William Wesley "Wesley" Spaetzel

Other Events:

• Name: Wesley Spaetzel
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-24263
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

William — Nellie Edna Wilfong. Nellie (daughter of Nelson Wilfong and Annie Bowyer) was born 17 Jul 1900, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1996, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Memory Gardens Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. John Robert Spaetzel was born 23 Jul 1921, , Ontario, Canada; died 4 Jul 1943; was buried , Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extention, Abbeville, , Picardie, France.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00003-605.2000
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Colar Maker
• Occupation: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Saddler, Harness Shop
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

PHOTO SERIES: CELEBRATING WR MAKERS IN NEW DUNDEE

ERIN APPLEBEE·NOVEMBER 6, 2020

The Dundee Arts Collective gallery and makers market officially opened to the public in early October 2020.

When a dream opportunity presented itself to Jenny Miller and Kate Cox, co-founders of The Dundee Arts Collective, a global pandemic was not going to stand in their way.

The origins of this opportunity began while Miller and Cox were taking pottery classes two years ago with Rosemary Jenkins at Dundee Pottery in the historic Fiederlein building in New Dundee. They built a relationship with Jenkins, who suggested they open a gallery and shop in the space.

"Jenny and I both independently have always dreamed about opening a business like this, with the added piece that it's a multi-purpose arts space where we run classes and lessons. When Rosemary presented us with this opportunity, we were really excited to see our dream coming to life in this amazing historic building," Cox said.

Nestled in a growing artistic community in New Dundee, this historic building can trace its history back to 1906 when the building was bought by William Spaetzel.

Spaetzel operated a harness shop and was known for his "pneumatic horse collar" invention. An employee of Spaetzel's, Albert Fiederlein, married into the family and took over the harness business until 1946. Fiederlein and his son Robert transitioned the building into cold storage and operated the Red and White Grocery Store there until 1991.

For Miller and Cox, both practicing artists with strong business management backgrounds, opening a business during a pandemic has not been easy. In a time when a lot of other businesses were scaling back and feeling unsure about the future, Miller and Cox saw a need for a business like The Dundee Arts Collective.

"Both Jenny and I were listening to people, and hearing that a lot of people were really digging into their creativity … people were becoming really passionate about finding ways to expand their skills, outside of being at home," Cox said.

"People have picked up something that they thought was just a hobby, and then they have realized that it is actually a real passion. I think this space is giving them a place to show and share their work and also encouraging them to take it seriously."

As a gallery, The Dundee Arts Collective supports the sale of work by local artists with an appreciation of the natural landscape.

"We live in such a beautiful, beautiful part of Canada, and that is really reflected in a lot of artists' work around here, and that is something that is really important to Jenny and I. You can look around and see that all of the conversation is around nature, the natural world and how we fit in," Cox said.

As a truly multi-purpose space, The Dundee Arts Collective operates as more than just a gallery, it is a place for exchanging knowledge. Offering an emerging artist corner in the gallery was something Cox was excited to share.

"With the experiences that Jenny and I have, we are able to coach them, in terms of presentation or how they should be thinking about pricing," Cox said.

"We work a fair bit with artists helping them to understand their worth. We often think [as artists] this just comes so naturally, and we tend to underprice what we're doing."

At The Dundee Arts Collective, there will always be a section for emerging artists. Part of the larger vision of founders will be to engage the artists in the community.

"We have some exciting projects coming up that we would like to invite our artists to participate in. One of them is [a collection of] take-out projects …each one is designed by a local artist, so you can come by, grab a take-out project to go," Cox said.

The Dundee Arts Collective currently has full safety precautions in place, including one-way doors, sanitization procedures and small class sizes.

They are currently opened Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for visitors. They are also offering evening workshops, children's birthdays and bridal party options. Private evening experiences in the gallery happen on Thursdays and Fridays in November and December.

"We are finding ways to help people feel confident and comfortable coming in here … We're just very excited to share this space with people."

2020. Communityedition.Ca. https://communityedition.ca/celebrating-wr-makers-in-new-dundee-a-photo-series/?fbclid=IwAR22UMa2Nr9nS0WUvvfkdxEGHvu2RFmQzQhbEC_bCSXoY8RE1Y8z-vB5qs4.

William married Emma Jane Witmer 18 Jun 1885, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Emma (daughter of Isaac Witmer and Leah Bear) was born 14 Aug 1868, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; died 5 Feb 1961, Mannheim, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Emma Jane Spaetzel
• Eby ID Number: 00003-605.2
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1929, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Name: Wilhelm Spaetzel
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-19038
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; carpenter
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

William — Elizabeth Miesner. Elizabeth (daughter of Meismer and Johanna) was born 21 May 1822, , Germany; died 17 Dec 1899; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Spaetzel
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-22863
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00135-8304
• Residence: 1867, Guelph Township, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada
• 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; Dunkard
• Occupation: 1901, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard
• Retired: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Isaac Witmer, "is married to Leah Bear. They reside in Wilmot Township, near Huron Road. He is a farmer."


