Levi Erb Seibert

Other Events:

• Interesting: accident, story, misfortune, funeral
• Eby ID Number: 00109-6507
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Military: 1871, Winterbourne, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Winterbourne Militia Company
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Journeyman
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; --
• Residence: 1872, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; carpenter
• Occupation: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Undertaker
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Undertaker
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; undertaker
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Undertaker
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Misfortune: 1932, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died of injuries - hit by motor truck

Notes:

Levi Seibert, "was born August 2nd, 1846. He is married to Magdalena Wüst and resides in Berlin where he is engaged as an undertaker by The Simpson Company. His family consists of three children".


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

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Then there was Levi Seibert in charge of "Daddy" Simpson's Undertaking Parlors for twenty-five years, a tribute to the good work of the employee and the good appreciation of employer and the public, for the management of such a department requires great tact and unlimited good judgment and not a small amount of patience. He is still retained to manage that department for Schreiter' s.


Official souvenir of the celebration of cityhood, July 17th 1912, Berlin, Ontario, The German Printing and Publishing Co

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Levi Erb Siebert - At the ago of seventy-eight, Levi E. Seibert is the oldest man engaged in his line of business, that of embalmer and funeral director, in this part of the Province, and probably in Ontario. His work brings him into the home in the hour of its darkest sorrow, and his fine consideration and sincere sympathy have won for him the regard and lasting friendship of those he has served. The founder of this branch of the family in Canada was Jacob Seibert, grandfather of Levi Erb Seibert, a native of Wahlfrshbach, in Rhein-Bavaria. From there he brought his bride, whose maiden name was Stein, and they settled in Waterloo Township. He was a man of considerable means and he bought a large acreage of woodland. This was cleared and developed into a fertile farm. His last days were spent with one of his sons in Caledonia, Michigan. His son, Jacob Stein Seibert, was born in Waterloo Township, and died there at the age of eighty-two. He learned the trade of carpenter, and early in life established himself in business as a building contractor. In 1856 he retired from that business to become a general merchant at Bridgeport, Ontario. While this venture was successful, his old business never lost its appeal, and after a few years he sold the store and resumed contracting. He continued thus engaged until he was compelled to retire on account of his health at the age of sixty-eight. He married Magdalena Erb, daughter of David Erb, both of them natives of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Of their three children, Levi E. was the only one who grew to maturity. Upon the death of his first wife, Jacob S. Seibert married her sister, Elizabeth Erb, and from this union six children were born, of whom four grew up: Aaron E., of Hamilton; Frank (deceased); Elizabeth, died aged 16; and Jacob, of Kitchener.

Levi Erb Seibert attended the elementary schools of Berlin (now Kitchener) and the Berlin grammar school until he was eighteen. He then learned the trade of cabinet-maker and followed it as a journey-man until 1883. In July of that year he established himself in business as an undertaker. He was successful from the beginning and has continued actively engaged in that business until the present time. In 1919 the business was joined with that of the Schreiter Furniture Company, Limited, and Mr. Seibert became a member of the company and has continued as manager of the undertaking department of the business. He has officiated at more than seven thousand funerals. Mr. Seibert's fraternal memberships include the Woodmen of the World, Maccabees, and Canadian Order of Foresters.

Levi Erb Seibert married, December 25, 1872, Magdalena Wuest, daughter of Joseph Wuest, of Waterloo Township. This union has been blessed with three children: 1. William who died unmarried. 2. Joseph M., who married Mary Heyd; she died leaving two children; William Henry R, (now deceased). Mr. Seibert is a member of the Evangelical Church, while Mrs. Seibert is identified with the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

The Province of Ontario - A History 1615-1927," Vol 4, pg 392 (pub 1927)

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Veteran Funeral Director Passes Away at Kitchener
Levi Seibert Victim of Accident. Aged 85 Years and Active Almost to Last

Waterloo County's oldest and best known funeral director, Levi Seibert, aged 85, died on Wednesday, March 2nd, at the K & W Hospital as a result of injuries sustained when hit by a motor truck, Feb. 23. Mr. Seibert was until August, 1928, manager of Schreiter's Funeral Home. He continued active until his accident. Harry Osborne, driver of the truck, is being held on $500 bail. Mr. Osborne stated that Seibert stepped into the path of his car in Hall's Lane. The late Mr. Seibert was born two miles north of Waterloo on August 2, 1846, a son of Mr. and Mrs Jacob Seibert. After receiving training at the School of Embalming at Toronto, he became manager with Simpson and Aldous and later with Simpson, Anthes and Merner, Canada Furniture Co., and finally of Schreiter's Limited. On Dec. 26, 1872, he married Magdalena Wuest, who died Nov. 13, 1928. There survive one son, Joseph and one brother Jacob Seibert. The funeral was held from Schreiter's Funeral Home on Saturday. Interment was made I Mount Hope Cemetery. Rev. G. F. Barthel of Zion Church officiated.

Waterloo Chronicle, March 10, 1932

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A poem found with Levi's death notice in the newspaper
Levi Siebert Died March 2, 1932. In charge of Schreiter's Funeral Service from 1885-1928.

He was a faithful, kindly friend
A friend we all did know,
He sympathised with everyone
In times of trial and times of woe.
His task was oft a thankless one
When called at break of dawn -
To some far off, death-stricken home,
To care for one who'd gone.

We've often thought him heartless
When he came to dress our dead.
We've thought he didn't see our grief
Or care that eyes were red.
But now we know our grief was his.
His heart was heavy too;
He did the last few kindly deeds
That one could ever do.

He's closed the lids o'er sightless eyes,
He's touched with reverent care
The lips that used to smile so sweet,
The face that was so fair.
He's folded hands so tenderly
Across the shrunken breasts,
As he prepared the cast-off shell
For its eternal rest.

Now, in his place there's someone else,
Must do these deeds of love,
For he is in a happier land
In clouds of heaven above.
Let's give him praise, where praise is due,
And ne'er forget this friend,
His memory will linger on
Until our journey's end.

Levi married Magdalena Wuest 26 Dec 1872, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of Joseph Wuest and Charlotte Rickert) was born 8 Feb 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 27 Apr 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. William H. R. Seibert was born 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Joseph Milton Seibert was born 10 Jul 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1957; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Elma L. Seibert was born 1880, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00109-6506
• Immigration: 1827, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Brethren
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpentry Refinishing

Notes:

Jacob S. Seibert, "was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 4th, 1823. On October 28th, 1845, he was married to Magdalena Erb who was born October 8th, 1823, and died January 2nd, 1849. After her decease Mr. Seibert was married to Elizabeth Erb, sister to his first wife. She was born February 7th, 1825. They reside in Bridgeport where he followed his trade (Cabinet maker and builder) for many years but now they live retired. His 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.].

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Lived in County Nearly 80 Years - Death of Jacob S. Seibert In His 82nd Year. - For 65 Years a Resident of Bridgeport - Jacob S. Siebert died at the residence of his son Jacob, Jr., Albert Street, Berlin, at 7 am, on Sunday in his 82nd year. Deceased was one of the earliest pioneers of Waterloo County. He was born in Germany and came to Canada with his parents when he was two years old, the family settling in Wilmot. Deceased moved to Bridgeport 62 years ago and was a resident of that village uninterruptedly until six months ago when he moved with his son Jacob to Berlin. He is survived by four sons. They are Levi, Jacob and Frank, all of Berlin, and Aaron, of Bridgeport. The funeral takes place tomorrow at 2 pm from the house to the Bridgeport burial grounds.

Unidentified Newspaper Obituary

Jacob married Magdalena Erb 28 Oct 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of David G. Erb and Nancy W. Eby) was born 8 Oct 1823, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Jan 1849; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Seibert
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2839
• Residence: 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Magdalena E. Erb, "was born October 8th, 1823, and died January 2nd, 1849. On October 28th, 1845, she was married to Jacob Seibert who was born July 4th, 1823. They had a family of three children"

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

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00109-6505
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

Notes:

Jacob Seibert, "whose parents were natives of Switzerland, was born in Bavaria, Germany, about the year 1798. In 1822 he was married to Elizabeth Stein who was born probably in 1800 (She was two years his junior in age). In the year 1827 they, with their family of one child, emigrated to America and settled in Welland County, Ontario, nearly opposite the city of Buffalo, New York, where they resided for a little more than a year. From here they moved to Waterloo County and settled temporarily a little east of Berlin. (In the old log house that stood at the side of the road on Mr. Jas. Brubacher's farm, along this marsh where now Peter M. Weber resides). From here they moved to Wilmot Township and settled on lot No. 4,(Farm now possessed by C. Deitrich) Upper Road, where they resided until their family had arrived at maturity. When old the parents made their home with their son, John, who resides at Petoskey, Michigan, where she died in August, 1870, and he died in 1876. To them was born a family of 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.].

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It is possible that Jacob was married 18 Mar 1828 in Waldfischbach, Bayern, Germany. More research is needed.

Jacob — Elizabeth Stein. Elizabeth was born 1797, , Bavaria, Germany; died Aug 1870, Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Seibert
• Eby ID Number: 00109-6505.1
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200542536
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2836
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer

Notes:

David Erb, "the eldest of the family, was born in Pennsylvania, February 21st, 1797. He was nine years of age when his parents moved to Canada and settled in this County. He was married to Nancy, eldest daughter of George and Barbara (Wenger) Eby. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, October 13th, 1801, and died March 4th, 1887. Soon after their marriage they moved a little north-east of the town of Waterloo, on the farm now possessed by Jacob Groff. Here they resided many years, but after their family was raised they sold the farm and moved to Bridgeport, Ontario, where they resided until his death which took place August 25th, 1883. After his death she had her home with her daughter, Susan, who resides in Thedford, Huron County, where she died a few years afterwards. They had a family of ten children"

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

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Bridgeport United Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Zion United Church

A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob, was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider. The church was dedicated on September 25th of that year, with Rev. Christian Hummel of Buffalo, New York, officiating. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was pastor from 1840-1842. In 1842 the Waterloo Mission became a Circuit of the East Pennsylvania Conference. Two years later it was part of the New York Conference.

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

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

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

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

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Emmanuel United Church

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

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

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

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

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

David — Nancy W. Eby. Nancy (daughter of George S. Eby and Barbara Wenger) was born 13 Oct 1801, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 4 Mar 1887, Thedford, Lambton Co., Ontario; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200542654
• Name: Agnes Eby
• Name: Anna Eby
• Name: Nancy W. Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2675
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Association

Notes:

Nancy Eby, "the eldest daughter of George and Barbara (Wenger) Eby, was born in Pennsylvania, October 13th, 1801, and died March 4th, 1887. She was married to David Erb who was born February 21st, 1797, and died August 25th, 1883. "

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/58525530
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2835
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 017, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 049, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 036, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 006, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 020, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 079, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Jacob Erb, "the fifth son of Christian and Maria (Scherch) Erb, was born in Warwick Township, Pennsylvania, January 25th, 1768. He was married to Salome Graybill who was born August 8th, 1778, and died May 6th, 1821. In 1806 they, in company with his brother Abraham and others, came to Canada and located on lot No. 17, German Company's Tract, a little to the west of Berlin. Here they resided until their deaths. He died March 20th, 1834, leaving a family of thirteen 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.].

Jacob married Salome Graybill 22 Jun 1802, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Salome was born 8 Aug 1778, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 6 May 1821, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58525520
• Name: Salome Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2835.1

Other Events:

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

Notes:

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


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

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


Theobald Spetz, The Catholic Church in Waterloo County Book I

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

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How More German Families Were Brought In

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

A History of Kitchener

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King Street , North Side

Frederick Street.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

Other Events:

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