washburn, John B. Eby, Christian Stuernagel, James Merrilees, H. von Trilera, Theodore Spetz, Henry Snider, Jacob Grosz, Philip Oswald, Joseph S. Weaver, George Davidson, Peter Eby, S. B. Eby, Peter Buchanan, Michael Oswald, Jacob Kuntz, Charles Hendry, Solomon Kaufman, and Jacob Lippert.

After their advent a cooper shop, blacksmithshop, a store, an hotel, and a post office followed. In time a brickyard, a school, and a church were added, and the place was called Musselman's Mills. Later Perine Brothers built a flaxmill on Spring Creek, while on the same stream Goodworth & Sills constructed a paint mill.

The hamlet was known as Musselman's Mills until 1852, when it was renamed Conestoga, after the Conestoga River or the town of Conestoga in Lancaster County, Pa., from which county many of the pioneers had come. David Musselman operated his mills until 1856 and then sold them to Henry Snider, who carried on the milling till his death in 1885. His executors sold the mills to Menno Snider, who operated the flourmill until his own death in 1916. During his closing years he was assisted by his son Walter J. Snider, who succeeded to the property. Walter Snider afterward purchased the flour-mill at St. Jacobs from W. W. Snider and operated the two mills as the Snider Flour Milling Company, Limited. After his decease, his son Russell became head of the industries..

Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1933 pg 16 - Woolwich Township - Its Early Settlement by W. V. Uttley

David — Esther Z. Martin. Esther (daughter of Peter Martin and Anna Zimmerman) was born 29 Aug 1803, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 31 Jul 1872, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Esther Z. Musselman
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4391
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Esther Martin, "the fourth daughter of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1803, and came to Canada when sixteen years of age. She was married to David Musselman who died October 25th, 1870. She died July 31st, 1872."

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.].