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.].

_______________


Witmer. - Isaac Witmer was born April 3, 1842; died Jan. 10, 1929, at the home of his son J. Wesley, near Petersburg, Ont. On Nov. 5, 1867, he was united in marriage to Leah Baer and to this union were born ten children: Mrs. Wm. Spaetzel, New Dundee, Ont.; Mrs. Jacob Spaetzel, Petersburg, Ont.; Jonas, who died in his fourteenth year; Isaiah, Kitchener, Ont.; Mrs. Enoch Gingerich, Preston, Ont.; Mrs. Samuel Schmitt, Kitchener, Ont.; Mrs. Noah Otterbein, Petersburg, Ont.; J. Wesley, Petersburg, Ont.; Edmund, Kitchener, Ont.; and Mrs. Herbert Herner, who preceded him in death twenty-three years ago. These with 3 brothers (John, Listowel, Ont.; Benjamin of Sask.; Henry, Preston, Ont.), 1 sister (Mrs. Edward Grabiel, Fordwick, Ont.), 72 grandchildren, and 59 great-grandchildren survive. On Aug. 17, 1908, his wife was called to her eternal home. He was married on Feb. 1, 1910, to Elizabeth Doner of Stayner, Ont., who also passed to her reward on May 31, 1918. He was converted when forty-four years of age and united with the Brethren in Christ Church and lived a faithful and consistent Christian life. He served in the office of deacon in the Waterloo, Ont., district for a number of years. Because of a lingering illness he was confined to his bed for the past three years, yet he always bore his suffering with patience and Christian fortitude. Funeral services were conducted at the Rosebank church on Jan. 14, 1929, in charge of E. J. Swalm assisted by Simon Cober and Manasseh Hallman. Text, Psa. 107: 30. Interment in cemetery near by.


Gospel Herald - Volume XXI, Number 48 - February 28, 1929 - page 1005, 1006, 1007

Isaac married Leah Bear 5 Nov 1867, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Leah (daughter of Rev. John G. Bear and Anna "Nancy" Pannabecker) was born 2 Sep 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Aug 1908; was buried , Rosebank Community Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Leah Witmer
• Eby ID Number: 00003-605
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunkard

Notes:

Leah Bear, "was born September 2nd, 1839. She is married to Isaac Witmer. They reside in Wilmot Township, where he is engaged in farming. Their family consists 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.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-120670

— Johanna. Johanna was born 1799, , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Johanna Meismer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-120669

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00135-8295

Notes:

Abraham Witmer, "third son of Abraham and Annie (Eversole) Witmer, was married to Catherine Groh. They resided north of Hespeler, near what is known as "Tuck's Hill" where they possessed a beautiful farm. They are both dead. To them was born a family of fifteen 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.].

Abraham — Catharine Groh. Catharine (daughter of John Groh and Susannah Wanner) was born 25 Nov 1813, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Jul 1891, Howick Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Holm
• Name: Catharine Witmer
• Eby ID Number: 00045-3408
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dunker

Notes:

Catharine Groh, "was born November 25th, 1813. She was first married to Abraham Witmer, a farmer. They resided in Guelph Township, near Waterloo Township line. They had a large family, namely:...Joseph, Polly, Susannah, Abraham, Benjamin, Hannah, Annie, Henry, George, Sarah, Samuel, Elizabeth, John, Isaac, and Moses. After the decease of her first husband she was married to Rev. Peter Holm, bishop of the Dunkard Church."


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/39053199
• Name: John Baer
• Eby ID Number: 00003-597
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Bear, "was born near Preston, Ontario, May 15th, 1804. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. When eighteen years of age he commenced life as a builder and contractor. Many a house and barn still standing in this and adjoining counties. were erected by him between the years 1823 and 1835. He was also the possessor of a beautiful farm lying between Preston and Hespeler, now owned by Anson Groh. Here he resided until the death of his wife in 1875. Then he had his home with his youngest son, Joseph, for five years. In 1880 he went to live with his son John, who resides a little west of Doon, where he died happy in the Lord, December 24th, 1894. He was converted unto the Lord when a young man, and in 1833 he joined the Mennonite Church. On December 2nd, 1838, he was ordained as Minister of the Gospel by the late Bishop Benjamin Eby. His field of labor was to be at 'Wanners', for which locality he was ordained. In 1870-71 when the first glimmerings of dissatisfaction were observable among the Mennonites, Mr. Bear was an active worker to keep up the union (The writer heard him advocate strongly in favor of union in 1870-71-72) but the spirit of disunion was carried so far (1873-4), which ultimately caused a division into the old and new communions. Mr. Bear joined himself with the new party and was one of their first ministers. We might add in conclusion that his educational attainments were very limited. Besides the acquisition of the simple elementary branches of reading, writing, and arithmetic, he in his youth was not favored, as the country was new and the schools in their primeval state. Being possessed of a very retentive memory, he exhibited a great taste for reading and was remarkably fond of investigation. He seldom accepted anything without first giving it due consideration and careful study. What little spare time he was able to snatch from the labors of the farm, he studiously devoted to the reading of such works as came within his reach. His library was composed of books pertaining to religious and devotional works. He was well versed in the Bible and works of a religious character. On February 11th, 1827, he was married to Anna, daughter of Cornelius and Anna (Detweiler) Pannabecker. She was born near Hespeler, Waterloo County, Ontario, April 23rd, 1812, and died February 16th, 1875. They had 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.].

