George Henry Liebler

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00112-7072.10

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00108-6496.8
• Occupation: 1893, Strasburg (Kitchener) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; butcher

Edward married Jane Israel 25 Jan 1893, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Jane (daughter of George Israel and Magdalena "Lena" Shoemaker) was born 5 Jun 1873, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Liebler
• Eby ID Number: 00112-7072.8
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Methodist
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Jane Israel, "was born June 5th, 1873. On January 25th, 1893, she was married to Edward Liebler. They have one son named George Henry."

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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: 00108-6496.1
• Residence: 1863, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mehodist

William married Catharine Schwartz 24 May 1863, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catharine (daughter of Jacob Schwartz and Maria Hunsperger) was born 2 Nov 1847, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Liebler
• Eby ID Number: 00108-6496
• Residence: 1863, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Catharine Schwartz, "was born November 2nd, 1847. She is married to William Liebler, a farmer. They reside near Brown City, Michigan. To them are born 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53589798
• Eby ID Number: 00112-7072.1
• Confirmation: 17 Apr 1859, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1868, Strasburg (Kitchener) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Methodist
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Retired: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Retired: Bef 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, 31 Irvin St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1926, 31 Irvin St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

George Israel

Following a week's illness, George Israel passed away on Friday in his 84th year at 31 Irvin St., Kitchener. He had been a resident of Kitchener for 22 years, formerly residing on a farm near Strasburg. The funeral was held on Monday.

Waterloo Chronicle, 29 Apr 1926, p. 5

______________________

Crossing over the woods and fields via a private road we soon found ourselves with Mr. George Israel the man who usually supplies the townspeople with such excellent apples, but this year for the first time he is short. Thinking that there would be more money in pork than feeding cattle for export, he erected a large and model piggery which will hold a hundred pigs easy, well and cistern are inside the building so when feeding he does not need to go out for water. The prettiest lot of pigs you would wish to see were frisking about in the abundant straw in the stables, the thermometer registering zero outside yet the stable was nice and warm. We must class Mr. Israel as well as Mr. Wangeline two of our model farmers, as they never kick about hard times but if one thing don't pay they try an other, thus in the end they always succeed.

VISITOR.

Waterloo County Chronicle, 3 Jan 1895, p. 4

George married Magdalena "Lena" Shoemaker 1 Aug 1868, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of Jacob D. Shoemaker and Jane Dunbar) was born 16 Jan 1844, Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario; died 1 Apr 1917, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lena Shoemaker
• Name: Magdalena "Lena" Israel
• Eby ID Number: 00112-7072
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Methodist
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Methodist
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Notes:

Magdalena Shoemaker, "was born January 16th, 1844. On August 13th, 1867, she was married to George Israel. They reside on the old "Henry Woods Farm" near Williamsburg. Their family consists of seven children, of whom one is dead."

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.].

_____________

MRS. GEORGE ISRAEL.

Magdalena Shoemaker, wife of Mr. George Israel of Kitchener, passed away at her home on Sanday after an illness of about one year. Deceased was 73 years of age, being born in Waterloo Township, January 16th. 1844. Mrs. Israel was well known in this city and the news of her death will be received with extreme regret among a wide circle of friends. She is survived by one sou and five daughters, Urias of Kitchener, Mrs. J. H. Shafer of Guernsey, Sask.. Mrs. E. S.. Liebler of Brown City, Mich.. Mrs. H. Dubrick, Mrs. N. Shafer and Miss Emma Israel all of this city. One sister, Mrs. Joseph Snyder of this city also survives.

The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock from the residence and later from Zion Evangelical Church where services will be held. Interment will be made at Mount Hope Cemetery.

The Chronicle Telegraph, 5 Apr 1917, p. 4

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-95166
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

A-1-64 Peter Liebler: The Last Will and Testament of Peter Liebler of the Township of Waterloo, Yeoman.

In the name of God, Amen. I, Peter Liebler, of the Township of Waterloo, Yeoman, do make and constitute these presents, dated the eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord 1859, to be my Last Will and Testament, desiring and ordaining, that it shall be held with my estate, after my demise, as follows, that is to say : ..

