Mary Benner

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30579

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00141-8466
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Occupation: 1869, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; clothier
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farm labourer
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm Labourer

Notes:

Joseph Benner, "was born March 30th, 1842. He was married to Jessie Hewitt who died in 1879. In 1894 he again married a widow, near Teeswater, whose name could not be learned. At present he resides at Petoskey, Michigan."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

Joseph married Jessie Hewitt 3 Feb 1869, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Jessie (daughter of Elisha Hewitt and Elspit Meldrum) was born 1849, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1879, Culross Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jessie Benner
• Eby ID Number: 00141-8466.1
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church

Other Events:

• Interesting: story, mill
• Eby ID Number: 00141-8460
• Land: Bef 1831, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 120, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Universalist
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; blacksmith
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. Brethren

Notes:

Jacob Benner, "was born August 25th, 1808. In 1825 he came to Canada and settled in Berlin where he was engaged in blacksmithing (His old shop stood where now is built the Central Hotel) until 1839 when he went to West Montrose where he erected a saw mill and woollen mills, and also was proprietor of a beautiful farm. He was doing quite an extensive business for many years. He was married to Nancy Bear, March 13th, 1830. She was born April 29th, 1808, and died August 22nd, 1867. He died March 17th, 1890. To them were born 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.].

_____________________

German

To be German is my pleasure,
For I'm German to the core;
Those who fill the German measure,
Are the ones whom I adore.

German I shall be forever,
Since a German I was born.
Reading, writing German ever,
Shall my heart and hand adorn.

German customs, German manners,
German prayer and sermon too,
Wave o'er German ways their banners,
Since in them they're ever new.

German press and German learning,
Held aloft the German name.
Who can cease his German yearning,
Forever it exerts its claim.

German drink and fare I favor,
German dress is unsurpassed:
It's the German way I long for,
From the first until the last.

What is German, let us cherish,
We whose German blood runs true,
So that German here may flourish,
And from age to youth renew.

May then German seeds be growing,
In our North America;
Might its joys to us be flowing,
Here in Upper Canada.

Herbert Karl Kalbfleisch, The History of the Pioneer German Language Press of Ontario, 1835-1918, (Toronto: University of Toronto Press), pp.117-118

________________________

As we go farther up the river road we pass the 'Big Ridge, There the roadway has been cut through a gravel hill and then we come to a cross road, where, on the south east corner, Jacob Zuber has lived so long that it is now called Zuber's Corners. The road to the west, winding down the hill, passes the West Montrose school house and on through one of the prettiest woodland roads in this locality, crosses the river to the village of West Montrose. The bridge which here crosses the Grand River was long called Benner's Bridge, after Jacob Benner, who for a number of years had a store, a saw mill and a woollen mill at that place.

The Early History of Elora, Ontario, and Vicinity by John R. Connon

______________________

King Street Kitchener

Benton to Eby Etreet.-Successive occupation was as follows: From Benton Street easterward, before 1855, a one-story brick building with gable facing King Street was erected at the corner and used by Jacob Benner as blacksmith shop. Later Benner moved to West Montrose and the next occupant was Valentine Gildner and after him his son John Gildner. This blacksmith shop continued until comparatively recent years. A frame building painted white, with veranda in front, was Gildner s residence..

Vacant lot.

A tinsmith shop owned by Mr. Lehnen. This had a nice front with two good-sized glass windows on either side of the door.

A dwelling house built by Henry Rothaermel 1848-9. He was a carpenter and later was market clerk and tax collector.

A lane.

A one and one-half story building, with gable facing King Street and a verandah extending over the sidewalk, occupied by a Mr. Coleman 1855-1860. Adjoining it was a warehouse. 1 he store passed to Coleman's son and then to John Kegel. Later John George Schmidt, shoemaker, occupied the building.

. A lane.

A double, frame building about 50 feet along King St.; the east half used as a dwelling had a veranda; the west half was occupied by Charles Koehn, shoemaker.

Open space.

Dwelling of Gabriel Bowman, carpenter, who built the house.

A one and one-half story building occupied by Balzar Allendorf, a coverlet weaver, about 1840. Allendorf later moved to New Hamburg. There was a veranda at the front of the house and under it a well. Cattle ran at large in the streets at this time and one Sunday afternoon a steer got on the veranda floor, which was partly rotted, broke through, fell into the well and had to be pulled out by means of a windlass. The building was torn down later.
frame building ocupied by Henry Sippel, former employee of Allendorf, as a weaver's shop.

In 1855 there was a frame building one and one-half story high along Kmg Street divided into two parts, one part a dwelling and the other part a hat shop, owned by John Kidder, who made felt hats and old-fashioned bonnets. The shop was a few steps above the sidewalk level.

A dwelling.

A one and one-half story frame building lengthwise with King street occupied by a widow, Mrs. Caroline Lehnen.

A driveway.

A two story brick building with gable toward King Street, occupied by J. J. Lehnen, son of the widow Lehnen, as a copper and tinsmith shop and a store. Lehnen made his own tinware. Later Jacob Doebler occupied this building as a bakery.

A one and one-half story frame building with gable toward King Street occupied by George Yantz, a cabinet maker. He had a tavern in this same building for a time, and lived there.

In the early years a garden.

A small shop with sloping roof used by Christian Enslin as a book store and book-bindery, the first book-bindery in Berlin Enslm arrived in Berlin about 1830. Jacob Stroh remembers going with his father to the store to buy school supplies. Enslin later was editor, for Henry Eby, the publisher, of the Deutsche Canadier which began publication in 1840.

Enslin's House, one-half story, frame, standing lengthwise with King Street and having a veranda over the door, was on the site of Dr. Hetts present office and house. At the rear there was an orchard.

About 60 feet back of King Street there was a house built by Henry Eby. Shubel Randall, brother of George Randall, lived in it later. In 1860 the building was destroyed by fire and a servant girl Dina Hertz, perished in the flames. The walls remaining standing, the house was re-built, and is still in use.

A brick building, abutting on King Street with gable facing the street, was Henry Eby's printing office. The main floor was she or seven feet above the sidewalk level. In 1860 this building was changed to a church and was the first Anglican Church in Berlin.

A frame building, one end of which was used by Henry Bowman as a general store; he lived in the other end. This was known as the Bowman building. Later William Stein had a tailor shop in it and after him William Thoms used it as a shoe repair shop.

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

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

Jacob married Annie "Nancy" Bear 13 Mar 1830. Annie (daughter of Rev. Martin Bear and Catharine Gingrich) was born 29 Apr 1807, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Aug 1867, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , West Montrose United Cemetery, West Montrose, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie "Nancy" Benner
• Name: Nancy Bear
• Eby ID Number: 00003-612
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Annie Bear, "was born April 29th, 1807, and died August 22nd, 1867. She was married to Jacob Benner. They resided in Berlin for some years, then they moved to West Montrose where they both died. They had a family, but no information received in regard to their names or their places of residence."


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: 00027-2015.1
• Immigration: 1819, , Canada
• Residence: 1823, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1860, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1860, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Elisha Hewitt, came from New York State in 1819 at age of 19, his wealth consisted of one half dollar and an extra pair of socks; he sold the socks for fifty cents and with the dollar bought an axe; settled on his farm 1823, died Oct 1863, owning several hundred acres of land.


A Few Notes on the Early History of Chalmers' Church, Winterbourne" - by Rev. A. M. Hamilton, M. A.

____________________________


At this corner, where the road divides, several of the earliest settlers made: their homes. The first to take up land near Capt.. Smith's was Elisha Hewitt, who was born in Cayuga, in northern New York State, in January 1800. His mother was a native of Maryland. He came to Canada in 1819, giving a jacknife to get across the Niagara River at Black Rock. He first worked for John Brubacher, near Berlin, and after that, for four years, at any job he might find. When he came to the township of Waterloo his capital consisted of half a dollar and an extra pair of socks. He sold his socks and then he had enough to buy an axe. From this small beginning he acquired several hundred acres of land. Not only this, but he was married three times and raised a family of fifteen children.

In the fall of the year 1823 Elisha Hewitt took up his farm in the township of Woolwich and in the same year married Rachel Cress, who, with her father, mother, two brothers and a sister, had come along with Mr. Erb in 1806. The Cress family settled at what is now St. Jacob's, in Woolwich, while Mr. Erb was in Waterloo township. One thing that is remembered of Elisha Hewitt is that he made large quantities of maple sugar.

Rachel Cress, Hewitt's first wife, died Dec. 2nd, 1846, at the age of 49 years and eight months. In the first family were: Ephriam married Jane Wright, moved to Wisconsin. Eliza married to Josh. Scheidel, lives in Berlin. Elisha married Catherine Benner, lived on the next farm north of C. D. Bowman's near West Montrose, and is now living in Berlin. Elizabeth married to Alex. Singer, moved to Michigan. Mary married to James Woolner, lives in Peel' township. Peter married Margaret Donaldson ; their home was in Winterboume. Rachel, who is Mrs. Pollock, now living near the old home.It is a remarkable fact that of the first family of seven all are yet living but Elizabeth and she was killed by a runaway accident.

Hewitt's second wife was Elspet Meldrum, who died Jan. 28th, 1860, at the age of 48 years and 3 months. In this family were: Margaret married to John Hillcock, Peterborough. Charlotte married to Daniel Kennedy, 'Toronto. Annie married in Tonawanda, 'N. Y. Jessie married to Joseph Benner, moved to Culross towmship where she died. Helen married Rev. Mr. Groff, lived near Breslau. Alexander died when a young man.

The third wife was Ann Hamilton, and their two children were Elsie and Wilhelmina, who with their mother, who married again, went to live at Ripley, near Kincardine.

Elisha Hewitt died October 8th, 1863, at the age of 63 years and 9 months.

The Early History of Elora, Ontario, and Vicinity by John R. Connon

Elisha — Elspit Meldrum. Elspit (daughter of Alexander Meldrum and Mrs.) was born 12 Oct 1811, , Scotland; died 28 Jan 1860; was buried , Winterbourne Presbyterian Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elspit Hewitt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-30582

Notes:

Her father is rumored to be Alexander Meldrum of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00141-8459
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Blacksmith
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist

Notes:

Philip Benner, "a native of Baden, Germany, was born in June, 1780. When a young man he emigrated to America and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he was married and raised a family of eight children. About the year 1825 he, with his wife moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County where he died October 20, 1870."


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.].

_________________

It has been suggested that Mary (Fralick?) died in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania in 1825 perhaps at the birth of her last child. More research is needed.

Philip — Mary. Mary was born Abt 1781, Of, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died Bef 1861. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Benner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-15577

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176887467
• Name: Martin Baer
• Eby ID Number: 00003-596
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 06E, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 1 Lot 06, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Martin Bear, "was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1774. At the time when he was a young man, real estate in Pennsylvania, especially in the older counties, became so high in price that the majority of farmer's sons who wished to follow their paternal calling, were not in a financial position to procure a farm for themselves, hence the desire to seek homes elsewhere. This caused young Martin to make a journey to Canada to see the country before he would move here. In the summer of 1800 he arrived at old Joseph Schörg's who had located on the Grand River, opposite Doon, a few months previously. Finding the nature of the country, soil, timbers, and waters even beyond his expectations, he decided to settle here and immediately selected a tract of land (Now in possession of Anson Groh) situated between Preston and Hespeler, of which he cleared several acres and erected a small log house thereon, then returned to Pennsylvania. Early in spring, 1801, he in company with his wife and others, moved to Canada, and upon their arrival here each party settled on the locations made the year previously. In a few years nearly all these early settlers had comfortable homes. Old Mr. Martin Bear was an ordained minister of the Mennonite Church. He was one of the first that was ordained in this county (Ordained in 1808 by Bishop Moyer of the Twenty). He was married to Catharine, daughter of Abraham and Anna (Hunsicker) Gingerich. 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.].

Martin — Catharine Gingrich. Catharine (daughter of Abraham H. Gingrich and Barbara Hunsicker) was born CA 1782, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 6 Mar 1849, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176887449
• Name: Catharine Bear
• Eby ID Number: 00039-3129

Notes:

Catharine Gingerich, "second daughter, was married to Martin Bear. They resided about one mile east of Preston, on the farm now possessed by Anson Groh, where they had a numerous family."

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: dnf-124744

Elisha — Elizabeth Champlain. Elizabeth was born Abt 1770, , Maryland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Hewitt
• Eby ID Number: dnf-125671

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-89626
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of Scotland

Alexander — Mrs.. Mrs. was born CA 1790; died Yes, date unknown; was buried , Winterbourne Presbyterian Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mrs. Meldrum
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-16732