Ezra C. Bowman

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-113
• Residence: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agricultural Laborer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dry Goods

Notes:

Ezra C. Bowman, "the sixth and youngest son of Rev. Moses and Anna (Cressman) Bowman, was born October 16th, 1873. He is attending the Berlin High School preparing himself for entering the teaching profession."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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

Ezra — Anna Laura "Laura" Cressman. Anna (daughter of Samuel C. Cressman and Angeline S. Bingeman) was born 18 Nov 1875, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Jul 1922, , Missouri, USA; was buried , Wilson Cemetery, Camden Co., Missouri. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Moses Baumann
• Eby ID Number: 00002-101
• Residence: 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Ordained: 2 Jan 1859, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Minister
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Moses Bowman, "the eldest son of Benjamin Baumann, was born November 9th, 1819. He was married to Anna, daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Biehn) Cressman, October 8th 1844. She was born near Freeport, Ontario, on August 7th, 1828. On March 25th, 1845, they moved on their farm (The farm is composed of lot No. 4, north of Bleam's Road, Wilmot) near Manheim where they still reside. On May 1st, 1853, he was ordained deacon of the church of his choice, and on January 2nd, 1859, he was ordained minister of the Mennonite denomination. He was, in his days, one of the best pulpit orators that the church possessed, and even yet in his old days his sermons convince both friends and enemies that he is a man of more than ordinary ability. His family consisted 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.].

_______________________

Pre. Moses S. Bowman.

Near Mannheim, Waterloo Co., Ontario, on January 4th, 1898, Pre. Moses S. Bowman, aged 78 years, 1 month and 26 days. He was married to Anna Cressman in 1844, and the union was blest with six sons and six daughters of whom all but one son survive him. He has left also, 53 surviving grandchildren. On May 1st, 1853, he was chosen as deacon, and on January 2d, 1859, he was ordained a minister of the Mennonite church. For upwards of thirty-five years he worked earnestly and faithfully for the Master who had blessed him with a clear intellect, a keen insight into human nature, fluent language, and great spiritual power, so that his sermons were always attentively listened to. His preaching was of the conversational order, and his words thus seemed to be directed to every individual rather than to the congregation as a body, and as he spoke directly to the heart, reason and conscience of his hearer, his words never failed to make a deep impression. He was greatly interested in the cause of temperance, and his efforts in this direction, especially in Sunday school work, have been productive of much good. In the capacity of husband, father, neighbor and friend, his conduct was such as to gain for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him. During the last four years of his life he did not take an active part in the ministry, owing to impaired mental and bodily power, but he looked forward serenely for the coming of his Lord, and when his physician, during his last visit, told him that he had not many hours to live, he expressed his pleasure that he was so soon to be summoned to be in the presence of the King, where we believe he now is, and is to remain forever more.
On Jan. 7, he was followed to his last resting place in the Latschar cemetery by a large concourse of people, on which occasion Bishop Amos Cressman spoke in German from John 11: 25, 26, and Noah Stauffer in English from Luke 2: 29-32, and Heb. 11: 14, 16.

"Father, thou art sweetly resting,
On the lovely Savior's breast,
Where the wicked cease from troubling,
And the weary are at rest."

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXV, No. 3, February 1, 1898 - page 44, 45, 46

Moses married Anna Cressman 8 Oct 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Joseph Cressman and Barbara Biehn) was born 7 Aug 1828, Near Freeport, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Dec 1902, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mannheim Mennonite Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Bowman
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2091
• Residence: 1844, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Anna Cressman, "was born August 7th, 1828. On October 8th, 1844, she was married to Rev. Moses Bowman who was born November 9th, 1819. To them were born 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.].

_____________


BOWMAN.-On the 22d of December, near Mannheim, Waterloo Co., Ont., Anna Cressman, widow of the late Pre. Moses Bowman. She was born near Freeport, Ont., Aug. 7, 1828, and reached the age of 74 Y., 4 M., 15 D. Buried on the 25th at Mannheim, followed to her last earthly resting place by a host of relatives and friends. She was beloved and respected and we mourn not as those who have no hope.


HERALD OF TRUTH, Vol. XL, No. 1, January 1, 1903 - pg 7

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-100
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 054, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Benjamin Baumann, "born February 15th, 1787 and died December 7th, 1874. He was married to Susannah Bechtel, who was born June 16th, 1797, died September 19th 1870. They lived and died in Canada. They had a family of nine children".

Benjamin Baumann, "eldest son of Wendel and Maria (Huber) Baumann, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, February 15th, 1787. He was married to Susannah, daughter of Joseph and Magdalena (Allenbach) Bechtel. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 16th, 1797 and died September 19th, 1870. In spring of 1815 he came to Canada, prospecting the country. He found Waterloo to be a favorable county for the forming of settlements. In fall of the same year, he in company with Jonathan B. Baumann and John Brubacher (Deacon Johney), returned to Pennsylvania. In 1818 he, in company with Christian Burkholder and family, John Good and family, old Betty Baumann (wife of Peter Baumann), old Esther Cressman, Samuel Bechtel and others, came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Waterloo County, Ontario Canada, making the journey in 28 days. On arriving here he settled on lot No. 54, German Company's Tract, township of Waterloo, about two miles south-east of Berlin, where he resided until his death. The farm is now owned by his son, Rev. Samuel Baumann. They had a family of nine 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.].

Benjamin married Susannah Bechtel 1818. Susannah (daughter of Rev. Joseph Bechtel and Magdalena Allebach) was born 16 Jun 1797, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 19 Dec 1870, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susannah Bauman
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0674
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Susannah Bechtel "was born June 16th, 1797, and died September 19th, 1870. She was married to Benjamin Baumann who was born February 15th, 1787, and died December 7th, 1874. They resided about two miles south-east of Berlin where they both died. Their family consisted of nine children".


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

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2084
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Assessment: 1829, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 10, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Assessment: 1829, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 23, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 10, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Joseph Cressman, "the second son of John and Anna (Schowalter) Cressman, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, April 23rd, 1798, and came to Canada with his parents in 1807. On September 24th, 1822, he was married to Barbara Biehn who was born in Waterloo County, near Doon, January 7th, 1806, and died August 13th, 1888. They resided near Freeport, Ontario, where he died January 25th, 1840. Their family consisted of eight 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 Barbara Biehn 24 Sep 1822. Barbara (daughter of Johannes "John" Biehn and Anna "Nancy" Bechtel) was born 6 Jan 1806, Near Doon, Waterloo Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 13 Aug 1888; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Cressman
• Eby ID Number: 00008-9991
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

Notes:

Barbara Biehn, "the third member in the family, was born January 6th, 1806. She was married September 24th, 1882, to Joseph Cressman who was born April 23rd, 1798, and died January 25th, 1840. She died August 13th, 1888. They had a family of eight children".


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

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-25

Notes:

Wendel Baumann, "the third son of Christian Baumann, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, February 25th, 1758. He resided in the house built by his father in 1749. Here he died November 20th, 1842. He was married to Maria Huber, who was born May 20th, 1760, and died April 20th, 1816. They had a family of eight 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.].

Wendel — Maria Huber. Maria was born 20 May 1760, Of, Alleghany Valley, Berks Co., Pennsylvania; died 20 Apr 1816. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Bauman
• Eby ID Number: 00002-25.1

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19546720
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Location of his log house.
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0645
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 04S, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Joseph Bechtel "son of Martin Bechtel, a minister of the Mennonites, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1761. He was married March 5th, 1786, to Magdalena Allebach who was born September 21st, 1761, and died September 21st, 1837. They moved to Canada in 1802 and settled on the farm situated at the mouth of the Speed River where it meets with the Grand River. Here they resided many years. In 1804 he was ordained as a minister of the Mennonite body which position he held until his death which took place April 11th, 1838. They had a family of seven 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.].

________________________

Preston (Bechtel or Hagey) Mennonite Church

The second meeting house in Waterloo County was built, probably in 1814, by John Erb, a wealthy miller of Preston. This brick meeting house served as a community church and was located "near Jacob Hagey's", which was on the road running from the top of the Kress Hill west and "adjoining the Kitchener Highway" (Witmer 1967: 26). Another meeting house, known as the Union Meeting House, was built in the area around 1824. A meeting was held in the Union church on November 20, 1824 to commence recording the accounts of the congregation in Hagey's Deacon Book. The deed of land for the Union Meeting House and burial ground, which was for one acre of part Lot 22, Beasley's Broken Front, was transacted in 1835.

Hagey Meeting House was buiilt of red brick in 1842 on part Lot 23, just north of Preston on the west side of the Breslau Road, and slightly north of the Union Meeting House site. The deed, dated February 2, 1842, recorded the purchase of the land from John Hilborn and stressed that the property was to be for "the purpose of public worship by the Mennonist Society" (Witmer 1967: 28). Joseph Bechtel was the first minister in the area, from 1804-1837; he was followed by David Sherk (1838-1843). Next came Joseph Hagey (1844-1877), who was ordained bishop in 1851, and then Jacob B. Gingrich from 1878 to 1901. Services were held every four weeks until 1890 when bi-weekly services were begun. A Sunday School was established in 1842 with the congregation of Wanner Meeting House near Hespeler, but it was discontinued because of a difference of opinion regarding the need for Sunday Schools. On April 26, 1891 a Sunday School was organized at Hagey's, with deacon Abraham Oberholtzer as superintendent. Five years later, on June 10, 1896, a Sunday School was organized at the Wanner church.

Major changes were made to the church building in 1927-1928 when the basement was excavated, new windows were installed and the roof was raised two feet. Fire on January 15, 1950 caused extensive damage to the interior and furnishings of the church. The building was completely renovated and also enlarged at the same time; dedication was on July 2, 1950. Another fire, on Feburary 19, 1953, completely destroyed the church. A congregational decision was made to build a new church, on Concession Road in Preston, and the cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, October 12, 1953. Official dedication services in the new Preston Mennonite Church were held on May 16, 1954. The building was enlarged in the summer of 1989.

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

Residence:
The current building contains some original logs from the home.

Joseph married Magdalena Allebach 5 Mar 1786. Magdalena was born 21 Sep 1765, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 21 Sep 1837, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19546759
• Name: Magdalena Bechtel
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0645.2

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2061
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 10, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John Cressman, "son of Nicolaus Cressman, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1755. He was married to Anna Schowalter who was born April 4th, 1761, and died in Waterloo County, Ontario, July 2nd, 1829. They with their family of seven children, moved to Canada in 1807, and settled in Waterloo County, near Freeport, Ontario, on the farm lately owned by Daniel B. Snyder. Here he died in 1818."


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.].

John — Anna Schowalter. Anna was born 4 Apr 1761, Of, Pennsylvania; died 2 Jul 1829, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Cressman
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2061.1
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41603273
• Name: John Biehn
• Eby ID Number: 00008-976
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Biehn's Tract Lot 01, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John Biehn, " the eldest son of John and Barbara (Fried)Biehn, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1776. In 1799 he was married to Nancy, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Hoch) Bechtel. In 1800 they with his parents and family, and others moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County where now is the village of Doon. Here they resided until their deaths. Their family consisted of seven children."

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

Johannes married Anna "Nancy" Bechtel 1799. Anna (daughter of Abraham Bechtel and Mary Hoch) was born CA 1777, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died , Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67850383
• Name: Anna "Nancy" Biehn
• Name: Nancy Bechtel
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0810

Notes:

Anna Bechtel "daughter of IV Abraham and Mary (Hoch) Bechtel, was married to John Biehn. They resided at Doon, Ontario, where they had a family of seven 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.].