Harvey Brubacher

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79617356
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1419.3
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farm Laborer
• Residence: 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

Harvey — Edna Eby. Edna (daughter of Moses E. Eby and Esther "Hettie" Kraft) was born 30 Jul 1895, , Ontario, Canada; died 14 Apr 1929, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Clara Belle Brubacher was born 1 Dec 1918, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Dec 1918, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. Nora Brubacher was born 12 Dec 1920, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Feb 2009, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Ivan Brubacher was born 10 Apr 1922, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Nov 1995, Colonia, Aqua Azul, Paraguay; was buried , Agua Azul Menno Cemetery, Katueté District, Canindeyú, Paraguay.
4. Ella Brubacher was born 12 Aug 1923, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Sep 2005, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Verna Brubacher was born 2 Jul 1925, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 27 Sep 2016, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; was buried , Duchess Cemetery, Duchess, , Alberta, Canada.
6. Elaine Brubacher was born 5 Jan 1927, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Oct 2011, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Agatha Mennonite Cemetery, St. Agatha, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Harvey — Louisa Reier. Louisa (daughter of Frederick Reier and Angeline Hallman) was born 21 Nov 1890, Mannheim, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Mar 1963, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59269438
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1419
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, 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
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1921, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Joseph M. Brubacher, "was born May 21st, 1862. He is married to Louisa Groff and resides on the old 'Sailor Farm' about two and a half miles north-east of the town of Waterloo. Here he has resided since 1885. To them were born two 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.].

Joseph married Louisa Groff 25 Mar 1885, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Louisa (daughter of Jacob Groff and Lydia Martin) was born 3 Mar 1864, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Aug 1942, Nine Pines, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59269461
• Name: Louisa Brubacher
• Eby ID Number: 00044-3390
• Residence: 1891, 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:

Louisa Groff, "was born March 3rd, 1864. She is married to Joseph M. Brubacher."

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.].

_________________

Brubacher. - Louisa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Groff, Kitchener, Ont., was born near Waterlo, Ont., March 3, 1864; died Aug. 21, 1942; aged 78 y. 5 m. 18 d. Feb. 23, 1885, she was married to Joseph M. Brubacher, who preceded her in death March 16, 1925. She is survived by 1 son (Harvey, Kitchener), 5 grandchildren, 1 greatgrandchild, 1 brother (Amos Groff, Breslau). 2 sisters (Mrs. Jacob B. Snyder and Mrs. Edmund Shantz of Kitchener). She was an interested mother, a faithful Christian. She was a member of First Mennonite Church of Kitchener for many years. The funeral was in charge of Bro. C. F. Derstine and Bro. M. S. Hallman. Theme: "Two Undated Events

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXV, No . 25 - September 17, 1942 page 543

___________

MRS. LOUISA BRUBACHER

Mrs. Louisa Brubacher, widow of Joseph Brubacher, died at the home of her son at Nine Pines early today following a lengthy illness. She was born near Waterloo 78 years ago.

A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Groff, deceased lived near Waterloo until 24 years ago when she moved to her late home at Nine Pines. Her husband died in 1925. She was a member of the First Mennonite Church.

Surviving are one son, Harvey, of Nine Pines, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One brother, Amos Groff of Breslau, two sisters, Mrs. Jacob B. Snyder and Mrs. Edmund Shantz of Kitchener also survive. A daughter died in infancy and a sister, Mrs. John E. Schaefer of Kitchener died four months ago.

Remains will be at the Ratz- Bechtel Funeral Home until 9 a.m. Sunday when removal will be made to the residence. A private service will be held at the home at 2 p.m. with public service at the First Mennonite Church at 2:30 p.m. Bishop C. F. Derstine will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery.

Kitchener Daily Record Fri, Aug 21, 1942 Page 15

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1412
• Occupation: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Residence: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Henry Brubacher, "was born February 12th, 1824. On January 6th, 1852, he was married to Mary, daughter of David and Esther Musselman. She was born November 24th, 1833, and died November 20th, 1867. Soon after their marriage they moved on his father's old homestead, a little east of Berlin, where they resided until their deaths. He died March 5th, 1893. To them was born 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.].

____________________________________


BRUBACHER - On the 5th of March, 1893, near Berlin, Waterloo Co., Ontario, of an affection of the lungs, Bro. Henry Brubacher, aged 69 years and 21 days. The deceased was born on the 12th of February, 1824. In January, 1852, he married Mary Mussleman. To this union were born 5 sons and 5 daughters, of whom 4 sons and 3 daughters remain. Sister Brubacher died on the 20th of November, 1867. Bro. Brubacher had been confined to house nearly all winter and to his bed for about 4 weeks before his death. He was resigned to God's will. The remains were interred at C. Eby's meeting house, Berlin, on the 8th, followed by a large concourse of relatives and sympathizing friends. Funeral services at the house by D. Wisner and Moses Bowman in German from John 5: 24, 25 and by Noah Stauffer in English from Phillipians 1: 21.

Obituary - Herald of Truth, April 1, 1893

__________________

Mr. Henry Brubacher, an esteemed and widely known gentleman, who has resided near Berlin for many years, died at his late residence last evening after an illness of a few weeks. Deceased was in his sixty-ninth year of age and was the son of John Brubacher, one of the original settlers of the site where Berlin now stands. The dead citizen was very well known throughout the county and followed farming for the greater portion of his life, though for some years he was engaged, or had an interest in certain enterprises in the town. He was of a kindly disposition and leaves a family of seven grown children, four sons and three daughters, to mourn his loss. One of his sons is Mr. "Solly" Brubacher, so well and popularly known in Berlin. His death has aroused many expressions of condolences for his bereaved family, and the county loses a whole-hearted genial resident. He was born in Berlin, Feb 12 1821 and died of congestion of the lungs and will be buried on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock in the Old Mennonite Cemetery. [Henry Sherk Brubacher]

The Daily Telegraph 6 Mar 1893

Henry married Mary Musselman 6 Jan 1852, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of David Musselman and Esther Z. Martin) was born 24 Nov 1833, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Nov 1867, near, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 23 Nov 1867, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Brubacher
• Eby ID Number: 00083-4937
• Residence: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Mary Musselman, "was born November 24th, 1833. On January 6th, 1852, she was married to Henry Brubacher. They resided on the old "John Brubacher Farm" a little east of Berlin where she died November 20th, 1867, leaving 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.].

________________

On the 20th of November, 1867, in Waterloo Co., Ontario, MARY, wife of Henry BRUBACHER, aged 33 years, 11 months and 26 days. Her maiden name was Musselman. She was buried on the 23rd at Eby's burying-ground. She leaves a husband and 10 children to mourn her early departure.

HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume IV, Number 12 - December 1867, Page 191

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00044-3388
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1862, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Jacob Groff, "was born April 3rd, 1834. On June 3rd, 1862, he was married to Lydia Martin. She was born March 26th, 1837. They reside about a mile north-east of the town of Waterloo where he is now living retired. To them was born a family 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.].

Jacob married Lydia Martin 3 Jun 1862, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lydia (daughter of Henry Z. Martin and Catharine Miller) was born 26 Mar 1837, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Apr 1915; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lydia Groff
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4318
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1862, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Lydia Martin, "the fifth daughter, was born March 26th, 1837. On June 3rd, 1862, she was married to Jacob Groff."


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: pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1389
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 057, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 059, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 006, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

John Brubacher, "the youngest son of Jacob and Susannah (Erb) Brubacher, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, July 11th, 1793. In 1815 he came to Canada (See pages 45, 46 and 47) and selected his lot, No. 57, German Company's Tract, township and county of Waterloo, Ontario, a little to the east of Berlin. Here he had a small clearing made and a log shanty erected thereon. Late in fall of the same year Mr. Brubacher returned to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to make arrangements for moving to Canada the following spring. Early in 1816, he, in company with his mother, moved to this country and had their home with Bishop Benjamin Eby. As soon as the log shanty on his large farm was finished he started housekeeping for himself. His mother proved to be his female assistant for one year. On March 6th, 1817, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Betzner) Sherk. She was born February 11th, 1798 and died October 8th, 1882. He died October 10th, 1875. When quite a young man he was ordained as deacon of the Mennonite Church for the Eby field of labor. This position he held until his death. 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.].

________________________________________________


October 10th, in Berlin, Canada, John Brubaker, one of the first settlers in this section, aged 82 years and 3 days.


Death Announcement - Herald of Truth, November 1875

_____________

JOHN BRUBACHER

John Brubacher came to Canada in 1816 and was accompanied by his widowed mother, Mrs. Susanna (Erb) Brubacher. She was a plucky woman and whatever she did was done aright. On the way over Mrs. Brubacher rode on a horse and killed a rattlesnake with her whip. Her son drove a heavily-laden Conestoga. Among other articles he brought in a churn. When they reached this settlment, their first meal was eaten off a pine stump. Mother and son then threaded their way through the woods to her son-in-law, Ben Eby's place,

John Brubacher made a clearing on Lot 57 and erected a log home. His mother kept house for him until 1817, when he married Catherine, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Betzner) Sherk. Ezra Eby said that Mrs, Susanna Brubacher sold her son 896 acres for $672 and then returned to Pennsylvania. Later on John Brubacher. as has been said, bought the Elias Eby farm in the East Ward and built a home in Brubacher Street that is still in use. Eventually John is said to have acquired 3,000 acres of land and to have given each of his fifteen children a farm.

John Brubacher was a short, dark man, and could lift a barrel of cider to his shoulder and take a drink out of the bunghole. His favorite saying was: Truth lasts the longest. His great-grand-father, also named John, when urged by his neighbors in Pennsylvania to build a gristmill declined, because he feared he might he tempted to take too heavy tolls.

Mrs. John Brubacher dressed plainly and wore a white cap. Her descendants treasure the heirlooms she handed down. There were no locks on their doors and often at night Indians entered her kitchen and slept on the floor. Once she was alarmed at breakfast time when a squaw fed a young papoose a piece of liver-sausage.

Fire was hard to make, for the settlers had no matches. A handful of dry cedar-bark was shredded and sparks struck from a flint with a piece of steel. Some families kept their fire burning the year round.

One night an Indian buck rapped on John's window and pleaded for a drink of whisky, but the pioneer did not give him any. Wild animals were all too plentiful and wolves a menace. Occasionally he heard the squeal of a pig as it was dragged from its pen by a black bear.

The Mennonites loved music. Once, while revisiting his old home in Pennsylvania, John Brubacher called on a man who owned a medodeon and had him play a hymn often sung in Ben Eby's church. As he listened tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. The pioneer walked with his head bent Ward Bowlby once met him in East King Street and said, "Mr. Brubacher, when walking you should keep your head up" John responded, "Mr. Bowlby, yonder is a field of wheat. Some of the stalks stand with their heads up those are empty; the bent heads only are filled with grain."

Mr. Brubacher's youngest daughter, Veronica (Mrs. Moses Betzner) died in 1936, when in her ninety-second year. She was an early riser; ate whole-wheat bread and until her fortieth year never tasted tea nor coffee after that she drank milk or butter-milk. "Sunrise," said she, "has a virtue no other part or the day has. Work is a blessing. Without it He would not be worth living."

"This community," she added, "was based on practical Christianity. The people were honorable and in business matters no writings passed among them It was all done by word of mouth and a man's Yes was binding."

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937, pg 23, 24

John married Catharine Shirk 6 Mar 1817. Catharine (daughter of Joseph Sherk and Mary Betzner, daughter of Joseph Schoerg and Elizabeth Betzner) was born 11 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 8 Oct 1882, near, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 11 Oct 1882, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Brubacher
• Name: Catherine Scherich
• Eby ID Number: 00101-5638
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Catharine Shirk, "was born February 11th, 1798. She was married to Deacon John Brubacher. They resided near Berlin where they both died. She died October 8th, 1882"


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/37030080
• Interesting: pioneer, mill, story
• Eby ID Number: 00083.4908
• Birth: CALC 25 Apr 1799
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Musselman, "The two old pioneer settlers of this numerous family were David and Frederick who were no relatives to each other. They came to Canada in 1819 and settled in Waterloo County. The former, Mr. David Musselman settled in Woolwich Township, near Conestogo, on the farm now possessed by David Koch, while Frederick Musselman settled on the farm known as Rev. Elias Snider's place a little north of Waterloo. We shall first five the family of David and then of Frederick."

David Musselman, "was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 18th, 1799, and was married to Esther, daughter of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1803, and died July 31st, 1872. He died October 25th, 1870. To them was born 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.].

_______________________________

All lands in the early days was in the hands of large holders. Where the village now standing was part of a large holding belonging to David Musselman who himself lived on the western side of the village[Conestogo]. It was this man Musselman who started the wheels of Conestogo running by beginning the very important business of flour milling. This was urgent owing to the extreme distance that settlers had to hand for their supplies as all these were brought in on horseback from Dundas.

The Milling Industry

In 1845 the flour mill was built, also a saw mill, both run by waterpower, obtained from the waters of the Conestogo River diverted to these plants thru a raceway nearly a mile in length, the building of which was a colossal piece of work.

Mr. Musselman did not continue long as a miller, for in 1850 he sold the saw and grist mill with the property belonging to them to Henry Snider who conducted both for some years. The saw mill was finally abandoned and the mill taken away. More time was devoted to the flour mill which had attained wonderful proportions so much so that a new building on a far larger scale was put up equipped with more machinery.

About this time it was a common occurrence for farmers to come 40 and 45 miles with their wheat, so that very often from 20 to 30 teams stood waiting at this mill for their chance to unload. After a very successful term, Mr. Snider turned over his interests here to one of his sons Menno who remained at the head until about 1916. During this time he suffered reverses and a severe fire in 1904 wiped out the mill with its contents together with the storeroom for wheat all of which was lost.

Berlin Daily Record Apr. 26, 2008 typed by Marion Roes

______________________________

CONESTOGA

A pioneer named David Musselman is credited with having founded Conestoga. He first purchased 700 acres of forest in the vicinity. In 1830 he bought a parcel of land where the village stands from Abram Martin. It was watered by the Conestoga River and Spring Creek, on which he built a sawmill. In 1844 he built a dam across the Conestoga River and erected another sawmill and a flourmill. A hamlet sprang up. Among the first buyers of lots in Musselman's survey were: John Miller, Adam Heller, Stephen Washburn, John B. Eby, Christian Stuernagel, James Merrilees, H. von Trilera, Theodore Spetz, Henry Snider, Jacob Grosz, Philip Oswald, Joseph S. Weaver, George Davidson, Peter Eby, S. B. Eby, Peter Buchanan, Michael Oswald, Jacob Kuntz, Charles Hendry, Solomon Kaufman, and Jacob Lippert.

After their advent a cooper shop, blacksmithshop, a store, an hotel, and a post office followed. In time a brickyard, a school, and a church were added, and the place was called Musselman's Mills. Later Perine Brothers built a flaxmill on Spring Creek, while on the same stream Goodworth & Sills constructed a paint mill.

The hamlet was known as Musselman's Mills until 1852, when it was renamed Conestoga, after the Conestoga River or the town of Conestoga in Lancaster County, Pa., from which county many of the pioneers had come. David Musselman operated his mills until 1856 and then sold them to Henry Snider, who carried on the milling till his death in 1885. His executors sold the mills to Menno Snider, who operated the flourmill until his own death in 1916. During his closing years he was assisted by his son Walter J. Snider, who succeeded to the property. Walter Snider afterward purchased the flour-mill at St. Jacobs from W. W. Snider and operated the two mills as the Snider Flour Milling Company, Limited. After his decease, his son Russell became head of the industries..

Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1933 pg 16 - Woolwich Township - Its Early Settlement by W. V. Uttley

David — Esther Z. Martin. Esther (daughter of Peter Martin and Anna Zimmerman) was born 29 Aug 1803, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 31 Jul 1872, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Esther Z. Musselman
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4391
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Esther Martin, "the fourth daughter of Peter and Anna (Zimmerman) Martin, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 29th, 1803, and came to Canada when sixteen years of age. She was married to David Musselman who died October 25th, 1870. She died July 31st, 1872."

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: Andreas Groff
• Eby ID Number: 00044-3340
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 007, 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
• Residence: Bef 1865, Lititz, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Andrew Groff, "son of John and Anna (Moyer) Graff, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 18th, 1793. His boyhood days were spent in acquiring a business education which proved of great benefit to him in later years. At the age of seventeen he made choice of the milling business as the most pleasing to his taste. His first years of apprenticeship were served in Earl Township where he remained until 1822 when he was induced by others to seek his fortune either in the West or in Canada. Being persuaded by one Joseph Mosser and others who were on the point of leaving for Canada, to join in with their company, he came to Waterloo in the fall of 1822 and found everything most satisfactory. As he was a miller by trade, old Abraham Erb wanted him to take charge of his grist mills which he intended to do after moving to Canada. After being here a short time and making arrangements to move to Canada he started again for Pennsylvania. Arriving at home in safety and spending a few weeks in visiting friends, he then set out for his new home. He left Pennsylvania with his wife and family of four children and made the trip to Canada in seventeen days. On his arrival at Waterloo in November, 1822, he was engaged by Abraham Erb to work on the saw mill where he remained three weeks, after which he entered the employ of Mr. Shade of Galt where he remained for nearly two years, and acquired a considerable amount of cash. He then purchased 200 acres of land half way between Preston and Galt and in a few years he was the proprietor of a store, tavern, grist mill, saw mill, and distillery, from all of which he soon realized quite a fortune, becoming one of the wealthiest men in the county. In 1848 he sold this property and purchased the farm of the late David Erb, north of the town of Waterloo, now in possession of his son Jacob. During the close of his life he lived on the place now possessed by Mr. F. Scheifle, a little to the north of the town of Waterloo. Here he died May 11th, 1877. He was married in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1815, to Annie, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Reist) Huber. She was born October 15th, 1795, and died in Waterloo County, Ontario, September 19th, 1865. 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.].

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SAMUEL GROFF. PRESIDENT NORTH WEST BUTTON CO.

Mr. Samuel Groff, though not a native born Berliner, still is a son of the fine old County of which Berlin is the chief town. He comes of Pennsylvania German stock. His grand father was Andrew Groff who learned the trade of Miller in his home state-Pennsylvania. In 1822 he came to Waterloo and after a few years spent there and at Galt, he acquired a large tract of land near Preston, where he carried on farming, saw-milling, a grist mill, store, hotel and distillery and became one of the wealthiest men in the county. His eldest son, Isaac, was the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born near Freeport in 1847. He early entered mercantile life in the late J. Hoffman's store and was one of the earlier merchants in Berlin. He was head of the firm Groff and Hymmen for many years, a house that was among the largest in the county. Several years ago, he went to Winnipeg and at present he is president of the North West Button Co.2^a


Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir
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From the Region of Waterloo Hall of Fame website.

The name of Groff in Waterloo in the nineteenth century was associated with the raising of Shorthorn cattle.

Andrew Groff of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, settled in 1822 on 170 acres at the location of the Galt Country Club. He later owned a grist mill, general store, tavern and a distillery. In the 1840s the family moved to Waterloo where his sons and grandsons, with outstanding success, bred and raised Shorthorn cattle.

A Knight of Warlaby, imported from Scotland, proved to be an outstanding sire. A son, A Baron of Waterloo," in 1882 was Grand Champion at the leading Canadian show at Kingston. In 1886 he was champion at Guelph. He was then sold to the Hon. George Brown. This bull sired what was probably the best show herd in Canada, winning awards on the American and Canadian show circuits. The Groffs were justifiably proud of their reputation as Shorthorn breeders.

Andrew married Annie Huber 1815, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Annie (daughter of Samuel Huber and Elizabeth Reist) was born 15 Oct 1795, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 19 Sep 1865, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Annie Groff
• Eby ID Number: 00044-3340.1
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Other Events:

• Interesting: religion, story
• Eby ID Number: 00075-4296
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Possessions: 1853, Woolwich Township German Company Tract 086, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Probate: 20 Jun 1853, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Henry Martin, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 16th, 1794, and died on his farm now in possession of his son, Elias, June 8th, 1853. He was married to Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Bricker) Miller. She was born November 4th, 1803, and died after an illness of a few months, October 2nd, 1870. They had a family of ten children"


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

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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 Waterlo.


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

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A-1-8 Henry Martin: The Last Will and Testament of Henry Martin, Yeoman, late of the Township of Woolwich.

,,,I Henry Martin, yeoman of the Township of Woolwich, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament.. First that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my Executors, trusty and beloved son and brother, Peter Martin and John Martin, As to my worldly estate, I will to my beloved wife Catharine, two cows out of my stock after her own choice and three beds, and if my executors see fit, they are at liberty to leave as many more beds in the possession of my beloved wife as they deem necessary, and my five stoves and pipes and as much house and kitchen furniture as she and my Executors see fit and proper, which she, my beloved wife, is to have in lieu of Dower. I further will to my beloved wife Catharine, the privilege to occupy the adjoining house and garden I now lived in on the old homestead, as long as she remains my widow. During her widowhood, she is to have as much firewood as she wants for her own use, delivered to her house, she is also at liberty to go in my orchard at all tims and take as much of all kinds of fruit as she wants for her own use and as much good merchantable wheat well ground, delivered to her house, as she wants for her own use, and three hundred pounds of good pork and fifty pounds of good beef, which is to be delivered to her house yearly. She is also to have each and every year, the interest of one hundred and fifty pounds, which are to be paid out of my farm on the old homestead, whereupon I now reside, and the cowshed that I have willed to my beloved wife are to be kept for her on my farm in good order during summer and winter so long as she remains my widow, and the old homestead my two youngest sons are to have for the consideration sum, of eight hundred pounds as soon as they have obtained the age of twenty one years, and as soon as they have obtained the said age, each of them are to have one hundred and twenty five pounds, which is to be deducted out of the said Eight hundred pounds as a part of their legacy, and should my two youngest sons not wish to have the said old homestead, my Executors are to sell, or lease, as they see fit, with the consent of my beloved wife, and of my sons. They are to deliver to my beloved wife, yearly, all the above mentioned articles, which she is to have yearly, and until my two sons have obtained the age of twenty one years, and herein after named Executors are to deliver to my beloved wife yearly fifteen bushels of potatoes, and after they have obtained the said age, they my said sons are to deliver the fifteen bushels of potatoes yearly, further that the one hundred and fifty pounds are to remain in the old homestead during my beloved widows natural life, or so long and she remains my widow, which my two sons, as aforesaid are to pay the interest of as above mentioned. The remaining four hundred pounds are to be paid as follows: in fourteen equal annual installments the first of each becomes payable three years after my said two youngest sons have obtained the age of twenty one year. Should my beloved wife die or not remain my widow when the last installment becomes due, my said sons are to have three years after the said last installment becomes due, to pay the said one hundred and fifty pounds with interest. My two youngest sons are to have along with the old homestead, the cedar swamp on lot number eighty six in Woolwich, that lies between my sons Elias and Peter's Swamp. I also give and bequeath the remainder of the whole of my real estate the proceeds there from, and my personal estate which remains in the hands of my Executors after payment of debts and other charges, to be divided unto and equally between and among all my sons and daughters, share and share alike. As soon as any of my daughters shall stand in need of house furniture, my Executors shall give each and everyone of them to the same amount as I gave my eldest daughter.

Witnessed by Moses Springer, Elias Martin and David Martin
Will dated 21 May 1853
Will proved and insinuated 20 June 1853
No Inventory rendered at the time.

Wills of Waterloo County Register A 1853-1871, transcribed by Frances Hoffman

Henry — Catharine Miller. Catharine (daughter of Jacob Miller and Magdalena Bricker) was born 4 Nov 1803, , Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania; died 2 Oct 1870, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Martin
• Eby ID Number: 00079-4773
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

Notes:

Catharine Miller, "was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 4th, 1803. She was married to Henry Martin who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 16th, 1794, and died in Woolwich Township, about three miles north of Waterloo, June 8th, 1853. She died October 2nd, 1870. To them was born 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.].