John Bean

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-215575
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00008-1018
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1867, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Notes:

John S. Bean, "the second son, is married to Sarah Smith. He is a mechanic and resides in Galt where he is engaged in one of the large machine shops."

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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 married Sarah Eby "Sadie" Smith 4 Jul 1867, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of James Gordon Smith and Helen R. "Ellen" Glover) was born 4 May 1847, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Jul 1928, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States; was buried , Roseland Park Cemetery, Berkley, Oakland, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Eby "Sadie" Bean
• Eby ID Number: 00008-1018.1
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1867, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1881, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1900, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States

Other Events:

• Name: Johannes Biehn
• Name: John Bean
• Eby ID Number: 00008-1014
• Residence: 1835, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Bean, "the fifth member in the family, was born about the year 1812. He was married to Annie, daughter of John and Barbara (Groh) Sheirich. She was born October 25th, 1818. After their marriage they moved to Wilmot Township, near Haysville, Ontario, where she died March 31st, 1881. To them was born 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.].

_________


WATERLOO COUNTY PIONEER'S INTERESTING HISTORY

Story of Life of Late John Bean who Settled in Wilmot Township in 1835. - Thrilling Adventure on the High Seas.

It is to be regretted that in the rush of modern life there is a tendency to forget those who, in the days long since gone by, through hardship and sacrifice made possible the advantages and privileges we now enjoy.

We become so occupied with the affairs of the moment that we frequently fail to appreciate the fact that there are certain benefits to be derived from a study of our ancestors. "Nature," says Emerson in his essay on History, "is an endless combination and repetition of a very few laws. Generation after generation she hums the same old air with innumerable variations." To gain a clear insight into the Present it is imperative that we study the Past.

The study of family history is frequently made difficult by the fact that no person has assumed the re- sponsibility of recording it. The duties of the family historian are invariably arduous, too often unremunerated, and the result is that this task is avoided. Fortunate, indeed, is the community where some public-spirited citizen or organization sponsors the task of compiling and preserving the records of the splendid men and women who, in days gone by, laid the foundations. of our present society.

In the old Stauffer Cemetery, one mile south of Haysville, sleep some two score persons, among them four or five of Wilmot's early pioneers. Their names are for the most part unfamiliar to the younger generation and their descendants have scattered far afield. But there is one outstanding exception, one whose descendants remain to take a part in the affairs of Waterloo County, one who by his activities a half a century ago left his impress on the community. It is with his and his ancestral history that the writer of this article wishes to deal.

Grave of John Bean.

Two plain stones mark the spot where lies the last mortal remains of John Bean (formerly spelled Biehn) and his wife Anna (Shiery) Bean. Born near the village of Doon in 1815, John Bean, accompanied by his young wife, came to South-West Wilmot in the year 1835, where he bought 200 acres of land from the Canada Company, the north half of which is now known as the Bean homestead. There he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1898, his wife predeceasing him by 17 years. His younger son, Isaac, now the only surviving member of his family, lives retired on the homestead and now in his 79th year enjoys the distinction of having spent nearly four-score years on the farm where he was born. Fred Bean, second son of Isaac, now owns and operates the old homestead.

History of "John Biehns"

John Bean, the subject of this sketch, came of a long line of progenitors of the same name, the Christian name "John" evidently being a favorite in the Bean family since we know his father, grandfather and great grandfather bore that name. The curtain rises on the Bean history in the year 1700, when in a canton in Switzerland between Zurich and Berne, the first John Bean, of whom we have record, was born. As is the way of the world he grew up, married, and begot children and in the year 1742 when his son John was five years old, decided to seek his fortune and freedom in America. Accompanied by friends and relatives he engaged passage on a vessel that sailed from a French port. This voyage to the new world was so eventful that the adventures encountered therein might well have been taken from the stirring tales of Robert Louis Stevenson. A voyage with a climax 80 dramatic and savouring 90 strongly of barratry and piracy on the high seas that it could well be classed with the truth that is stranger than fiction. This adventure was given little publicity in the early days for the simple reason that the tenets of the religious beliefs of the earlier Beans frowned on the use of force even in a just cause. In order to avoid the semblance of an anti-climax in this sketch the telling of this tale will be deferred until the close of the narrative.

