Ralph Winston Gingrich

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-215459

Notes:

Gingrich, Ralph: Passed away peacefully at the KW Health Centre of Grand River Hospital on Friday September 7, 2012 at the age of 80.

Beloved husband of Wilma Gingrich. Loved father of Chris (Karen), Brian (Aline), Peggy Dieterle (Paul), Grant (Yvonne) and Beth White (Glenn). Dear brother of Doris Klein and Joyce Hopf (Gerald). Proud grandfather of Jason and Tyler Gingrich, Marc Plante, Craig Dieterle and Megan Vojinovic (Alex), Scott and Mandi Gingrich and John and Alex Choma.

Cremation has taken place. A private family Memorial Service was held at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener, 519-749-8467. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Grand River Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).Visit www.henrywalser.com for Ralph's memorial.

Ralph — Wilma. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Interesting: crime, accident, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-57047
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregatonalist
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer's Son, Father's Farm
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregatonal
• Occupation: 1926, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Elmiran Killed As Buses Crash Sylvester B. Gingrich Believed Struck by Careening Vehicle
By Record Staff Writer

Conestogo - Sylvester B. Gingrich, 52 of Elmira, was almost instantly killed early last night in a spectacular, two-bus crash at a slippery hilltop intersection near here. Gingrich died shortly after his stalled school bus was struck by another bus at Crowsfoot corner in a driving snowstorm. Exact manner in which he was killed has not been established but it is believed he was standing beside his empty bus and was struck by one of the careening vehicles.

Slid Into Ditch

The other bus involved, owned by Lishman Coach Lines and driven by Jack Lishman, Conestogo, was swung completely about and slithered into a 12-foot ditch. Neither Lishman nor any of his 12 passengers were injured. The Elmira District High School bus, owned by Gingrich, swung partially about and snagged on a fence which kept it from plunging down a depression. The tragedy was the second for the Gingrich family within a few months. Shortly before Christmas, a daughter, Grace, 11 died following an operation.

Road Was Icy

The crash occurred about 6: 13 p.m. on a road sheathed with icy snow. Scene of the crash was the point where the Bloomingdale-Conestogo road is joined by two roads from the north, one of them the road from Winterbourne on which Gingrich had been travelling. As Waterloo Township Police reconstruct the crash, the school bus entered the intersection with Gingrich intending to turn towards Conestogo. His bus apparently was stalled across the Bloomingdale-Conestogo road as the westbound Lishman bus came over the brow of a hill.

Says Bus Unlit

Lishman told police the school bus was unlighted and that he saw it only a scant second before the crash. The Conestogo driver said that in attempting to avoid it he wheeled his big vehicle to the north, hoping either to skirt the halted bus or swing his own bus into a sideroad. He was unable to avoid collision and his skidding bus apparently clipped the rear of the school bus, swinging it into the guard fence. The Lishman bus turned around and settled slowly into the deep ditch. So gradual was its swing and slide that change and a punch on the cash box were not knocked to the floor. Passengers were not even jolted from their seats. Lishman said the first he saw of the injured man was when he opened the bus doors and saw him lying on the snow nearby. Gingrich was apparently returning to Elmira after dropping the last of his student passengers shortly before. He had driven the school bus for many years. Strangely enough, it is believed had he been in his bus he would not have been seriously injured at all. Damage to the Lishman bus was estimated at $2,500. One side was crumpled in the slide into the ditch. Loss to the school bus was about $300.

Second Close Call

The 12-passengers in the Lishman bus, nine men and three women, were commuters returning to Conestogo from work in the Twin Cities. The bus was due in Conestogo at 6 p.m. but was running a few minutes late. For Lishman, the brush with death was his second in two years. In May, 1950, near Oakville, he escaped injury when a boat blew up and two men were killed. Waterloo Township Constable Thomas Livingstone was in charge of the crash investigation. The body is resting at the Dreisinger Funeral Parlor, Elmira, pending funeral arrangements.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record, January 23, 1952

______________________________


Stalled Bus Hit By Another; High School Bus Driver Dead

Sylvester B. Gingrich, 24 Factory [Riverside Drive] street west, Elmira District High School bus driver, was killed in a largely unexplained two-bus highway collision about 6: 30 p.m. Tuesday.