1) My Widow Mary, a born Mane, is to go on with the place and with the household as hitherto, until my youngest son be on age or maturity, provided she remains my widow.

2) In case that my widow intermarries again before my then youngest son be on age, or that she dies before he is on age, then the place on which we now live is to be rented away until he be on age, and all the personal property be sold by Public Sale, to be done with as hereinafter provided.

3) Whenever my widow intermarries again and the place be rented away, or whenever the place be assumed by any of my 6 sons, or be sold, she is, when then living, to receive on Third part thereof, as also of the personal property, in place of her Dower.

4) When my youngest son Theodore Liebler has attained his full age, he is to have the place, situate in Hiestand's Tract, according to the appraisement of two or three disinterested competent men, but is he refuses to take it then the next oldest shall have the choice, and so on further up, but if none of my four (namely now four) younger sons does accept thereof, then it is to be sold to the best advantage of my Estate.

5) Should my widow decline to go on with the place and household with my children, she is at liberty to do so, and then also is the place to be rented as aforesaid, loose property to be sold, and my children be put out to their own best advantage and welfare, but in each and every case they shall receive sufficient School Education, the boys six months in each and every year, until they be respectively on the age of fourteen, the girls as much as circumstances shall and may admit, and the boys shall also be at liberty to learn trades.

6) My eldest son George Liebler, being already provided for, is to remain in place and satisfaction of all further claims upon my Estate the sum of One Pound and five shillings of lawful money of Canada. [After dedication of the widow third, if any to be deducted, and of my sons George's portion, all the remainder is to be divided so that the daughters receive half the portions of what the sons receive, and which are to be held alike lines crossed out] .

7) As the Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved widow Mary, a born Mane, and my beloved and trusty friends Abraham D. Clemens and John Stoeckle of the Township of Waterloo

NB: [Seems to have been added 18^th December 1850] : In place and stead of the Sentence across out in Article "6" above - reads thus:- After deduction of the Widow Third (if any to be deducted) and of my son George's Portion, all the remainder, if any there be, shall be divided in equal shares amongst my other sons, provided however, that at the time of my demise my two youngest daughters have received already their respective Marriage portions, but if they, or either of them, shall have not received it then, either of them, or the remaining of them, is to receive one Cow, one full Bed, with bedding and bedstead, six chairs and one chest. And this is my Will in regard to them….Eighteenth day of December 1850

Inventory delivered amounting to $542 - or One Hundred and Thirty five pounds, ten shillings.

Witnessed Abraham D. Clemens and Johannes Stoeckle
Will dated 18 August 1849, 18 December 1850
Proved, approved and the Probate granted 13 March 1855
Inventory amount £135/10/-
Died 25 February 1855.

Surrogate Court Records Copybook Register A 1853-1871 transcript to 1863. Frances Hoffman transcriber.

Peter — Mary Main. Mary was born 30 Apr 1804, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; died 21 Apr 1883, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Sanctuary Park Cemetery, Port Elgin, Saugeen Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Main
• Name: Mary Liebler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-95182

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00108-6492
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Jacob Schwartz, "was born January 1st, 1819. In 1841 he was married to Maria, daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Bergey) Honsberger. She was born June 13th, 1821. Soon after their marriage they moved on a farm about a mile west of the Manheim school house. The farm is now possessed by Mr. Jacob S. Hallman, reeve of Wilmot. Here Mr. Schwartz died April 22nd, 1861. The widow is still living and has her home with her daughter, Mary, who resides in Berlin. To Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz were born 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.].

Jacob married Maria Hunsperger 27 Oct 1840, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Maria (daughter of Abraham Honsberger and Catharine S. Bergey) was born 13 Jun 1821, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 29 Mar 1896; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Honsberger
• Name: Maria Schwartz
• Eby ID Number: 00057-3879
• Residence: 1840, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1891, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Maria Honsberger, "was born June 13th, 1821. She was married to Jacob Schwartz. They resided in Wilmot Township where he died, leaving a large family. The widow resides in Berlin with her daughter, Mrs. A. K. Devitt."