Reaching America, the Beans settled in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where they followed the occupation of farming for many years. The five-year-old lad of the eventful voyage grew up and married a maiden named Barbara Fried. Of the six children of this union the one born in 1776 was named John, who was the father of the Wilmot pioneer.

Trek to Canada.

After spending half a century in Pennsylvania, the Beans decided to seek their fortunes further afield and in the year 1800 the John Bean, branch of the family began a long "trek" to Canada, while another section, the Paul Bean branch, moved to Texas and from that time. to this the two branches have never been in touch with each other. A few years ago the Saturday Evening Post in an article descriptive of early days in the "Pan-Handle State mentioned particularly a Judge. Bean who was an outstanding exponent of law and order when that state was rife with banditry and outlawry. The Canadian Beans have often wondered if he were one of the Paul Bean branch.

Settle in Waterloo County.

Just 134 years ago the John Bean family came to Waterloo County, bringing with them 9 covered wagons, 22 horses and a number of cattle. The major difficulties encountered were on the trip through the Alleghany Mountains, the crossing of the Niagara River and the penetration of the great Beverley swamp. They took up 3600 acres of land near Tow-town (now Doon) purchased from Robert Beasley, and John Baptist James Wilson and John Roseneau, the contract being signed July 18th, 1800. This land, known as the Bean tract, extended from the bend of the river at Doon to just west of Blair. The John Bean born in 1776 (father of the Wilmot pioneer) was married to Nancy Ann Bechtel in 1799 and their oldest child, Mary, born in 1800, was the first white child born in Waterloo County. She married John P. Saltzberger in 1819 and died December 29, 1888. There is a rival claimant for this honour but the Beans assert that the honour rightfully belongs to them. This John Bean had a combination grist and sawmill at Tow-town, which he sold to a man named Ferry. The name of the village was then changed to Ferry's Mills and later to Doon.

Had Fine Character.

John Bean, the Wilmot pioneer, had certain qualities that were characteristic of of the Beans history knew them. Quiet of speech, as refraining from interfering in the affairs of others, loving truth and fair play, he won the respect and esteem of his neighbours and associates. A faithful member of the Mennonite Church, he donated the land where now stands Bean's Mennonite Church.

A medium-sized man, inclined to be slight in build, he possessed the ability to perform his work on the farm with a facility that his appearance belied. Many a man working with him for the first time and anticipating an easy time in keeping pace with Mr. Bean found to his surprise and chagrin that his task was no sinecure. Measured and steady were the blows of his axe,

no hurry, no waste-motion, but with a rythm of stroke that was the same at the close of the day as in the morning. Of a quiet and peaceful, disposition, he was, like many quiet men, fearless when aroused. He resented injustice in any form and an incident is told that illustrates this characteristic. An agitation to build the first school in this pioneer settlement was being opposed by a certain ratepayer for obviously selfish reasons. At a public meeting, where this man was airing his views, Mr. Bean arose and denounced his attitude so scathingly that listeners for years afterward referred to his reply as a "classic". Perhaps he inherited this faculty of rising to the occasion from his great grandfather who, as referred to earlier in the narrative, participated in an unusual adventure which was as follows:

Colorful Ocean Voyage.

