Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Franklin Henry Hoffman

Male 1860 - 1863  (2 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Franklin Henry Hoffman was born 13 Apr 1860, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada (son of Isaac E. Hoffman and Caroline D. Herlan); died 5 Apr 1863, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Francis Henry Hoffman
    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3802
    • Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Isaac E. HoffmanIsaac E. Hoffman was born 8 Mar 1835, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada (son of Jacob Hoffman and Veronica Eby); died 20 Feb 1898; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3800
    • Residence: 1856, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
    • Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant
    • Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
    • Business: 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cabinet Ware, Sash, Doors, Blinds, Flooring
    • Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant and Cabinet Mfgr.
    • Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.
    • Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
    • Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
    • Elected Office: 1884, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo
    • Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Bookkeeper
    • Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

    Notes:

    Isaac Hoffman, "the eldest, was born March 8th, 1835. He is married to Caroline, daughter of Rev. Francis and Caroline Harlen. She was born September 26th, 1838. Mr. Hoffman was, for many years, engaged in the manufacturing business but of late years he withdrew from all business and at present resides in Waterloo. 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.].

    _____________________

    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

    ______________________

    King Street , North Side

    Foundry Street (now Ontario Street).

    Jacob and John Hoffman, brothers, who came from Pennsylvania, erected a furniture factory on the corner about 1840. It was a two story frame building extending along King St., had 25 to 30 employees and a 15 h.p. engine brought from Buffalo.

    Eby's history gives John Hoffman as having come from Pennsylvania in 1825; Jacob, almost two years older, seems to have come before. They both worked at carpentry, etc., for a number of years before starting the factory in which enterprise they were assisted by Benjamin Eby. On the ridge of the factory roof there was a belfry with the only larger bell in Berlin. This bell served not only the factory but the village as well, pinging at 7 in the morning, at 12, at 1 and at 6 o'clock in the evening. It was used also as a fire bell and was tolled for funerals.

    By some prank or spite the bell was stolen in 1850 before there was a night watchman at the factory, and disappeared for two or three years. Eventually it was found in a well at the comer of Duke and College Streets, put back in place on the Hoffman factory and later was taken to a belfry on the Simpson factory spoken of, where it was used until this factory was discontinued. It was then taken to the pavilion in Victoria Park and was melted down when the pavilion was destroyed by fire.

    Behind the Hoffman factory there was a pond, about three feet deep, fed by a spring, the water being used for the factory boiler, etc. About 1860 a frame building, used by the firm for a warehouse, covered the site of the spring. Further back there was a saw mill, also a planing mill, the first of its kind in Berlin. A two story frame building extending along Foundry Street was later added to the factory and used as a turning shop. At the rear of this building was the factory boiler house.

    Next to the factory on King Street there was a three story brick building. The ground floor was used as a store, called the Berlin Warehouse. Jacob Hoffman, who by this time was alone in the business, John having gone to Waterloo, announced himself as dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, china, glassware, crockery, and paint and oils and manufacturer of all kinds of furniture, also sash doors, etc., selling low for cash. An overhead passage way on a bridge connected the second stories of the factory and brick building. Over the store was the paint shop and in the rear a warehouse. Hoffman's store was later occupied by William Schmidt, son of Rev. Wm. Schmidt, an early minister of the Evangelical Church. Schmidt had a dry goods store only, known as the Golden Lion store because of a large gilt lion over the entrance. Isaac Hoffman, son of Jacob, carried on the factory and store for several years; later John S. Anthes was in possession while Hoffman went to Waterloo and continued the furniture business there with Adam Klippert and Martin Wegenast as partners. Jacob and John Hoffman erected a number of houses in Berlin.

    Jacob Hoffman was very stout, weighing over 300 pounds. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. For a time he served on the village council. He resided on Foundry Street in the rear of the Canadian Block in a square, hip roof, two story, frame house, until it was destroyed by fire, when he moved to the west side of Foundry Street, south, where now is the Robe & Clothing Co. building. Here he had a one and one-half story frame house with a large two story addition at the rear where were lodged apprentices and other factory employees. There was a small portico over the front door and a porch extending along the northerly side of the house.

    Next to the Hoffman warehouse there was a saloon and restaurant occupied by a Mr. Unger. He served, among other things, oysters which came in small wooden, 1-gal. kegs. Adjoining Hoffman's store there was the tailor shop of H. J. Nahrgang, later occupied by Henry Glebe, an early band master; next a store differently occupied at various times and next the shoe store of Wm. Niehaus. A three story brick building occupied by Wm. Young as a grocery. Mr. Young eventually went to the Canadian Block and the store was used for various purposes, among them auction sales in the evening. Here there was sold the first white crockery offered in Berlin. Later the building was occupied by the Berliner Journal.

    A one and one-half story frame building with gable toward King St. and a veranda, occupied by Mr. Fuchs, a tailor and shoemaker, whose wife assisted her husband as expert in repairing clocks. The family lived in the building. About 1865 the frame building was moved to the rear and Fuchs' block erected on the street. The ground floor had three stores, the west one occupied by Mr. Fuchs, the middle by John Kayser, dry goods merchant, and the third one by Tindall Simpson and Sons, shoemakers and tailors. The first building on part of the Fuchs' block site was a rough frame structure used by one Susand, colored, who was the first barber in Berlin.

    A two story brick building with gable facing King Street, occupied by Christian Garman, harness maker, who later moved to New Hamburg and started a tannery. This building was later occupied by Levi Gaukel, son of Frederick Gaukel, after his father's death. He had a small hotel known as The Red Lion. In 1860 Urban Prinzer succeeded Gaukel and continued the hotel for a short time.

    A two and one-half story brick building with gable facing King St. was occupied by Levi Gaukel, as a butcher shop after he gave up the hotel next door. Jacob Gaukel was associated with Levi. Later George Debus occupied this shop.

    A building with gable and porch facing King Street, later occupied by George DeBus as a barber shop.

    On the corner of King and Queen Streets there was first a driving shed for the Gaukel hotel opposite, until the Bowman block was erected in 1860. This was a three story brick building lengthwise with King Street. Joseph Bowman the noted violinist occupied the third floor of this building. Half of the ground floor of the building was occupied by Henry B. Bowman with a partner Heins as general dry goods store. This was on the corner. The other half was a brick store occupied by Cole and Graf, druggists, and later by Wm. Bowman in the same business. On the site of the Bowman block is the handsome Bank building built by the Merchants Bank and now occupied by the Bank of Montreal.


    REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

    Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

    Isaac married Caroline D. Herlan 15 Apr 1856, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Caroline (daughter of Rev. Francis "Frank" Herlan and Caroline Demarez) was born 26 Sep 1835, , USA; died 10 Mar 1923; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]


  2. 3.  Caroline D. Herlan was born 26 Sep 1835, , USA (daughter of Rev. Francis "Frank" Herlan and Caroline Demarez); died 10 Mar 1923; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Caroline D. Hoffman
    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3800.1
    • Residence: 1856, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
    • Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; EA
    • Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.
    • Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
    • Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

    Children:
    1. Carolina Magdalena Hoffmann was born 26 Dec 1858, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 May 1925; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    2. 1. Franklin Henry Hoffman was born 13 Apr 1860, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Apr 1863, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    3. Emma Sivina Hoffman was born 11 Oct 1862, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Mar 1944; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    4. Sarah Martha Hoffman was born 30 Jan 1865, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Feb 1932, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    5. Dr. John Wesley Hoffman was born 29 Sep 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
    6. Phoebe Priscilla Hoffman was born 13 May 1870, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Feb 1932, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    7. Alexander Franklin Hoffman was born 23 Feb 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
    8. Lillian Josephine "Lillie" Hoffman was born 2 Sep 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Nov 1905, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Jacob Hoffman was born 18 Sep 1809, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania (son of Peter Hoffman); died 15 Nov 1864, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Jakob Hoffman
    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3799
    • Historical Event: 29 Aug 1839, Evangelical Association Church, Waterloo, Ontario; church founding
    • Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; chair and cabinet maker
    • Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
    • Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

    Notes:

    Jacob Hoffman, "son of Peter Hoffman, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 18th, 1809. When a young man he came to Canada and settled in Waterloo County where he worked with the carpenters for a number of years. He was married to Veronica Eby who was born March 8th, 1817, and died December 19th, 1876. They resided in the town of Berlin where he was engaged in manufacturing all kinds of furniture. He died November 15th, 1864. They had a family of eight children, two of whom died in infancy."


    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.].

    ________________________

    Bridgeport United Church

    The early Evangelical Association congregations in Berlin and Waterloo date back to August 1839 when a Camp Meeting was held over a number of days at David Erb's farm (Lot 7, German Company Tract) at Lexington. Classes (or congregations) in Berlin and in Waterloo were organized at that meeting by Bishop John Seybert - on August 29th. Twenty-six charter members were divided into the two classes. Class leader for Waterloo and vicinity was Jacob Hoffman. His brother, John, was class leader for Berlin.

    The Waterloo class, along with classes at Lexington and Breslau, was connected to the Berlin Mission until the organization of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association in 1864. The Waterloo Mission was formed at that time. In 1866 the Breslau class was merged with the Lexington class and in 1876 the Lexington class, with 31 members, was referred to as the Bridgeport class for the first time.

    An old log schoolhouse was purchased in 1879 for $500.00 on condition that it be used only for Sunday School services, not for preaching. The exterior walls were covered with lumber and the building was dedicated on November 9, 1879. A new white brick church was built ten years later, in 1889, when the old schoolhouse became inadequate for the growing congregation. This church was in use until 1934 when the present building was completed. A decision had been made at a congregational meeting in July 1933 to proceed with construction of a new church. The ground-breaking service was held on August 28, 1933 and on October 1 of that year the cornerstone was laid by Rev. W.J. Zimmerman. Dedication services were held in the new red brick church on Sunday March 18, 1934. In 1942 the old brick church was sold to Mr. Minnacker for $100. An addition which was built on to the west side of the church in 1958 provided additional space for the Sunday School, as well as offices and a kitchen. The new complex was dedicated on November 30, 1958 with Professor John F. Schaefer of Naperville, Illinois preaching the dedication sermon.

    Bridgeport and Waterloo were a joint parish from 1876 until 1910, when Bridgeport was joined with Strasburg. This association lasted until 1914 when Bridgeport called its own full-time pastor. The Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. On January 1, 1968 when the Evangelical United Brethren joined with the United Church, Emmanuel's name was changed once again - to Emmanuel United Church. In February 1987 the congregation voted to change the name of the church to Bridgeport United Church.

    Rev. J. Kaechele (1864-1865) was pastor in 1864 when the Waterloo Mission was formed; Solomon Kraft was the Bridgeport class leader when the schoolhouse was bought in 1879 and Rev. S.R. Knechtel (1888-1891) was pastor in 1889 when the new white brick church was built.

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

    ___________________________

    Zion United Church

    A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. 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. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider. The church was dedicated on September 25th of that year, with Rev. Christian Hummel of Buffalo, New York, officiating. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was pastor from 1840-1842. In 1842 the Waterloo Mission became a Circuit of the East Pennsylvania Conference. Two years later it was part of the New York Conference.

    The second church building was built of brick on the same site in 1866, and dedicated in 1867; Rev. C.A. Spies was pastor at the time. The old frame church was sold and moved to Elgin Street where it was used as a dwelling. In the same year Berlin became a station.

    The present church building was built in 1893 on Weber Street; dedication services were held on June 15, 16 and 17, 1894. This building was heavily damaged by fires in 1942 and 1965 but was renovated and restored each time.

    The union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 created the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The name of the church was to change again, to Zion United Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada on January 1, 1968. Of interest: some maps of early Berlin show this church as a German Methodist church.

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

    _______________________

    Emmanuel United Church

    The first Evangelical missionaries arrived in the Waterloo area in 1837. The first Waterloo class (congregation) was formed on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert during a camp meeting at David Erb's farm near Lexington. Jacob Hoffman was the Waterloo-Lexington class leader; his brother, John, was class leader in Berlin. A brick building which was erected by Samuel Burkholder in 1849 on Church Street, near King, was offered to the congregation for their use as a church, rent free, provided that they agreed to finish and furnish the building. Dedication of the new church was in 1851. The house, known as Burkholder House, is still standing, but Church Street in Waterloo is now known as Central Street.

    In the early 1890s Waterloo was in the North District of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association, and was ministered to jointly with Bridgeport. Pastors in those years were Revs. C.R. Knechtel (1890-1891), F. Meyer (1892), D. Kreh (1893), and W.J. Yaeger (1894).

    A new church, which was built in 1871 at the corner of Cedar and Water Streets (now Bridgeport Road and Dorset Street), was replaced in 1905 by the present structure. Dedication was in May, 1906. Emmanuel Hall was built in 1938. Changes made in 1963 included an addition, a new front entrance and renovation of the former Christian Education area.

    On November 16, 1946 the Evangelical Church joined with congregations of the United Brethren in Christ Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. When the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada as of January 1, 1968, Emmanuel became a United Church..

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

    ______________________

    King Street , North Side

    Foundry Street (now Ontario Street).

    Jacob and John Hoffman, brothers, who came from Pennsylvania, erected a furniture factory on the corner about 1840. It was a two story frame building extending along King St., had 25 to 30 employees and a 15 h.p. engine brought from Buffalo.

    Eby's history gives John Hoffman as having come from Pennsylvania in 1825; Jacob, almost two years older, seems to have come before. They both worked at carpentry, etc., for a number of years before starting the factory in which enterprise they were assisted by Benjamin Eby. On the ridge of the factory roof there was a belfry with the only larger bell in Berlin. This bell served not only the factory but the village as well, pinging at 7 in the morning, at 12, at 1 and at 6 o'clock in the evening. It was used also as a fire bell and was tolled for funerals.

    By some prank or spite the bell was stolen in 1850 before there was a night watchman at the factory, and disappeared for two or three years. Eventually it was found in a well at the comer of Duke and College Streets, put back in place on the Hoffman factory and later was taken to a belfry on the Simpson factory spoken of, where it was used until this factory was discontinued. It was then taken to the pavilion in Victoria Park and was melted down when the pavilion was destroyed by fire.

    Behind the Hoffman factory there was a pond, about three feet deep, fed by a spring, the water being used for the factory boiler, etc. About 1860 a frame building, used by the firm for a warehouse, covered the site of the spring. Further back there was a saw mill, also a planing mill, the first of its kind in Berlin. A two story frame building extending along Foundry Street was later added to the factory and used as a turning shop. At the rear of this building was the factory boiler house.

    Next to the factory on King Street there was a three story brick building. The ground floor was used as a store, called the Berlin Warehouse. Jacob Hoffman, who by this time was alone in the business, John having gone to Waterloo, announced himself as dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, china, glassware, crockery, and paint and oils and manufacturer of all kinds of furniture, also sash doors, etc., selling low for cash. An overhead passage way on a bridge connected the second stories of the factory and brick building. Over the store was the paint shop and in the rear a warehouse. Hoffman's store was later occupied by William Schmidt, son of Rev. Wm. Schmidt, an early minister of the Evangelical Church. Schmidt had a dry goods store only, known as the Golden Lion store because of a large gilt lion over the entrance. Isaac Hoffman, son of Jacob, carried on the factory and store for several years; later John S. Anthes was in possession while Hoffman went to Waterloo and continued the furniture business there with Adam Klippert and Martin Wegenast as partners. Jacob and John Hoffman erected a number of houses in Berlin.

    Jacob Hoffman was very stout, weighing over 300 pounds. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. For a time he served on the village council. He resided on Foundry Street in the rear of the Canadian Block in a square, hip roof, two story, frame house, until it was destroyed by fire, when he moved to the west side of Foundry Street, south, where now is the Robe & Clothing Co. building. Here he had a one and one-half story frame house with a large two story addition at the rear where were lodged apprentices and other factory employees. There was a small portico over the front door and a porch extending along the northerly side of the house.

    Next to the Hoffman warehouse there was a saloon and restaurant occupied by a Mr. Unger. He served, among other things, oysters which came in small wooden, 1-gal. kegs. Adjoining Hoffman's store there was the tailor shop of H. J. Nahrgang, later occupied by Henry Glebe, an early band master; next a store differently occupied at various times and next the shoe store of Wm. Niehaus. A three story brick building occupied by Wm. Young as a grocery. Mr. Young eventually went to the Canadian Block and the store was used for various purposes, among them auction sales in the evening. Here there was sold the first white crockery offered in Berlin. Later the building was occupied by the Berliner Journal.

    A one and one-half story frame building with gable toward King St. and a veranda, occupied by Mr. Fuchs, a tailor and shoemaker, whose wife assisted her husband as expert in repairing clocks. The family lived in the building. About 1865 the frame building was moved to the rear and Fuchs' block erected on the street. The ground floor had three stores, the west one occupied by Mr. Fuchs, the middle by John Kayser, dry goods merchant, and the third one by Tindall Simpson and Sons, shoemakers and tailors. The first building on part of the Fuchs' block site was a rough frame structure used by one Susand, colored, who was the first barber in Berlin.

    A two story brick building with gable facing King Street, occupied by Christian Garman, harness maker, who later moved to New Hamburg and started a tannery. This building was later occupied by Levi Gaukel, son of Frederick Gaukel, after his father's death. He had a small hotel known as The Red Lion. In 1860 Urban Prinzer succeeded Gaukel and continued the hotel for a short time.

    A two and one-half story brick building with gable facing King St. was occupied by Levi Gaukel, as a butcher shop after he gave up the hotel next door. Jacob Gaukel was associated with Levi. Later George Debus occupied this shop.

    A building with gable and porch facing King Street, later occupied by George DeBus as a barber shop.

    On the corner of King and Queen Streets there was first a driving shed for the Gaukel hotel opposite, until the Bowman block was erected in 1860. This was a three story brick building lengthwise with King Street. Joseph Bowman the noted violinist occupied the third floor of this building. Half of the ground floor of the building was occupied by Henry B. Bowman with a partner Heins as general dry goods store. This was on the corner. The other half was a brick store occupied by Cole and Graf, druggists, and later by Wm. Bowman in the same business. On the site of the Bowman block is the handsome Bank building built by the Merchants Bank and now occupied by the Bank of Montreal.


    REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

    Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

    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.1a

    1aAmbrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]

    Jacob — Veronica Eby. Veronica (daughter of George S. Eby and Barbara Wenger) was born 8 Mar 1817, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Dec 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]


  2. 5.  Veronica Eby was born 8 Mar 1817, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada (daughter of George S. Eby and Barbara Wenger); died 19 Dec 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Veronica Hoffman
    • Eby ID Number: 00031-2744
    • Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ea
    • Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evang. Assoc.

    Notes:

    Veronica Eby, "the youngest daughter of George Eby, was born March 8th. 1817, and died December 19th, 1876. She was married to Jacob Hoffman who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 18th, 1809, and died in Berlin, Ontario, November 15th, 1864.


    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.].

    _____________________


    In Veronica's daughter's marriage (Maria) it states that Veronica's name was Fredericka.

    Children:
    1. 2. Isaac E. Hoffman was born 8 Mar 1835, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Feb 1898; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    2. Sarah Hoffman was born 1 Apr 1837, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Sep 1854, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    3. Susanna Hoffman was born CALC 8 Jan 1843, , Ontario, Canada; died 14 Sep 1897; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    4. Mary Ann Hoffman was born 10 Feb 1845, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Jul 1874, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    5. Rebecca Hoffman was born 22 Jun 1848, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Nov 1909; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    6. Edward Hoffman was born 1852, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
    7. Magdalena Hoffman was born 7 Jul 1853, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Sep 1857, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

  3. 6.  Rev. Francis "Frank" Herlan was born 6 Jun 1814, Friedrichstal, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 4 Jan 1889, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States; was buried , Blossom Cemetery, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3800.2
    • Map: 1861, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 020, Waterloo County, Ontario
    • Historic Building: 1866, 51 Ahrens St. West, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
    • Occupation: 1871, Hay Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada; minister
    • Occupation: 1881, East Zorra Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; minister

    Notes:

    Rev. Frank Herlan was at one time the Minister of Zion Evangelical United Brethren (later Zion United) Church, Weber Street, West, Kitchener.

    Historic Building:
    Built in 1866 for Rev. Franz (Francis) Herlan, it is a frame house and in 1978 was listed in very good condition.

    Francis — Caroline Demarez. Caroline was born 13 Nov 1813, Friedrichstal, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 12 Mar 1889, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States; was buried , Blossom Cemetery, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States. [Group Sheet]


  4. 7.  Caroline Demarez was born 13 Nov 1813, Friedrichstal, , Baden-Württemberg, Germany; died 12 Mar 1889, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States; was buried , Blossom Cemetery, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Caroline Herlan
    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3800.3

    Children:
    1. 3. Caroline D. Herlan was born 26 Sep 1835, , USA; died 10 Mar 1923; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    2. Francis Demarez "Frank" Herlan was born 20 Oct 1836, , USA; died 3 Sep 1915, Elma, Erie, New York, United States; was buried , Blossom Cemetery, West Seneca, Erie, New York, United States.
    3. Catherine Herlan was born Sep 1838, , USA; died Yes, date unknown.
    4. Lydia Catherine Herlan was born 20 Dec 1849, Warsaw, Wyoming, New York, USA; died 1935, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Peter Hoffman was born 27 Sep 1776, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania (son of George Hoffman and Elizabeth Zimmerman); died Yes, date unknown.

    Other Events:

    • Eby ID Number: 00055-3784

    Notes:

    Peter Hoffman, "the fourth son of old George Hoffman, was born September 27th, 1776. He resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His family consisted of five (there may have been more but the names of only five were received) 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.].

    Children:
    1. George Hoffman was born Abt 1802, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown.
    2. Elizabeth Hoffman was born 8 May 1805, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 9 Apr 1862, near, Churchtown, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States.
    3. Mayor John Hoffman was born 17 Jan 1808, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 1 Feb 1878, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    4. 4. Jacob Hoffman was born 18 Sep 1809, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 15 Nov 1864, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

  2. 10.  George S. Eby was born 8 May 1776, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania (son of George Eby and Barbara Sensenig); died 17 Nov 1858, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191061171
    • Eby ID Number: 00031-2581
    • Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 001, Waterloo County, Ontario
    • Occupation: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; gelder
    • Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; veternary surgeon

    Notes:

    George Eby, "the fourth son of George Eby and his wife, Barbara Sensenig, was born May 8th, 1776, and was married, April 1st, 1797, to Barbara Wenger who was born in the year 1780 and died in September, 1834. In 1804 they moved from Pennsylvania to Canada. They were accompanied by his elder brother, Samuel, and a few others. He took up part of lot No. 1, German Company's Tract, in the township and county of Waterloo. The farm is now owned by Jacob B. Shantz. They had 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.].

    _________________________

    Among the early settlers of Berlin were August Fuchs, a jeweller, from Baden ; George Jantz, a grocer and tavern keeper, also from Baden ; Anselm Wagner, a potter from Alsace


    Theobald Spetz, The Catholic Church in Waterloo County Book I

    ______________________

    Anselm Wagner was the first potter in Berlin and had a shop for many years on King street south.

    _________________

    How More German Families Were Brought In

    At that stage there was a further influx of German hand-workers. In the main they came from Hesse, with sprinklings from Baden, Saxony. Mecklenburg, and other States. Woodworkers predominated. The Dorf however boasted a weaver, wagonmaker, hatmaker. a tailor (John Nahrgang), two shoemakers, and several carpenters, while Anselm Wagner, potter, made shilling crocks and flowerpots for the Hausfrau. A Dr. Klinkert was the first doctor

    A History of Kitchener

    ___________________

    King Street , North Side

    Frederick Street.

    Bishop Benjamin Eby's farm came to the corner of King and Frederick Streets. Next to Frederick Street, Frederick and William Miller erected a frame building and used it as a general store. After the grading operations spoken of this building had to undergo the same process as the St. Nicholas Hotel. It was considered a fine building in its day with large windows on each side of the centre door. Henry Stroh finally bought the building and tore it down in 1868. Jacob Stroh has some of the window sash, shutters, stairway, etc., still in his possession. Later the building was occupied by Jacob Eckstein cigar maker and tobacco dealer. Mrs. Warren with a family lived on the second story for a number of years.

    Vacant lot. Next a large brick building with double deck porch along the front, the Queen's Arms Hotel, built about 1840 and continued as a hotel until about 1860. A Mr. Butchard was the first landlord and later Levi Weber. From this hotel the first omnibus met the trains at the G.T.R. station in Berlin in 1856. Before that day it was a stopping place of stage coaches operating from Hamilton and Galt to Berlin and beyond. The old Queen's Arms long vacant and practically ruined as a building was sold finally and made room for the Market Building and Town Hall in 1869.*

    Next we come to the John Roos house. This also had a double-deck veranda with heavy posts as was the style 1840-50. The building was later turned into a hotel known as the Market Hotel and kept by Casper Heller.

    A lot with a log cabin in the rear, occupied by Jacob Sauer, who had come from Pennsylvania, father of Mrs. John Roat.

    * See 1922 Annual Report W. H. S., p. 210.

    A harness shop occupied by John Roat, then by his son John and later by John Haugh, a son-in-law of John Roat.

    A garden. A dwelling, 4 or 5 feet lower than the street which had been filled up, where lived the Susand family. Mrs. Susand had a reputation with juveniles for tarts and molasses taffy sold in lc. bars. Her children were in the habit of selling these wares to passengers at the G.T.R. station. After her husband's death about 1860, widow Susand moved her shop to Foundry Street North, and there continued until she died. Susand was an ex-slave. In 1857 at a nomination meeting for Council, he was nominated and stood a good chance of being elected, as a joke. However, the more thoughtful element among the voters prevailed.

    A two story, frame building, lengthwise with King Street, built in the '30's. After street grading this had to be raised so that what had before been the ground floor became the cellar or basement.

    A house occupied by Wm. Hawke,-known as Bill Hawke- a mason. A stout, easy-going man. His wife was in the habit of standing in the door way, with white lace cap, smoking a clay pipe. The east end of this building was occupied by Winters, a hatter, the first hat maker in Berlin. He made the old style, broad brim, Mennonite hats in fashion up to about 1845. At the corner of Scott stood a brick building of good size with gable toward King Street, used to stable the first fire teams for a number of years. Later John Wagner had a waggon shop above and George Ward a blacksmith shop underneath. Scott Street was, however, not opened until many years later.

    A one and one-half story building rough cast, gable facing King St., occupied by H. W. Peterson, who began publishing the "Canada Museum", in 1835 and so continued until 1840 when he went to Guelph as first Registrar of the County of Wellington. This was the first newspaper published in Waterloo County.

    Jacob Hailer's house, a one and one-half story, frame building with porch along the front partly enclosed by lattice work. In this house was born in 1834, Catherine Hailer, who married Louis Breithaupt. She is said to have been the first child born in Berlin of parents who came from Germany. Hailer's barn was some distance back from the street and next along on the street front was his shop where he manufactured spinning wheels, etc., and chairs which had a large distribution. Hailer was an expert wood turner. He had two foot-power lathes and a number of German assistants from time to time, continuing his shop for about 40 years.

    A two story frame building lengthwise with King Street, erected by Dr. John Scott. He had a drug store with two good-sized windows at the front. On the east gable of the building was a sign, "Med. Hall" in large letters. The sign was legible long after Dr. Scott's death. The doctor pursued his practice on horseback for which he used three horses. He was the first medical practitioner in Berlin, coming in 1834, at the time of the cholera epidemic. For a few years before he was married he boarded at the Gaukel Hotel. His later house, after the one described, is still standing on Weber Street at the rear of the Kitchener Public Library.

    The old Scott house on King Street was later occupied by Franz Martin who kept a saloon. Martin had a musical family, with the zither as their principal instrument, which all the children could play.

    A one and one-half story, frame building, painted, occupied by Anslm Wagner, a potter.

    A brick building 1 ½ story lengthwise with King Street, the west end of which was John Eby's drug store, the rest of the building being his dwelling. This was the first regular drug store in Berlin.

    A brick building with a frame extension in the rear used by David Eby as a pump shop. Part of the brick building is still standing, the rest having been cut off for the opening of Eby Street North.

    A one story hip roof brick cottage occupied by Geo. Eby, a Notary, who came to Canada in 1804. He died in this house. A considerable fish story is told of how he followed a sturgeon in the Conestoga River, part of Grand River, and finally speared it.

    A one and one-half story building, probably rough cast, occupied by Hy. Wurm, a carpenter employed at the Simpson factory.

    A two story brick building painted red occupied by Henry S. Huber.'

    A handsome brick building, two story, with veranda along the front and ground floor considerably above the street level, with broad steps, the width of the building, leading to it, was built in 1850. Some time later it was occupied by Casper Heller and known as the Royal Exchange hotel. Following the old custom its swinging sign had "Last Chance" on the side toward the village and "First Chance" outward, referring to liquid refreshments. Heller kept a good hotel and had also a large shed and ham next east of the hotel.

    On the corner a steam grist mill was erected, about 1860. Louis Seyler, a German, was the miller. The custom was for farmers to bring in their wheat to have it ground, getting in return flour, bran and middlings, the miller retaining his toll. Later Lehnen & Shelly operated this mill.

    REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.



    ___________________________


    ?living with George in Waterloo Township in 1851 was apparently a second wife named Elizabeth born 10 Oct aged 63 born USA. source: 1851 census of Waterloo Township.

    George married Barbara Wenger 1 Apr 1797. Barbara (daughter of Martin Wenger and Anna Gingrich) was born 1780, , Pennsylvania, USA; died Sep 1834; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]


  3. 11.  Barbara Wenger was born 1780, , Pennsylvania, USA (daughter of Martin Wenger and Anna Gingrich); died Sep 1834; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

    Other Events:

    • FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205499105
    • Name: Barbara Eby
    • Eby ID Number: 00013-1147.3

    Children:
    1. George W. Eby was born 25 Dec 1798, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 1 Nov 1886, Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, United States.
    2. Peter Eby was born 3 Jun 1800, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 24 Mar 1883; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    3. Nancy W. Eby was born 13 Oct 1801, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 4 Mar 1887, Thedford, Lambton Co., Ontario; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    4. John W. Eby was born 6 Nov 1803, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 22 Oct 1891, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada.
    5. Samuel W. Eby was born 18 Aug 1805, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Oct 1847, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    6. Martin Eby was born 4 Aug 1807, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Jun 1891, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada.
    7. David Wenger Eby was born 23 Apr 1812, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jun 1886, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    8. Magdalena Eby was born Nov 1813, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Jan 1883.
    9. Elizabeth Eby was born 14 Apr 1814, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Apr 1843; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    10. 5. Veronica Eby was born 8 Mar 1817, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Dec 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
    11. Moses W. Eby was born 23 Dec 1822, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Sep 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.