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/235705034
• Name: George Israel
• Eby ID Number: 00084-5025.56
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo 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; Lutheran
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Rsrch. Note:
George Israel (M)
Birth: 7 Jan 1806 Germany
Death: 1885
Father: Jean Michel Israel
Mother: Anna Margueite Flach

Marriage 1:

Salome Mahler (F)
Birth: Abt 1815 Germany
Death: 1905
Father:
Mother:


Children from Marriage 1:

1 George Israel 1842 1926
2 John Israel Abt 1837
3 Cathrina Israel 23 Oct 1840 9 Jan 1908
4 Salome Israel 7 Nov 1843 7 Aug 1926
5 Eliza Israel Abt 1846
6 Michael Israel Abt 1848
7 Margaret Israel Abt 1850
8 August Israel Abt 1853

Johann — Saloma Mahler. Saloma (daughter of Johann Jacob "Jacob" Mahler and Marie Catherine Jedele) was born 2 Feb 1815, Mietesheim, , Alsace, France; died 27 Jul 1905, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Pioneer Park Mennonite Cemetery, [formerly Weber Mennonite Biehn Drive Cemetery] Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53525320
• Name: Sally Mahler
• Name: Saloma Israel
• Name: Sarah Mahler
• Eby ID Number: 00084-5025.57
• Immigration: 1837, , Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Honoured: Lakeside Park, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lakeside Park in Kitchener was once part of his property. The Lake is called Shoemaker Lake
• Name: Jakob D Schumacher
• Residence: 38 Shirk Place, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00112-7042
• Retired: 1801, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Immigration: 1829, , Ontario, Canada
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 019, Waterloo County, Ontario
• 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; Gentleman
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Jacob D. Shoemaker, "the eldest son of George Shoemaker, was born on his grandfather's place near the old mills on Swamp Creek, Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, November 24th, 1799. His boyhood days were spent in assisting his father in the woollen mills, carding and dying wool and yarns. From his fifteenth to his eighteenth year he was engaged in the grist and oil mills and during the wool season he assisted his father in the carding mills. When eighteen years of age he hired himself to John Funk who during that time had the misfortune of having his dwelling destroyed by fire, Shoemaker losing all his earthly possessions except the clothing he wore at the time. After quitting at John Funk's in the fall of 1818, he obtained work for a short time in a tannery near Pottsgrove. In spring of 1819 he attended school for six weeks in Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County. During the summer he labored for six months with David Allebach, in Skippack Township, at $12 per month. He paid out his wages $50 annually to his parents until he became of age.

After having served his six months he attended school another six weeks in Lower Salford Township. His teacher's name was Mr. Borsch. This then finished his school days. In 1820 he engaged himself to Abraham Clemens where he remained for two years, receiving $80 for the first year's wages and $72 for the second year. During the year 1822 he worked for George Reiff of Skippack Township, for $80 per year. The following year he spent in working by the day among the farmers. On November 18th, 1823, he was married to Jane, daughter of Alexander Dunbar. She was raised by Jacob Merkley who resided on the Perkiomen Creek, Skippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In spring of 1824 he, in company with his wife moved to Joseph Lowery in Skippack whose farm he managed for five years. He received one-third of the product of the farm as wages for his labor and management. The annual income thus derived generally amounted to about $80.

In 1829 they with their family of two children, his parents, and two of his brothers and one sister, namely, Daniel, Joshua and Catharine, moved to Canada and came to what is now Bridgeport. Here he was engaged with Jacob S. Shoemaker who had come to Canada in 1820. During the fall of 1829 he worked on the sawmills erected the same year. While engaged here he purchased pine logs from Henry Erb who resided on lot No. 58, German Company's Tract, and had them sawed during the winter and drawn on his farm where he had a small shanty put up. Into this shanty they moved in April, 1830. The year previously he had purchased his farm, being south-west half of lot No. 19, Germam Company's Tract. containing 224 acres. During his first year on this extensive farm large clearings were made and a two-story log dwelling, 24x28 feet, erected. The log barn was erected the year following. In 1851 he erected the stone dwelling now occupied by his son, Alexander, and in 1842, he put up the large frame barn still standing. He is still living and enjoying good health and has his home with his son, Alexander who resides on the old homestead. His family consisted of ten children, of whom two died in infancy."


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 C. SHOEMAKER,

The well-known centenarian of Berlin, Ontario, Bro. Jacob Shoemaker, died on Wednesday afternoon, March 12, 1902, at three o'clock, at the old homestead, occupied by his son, Alexander Shoemaker. The cause of death was due to old age. Bro. Shoemaker having reached the age of 102 years, 3 months, and 9 days. He had been confined to his bed for the past few months, and although he received every possible attention he passed peacefully away. Though death was not unexpected, he will be missed by those with whom he has been surrounded during the latter part of his life. Bro. Shoemaker was extremely kind hearted and the attention and the self sacrifice shown him by his children was always appreciated, and he never lost an opportunity of referring to their kindness to his friends who would visit him at his home.

Jacob D. Shoemaker was the eldest son of George Shoemaker, and was born on his grandfather's place near the old mills on Swamp Creek, Frederick township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 24th, 1799. His boyhood days were spent in assisting his father in the woolen mills, carding and dying wool and yarns. From his fifteenth to his eighteenth year he was engaged in the grist and oil mills and during the wool season he assisted his father in the carding mills. When eighteen years of age he hired himself to John Funk who, during that time, had the misfortune to have his dwelling destroyed by fire, Bro. Shoemaker losing all his earthly possessions except the clothing he wore at the time. After quitting at John Funk's in the fall of 1818 he obtained work for a short time in a tannery near Pottsgrove. In the spring of 1819 he attended school for six weeks in Lower Salford township, Montgomery County. During the summer he labored for six months with David Allebach, in Skippack township, at twelve dollars per month. After having served his six months he attended school another six weeks in Lower Salford. This finished his school days. In 1820 he engaged himself to Abraham Clemens, where he remained for two years. During 1822 he worked for George Reiff of Skippack Township at eighty dollars per year. He then spent one year working amongst various farmers. On November 18th, 1823, he was married to Jane, daughter of Alexander Dunbar. She was raised by Jacob Merkley, who resided on the Perkiomen Creek, Shippack Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1824 he, in company with his wife, moved to Joseph Lowery in Skippack, whose farm he managed for five years. He received one-third of the product of the farm as wages for his labor and management. The annual income thus derived averaged about eighty dollars annually. In 1829 they, with their family of two children, his parents, and two of his brothers and one sister, namely, Joshua and Catherine, moved to Canada and came to what is now Bridgeport. Here he was engaged with Jacob S. Shoemaker, who had come to Canada in 1820. During the fall of 1829 he worked in the sawmills erected the same year. While engaged here he purchased pine logs from Henry Erb who resided on lot number fifty eight, German Co.'s Tract, and had them sawed during the winter and drawn on his farm where he had a small shanty put up. Into this shanty they moved in April, 1830. The year previous he had purchased his farm, being south-west half of lot number nineteen, German Co's Tract, containing two hundred and twenty-four acres. During his first year in this extended farm large clearings were made and a two story dwelling, twenty-four by twenty-eight feet, erected. The log barn was erected the year following. In 1851 he erected the stone dwelling now occupied by his son, Alexander, and in 1842 he put up the large frame barn still standing.

Bro Shoemaker united with the Mennonite church in his youth and lived an exemplary life, worthy of imitation. In his last years his desire to depart and be with Christ was always strong, and can be truly said that he was homesick for heaven. A year ago he was stricken with illness, and he asked those who visited him not to pray for his recovery, but that if it pleased God, He should take him home. His conversation on temporal affairs was in later years mostly of a period of time from 1815 to 1840. The companions of his early life have all preceded him.
During the past number of years Bro. Shoemaker has been living with his son, Alexander. His family consisted of ten children, viz, Mary Ann, deceased; David, deceased; Mrs. John Shiedel, Waterloo Township, deceased; Mrs. Henry McKay, Aldborough Township, Elgin County; Geo. D., Woolwich Township; Alexander, on the homestead; Mrs. Joseph B. Snyder, Woolwich Township; Jane, deceased; Mrs. George Israel, near Williamsburg; Jacob, deceased. There are a large number of grandchildren.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, at one o'clock, from the old homestead, and was very largely attended. Services by Noah Stauffer from Heb. 11: 16, and A. Y. Haist from Job 5: 26 at the C. Eby M. H., Berlin. Interment in the burying ground adjoining.

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXIX, No. 7, April 1, 1902, page 109, 110, 111

_________________________


Jakob D. Schumacher

Finally, the last hour has sounded for our dear, old friend, Jakob D. Schumacher. On Wednesday afternoon, he fell gently and quietly asleep, to awake again in a better world. He attained the age of 102 years, 3 months, and 9 days and although he had to keep to his bed for approximately a year because of weakness, he was still in full possession of his mental faculties and could talk about his many experiences with his family and visiting friends; which he was fond of doing. About two weeks ago, he had a stroke, and since then, he was no longer fully conscious.

The deceased was the eldest son of George Schumacher, and was born November 24, 1799 at his grandfather's place by the old mill on Swamp Creek, Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. As a youth, he helped his father in his woolen mill with stapling and dying. From his 15th to his 18th year, he worked in the meal and oil-mill, when necessary. At 18 years of age, he apprenticed himself to John Funk, whose residence burned down, whereby he lost everything, except for the clothes on his body. In the autumn of 1818, he worked for a time in a tannery near Pottsgrove.

In the spring of 1819, he attended school for 6 weeks in Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County. In the summer, he worked for 6 months for David Allenbach in Schippach Township for $12. a month. Then, he attended school in Lower Salford again for 6 weeks. With this, he finished his schooling. In 1820, he came to Abraham Clemens and worked for him for 2 years. In 1822, he worked for George Reiff in Schippach Township for $80. a year and the following year, he worked for various other farmers.

On November 18, 1823, he married Jane Dunbar, who had been raised by Jakob Merkley, who lived on Perkiomen Creek, Schippach Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1824, he and his wife moved to Joseph Lowery's in Schippach, whose farm he managed for 5 years. For this, he received one third of the produce as his wages for his labour and administration. His annual income at this place was approximately $80.

In the year 1829, he moved to Canada with his wife, 2 children, as well as 2 brothers and one sister and settled there where Bridgeport now stands. He worked there for one year for his cousin, Jakob S. Schumacher, who had come to Canada in 1820, in the saw-mill, erected in the same year. During the winter, he purchased tree-trunks from Henry Erb, on Lot 58, German Company Tract, and turned them into lumber for a small house, which he raised the following summer on his 224 acre lot #19, German Company Tract. After he had moved into the house, he set about clearing the forest, and also erected a 2-storey residence. The next year, a barn was built. The stone house now occupied by his son, Alexander, came about in 1851. The large frame barn that still stands on the place was built in 1842. His wife, with whom he had lived in a small frame house, after having passed the place on to his son, Alexander, died August 9, 1880 and since then, he had found his home with his son's family, who had given him the best of care.

His family consisted of ten children, of whom five are still living, namely: George, living near Elmira; Mrs. Joseph Schneider, Berlin; Mrs. George Israel, Williamsburg; and Mrs. H. McCoy, Bothwell. In addition to these two sons and three daughters, he is survived by 43 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, namely, Mrs. Wm. Luke, in Bothwell.

Also, it should be mentioned, that, he often suffered from epilepsy in his younger years, which, however, he later remained free of, after he had earnestly prayed to God and had promised to fast every Good Friday, which vow he had faithfully kept, even in later years, when age weakened him. His burial took place on the previous Saturday at the Mennonite cemetery in the eastern ward, with an exceptionally large number attending. The meeting-house was crammed full. Rev. Noah Stauffer preached in German and Rev. J. Y. Haist, in English. It should also be mentioned that he was one of the few men still living, who had helped with the construction of the meeting-house built in 1834, and the last man whose funeral service was held in it. Yesterday, on Wednesday, the demolition of the building was begun, in order to make room for a new, bigger House of God, to be built in the course of the coming summer.

Berliner Journal 13 Mar 1902 pg 4 col 5 Translated by: Patricia J. Kauk for the Kitchener Public Library

_________________________________________


100 Years Old

That which is granted only to relatively few mortals, namely: to attain the age of 100 years, was granted on Friday to Mr. Jakob D. Schumacher, who resides with his son Alexander, about three miles south of Berlin. In celebration of the day, many relatives and friends from near and far had gathered to wish the old gentleman much happiness on his day of celebration. During the day and evening, probably two hundred people carried out this affectionate duty. Fifty to sixty people shared in the noon dinner. His children, and his children's children honoured him with a giant bouquet of 100 white roses, tastefully arranged, as well as a speech wishing him well. There were also other floral offerings received, even one from Rochester, N.Y.

The old gentleman was happy and well. He is still in possession of his mental faculties, and although he is somewhat hard of hearing and his eyesight is weak, he recognized immediately most of the friends congratulating him. Those whom he did not recognize, he recalled as soon as their names were given. A quartet, consisting of the gentlemen. A.L. Breithaupt, H.S. Hallmann, A.B. Devitt, and J.A. Wiederhold, from Zion Church, came that evening and delighted the celebrants with the performance of several lovely songs.

Jakob D. Schumacher was born November 24, 1799, as the oldest son of George Schumacher, on his grandfather's farm near the old mill on Swamp Creek in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In his youth, he helped his father with wool-carding and dying wool and yarn. From his 15th to 18th year, he worked in a grinding and oil-mill, and in the wool-season, he helped in his father's business. At 18 years of age, he apprenticed himself to John Funk, whose house burned down, whereby Schumacher lost everything, except for that which he had on his own body. In the autumn of 1818, he worked for a short time in a tannery near Pottsgrove.

The following spring, he attended the school in Lower Salford Township for six weeks, and in the summer worked for six months for David Allenbach in Schippach Township for $12 a month. From his salary, he gave his parents $50 a year, until he reached his majority. After six months had expired, he again attended school for six weeks and with that, his schooling came to an end. In 1820, he apprenticed himself to Abraham Clemens, as a labourer where he remained for two years. The first year, he earned $80 salary, and in the second year, $72. In 1822, he worked for George Reiff in Schippach Township for $80 a year, and later, earned daily wages from farmers.

On November 18, 1823 he married Jane Dunbar, daughter of a Scotsman, Alexander Dunbar by name. She had been raised by a German farmer, Jakob Merkley by name, in Schippach Township. In the spring of 1824, he moved to Joseph Lowery's farm in Schippach and worked on it for five years. As pay for his work, he received one third of the harvest. His annual income amounted to approximately $80.

In 1829, he came to Canada with his wife, and two children as well as two brothers and a sister and settled on the spot where Bridgeport now stands. He worked on the very spot where the sawmill of his cousin, Jakob S. Schumacher, had been constructed. The latter had arrived in 1820. He purchased several pine logs from Henry Erb, who lived on Lot Number 58, German Company Tract, and had them sawed up into boards. On the south-west half of Lot Number 10, German Company Tract, which contained 224 acres, which he had purchased in the meantime, he built a shack into which he moved in April 1830. In the first year, a considerable section of the forest was cleared and a two-storey log house was built. A log barn was built the following year. The large barn which now stands on the spot was erected in 1842 and the stone house in 1851.

When he passed the farm on to his son Alexander, he had a frame house built for himself and his wife. Since the death of his wife approximately 19 years ago, he has lived with his son Alexander, where he receives the best of care. Several years after he had settled down in the forest, he developed epilepsy, which occurred so often that he could not be left alone. For about fifty years, he has been free of this torment. He attributes this to the vow he made then, not to eat anything on Good Friday, which he has conscientiously held to ever since.
His descendants consist of two sons and three daughters, 38 grand-children and 42 great-grandchildren, who all are lovingly devoted to the "old Gross Dady" and wish him a good and peaceful old-age, in which the "Journal" also joins in.

Berliner Journal, Nov. 30, 1899, Page 4, Col. 5 - translated by Patricia Kauk for the Kitchener Public Library

Jacob married Jane Dunbar 18 Nov 1823, , Pennsylvania, USA. Jane (daughter of Alexander Dunbar) was born 8 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 9 Aug 1880, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Shoemaker
• Eby ID Number: 00112-7042.1
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite