Veronica E. Erb

Other Events:

• Name: Fanny Erb
• Name: Veronica E. Fischer
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2843

Notes:

Veronica E. Erb, "was born August 6th, 1830, and died October 17th, 1853. She was married to George Fischer. Her family consisted of one daughter named Louisa."

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

Veronica married George Fischer 7 Dec 1852, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. George was born Abt 1830, of, Waterloo Twp., Region of Waterloo, Ontario; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

1. Louisa Fischer was born 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

______________________________

Bridgeport United Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________________

Zion United Church

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

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

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

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

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

_______________________________


Emmanuel United Church

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

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

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

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

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

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.].

_________________________

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


Theobald Spetz, The Catholic Church in Waterloo County Book I

______________________

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

_________________

How More German Families Were Brought In

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

A History of Kitchener

___________________

King Street , North Side

Frederick Street.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



___________________________


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

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

Other Events:

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

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58525406
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2777

Notes:

Christian Erb, "was born in Warwick Township, in October, 1734. He was married, in 1756, to Maria Scherch. She was born in 1737. They resided in Warwich [Warwick] Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. When well advanced in years they came to Canada, and made their home with their daughter, Elizabeth (Mrs. Christian Schneider), who resided at Doon where they both died. He died July 7th, 1810, and she died August 17th, 1814. Both lie buried in the Blair cemetery. They had a family of twelve children, namely:...Of the twelve children of the family, seven, namely Abraham, Jacob, John, Magdalena, Anna, Mary, and Elizabeth, resided in Canada, and two of the children of Susannah, Mary and John."

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.].

Christian married Maria Scherch 1756. Maria was born 1737, Of, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 17 Aug 1814, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Erb
• Eby ID Number: 00032-2777.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2420.6

Notes:

George Eby, "the fifth son of Christian Eby and his wife, Elizabeth Mayer, was born December 11th, 1748, and died June 10th, 1800. He was married, September 17th, 1769, to Barbara Sensenig who was born in January, 1750, and died April 24th, 1787. They resided in Lancaster County, near Lititz, where they had a family of nine children, namely: Christian, Samuel, David, George, Joseph, Esther, Anna, Elizabeth, and Susannah. None of this family settled in Canada save Samuel and George."


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.].

George married Barbara Sensenig 17 Sep 1769. Barbara was born Jan 1750; died 24 Apr 1787. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2542.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10555581
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-232443

Notes:

There is a marker for him in this cemetery but possibly buried on his farm in Franklin Co in the Wenger/Siloam Cemetery.
~
Martin was the 1st Wenger in Franklin County. He had come to America with his parents in 1748, living in what is now the Jonestown area of Lebanon County until he moved to Franklin County.

In Franklin County, he was a farmer and owned the hemp mill. He was also the fist supervisor of Greene Twonship. Martin is buried in Brinzer's Cemetery in Chambersburg, Pa, on the land which was once his farm. His 1st wife is buried next to him and it is presumed that his 2nd wife (Katherine Funck) is also. No headstone exists for Katherine. Numerous Wengers and their descendants are buried in the cemetery.

Martin's name is listed among the children on the Hans Wenger Memorial at the Wenger Meeting House in Jonestown, Pa. That memorial was erected by Wenger. The names of the children of Hans who are presumed to be buried at the meeting house are marked with an *. Since Martin is buried in Brinzer Cemetery in Franklin Co., his name does not have an * on the memorial in Lebanon Co.

Inscription
Martin Wenger Gestorben Ten 28 Sep 1815 74 Jahr Alt

Translation from German: Died on the 28th of September 1815, 74 years old

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10555581

Martin — Anna Gingrich. Anna (daughter of Joseph “Yost\Jost” Gingrich and Anna Huber) was born 19 Aug 1743, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 16 Aug 179, , Franklin Co., Pennsylvania; was buried , Brinzer-Brainer Cemetery, Chambersburg, Franklin, Pennsylvania, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117665189
• Name: Anna Wenger
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-232444