In the year 1712 the Beans, with a number of compatriots, set sail for America. They secured passage on a vessel that was leaving from a port in the Bay of Biscay. Who owned the vessel, of what nationality were the captain and crew, the compiler of this narrative could not ascertain. In the light of what happened envoyage cannot conceivably imagine that they were British. When they were at sea two months (a crack liner now makes the trip in less than a week) things began to go wrong. The passengers were informed by the captain that the food supply was running low and it was imperative that they be put on short rations. Shortly after this, disease broke out and many passengers sickened and died. Still, there was nothing unusual in this, just the fortune of the sea and what one might expect. But there were certain other things that were out of the ordinary. No sooner were the unfortunate victims of disease consigned to the ocean than any possessions they had aboard were confiscated by the ship's officials. Suspicion grew among the passengers that they were the victims of a nefarious plot that the issuing of short rations was not because of low supplies but just a diabolical method of undermining the vitality of these peace-loving emigrants in order to secure their possessions when they ultimately succumbed to starvation and disease, that the captain could land them in a short time if he so desired, but was deliberately keeping the vessel at sea. Then, on the 82nd day at sea, the drama opened in earnest. By one bold stroke the passengers seized the captain and crew and took possession of the ship. They made an investigation and their worst suspicions were confirmed, there was plenty of food on board ship. An ultimatum was then issued to the captain-forty-eight hours to land the passengers or pay the penalty of death. The captain, while scoundrel, was no fool. He read in the faces of the aroused people an inexorable purpose. Their lives and the lives of their children jeopardized by his villainy, they had reached a point where they would do exactly as they had stated. Had this captain been hundreds of miles at sea he certainly would have been in a tough "spot". But fortunately for himself, he was not. Under his direction the helm was turned and in one-half the time stipulated the passengers were landed on a point on the eastern coast of America. Overjoyed at their deliverance, they knelt and offered up a prayer of thanksgiving, and reverting to their former habit of thought, forgave the captain and crew, permitting them to sail away without inflicting well- deserved punishment.

Waterloo Chronicle, 25 Oct 1934, p. 4

_____________________

John Biehn.

Here is an individual who can be aptly called the "Grand Old Man" of this section. He was born May 12, 1813 He was married to Barbara (Groh) Sherich in 1834. She was born Oct. 25, 1818, and died March 31, 1881. They had eleven children. They came to Wilmot on June 16, 1834, and settled in the wilderness, and cleared up the farm upon which he now lives a retired life. When they arrived they erected a log cabin, cut a hole in the side for a door, put down some loose boards and started house- keeping. Their first child, Barbara, was born in this humble pioneer home, and was the first child born in the neighborhood. For some time Mr, Biehn's brother Jacob, lived with them. At that time the old four in hand stage coach then travelled between Niagara and Goderich, and often it would require seven hours to reach Stratford, a distance of seventeen miles. Deer were in abundance, and if other delicacies happened to be conspicuously scarce in the cabin larder, venison would often form a savory morsel for the festal board. Despite the drawbacks and privations incident to a pioneer life, Mr. Biehn succeeded in clearing up a 200 acre farm and provided for his children.

On May 12th next he will have attained the advanced age of eighty- five years. Yet he has a mind as perfect as one in the vigor of youth, and is an agreeable conversationalist. In the latter particular be does not exhibit the least sign of old age. What surprised me most was to see this octogenarian read with ease small newspaper print without the aid of glasses. He uses neither tobacco or intoxicating liquor. He informed the writer that on one occasion he smoked tobacco to cure the toothache, but it made him dizzy without having any permanent beneficial effect upon the offensive molar, and he has not used the weed since. He has also had some narrow escapes in his time. Once when he was down in a well, the man at the top accidentally let a stone drop on his head. He was drawn up in a dazed condition, but soon after recovered without serious results. About thirteen years ago he fell from a load of hay with a pitchfork in his hands. In this mishap be injured his neck, and broke the crystal of his watch. He will converse for hours without a sign of fatigue, and his memory is remarkably keen. His present robust physical condition would indicate that he will easily reach the century mark.

In my next letter I will endeavor to give some very interesting sketches of Haysville and vicinity.

H. N.

Waterloo County Chronicle, 21 Apr 1898, p. 8

John married Anna Scheirich 3 Nov 1835, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of John Scheirich and Barbara Groh) was born 25 Oct 1818, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 31 Mar 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Stauffer Abandoned Cemetery, Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Biehn
• Eby ID Number: 00100-5565
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Anna Scheirich, "was born October 25th, 1818, and died March 31, 1881. She was married to John Biehn. They resided in Wilmot Township, near Haysville, where she 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/194303330
• Occupation: , Prince Edward Island, Canada; ship carpenter
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-245313
• Land: 25 Feb 1838, Wilmot Township - Concession 2 Lot 28, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Notes:

CHURCH HILL FARM.

He who sees interest in relics of antiquity and articles that were useful before those who live in the present century were born, can revel to their heart's content if he pays a visit to this lovely old home. It is in the heart of an agricultural section especially favored by nature, and most beautifully adorned by the hand of man. The Church Hill farm derives its name from the fact that about one hundred yards to the northeast of the residence, on a slight incline, stands the English church, the first in the neighborhood. Through an opening in its wealth of evergreen foliage we get a glimpse of its square tower, a new feature erected for the reception of its monster bell, bequeathed by the late Samuel Mark in 1896. The land upon which the edifice stands, together with that taken up by its sacred dead, was given by the Canada Company soon after the Huron road opened up this section for settlement. The bell is probably the largest of any country church bell in Western Ontario.

The residence of the Church Hill farm (is yet an unpretentious affair), but its environments are particularly homelike on account of its profuse display of evergreen foliage and ornamental shrubbery, a feature for which the homes along the Huron road, from Haysville to its terminus, are most conspicuous. The farm, which comprises one hundred and three acres, is described as lot No. 28, second concession, three miles south of New Hamburg. It was originally part of a six hundred acre tract purchased from the Canada Company by the late Henry Puddicombe, and came into the possession of the late James Gordon Smith on February 25, 1838. It was then a dense wilderness. Smith was born at Rustico, Prince Edward Island, April 7, 1801, and died in 1871, aged 70 years. I take this record from the old family Bible, printed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1795. He was a ship carpenter by trade. The farm, which he purchased for four dollars per acre, he cleared up himself. He experienced many hardships and privations after leaving his island home, having walked a distance of one thousand and ten miles before he reached his destination in the wilds of Upper Canada. His first trip was in 1836. But he remained only a short time, for we learn that after framing a barn for Henry Puddicombe he returned to Prince Edward Island, coming out again in 1838, bringing with him his wife and family.

His son, William Glover Smith, became heir to the property. He was also born in Prince Edward Island, the date of his birth being February 28, 1833. He was married to Margaret Cullom in 1877. The fruits of this union were two children, one son and one daughter. The daughter is deceased, and Allen Radcliffe Glover, living with his widowed mother at the old homestead, is the sole surviving heir to the estate. The father had a wide circle of acquaintances, and his death, which occurred suddenly on May 10, 1899, was deeply regretted by his neighbors who had known him so long. At one time he was acting captain of the New Hamburg company of volunteers. He was a patriot of the true type and took an active and interested part in affairs military. He was among the first to answer the call for volunteers when this country was threatened by the memorable Fenian invasion of 1866. For meritorious services in that brief campaign he was one among other heroes recently recognized by the Government in the way of being awarded a medal. The mother and son expect soon to receive this emblem of gratitude from a grateful Government. Deceased was also a member of the Township Board of Health for many years.

Allen Radcliffe, the son, is an energetic, enterprising young man. While the education he has received was only what the public school of his neighborhood afforded, he would be taken by the stranger as a bright, young college youth. He was born January 14. 1879. Though yet young in years he gives evidences of splendid creative ability, and manages the affairs of the farm in a manner from which much older heads could learn a profitable lesson. He has a remarkable penchant for preserving old family heirlooms, and his collection of articles of antiquity would supply a good-sized museum. Of the collection of old relics I will take pains to mention a few of the most rare: letter written on October 21, ...
[not microfilmed] and minerals, Indian ornaments, an old bond dated September 6, 1787, a Ready Reckoner, 1790, a pair of brass spurs stamped with the year 1501, a walking hazel cane used in olden times for opening gates while on horseback, is 150 years old, clock brought from Barnstable, England, in 1799, a pair of deer horns which his grandfather purchased from the Indians, their dinners being the price paid, a set of tools brought from England in 1799. In addition to the latter list there are many articles of a later date. The collection of old coins is also a very rare and valuable one, and his collection of foreign and domestic stamps is one of considerable value.

While enumerating this collection of things of a past day and generation, the writer had his attention called to a remarkable instance or kindness and consideration for man's noblest friend in the brute creation. In the stalls of the stable are three grey horses whose respective ages are twenty-five, twenty-six and twenty seven, that have been in the possession of the family ever since they were colts. Despite their advanced ages they are still full of life and spirit, the oldest being used in ploughing sod at the time of my visit.

For the past five months an unusual activity has been going on at the Smith homestead. This was the result of a decision to rebuild the old barn.

The raising of the new bank barn, 62x72 in dimensions, in place of the old structure erected in 1846, took place on June 3rd, 1899. About 120 men were present to take part in the raising. Four purlin plates, each 60 feet long, taken from one stick of Wilmot pine by a whip saw nearly fifty years ago for the old barn, and perfectly sound to-day, were used in the new frame. Forty cords of stone were used in the foundations, which have been pointed in the best manner possible. The stables are floored with Napanee cement, the posts are of finely turned cedar, to be surmounted by neat ornaments, and the stalls, etc., are nicely finished in the best white ash lumber. The frame is enclosed with the best quality of planed lumber, battened and painted. Some 16,000 feet of lumber was used in its construction. The interior has been laid out in a manner to meet every requirement as to convenience. Tiny colt boxstalls, neatly finished and supplied with the latest improved troughs and fixtures for convenience in feeding the youngsters, is a feature that is strikingly novel in a farm building. Mr. Smith, the young proprietor, has devised a system of ventilation and waterworks for the new building that is worthy the special attention of farmers. The stables are supplied with water from a cement reservoir on an elevation a short distance from the barn. The top of the building is surmounted by three ventilators, the centre being an octagon from which will appear the figure of a horse. Behind the stabling is a long cellarway, with a capacity for 7,000 bushels of roots.

I have visited a good many barns in the past year or so, but none have I seen where greater pains have been taken for convenience and neatness in the construction of a barn than in this one.

Waterloo County Chronicle, 2 Nov 1899, p. 6

____________

Smith, James Gordon. - Born in Prince Edward Island in 1801, came to Wilmot in 1836, walking the 1010 miles on snow shoes. He returned to P. E. I. and brought his wife and five children in 1837, taking up the farm now owned by his grandson, Alan R. G. Smith. Six children were subsequently born on the homestead. The names of the children are, Ann, Mrs. John Allchin, deceased, Gordon Smith, Stratford, deceased, Henry, Dubuque, Iowa, deceased, Elizabeth, Mrs. Gideon Weaver, Jane, Mrs. John Helmer, deceased, Ellen, Mrs. Jonathan Cook, Sarah, Mrs. John Bean, Wm. G. Smith, of the homestead, deceased, Sarah, Mrs. Benjamin Eby, deceased, Margaret Eliza, Mrs. Major Robert Campbell, deceased, Mary H., Mrs. W. R. Plum, New Hamburg. The home of Mr. Smith was and still is much noted for its open hearted hospitality and was a favorite stopping place for the clergy of the period.

Church of England, An Historical Sketch of the Parish of Wilmot 1828-1913, Diocese of Huron, Ontario, New Hamburg, Canada by Charles James Fox, Sep 1913

James — Helen R. "Ellen" Glover. Helen was born 1808, , Scotland; died 25 May 1878; was buried , Saint James Anglican Cemetery, Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194303426
• Name: Ellen Glover
• Name: Helen R. "Ellen" Smith
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-245314
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41603273
• Name: John Biehn
• Eby ID Number: 00008-976
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Biehn's Tract Lot 01, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John Biehn, " the eldest son of John and Barbara (Fried)Biehn, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1776. In 1799 he was married to Nancy, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Hoch) Bechtel. In 1800 they with his parents and family, and others moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County where now is the village of Doon. Here they resided until their deaths. Their family consisted 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.].

