Aaron W. Weber

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-261346
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

WEBER, Aaron W. Peacefully on Thursday, March 2, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital, Aaron W. Weber, in his 87th year, of RR 1, Wallenstein.Husband of Barbara (Frey) Weber. Father of Esther and Ian Shantz of RR 1, Wallenstein, Elam and Minerva Weber of RR 5, Mount Forest, Susanna and Oscar Martin of RR 1, Elmira, Amos and Naomi Weber of Elmira, Anna and Harvey Bauman of RR 1, Wallenstein, Moses and Leah Weber of RR 1, St. Clements, Mervin and Erma Weber of RR 1, Palmerston, Joseph and Salome Weber of RR 2, West Montrose, Lydia and Elmeda Weber of Elmira. Also survived by 58 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren; one brother, Urias Weber; two sisters, Lizzie (Mrs. Isaiah Martin) and Susanna (Mrs. Seranus Gingrich); one brother-in-law, Noah Martin; one step-brother, Clayton Martin and one step-sister-in-law, Barbara (Mrs. Cranson Martin). Predeceased by his parents, Moses G. and Sarah W. Weber; step-mother, Hannah Weber, daughter-in-law, Maryann Weber; two grandchildren; four brothers; two sisters and two step-brothers. Friends may call at the home of Ian Shantz, RR 1, Wallenstein, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, from 1-6 p.m. where funeral service will be held on Monday, March 6, 2006, at 9 a.m. then to Weaverland Mennonite Meeting House for further service and burial in the adjoining cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.


The Record Newspaper 3 Mar 2006

Aaron — Barbara B. Frey. Barbara (daughter of Christian B. Frey and Lydia S. Brubacher) was born 1922; died 13 Jan 2018, RR1, Wallenstein, , Ontario; was buried , Weaverland Mennonite Cemetery, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Esther F. Weber
2. Susanna F. Weber
3. Amos F. Weber

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00127-7913.12
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Laborer
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer, Farm
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Moses married Sarah M. Weber 7 Feb 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Aaron W. Weber and Elizabeth Martin) was born 7 Oct 1886, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Mar 1944; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah M. Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7934.4
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00127-7913
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Moses Weber," was born August 27th, 1847. On February 22nd, 1870, he was married to Barbara Horst. He resides on north half of lot No. 65 German Company's Tract, being part of the old "Henry (Henner) Weber Farm." This union was blessed with four children, namely: VII Barbara (dead), VII Daniel (Dead), VII Simeon, and VII Mary Ann. After the decease of his first wife he was married to Lydia Gingerich. The second union was blessed with a large family. The names of children are VII Anna, VII Israel, VII Sarah, VII Lovina, VII Lydia, VII Moses, VII Rebecca, VII Elizabeth, VII Leah, VII Magdalena, and VII Veronica."


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.].

Moses — Lydia Gingrich. Lydia (daughter of Johannes "John" Gingrich and Anna Burkhard) was born 22 Feb 1854, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Feb 1923; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lydia Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3199
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Servant
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Lydia Gingerich, "the youngest daughter of John and Anna (Burkhard) Gingerich, was born February 22nd, 1854, and is married to Moses Weber."


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: 00127-7934
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Aaron Weber," was born September 29th, 1860. He is married to Elizabeth Martin. They reside on a farm near Elmira. Their family consists of seven children, namely: VII Menno, VII Hannah, VII Sarah, VII Noah, VII Abraham, VII Lydia (dead), and a son, name not received"


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.].

______________________________


"Weber.-On the evening of Oct. 23, 1938, Aaron W. Weber died after an illness of four weeks. He had resided east Elmira, Ont. The funeral was held the following Wednesday from his late home to Elmira Church for service and burial in the adjoining cemetery. His age was seventy-eight years and twenty-four days. He wished to go home, and his wish has been fulfilled. He leaves 7 children: Menno near Elmira, Hannah (Mrs. Recevious Martin), Sarah (Mrs. Moses Weber), Noah,, and Amos near Floradale, Aaron on the old homestead, and quite a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."


GOSPEL HERALD - Vol. XXXI, No. 32 - November 10, 1938 - pg 711:

Aaron — Elizabeth Martin. Elizabeth (daughter of Bishop Abraham W. Martin and Elizabeth Bauman) was born 19 May 1860, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 15 Nov 1923; was buried , Elmira Mennonite Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4444
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elizabeth Martin, "the second daughter was born May 19th, 1860. She is married to Aaron Weber, a farmer. They reside in Woolwich Township, near Elmira. Their family consists 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.].

Other Events:

• Interesting: story, misfortune, religion
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7911
• Residence: 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Historic Building: 1903, 438 Malabar Dr., Waterloo, Ontario; Wissler-Cascaden House

Notes:

Samuel Weber," eldest and only son of Henry Weber, was born November 26th, 1821. On March 7th, 1844, he was married to Anna, daughter of Daniel and Veronica (Schneider) Martin. She was born August 2nd, 1824. After his marriage he took possession of his father's large farm where he resided until his death which took place October 13th, 1886.* He was an ordained minister of the Mennonite Church. He was an eloquent speaker, a man of great influence and a good worker among his co-religionists. The church lost a worthy minister through his death. They had a large family, all of whom attained the age of twenty-one except two who died young."


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.].

_________________________

Martin Meeting House

According to Isaac Horst, "Martins meeting house was the first of the Old Order places of worship to be built. A meeting house is reported to have been built in 1830; burial was begun in the adjoining cemetery in 1831. Martins was aptly named. The first three bishops of the area were Martins, all descended from the pioneer, Peter Martin. The land on which the house stands was formerly owned by Martins (1979: 376)." Peter Martin, Jr. purchased 220 acres of land from his brother, Henry Martin, on May 8, 1824. Apparently he set aside four acres for a meeting house and burying ground at that time. The first burial is reported to have been that of Peter Martin, Sr., who died March 2, 1831. The meeting house was enlarged in 1900.

John Weber was the first minister, followed by Abraham W. Martin, Samuel Weber, Paul Martin, Tobias Martin and Urias Martin. At one time surrounded by countryside, the meeting house and cemetery are now completely encircled by the commercial development brought about by the rapid expansion northward of the city of Waterloo.


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

______________________

* While in the town of Waterloo he met with an accident which caused his death. He met with a friend on the street and while engaged in conversation with him a tool of one of the party who was engaged in tinning the roof of Mr. Doersam's hotel, slipped over the edge of the building and struck him on the head. He was carried into the house unconscious and remained in that state until his death next day.


____________________


Deplorable Accident in Waterloo

A very sad and ultimately fatal accident occurred in the town of Waterloo on Saturday afternoon last, the victim being a very old and respected resident of the Township, named Samuel Weaver. It appears that at the time of the accident he, in company with a companion was standing examining the new patent iron shingles which workmen were at the time engaged in laying on the roof to the building at which they were standing. These workmen had with them an iron bar which they were using for some purpose, and which when not in use was placed with its end between the boards of the roof. By some means this bar worked lose and just as Mr. Weaver was looking at one of the shingles it slipped from its fastening and fell with crushing effect directly upon his head. As the bar weighted upwards of twenty pounds the consequences can be easily imagined. When picked up, it was found he was entirely unconscious, and examination showed that his injuries were such as to leave no hope whatever for his recovery. He lingered on in an unconscious state, however, until Tuesday morning, when he breathed his last. As we have said Mr. Weaver was universally respected wherever known, and his sad death has thrown quite a gloom over Waterloo and its neighborhood.

Galt Reporter Oct 16 1885 pg 1

Historic Building:
The Wissler-Cascaden house, a two-storey red brick Georgian home was built in 1842 by John Wissler, a Waterloo Township pioneer who arrived from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1834. One year after his arrival Wissler established the Eagle Tannery. A shoemaking, harness making and mercantile business soon sprang up in conjunction with the tannery. This industry, including the workers homes on nearby Bridge Street, formed the nucleus of the settlement of Lexington.
Wissler spared no expense in the construction of his home, elaborate window and door surrounds were included along with a plaster cornice in the drawing room. The most striking feature of the interior, however, is the two-storey front entrance hall which rises a full twenty feet to a magnificent plaster medallion on the ceiling. Access is gained through two arches which rest on moulded plaster shells and frame a cherry stairway which climbs to the attic level.
A number of additions have been made to the home. The first, a two-storey addition to the west side was completed around 1858. The second, which contained a bake oven, schnitz oven, ash oven and smoke house, was added behind the first between 1859 and 1875. The last addition, this time on the south side, provided a one and a half storey salt box kitchen which was designated to serve as the doddy wing at the turn of the century.
The property was sold to Samuel Weber in 1873. It remained in the Weber and Shantz families for over one hundred years until the late 1970s when it was converted into apartments and fell into disrepair. The present owners, Ron and Wendy Cascaden, have made a commitment to restoring the house.
All of the exterior elevations of the Wissler-Cascaden House and the front hill are deemed to be of both architectural and historical significance.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Designated Properties www. waterloo.ca

Samuel married Anna Martin 7 Mar 1844, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Daniel Z. Martin and Veronica Schneider) was born 2 Aug 1824, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Jan 1909; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4352
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Residence: 1844, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Anna Martin, "the eldest daughter, was born August 2nd, 1824. She was married to Rev. Samuel Weber who died October 13th, 1885. She is still living and has her home with her son on the old farm near Lexington."


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:

• Name: John Gingrich
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3176
• Residence: 1837, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• 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

Notes:

John Gingerich, "son of John and Anna (Hackman) Gingerich, was born December 26th, 1814, and died December 11th, 1875. He was married to Anna Burkhard who was born November 1st, 1816, and died October 18th, 1883. They resided on their farm a few miles north of the town of Waterloo where they had a family of twelve 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 Burkhard 7 Feb 1837, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Peter Burkhard and Barbara Guth) was born 1 Nov 1814, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 17 Oct 1883; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Gingrich
• Eby ID Number: 00019-1502
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Anna Burkhard, "was born November 1st, 1816, and died October 17th, 1883. She was married to John Gingerich and resided about two miles from the town of Waterloo, on the farm now occupied by Moses S. Baumann."


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

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00127-7932
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Daniel Weber," the youngest son of Daniel and Anna (Martin) Weber, was born on lot No. 2, Woolwich Township, January 11th, 1836. On January 6th, 1857, he was married to Veronica, daughter of Benjamin M. and Anna (Shantz) Weber. She was born October 30th, 1836. Soon after their marriage they moved on his father's old homestead about a mile south of Conestogo where he was engaged in farming. He died November 27th, 1888. 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.].

Daniel married Veronica Weber 6 Jan 1857, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Veronica (daughter of Benjamin M. Weber and Nancy Shantz) was born 30 Oct 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Oct 1896; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Veronica Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7849
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Veronica Weber," the eldest daughter, was born October 30th, 1836. On January 6th, 1857, she was married to Daniel M. Weber."


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:

• Interesting: religion, story, pioneer
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4442
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Bishop Abraham Martin, "the second son of John and Anna (Weber) Martin, was born April 27th, 1834, and was raised on the farm he still possesses. On March 17th, 1857, he was married to Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Baumann. She was born in Waterloo Township, March 7th, 1838. Soon after their marriage they took possession of his father's farm where they still reside. During the year 1860 it was deemed necessary by the church officials of the Mennonite body to have a minister appointed to assist the aged brethren in the ministry. At the conference held the following spring it was decided that a minister should be appointed to give assistance to the brethren at the Martin, Conestogo, West Woolwich, Elmira, and other fields of labor. On September 1st, 1861, Bishop Joseph Hagey had the chosen parties for the ministry assembled at the Martin Mennonite Meeting House. The lot was cast and it fell on Abraham Martin who was then ordained by the worth Bishop Hagey as a minister of the Mennonite Church. This position he held with honor and credit until September 17th, 1867, when he was ordained bishop at the Christian Eby Meeting House by Bishop Hagey, which position he has held ever since. His preaching is altogether extemporaneous and as a rule has a good effect upon the large audience assembling wheresoever he preaches. He is not a sensational preacher but addresses the judgment of man as well as the feelings, and his sermons abound in arguments and reasonings, listened to with admiration by all who are willing to be spiritually instructed. His personal appearance is in his favor, being of medium height, well proportioned and rather fleshy, a square, even forehead and of a pleasing countenance. His deportment is easy and dignified. Of late he has suffered some from heart disease and rheumatism, so much so that he has been unable to attend to his ministerial duties. Let us all unite in wishing him a speedy recovery and that he may be spared for many years to come to administer to the spiritual wants of his followers. The bishop has 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.].

__________________________

Martin, Abraham W. (1834-1902)

Abraham Weber Martin: bishop and farmer; b. 27 April 1834 near St. Jacobs in Waterloo County, Ontario to John and Anna (Weber) Martin. He was the second son and third child in a family of three sons and nine daughters. On 17 March 1857 he married Elizabeth Bauman (1838-1902). Soon after their marriage they took possession of the farm on which Abraham was born and they lived there the rest of their lives. Abraham and Anna had three sons and seven daughters. Abraham died 8 February 1902. Elizabeth died 30 April of the same year.

Little is known of Abraham Martin's education, although it was certainly limited to the primary schools of the day. He was said to be of "medium height, well proportioned and rather fleshy," with a "pleasing countenance" and an easy and dignified bearing.

On 1 September 1861 Joseph Hagey ordained Abraham Martin as the minister for the congregations in the Woolwich Township area north of the village of Waterloo. On 17 September 1867 Hagey ordained Martin as the bishop for these congregations-one of three bishops in the Waterloo County Mennonite community.

Abraham Martin can be considered the father of the Old Order Mennonite movement in Ontario. He corresponded frequently with leaders of the earlier conservative movement in the United States, and he took traditional positions on most of the contentious issues. In the 1870s he called a meeting of ministers and deacons at his home to discuss disputed issues within the Mennonite Conference of Ontario. The conservatives indicated that they would drop their objections to protracted evening meetings and English-language preaching only if Sunday schools were not continued in the conference. Their objections to Sunday schools included the following: 1) Sunday schools promoted associations with other churches that were not nonresistant; 2) teaching was often done from books or materials other than the Bible, and 3) Sunday schools usurped the parental role of teaching their children. This effort at reconciliation ceased, and conservative opposition on all these issues continued. Evening meetings and English preaching also encouraged relationships beyond the Mennonite community, and the emerging Old Order group ultimately rejected these innovations as well.

In 1885 preachers Noah Stauffer and Solomon Gehmen held evening meetings in Woolwich Township, the geographic area in which Abraham Martin was bishop. Thirty persons requested baptism because of their experience in the meetings, but Martin refused to give them instruction or to baptize them because of the nature of these meetings. Bishop Elias Weber later baptized the group, but this quickly led to a more formal schism in 1889 when the two factions within the Mennonite Conference of Ontario held separate annual meetings with their ordained leaders.

Despite his conservative theology, Martin was not as rigid as other conservative leaders. In 1885 he decried the "inflexible" discipline of the Stauffer Mennonites in Pennsylvania.

As bishop of the largest group of Old Order Mennonites in Ontario, Abraham Martin had enormous influence on the first years of the group's development. He was not a flamboyant, charismatic leader, but he represented the theological views of a high percentage of those in congregations for which he was responsible.

Steiner, Sam. "Martin, Abraham W. (1834-1902)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. July 2002. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 13 Nov 2005

____________________

Martin Meeting House

According to Isaac Horst, "Martins meeting house was the first of the Old Order places of worship to be built. A meeting house is reported to have been built in 1830; burial was begun in the adjoining cemetery in 1831. Martins was aptly named. The first three bishops of the area were Martins, all descended from the pioneer, Peter Martin. The land on which the house stands was formerly owned by Martins (1979: 376)." Peter Martin, Jr. purchased 220 acres of land from his brother, Henry Martin, on May 8, 1824. Apparently he set aside four acres for a meeting house and burying ground at that time. The first burial is reported to have been that of Peter Martin, Sr., who died March 2, 1831. The meeting house was enlarged in 1900.

John Weber was the first minister, followed by Abraham W. Martin, Samuel Weber, Paul Martin, Tobias Martin and Urias Martin. At one time surrounded by countryside, the meeting house and cemetery are now completely encircled by the commercial development brought about by the rapid expansion northward of the city of Waterloo.

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

__________________


MARTIN. - On the 8th of Feb., 1902, at his home four miles north-west of Waterloo, Ont., after a lingering illness, Abraham Martin, aged 67 years, 9 months, 12 days. He was the second son of John and Anna (Weber) Martin and was born on the farm where he lived and died. He was married to Elizabeth Bauman, March 17, 1857. Of their ten children eight are left with their mother to mourn his death. Deceased was ordained to the ministry in the Mennonite church by Bish. Joseph Hagey, at the Martin M. H. in Sept., 1861, and to the office of bishop at the C. Eby M. H., Berlin, in 1867, also by Bish. Hagey. In 1887, owing to some difference of opinion in the Canada conference as to the propriety of holding Sunday schools, evening services etc., he and some other ministers and members withdrew and formed their own conference, now locally known as the conference of the "Martin people," and which have since united in conference work with the ultra conservatives in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXIX, No. 5, March 1, 1902 - Page 77, 78

Abraham married Elizabeth Bauman 17 Mar 1857. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Bauman and Elizabeth Hoffman) was born 7 Mar 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Apr 1902; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00002-206
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elizabeth Baumann, "the youngest daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Baumann, was born March 7th, 1837. On March 17th, 1857, she was married to Abraham W., son of John and Anna (Weber) Martin. He was born April 27th, 1834. They reside on his father's first old homestead, about three miles north of the town of Waterloo, in the township of Woolwich. On September 1st, 1861, he was ordained minister of the Mennonite body, and September 17th, 1867, he was ordained Bishop of the same body. For full particulars see information under his name in the "Martin Family". 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.].