_________________________________


"Bear, John (1804-1894)

John Bear: minister and building contractor; born 15 May 1804 near Preston, Upper Canada to Martin and Catharine (Gingrich) Bear. He was the oldest child in a family of six sons and seven daughters. On 11 February 1827 he married Anna Pannabecker (23 April 1812-16 February 1875); they had ten sons and three daughters. John died 24 December 1894.

By vocation John Bear became a carpenter and builder. One of his projects was the Union Mennonite/Tunker school and meetinghouse of 1829 that predated the Wanner building of 1837. This building was used as a school until 1848. He did much of his construction work between 1823-1835. He also farmed between Preston and Hespeler (both now part of the city of Cambridge).

John Bear was baptized as a member of the Mennonite Church in 1833; on 2 December 1838 he was ordained as a minister by Benjamin Eby particularly for service in the Wanner/Hagey area of the conference. He was widely read, but had only the basic primary education of the day. He was a second generation minister in the conference; his father had been one of the first persons ordained as a minister in the Waterloo region.

When a doctrinal conflict arose in the Ontario Conference beginning in 1869, John Bear led an party of three ministers to investigate revival activities in Solomon Eby's congregation at Port Elgin, ON. Bear's group brought back a positive report in early 1870, but a division ultimately could not be averted. Bear then joined the new "Reformed Mennonites"; a group that ultimately became part of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ denomination (later known as the Evangelical Missionary Church). He served as a minister in that denomination until his death. He was ordained as an elder in that denomination on 4 March 1888 by Menno Bowman.

Bear's departure from the Ontario Mennonite conference was very significant because of his longstanding leadership role in the conference. As leader of the investigation committee to Port Elgin he carried the respect of his fellow ministers, and his loss to the movement was keenly felt."

Mennonite Historical Society of Canada https://www.mhsc.ca/

_______________________________

Wanner Mennonite Church
Begun: 1829

A small wooden meeting house was built in 1829 on a corner of the farm belonging to Samuel Bechtel which was located in the vicinity of the present-day regional headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources near the intersection of Highways 24 and 401. The site for this community meeting house, as well as a school and a burial ground, had been chosen on August 8, 1829. The land was donated by Samuel Bechtel and his wife Barbara (Baumann) on March 15, 1830. A new meeting house, of white brick, was built in 1837 on the east side of Henry Wanner's farm, somewhat north of the first meeting house. Meetings at first were held every eight weeks. The deed of land for the meeting house known as Wanner's was dated October 15, 1837. Early preachers were David Sherk, who had been ordained by Benjamin Eby in July 1837, Jacob Bretz, Jr., and Joseph Hagey.

Joseph Hagey was ordained bishop in 1851. During his time divisions occurred in the church by a surge of enthusiasm for a Methodist form of revivalism. Solomon Eby of Port Elgin, who announced his own conversion in December 1869, was leader of a group which believed that members could be converted through participation in revival meetings. John Baer of Wanner's became associated with Solomon Eby, and was compelled to leave the church in the spring of 1874, as were Eby and his other followers. The new church movement resulted in organization conferences which culminated in the conference on March 23, 1875 at Bloomingdale where New Mennonites and Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together as United Mennonites. The United Mennonites favored revival meetings, Sunday Schools and prayer meetings, and were opposed to the use of alcohol and tobacco.

The date of construction of the meeting house which replaced the one built in 1837 is somewhat in doubt. It is possible that a new building was erected in the early 1870s; it is also possible that the 1837 building only underwent extensive renovations at that time. There is no doubt, however, that a new brown brick church was built in 1938. An education wing was added in 1969.

The earliest Mennonite Sunday School in North America was begun in 1842 and was held jointly by the Wanner and Hagey Meeting Houses. It was discontinued after a short time because of a division of opinion within the congregations. An attempt was made later, in the mid-1860s, to begin another Sunday School, but this, too, did not last long. Many years later, on June 10, 1896, a meeting was held to organize a Sunday School. Anson Groh was appointed superintendent..

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

John married Anna "Nancy" Pannabecker 11 Feb 1827. Anna (daughter of Cornelius Pannebecker and Anna Detweiler) was born 23 Apr 1812, Near Hespeler, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Feb 1875, Near Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39053031
• Name: Anna "Nancy" Bear
• Name: Nancy Panabaker
• Name: Nancy Pannebecker
• Eby ID Number: 00087-5121
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Anna Pannebecker, "was born April 23rd, 1812, and died near Preston, Ontario, February 16th, 1875. She was married to Rev. John Bear."

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.]