Cyrus "Saruch" Eby

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69597986
• Name: Saruch Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2376
• Residence: 1851, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other Methodist
• Residence: 1893, , Elkhart Co., Indiana

Notes:

Saruch Eby, "was born January 28th, 1849. He is married but name of wife not received"

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

___________________________________

Eby.-Cyrus, the last survivor of the Jacob B. and Mary Eby family, was born in Berlin (now Kitchner), Ont., Jan. 28, 1849. At about the age of twelve, he moved with his parents to Elkhart Co., Ind., where he has resided since. On Sept. 5, 1869, he was united in marriage to Anna Wenger, to which union were born the following children: Mrs. Albert Enders, Mrs. S. E. Weaver, Mrs. David Schrock, Mrs. Ralph Paritt, Elmer Eby, Mrs. Frank Sawyer, and Mrs. C. L. Amick. He united with the Mennonite Church in 1911 and remained a faithful member until death. He departed this life Oct. 26, 1923; aged 74 y. 8 m. 28 d., leaving his companion, 7 children, 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, besides a large circle of relatives and friends, to mourn the loss of a husband, father, grandfather, and neighbors. Funeral services at the Olive Mennonite Church conducted by C. A. Shank and D. A. Yoder. II Cor. 5: 1.

Gospel Herald - Volume XVI, Number 32 - November 8, 1923 - pp. 669, 670

_____________

Cyrus Eby, age 74 one of the best known retired farmers of this vicinity, and a resident of Penn township, St Joseph county, for 62 years, died Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs C L Amick, after an illness of six weeks.

The body was taken to the family home 7 miles northwest of town from which place the funeral was held, Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock. The final service was held from the Olive church, Rev D A Yoder of the Mennonite church of which he was a member, officiating. Burial in adjoining cemetery.

Mr Eby was born in Berlin now Kitchner, Ontario, Canada, and came to this state with his parents when but 12 years of age.

He was married 54 years ago to Miss Anna Wenger who survives.

He also leaves seven children. The children are Mrs Albert Enders, Mrs S E Weaver, Elmer Eby of Olive township, Elkhart Co, Mrs C L Amick of Wakarusa, Mrs David Schrock, Mrs Ralph Parret of Penn township, and Mrs Frank Sawyer of Mishawaka.

Wakarusa Tribune 1 November 1923

Cyrus married Anna Wenger 5 Sep 1869, , Indiana. Anna was born 26 Jun 1853, , Ohio, USA; died 1 Aug 1928; was buried , Olive Cemetery, Wakarusa, Elkhart, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52669055
• Interesting: story, pioneer
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2372
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other Methodist

Notes:

Jacob Eby, "the second son of David Eby, was born October 18th, 1815. On April 7th, 1840, he was married to Maria Bingeman who was born June 9th, 1820. Some time after their marriage they moved to St. Joseph County, Indiana, where they are still residing. Their family consisted 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.].

______________

EBY. In Elkhart Co., Ind., on the 20th of August, of the infirmities of old age, Bro. Jacob Eby, aged 80 years, 10 months and 2 days. He was born in Waterloo Co., Ontario, in 1815. Was married to Mary Bingeman in 1840. Came to Indiana at an early day, and resided here until the time of his death. He was the father of eight children, seven of whom, with the aged mother, survive him. He was buried at the Olive M. H. on Sunday, Aug. 23, where services were conducted by Bish. C. Shaum and -- Shwalm, from Isa. 38: 1. The services were largely attended.


Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXIII, No. 17, September 1, 1896, page 270, 271

___________________________

Jacob Eby. The farming class of America and especially of the northern tier of States, is noted for the degree of intelligence that is possessed among its representatives. Mr. Eby belongs to one of the most progressive of families and as a tiller of the soil, as well as in other respects, he has endeavoured to keep out of old grooves and has always favored the adoption of new and improved methods in conducting his operations. The family originated in Switzerland and were Catholics. A well-defined tradition in the family relates that at one time there were five brothers of the name living in Switzerland and all were Catholics, but one who was a Mennonite, which sect was greatly persecuted in Switzerland, and many of its followers found homes in the wilderness of Pennsylvania, and among them was the founder of the Eby family in America.

The family resided in Pennsylvania for generations and there John Eby, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, followed the calling of a blacksmith and was married to a Miss Lehmy, their children, Peter and David, being the only ones of their family that are remembered. David Eby, son of John, was born in Pennsylvania and was but twelve years of age when he started out to make his own way in the world, and in 1807 went to Canada with a party of eleven other men, five of which company are remembered: Benjamin and Samuel Eby, distant relatives of David; Joseph Snyder; Peter and Daniel Erb, three of whom were married men and the rest single.

They were all Mennonites and settled in Waterloo township, Waterloo Co., Ontario, and the city of Berlin now stands on the ground which was taken by Benjamin Eby. David Eby was married there to Elizabeth Bechtel, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Allabaugh) Bechtel, and after his marriage settled on and cleared up a good farm from the dense timber with which it was covered. It consisted of 330 acres, and besides this he owned 200 acres in the township of Woolwich. Mr. and Mrs. Eby became the parents of eleven children: Joseph, Mary, Mattie, Jacob, Annie, Elizabeth, Fronica, Susan, David, Elias and Enoch. Joseph Bechtel, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Mennonite preacher; Benjamin Eby was a bishop in the church and Samuel Eby was an elder, and together they established a church in their settlement which flourished, and at the death of Benjamin Eby, about 1850, there were 1,100 members, nearly all of whom were converted through the instrumentality of these humble followers of Christ. David Eby died at the age of seventy-five years in March, 1855, leaving a goodly property and an unsullied name as a heritage to his children, before whom he always set a good example, and to whom he was a kind and faithful father. His farm is now very valuable, as it is close to the city of Berlin, and is owned by David Eby and his sons and is valued at about $100,000.

Jacob Eby was born on the old homestead in Canada, October 18, 1815, and, owing to the primitive condition of the country during his youth, he received a very limited education, his studies being mainly pursued of evenings by the old-fashioned fireplace. Like many of the early pioneers he was handy with tools and worked at carpentering, blacksmithing and the mason's trade. When he was a young man wild game was very plentiful, and as he was skillful in the use of the rifle, and very fond of the sport, much of his leisure was spent in the chase. He kept an account of the game killed and brought down 46 deer, 7 wolves, 2 bear and shot and trapped 100 foxes. Coon, mink, martin, fish, otter and wildcat also fell victims to his skill. Two of the wildcats that he killed were as large as a common dog. When a young man he and his dog were one day in a field near some heavy timber in Canada, where several men were chopping wood, when a half-grown black bear came through the trees, but becoming frightened by the shouts of the men, turned and came through the field. Mr. Eby waited for it and at the right moment attacked it with knife and club and with the help of the dog, which was large and strong, killed it.

On another occasion, when he was going into the woods to split posts he saw a full-grown wolf asleep in a fallen tree top, whereupon he threw his axe, struck it fairly and killed it. April 7, 1840, he was married to Polly Bingaman, a daughter of John and Hannah (Berkey) Bingaman, her father being of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. He cleared a good farm of 100 acres and was accidentally killed by the falling of a large limb from a burning tree when about seventy years of age.

He and his wife were Mennonites and the parents of the following family: Judith, Esther, Susanna, Hannah, Eunice, Catherine, Mary, Magdaline, John, Sallie and Isaac. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eby: Enoch; Simon, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Seth; Cyrus; Jacob; John; Joseph and Noah. After his marriage Mr. Eby settled seven miles north of his father's home- stead on a 200-acre tract of wild land for which he paid $750, and here he lived and worked hard until 1860, when he came to St. Joseph county, Ind., and bought 280 acres of land, 80 of which were cleared.

He has improved the remainder by thrift and perseverance and added to his original purchase until he at one time owned 700 acres, all of which he has given to his children, except 280 acres. He and his wife have been life-long members of the Mennonite church, but have liberally assisted other churches with their means. He contributed money toward building two Mennonite Churches in his vicinity, as well as for the Catholic and Baptist Churches of Mishawaka. He is generous and high minded, broad in his views and well posted on all topics.

His sons are all settled near him and are in good circumstances: Enoch, who is farming near Tippecanoe Lake, Ind., married Keziah Wendy and has three children: Seth farms near Bangor, Mich., married Hannah Herrington and has two children; Cyrus is a farmer near the old home, is married to Annie Wenger and has seven children; Jacob also farms near home, is married to Elizabeth Wenger and has eight children; John is a farmer, is married to Harriet Weaver and has two children; Noah farms, is married to Laura Moon, by whom he has two children; Joseph is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Eby have two great-grand-children. Their granddaughter, Hannah Eby, daughter of Enoch, married Emmet Gordey and has one son, Alva Allen. John Eby, a grandson, married Mary Eby and has a son, Walter. Mr. Eby is a stanch Republican.

"Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead", Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago, 1893, John Morris Co. Printers and Binders

Jacob married Maria "Mary" "Polly" Bingeman 7 Apr 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Maria (daughter of Johannes "John" Bingeman and Hannah S. Bergey) was born 9 Dec 1820, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 17 Nov 1915, Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, United States; was buried , Olive Cemetery, Wakarusa, Elkhart, Indiana, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria "Mary" "Polly" Eby
• Name: Polly Bingeman
• Eby ID Number: 00009-1062
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1851, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Other Methodist

Notes:

Maria Bingeman," was born December 9th, 1820. On April 7th, 1840, she was married to Jacob Eby who was born October 18th, 1815. Soon after their marriage they moved to St. Joseph County, Indiana, where they still reside. 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.].


Elsewhere in the book it gives birth in June.

__________________

Eby. - On Nov. 17, 1915, at the home of her grandson, John Eby, in Elkhard, Ind., of the infirmities of old age, Sister Mary Bingaman, widow of the late Jacob Eby, aged 95 y. 5 m. 8 d. Her husband died about 19 years ago. She was born in Waterloo Co., Ont., on 9th of June, 1820. She was married to Jacob Eby, April 7, 1840. to this union were born 8 sons, of whom the husband and 5 sons passed over to the spirit world before her. She was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church for many years, and was beloved and respected, by a wide circle of friends and relatives. She had an earnest and longing desire to depart and be with Christ, "which", as the apostle says, "is far better", and often said that she wanted to go home; the change finally came and her oft repeated prayer was answered. Funeral services were held at the Olive M. H. on Nov. 20, by John Martin in the German language, and John F. Funk in English, from 1 Pet. 1: 24,25. The burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.


Gospel Herald - Volume VIII, Number 36 - December 2, 1915 - Page 590, 591

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.].

___________________________

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

_________________________


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:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28023204
• Name: John Bingeman
• Eby ID Number: 00009-1044
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of John Bingeman
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 114, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 05E, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 011, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

John Bingeman, "who was born in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, March 15th, 1783. On November 3rd, 1805, he was married to Hannah, daughter of Abraham and Esther (Shantz) Bergey. She was born December 16th, 1787. In 1825 they with their large family moved to Canada and settled near what is now Bridgeport, Ontario. The following summer they moved on the east side of the Grand River. This is now in possession of Moses Kraft, one of their grand-children. He died October 18th, 1854, and she died June 11th, 1868. To them 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.].

_________________________

A-1-46 John Bingeman: Administration to the Estate of John Bingeman, formerly of the Township of Waterloo, Yeoman, deceased, granted anede issued the 11 November 1854 to his widow Hannah Bingeman, after giving proof that her said husband was dead and dying intestate on or about the 18^th October next before, and on her giving surety herself and in the person orf Jonas Bingeman, of the aforesaid Township, Yeoman, and Elias Snyder, of the same place, Yeoman, each in the sum of £500/-. The Inventory of the chattels and goods left by said deceased at the time of his demise and the same delivered and on file in this office, amounting to £417/17/1 1/2d

Died October 18 1854
Letters granted 9 November 1854
Inventory £417/17/1 1/2

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

Johannes married Hannah S. Bergey 3 Nov 1805. Hannah (daughter of Abraham Bergey and Esther Shantz) was born 16 Dec 1787, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 11 Jun 1868, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 13 Jun 1868, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Hannah S. Bingeman
• Eby ID Number: 00004-857
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of Hannah S. Bergey

Notes:

Hannah S. Bergey," was married to John Bingeman."


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.].

____________________________________


On the 11th of June, in Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, of apoplexy, HANNAH, widow of John BINGEMAN, aged 80 years, 5 months, and 25 days. Her maiden name was Berge. She was a native of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She lived in wedlock forty-nine years and in widowhood nearly fourteen years, was the mother of fourteen children, nine of whom are still living, and leaves ninety-five grand-children and eighty-two great-grand-children. She was buried on the 13th in Ch. Eby's burying-ground. A funeral sermon was delivered by Pre. G. R. Smith from Eph. 2: 1, 5, and by Pre. Joseph Hegy from Rev. 14: 13.


Herald of Truth - Volume V, Number 8 - August, 1868, page 127, 128

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.].

________________________

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: 00009-1044.4

Hannes married Veronica Kühler 1762. Veronica was born Abt 1735, Of, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died , , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Veronica Bingeman
• Eby ID Number: 00009-1044.5

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00004-852

Notes:

Abraham Bergey," second son of old Hans Bergey, was born January 6th, 1743. On September 3rd, 1776, he was married to Salome Gorgas who died November 20th, 1782. After the decease of his first wife, he, on January 6th, 1786, was married to Esther, daughter of old Jacob Shantz, and sister to old Isaac Shantz, grandfather to all our Shantzes of this county. She died March 13th, 1821. They resided in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. To Mr. Abraham Bergey and his first wife were born three children, and to him and his second wife were born six 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.].

___________________

It's not clear what evidence that Abraham and his wife are buried at Keely's Cemetery. But then no tombstone has been found in any other cemetery either.

Cemetery, Keelys, North America, Montgomery County, and Keelys Cemetery. 1743. " Abraham Bergey (1743-1818) - Find A Grave...". Findagrave.Com. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53105359/abraham-bergey.

Abraham married Esther Shantz 6 Jan 1786. Esther (daughter of Jacob Shantz and Magdalena Erb) was born Abt 1743, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 13 Mar 1821. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Esther Bergey
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6533

Notes:

Esther Shantz, "was married to Abraham Berge. Their descendants are still to be found in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was the grandmother of Jonas Bingeman of Berlin."

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.].