Johannes married Anna "Nancy" Bechtel 1799. Anna (daughter of Abraham Bechtel and Mary Hoch) was born CA 1777, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died , Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67850383
• Name: Anna "Nancy" Biehn
• Name: Nancy Bechtel
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0810

Notes:

Anna Bechtel "daughter of IV Abraham and Mary (Hoch) Bechtel, was married to John Biehn. They resided at Doon, Ontario, where 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.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201938789
• Name: John Shiry
• Eby ID Number: 00100-5561
• Military: 1812; War of 1812
• Residence: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

John Scheirich "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 4th, 1787. He came to Canada with his parents when eighteen years of age. When some twenty years old he was married to Barbara Groh who was born May 28th, 1784, and died November 28th, 1858. They resided on his father's place near Berlin where both died. His death took place April 3rd, 1862. Their family consisted 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.].

____________________

"... On the 18th day of June, 1812, President Madison declared war against England. This placed the Pennsylvania people in a very trying position and as they could not be induced to take up arms, they were pressed into service as teamsters and were obliged to furnish their own horses. Ox-teams were employed when no horses were to be had. Those who were required to serve in this capacity were Christian Schneider Jr., Peter Erb, Joseph Eby, Samuel Eschelman, Benjamin Springer, Frederick Herner, Jacob Bock, Henry Pannebecker, John Scheirich, Henry Wismer, John Biehn, Adam Shupe and Wildfong.

In January, 1813, General Proctor defeated the Americans near Detroit, capturing General Wilkinson with 500 men. In September General Harrison having been joined by a fierce body of riflemen from Kentucky, advanced towards Detroit in such force that General Proctor crossed the Detroit River and retreated up the Thames. On being followed by the American Army of 3500 men, he made a stand at Moraviantown with 800 British and 500 Indians under Tecumseh. This warrior was killed, and Proctor retreated in great confusion to Burlington Heights in order to join the Niagara Army. A number of the Waterloo people were up at the battle on the Thames. These Waterloo boys acting as teamsters had taken shelter in a swamp near by while the battle was being fought. An officer of the British army, seeing that all was lost, gave them warning, said 'Boys, all is lost, clear out and make the best you can,' upon which some ran, while others unhitched their horses and rode off for their lives. Christian Schneider Jr., who carried the money-safe on his wagon, cleared out on his horses, leaving the wagon with all its contents behind. In this defeat old Adam Shupe was taken prisoner by the Americans. He was taken before General Harrison who, perceiving his innocent and harmless appearance, dismissed him and granted him permission to return to his Canadian home. He lost both his horses and wagon. Christian Schneider was away the greater part of the summer. On his first trip he had a two-horse team. After being home a few weeks he had to go again, this time with a four-horse team. During this war which lasted a little more than two years, quite a number of small battles were fought in the Niagara Peninsula and in the vicinity of Detroit. Quite a few of these Pennsylvania Dutch boys were pressed to serve as teamsters and exposed to all manner of danger, but strange to say, not one lost his life through the war.

On the 24th of December, 1814, peace was made between England and the United States, leaving each in exactly the same position as they had been before the war. After peace was restored the government of Canada fully compensated those teamsters for their losses during the war and for their valuable services. Christian Schneider Jr. was paid $5.00 a day for the time he served with a two-horse team, and $8.00 per day for a four-horse team, besides they were paid for horses and wagons that were lost during the time they served the government."


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 married Barbara Groh Abt 1807. Barbara (daughter of Michael Groh and Elizabeth Witmer) was born 28 May 1784, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 28 Nov 1858, Near Hespeler, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Scheirich
• Eby ID Number: 00045-3404

Notes:

Barbara Groh, "the third daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Witmer) Groh, was born May 28th, 1784. She was married to John Scheirich who came to Canada in 1805. They resided near Berlin, on the farm now possessed by George Histand. Their family consisted of several 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.].