The accident occurred at the junction of the paved county Conestogo-Bloomingdale road which runs east and west, and the paved county road which runs north to Winterbourne. A gravelled sideroad also runs northeast from the junction which is known as the "crow's foot."

When the accident occurred, Mr. Gingrich's empty high school bus was stopped crosswise on the Conestogo-Bloomingdale road, facing south. Mr. Gingrich had discharged his load of high school students and was on his way home to Elmira from Winterbourne via Conestogo as usual. He apparently failed to make the right-hand turn toward Conestogo at the junction and then, for some unexplained reason, stopped his bus on the Conestogo-Bloomingdale road and got out of it.

Probably seconds later, a Lishman bus, driven by Jack Lishman and proceeding towards Conestogo on the Conestogo-Bloomingdale road, came down the grade toward the stalled bus. Mr. Lishman swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision but his bus struck the high school bus on its lefthand side toward the rear. The impact spun the high school bus around and it came to rest on the side of the road facing toward Bloomingdale. The Lishman bus also spun around in the same manner, and came to rest tilted precariously toward the sharp fall-away to the river flats.

Following the collision Mr. Gingrich was found dead on the road. Twelve passengers in the Lishman bus were uninjured, as was the driver. Woolwich Township Police Constable Thomas Livingstone investigated the accident.

Dr. Le Roy Wagner, Elmira, coroner, was called. Dr. Wagner said Mr. Gingrich had received a severe blow on the face, which had bruised rather than lacerated and had probably suffered a broken neck.

He said there would be no inquest. Police investigation has failed to disclose exactly where Mr. Gingrich was standing at the time of the collision. It may never be known whether he was struck by the Lishman bus or by his own bus after it was struck by another vehicle. Mr. Lishman said it was snowing heavily at the time and that he saw no lights on the high school bus although it was pitch dark at the time.

It is believed that the high school bus rear clearance light may have been on at the time and they couldn't be seen by Mr. Lishman because of the angle.

The road was icy - the result of soft snow and rain during the day. Passengers in the Lishman bus, sitting behind frosted and steamed windows were apparently unable to see out and had no warning of the collision. The Lishman bus was damaged to a greater extent than the high school bus but neither was damaged seriously.

Mr. Gingrich's bus served Elmira District High School students at Floradale, North Woolwich, West Montrose, Ariss, Winterbourne and intermediate points. Many of these students got to classes on their own Wednesday morning.

An emergency meeting of the board's transportation committee was held Wednesday morning and arrangements were made for a Lishman bus and driver to take over the route until permanent arrangements can be made.

Elmira Signet, Thursday, January 24, 1952

_________________________



Investigation Into Gingrich Death Upset By Toronto Newspaper Story

Fifty-three year old Sylvester B. Gingrich local grocer and Elmira District High School bus driver, died on the icy Conestogo-Bloomingdale road following a two-bus collision during a blinding snowstorm January 22, but his death is an unsolved mystery still under police investigation. That, and not much more, was made clear Monday when a Toronto newspaper, in a bylined article claiming Gingrich was a murder victim and not a traffic victim, broke the story while district newspapers, including the Elmira Signet, were assisting Waterloo Township Police Chief Hilbert Schedewitz and Waterloo County Crown Attorney Harold Dauffman by withholding comment on the case. Questioned by a Signet reporter Wednesday, January 30, eight days after Gingrich's death, Crown Attorney Dauffman confirmed he had ordered an autopsy and investigation was continuing. This information was published in The Signet of Thursday, January 3 [?]. At Mr. Dauffman's request, further information was withheld so that the investigation would not be hindered. During the next three weeks, the police quietly continued their investigation and were apparently making good progress when suddenly, following the Toronto newspaper's story, the case received widespread and undesirable publicity. When a Signet report on Wednesday of this week questioned Mr. Dauffman about the case and the Toronto newspaper's story, he said: "This has been a most unusual case and it has required painstaking and secret investigation. District newspapers including yours own (The Signet) were co-operating with us 100 per cent and their co-operation was proving to be of great assistance. When a Toronto newspaper publicized the case on Monday, the investigation received a severe set-back which is regrettable." Police Chief Schedewitz said: "I have absolutely no comment to make. Five weeks of careful investigation have gone down the drain as a result of the publicizing of this case by a Toronto newspaper. The Toronto newspaper's story described how a Lishman Bus Lines coach, driven by Jack Lishman, crashed into Gingrich's unlighted high school bus which was stopped diagonally across the road, and how following the collision, Lishman found Gingrich's body on the road. The story claimed the police are convinced Gingrich was the victim of a traffic accident but the victim of "an almost perfect murder." A Kitchener newspaper, following up the Toronto newspaper's story, on Monday reported Police Chief Schedewitz as flatly denying he is convinced Gingrich was murdered and as stating "the case is open... and we haven't reached any conclusions." Immediately following the two-bus collision and Gingrich's death, it was assumed he died of injuries received in a traffic accident and the body was released to a local undertaker. Continuing investigation apparently caused the police to believe that it was far from an "open and shut" case. Following the crash, Gingrich's high school bus was started without difficulty and all the lights worked. Why, the police asked, would an experienced bus driver leave his vehicle, apparently in good running order, parked across the road in the way of oncoming traffic, and without lights? A motorist saw a man sitting in Gingrich's lighted bus beside the road 25 minutes before the collision occurred. What happened during those 25 minutes? Who moved the bus onto the road and turned off the lights, and why? These were additional questions asked by the police as their investigation continued. The autopsy showed Gingrich died from a severe blow to the right side of the body. The blow shattered every rib on that side and the lung was punctured by bone fragments. The injuries were consistent with the type of collision which had occurred but his clothing apparently showed non of the marks usual in such cases. Why? A provincial pathologist examined the buses involved in the crash. He said neither vehicle showed signs of having struck a body. Their surfaces were free of blood and clothing fragments. What, then, caused Gingrich's fatal injuries? The Kitchener newspaper's follow-up story reports Police Chief Schedewitz as still not certain as to the cause of the injuries but certain that they were not caused by a lead pipe as was suggested in the Toronto newspaper's article. With so many questions unanswered, the police were apparently faced with the possibility that Gingrich did not die as a result of an accidental collision. There seemed to be reason to suspect that his death was not caused by the collision at all, which in turn suggested that the collision might not have been accidental. At this point the police apparently began to check the district for information which might reveal a motive for Gingrich's death. They found that he was a Woolwich Township native, who had operated a grocery store at West Montrose for 22 years before moving to Elmira three years ago, and who was widely respected. The check led to a man who had been staying at a Conestogo hotel and who had moved out the day following Gingrich's death. He was located in the Simcoe district and when the police saw him, their investigation took a startling turn. The man closely resembled William Patrick Ryan, Canada's 61-year-old public enemy No. 2. Ryan is sought by the R.C.M.P., Scotland Yard, the F.B.I. and New Zealand police. The man was taken to Kitchener and then to Toronto where his fingerprints did not match those of Ryan. After questioning he was released. Discovery of the "Ryan suspect" in Toronto probably led the Toronto newspaper reporter to Kitchener and Waterloo County where police were patiently working on the Gingrich case. It is reported the police have not overlooked the possibility that Gingrich was the victim of a hit-and-run driver. It is also reported that they are working on an entirely different theory which, if proved correct, would make the case a "fantastic" one. No matter what theory the police are working on, their reaction to Monday's newspaper stories, shows that the article disclosed information which may seriously hamper further investigation.

Elmira Signet, February 28, 1952

Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira records give Sylvester Gingrich's death date as January 22, 1952; burial in West Montrose cemetery.

Sylvester married Dorothy Letson 18 Feb 1926, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Dorothy (daughter of Isaac Levi Letson and Charlotte Ann McKenzie) was born 18 Feb 1907, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1995; was buried , West Montrose United Cemetery, West Montrose, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Dorothy Gingrich
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-170762
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregational
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregational
• Occupation: 1926, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Domestic

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00039-3196.5
• Occupation: 1906, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregationalist
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, Farm
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregrational

Notes:

NOAH H. GINGRICH

Noah H. Gingrich, 88, of Elmira died Wednesday, March 15, at the Elmira Private Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Born in Floradale June 15, 1872, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Johnn B. Gingrich. He was married to the former Judith Bauman in 1892 who died in 1905. His second wife, the former Ida Musselman predeceased him in 1960.

Mr. Gingrich farmed near West Montrose for 48 years moving to Elmira In 1940. He was a member of West Montrose United Church.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Clayton D. (Susanna) Miller, RR 2, Elmira and Mrs. Nelson (Mary) Sugg, RR 2, West Montrose. Also three brothers, John and Josiah of Grand Rapids, Mich., and David of Grand Blanc, Mich., 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by three brothers. one daughter Salina and one son Sylvester.

The body was at the Dreisinger funeral parlor Elmira until noon Saturday when removal was made to West Montrose United Church where a memorial service was held. Rev. D. M. Badger officiated. Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.

Noah married Judith S. Bauman 17 Aug 1893. Judith (daughter of Wendel H. Bauman and Magdalena Schneider) was born 5 Jul 1868, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Jun 1905, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , West Montrose United Cemetery, West Montrose, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Judith S. Gingrich
• Eby ID Number: 00002-158
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Judith Baumann, "the youngest child of Wendel and Magdalena (Snyder) Baumann, was born July 5th, 1868. On August 17th, 1893, she married Noah, son of John and Mary Ann (Hembling) Gingerich. They reside on a farm one and one-half miles north of West Montrose, in the township of Woolwich. Their family consists of one child, a daughter named Celina."


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.].

_________________

Gingrich.--On June 22, 1905 at West Montrose, Woolwich of pneumonia, Judith, beloved wife of Noah Gingrich, aged 36 y, 11 m, 17 d. Just four weeks before their eldest daughter, Selina aged 11 years, died of hip disease and blood poison. Both funerals were conducted by J. Geach, pastor of the United Brethren church of which they were members and by A. B. Gingrich of Elmina. May God comfort and bless the bereaved husband and his two motherless children


The Gospel Witness - Volume 1, Number 14 - July 5, 1905, page 108

______________



The home of Mr. Noah Gingrich has recently been visited by repeated and severe affliction. A few weeks ago occurred the demise of his little daughter Selina, a child of more than ordinary promise, and last week the mother died of pneumonia just in the prime of life. The little boy was also very ill, but is now, we are pleased to hear, considered out of danger. Miss Musselman, a trained nurse and graduate of one of the Toronto hospitals, was in attendance and rendered most valuable service. But it seemed as if all wise and infinite love was drawing the mother's spirit to that bright eternal home where faith, hope and love are forever triumphant. Those hands, so swift and skilful in ministering to the needs of others, are now at rest; that mind, so faithful, true and wise in building up and caring for her peaceful home on earth, now joins the spirits of the elect in the wondrous home of many mansions. Her remains were interred in the U. B. cemetery here on Monday forenoon, when a large number of friends paid a last tribute of respect to her memory. Rev'ds Geach and Ibbot conducted the funeral service in English, and the Mennonite pastor, Mr. Gingrich, gave a very earnest address in German. Earth has many a revered place of rest, but none more sacred than a mother's grave.

Other Events:

• Name: Levi Letson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56978
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Occupation: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregational
• Occupation: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm, own Farm
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregrational

Isaac married Charlotte Ann McKenzie 13 Sep 1905, , Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. Charlotte was born Aug 1878, Walkerton, Brant Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; died 19 Dec 1963, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , West Montrose United Cemetery, West Montrose, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Charlotte Ann Letson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-170761
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregational
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Congregational

Other Events:

• Name: Johann B. Gingerich
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3196
• Residence: 1869, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Immigration: 1 Aug 1899, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States

Notes:

John Gingerich, "was born July 24th, 1847. He is married to Mary Ann, daughter of William and Mary (Martin) Hembling. They reside in the town of Berlin and have a family of ten children... The two youngest 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.].

________________________________________________


Gingrich. - John B. Gingrich died at Grand Rapids, Oct. 29, 1919: aged 72 y. 3 m. He was a brother of Bishop A. B. Gingrich of Elmira, Ont. He lived most of his life in Waterloo Co., Ont. He moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., about twelve years ago. July 24, 1847 (actually his birth date not marriage), he was married to Mary Ann Hembling, who was for him a faithful helpmeet for over fifty years. To this union were born seven sons (Isaiah, John, Josiah, Jesse, Noah, William, and David) and one daughter (Mrs. Mary Schwartz) who died about a year ago. He is survived by seven sons, 22 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He was a member of the United Brethren in Christ for over forty years and was a bright and shining light wherever he went. Peace to his ashes.


Gospel Herald - Volume XII, Number 34 - November 20, 1919 - page 639

__________________________

The John B. Gingrich Account Book By Jim de Waal Malefyt

The John B. Gingrich "Account Book" was started in March of 1883 by John B. Gingrich when he lived in Floradale in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, Ontario. John was a blacksmith and was married to Mary Ann Hembling, daughter of deacon William Hembling. The account book has been handed down in this Gingrich family for several generations and was copied by the author in 1996. The book (20 cm x 32 cm) contains numbered pages of his business accounts with about 110 of his clients written in script at the top of each page. Names of his clients are listed below for reference to those interested in what their ancestors may have bought or had repaired at the blacksmith shop of John Gingrich in the late 1800s. A copy of the John B. Gingrich Account Book is on file at the Kitchener Public Library.

The business entries in this account book span a ten-year period from 1883 to 1893. Dates are located on the left side of the page. The middle contains the item John worked on or made or the barter item received. The last two columns on the left of each page contain the amount of credit, "Cr," or the cost of his service drawn, "Dr," from the account. Blacksmith items John worked on commonly included making, sharpening or repairing farm implements and attachments to horses such as shoes, "waggon tyres," harness rings, "wiffletrees,"1 harrow, sleigh, buggy, neckyoke, chains, and clevises2. Home and farm implements he made or repaired included sugar pan, hinges, meat hooks, chimney irons, shoe scraper, fork handle, thistle cutter and stove lids. In exchange for his services, John often accepted or bought wood, butter, apples, eggs, beef, oats, wheat, barley, pigs, or he accepted labor for threshing, digging potatoes, butchering or hauling manure.

Interspersed in the account book are some pages of interest to the genealogist. Page 155 contains John Gingrich's time-line from his birth on July 24, 1847 until 1883. Somewhat overlapping is another time-line on page 77 from his marriage on January 19, 1869, until his stroke in 1908. The births and marriages of John's and Mary's children are listed on pages 156 and 158 respectively. The family register of John's father-in-law, deacon William Hembling, is given on pages 112-113 and a short biography about how William Hembling was orphaned by the 1831 cholera epidemic and adopted by Isaac C. Shantz near Berlin.

John B. Gingrich was born on July 24, 1847 near Waterloo, Ontario, most likely in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, to John H. Gingrich and Anna Burkhart. John became a blacksmith and kept a business ledger in which he also wrote family events and dates. John wrote that he went to school at age four in 1851 and finished school in 1863 at age 15. Starting in April of 1864 he worked on the farm and then was bound out as a blacksmith apprentice in November. In 1865 he read the entire Bible and joined the Mennonite Church on August 5 at age 18. In 1866 he was baptized in the Mennonite Church, probably by bishop Joseph Hagey. In 1867 he was a blacksmith in Preston and in November he worked in North Woolwich. In 1868 he worked on deacon William Hembling's sleigh and made an acquaintance with the deacon's daughter, Mary Hembling. Mary Ann Hembling was born July 17, 1851 near Waterloo, Ontario, the daughter of deacon William Hembling and Mary Dirstein. Mary was the eighth of twelve children. She was baptized in 1868 by bishop Abraham W. Martin. On January 19, 1869, John B. Gingrich married Mary Ann Hembling. After John and Mary were married they moved into David Brubacher's house on February 2, 1869 and John worked for David that year. On January 6, 1870 John moved to Floradale near the Grand River. In 1871 John was recorded in the Waterloo County Census of Ontario as being a 23 year-old blacksmith, a Mennonite and of German origin. Ten years later in 1881, he built a new blacksmith's shop. In 1883 John joined the Temperance People and the Mennonite Brethren Church (MBC). This was the year he recorded his blacksmith accounts in the subject account book. The following year in 1884 he moved to Sand Hills. Nine years later, on January 19, 1893, John moved to Berlin, now Kitchener. During this time, John and Mary had ten children: Isaiah, Noah, William, John, Josiah, Jesse, David, Mary Ann, Edwin (died in infancy), and Anna (died in infancy). Many of the sons used the middle initial of "H," possibly for the "H" in Hembling, their mother's last name.

On August 1, 1899, John B. Gingrich moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where his oldest son, Isaiah, had moved in 1891. Evidently, John moved to Grand Rapids and rented a house at 89 North Pine Street, not too far from his son Isaiah's house at 326 First Street. Mary stayed behind and had to be persuaded by an interesting letter from John that he cared deeply for her and wanted her to come and take the train to Grand Rapids.

From page 77 of the account book, we learn that John continued working at various factories in Grand Rapids until his "stroke of paralysis" at age 60 in January of 1908. On June 29, 1904 John Gingrich had gone back to Canada to bury the former deacon William Hembling. William Hembling had moved to Grand Rapids to be with his daughter and son-in-law and died there of paralysis and old age on June 27, 1904 at age 85. His remains were taken by train and he was buried in the Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Woolwich Township. The costs of his funeral were listed on page 152 of the account book.

After his stroke, John Gingrich continued to earn income by becoming a "soap dealer." Pages 161 through 182 for the years 1909 through 1918 list the companies John bought supplies from for the business he operated out of his home on North Pine Street. He sold such items as Bonney Fleur perfume, laxative tabules, healing salve, vanishing cream, Red Rose toilet water, witch hazel cream and S.V. Soap.

John B. Gingrich died at the age of 72 on October 29, 1919 of kidney failure and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mary (Hembling) Gingrich died November 1, 1928 in Grand Rapids from a fractured hip and hardening of the arteries, at the age of 77. She also was buried by Rauschenberger in Greenwood Cemetery.

The John B. Gingrich "Account Book" provides us with a decade of information about the economic interactions which took place between a Mennonite blacksmith and many others who lived in Waterloo County in the late 1800s. These interactions between a blacksmith and his community of relatives and neighbours tell us of the tools, implements and services he provided, and the ways in which debts were settled. It provides us and their descendants with a rare glimpse of how they conducted business in the last century with the "village blacksmith

John married Mary Ann Hembling 19 Jan 1869, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Rev. William Hembling and Mary Derstein) was born 17 Jul 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 1868; died 1 Nov 1928, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Ann Gingrich
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3196.1
• Residence: 1851, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1869, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Residence: Woolwich Township German Company Tract 085, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00002-149
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Retired: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Wendel Baumann, "the oldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Baumann, was born August 29th, 1829. His boyhood days were spent on this father's farm three miles north of the town of Waterloo. On October 5th, 1850, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Baumann) Snyder, Jr. She was born January 21st, 1827 and died September 29th, 1893. On March 5th, 1850, they moved on their farm, being composed of lot No. 85, Germany Company's Tract, of the Township of Woolwich, about two miles north of St. Jacobs. Here he still resides with his youngest son, Wendel, who has rented the farm. Their family consists of nine children"


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

_____________

James Cain, a laborer on the farm of Wendel H. Bowman, Woolwich Twp., died of hydrophobia


Canada Christian Advocate, 26 Feb 1862

_______________________

There passed away last Saturday an aged and widely known resident of Woolwich township in the person of Wendel R. Bauman. His wife died several years ago, and of the large family only three children are living, namely, Menno living at Floradale, Mrs. Peter Ziegler at West Montrose, and Mrs. Joseph Musselman in Berlin. The burial took place at the Elmira Mennonite cemetery on Tuesday forenoon.

Elmira Advertizer 28 Apr 1909

___________________

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

Wendel married Magdalena Schneider 5 Mar 1850, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of Joseph Schneider and Mary Bauman) was born 21 Jan 1827, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Sep 1893, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Bauman
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5987
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Magdalena B. Schneider, "the only daughter of Joseph and Mary (Baumann) Schneider, was born in Waterloo Township, on lot No. 63, German Company's Tract, January 21st, 1827. On February 5th, 1850, she was married to Wendel, eldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Baumann."

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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Last Sunday the Old-Mennonite church was the scene of a large gathering of people who had come together to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Wendel H. Bauman. The deceased had passed the greater part of her lifetime in Woolwich township and was well known in this community.

Elmira Signet 05 Oct 1893 p. 4, col. 1

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Deaths: on the 29th ult., in Woolwich, Magdalen, wife of Wendel Bauman, aged 66 years, 7 months and 8 days.

Elmira Signet 05 Oct 1893 p. 5, col. 2

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56975P
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Brethren
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheran

Isaac — Margaret McElwain. Margaret (daughter of William McElwain and Martha Bennett) was born 10 Dec 1842, , Dufferin Co., Ontario; died 19 Mar 1912, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , West Montrose United Cemetery, West Montrose, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Letson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-56976P
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Brethren
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheran