Levi S. Bowman

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-137
• 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, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Weaver Woolen Mill

Notes:

Levi S. Bowman, "was born December 7th, 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

Levi — Clara Ismay Gunby. Clara was born 1891, Of, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1969; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Lyla Eileen Bowman was born 6 Nov 1920; died 8 Mar 2013; was buried , Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00002-127
• Occupation: 1853, 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, 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
• Occupation: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Minister

Notes:

Tobias Bowman, "the fourth son of Benjamin Baumann, was born June 26th, 1829. On April 24th, 1853, he was married to Anna, daughter of Christian and Anna (Cressman) Schneider. She was born February 19th, 1832. They reside near St. Agatha, Wilmot Township, where he is engaged in farming. Some years ago he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel for the Mennonite body. He is a fluent speaker and a good worker in the Lord's vineyard. His sermons always make a deep impression upon the minds of the attentive audience. His family consists 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.].

_________________________


BOWMAN - Tobias Bowman was born June 26, 1829; died Sept. 2, 1909; aged 80 y. 2 m. 6 d. On April 24, 1853, he was united in holy matrimony with Anna Snyder. To this union were born 12 children of whom 8 are living, who with the mother mourn the loss of one who has been kind and affectionate as husband and father. Bro. Bowman was ordained to the ministry in the Mennonite church of Waterloo Co., Ont., in 1875, in which office he labored faithfully for many years. Though for a number of years he had not done any active ministerial work, yet he kept the faith and was glad to be with the brethren in worship and at communion. The end did not come unexpectedly. Last winter he believed the end of his life was near, and had chosen the text and also who was to officiate at his funeral. But when Spring came he recovered considerably again until about two weeks before his death. Funeral on Sunday, Sept. 5. Services at the house and at the Cressman Mennonite Church near Breslau, Ont. Services were conducted in English by C. B. Snyder from Rev. 14: 13, and in German by Jacob Woolner, Sr., from Isa. 3: 10.


GOSPEL HERALD - Vol. II, No. 27 - Sept. 30, 1909, page 431

Tobias married Anna Schneider 24 Apr 1853, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Christian C. Snyder and Anna Cressman) was born 19 Feb 1832, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 May 1918; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Bowman
• Name: Hannah Schneider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6068
• Residence: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; mennonist
• Residence: 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 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

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:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26517103
• Name: Christian C. Schneider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6058
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 115W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; mennonist
• 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; Labourer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Christian Schneider, "was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, May 28th, 1804. When two years of age his parents moved to Canada and settled in Doon, Ontario, where he was raised. On December 5th, 1825, he was married to Anna (No. 2104), daughter of John and Anna (Schowalter) Cressman. She was born June 18th, 1803, and died July 12th 1887. Shortly after their marriage they moved about a mile south of Breslau where he was the proprietor of the large farm now in possession of his youngest son, Absalom. he is the only one of his father's large family that is still living, and is yet quite strong considering his great age. His mental powers are good yet and he seems to enjoy the best of health but is anxiously waiting for the time to be called home to the mansions beyond. Since the decease of his wife he resides in his own house on the old place, having a housekeeper. His 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.].

Christian married Anna Cressman 5 Dec 1825. Anna (daughter of John Cressman and Anna Schowalter) was born 18 Jun 1803, , Chester Co., Pennsylvania; died 12 Jul 1887, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Snyder
• Name: Annie Cressman
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2104
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Residence: 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; mennonist
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Anna Cressman, "the fifth and youngest daughter of John and Anna (Schowalter) Cressman, was born June 18th, 1803. She was married to Christian Schneider, December 5th, 1825. He was born May 28th, 1804, and is still living on the old farm, near Breslau, with his son, Absalom. She died July 12th, 1887. To them was born 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:

• Historic Building: Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Christian Schneider's homestead
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5816
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Biehn's Tract Unnumbered Lots Doon, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Christian Schenider, "was born August 28th, 1758. In 1789 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Maria (Scherch) Erb (See No. 2777). She was born in Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, January 23rd, 1770, and died in Waterloo County, Ontario, September 29th, 1818. In 1806 they, in company with others, emigrated to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario, near where now is the village of Doon. Here he resided for a number of years. It was his intention to construct a dam across the creek flowing through his plantation and have a grist mill erected thereon. But in order to have the desired "head of water" he found that the "back water" would flood a few acres of Mr. Biehn's swamp adjoining that of his (Mr. Schneider's) property, This, although worth nothing, or comparatively little, Mr. Biehn would not sell to Mr. Schneider and thus prevented the building of a grist mill. Mr. Schneider died August 6th, 1850, leaving a family of eleven 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.].

Historic Building:
Two story wooden house built about 1807

Christian married Elizabeth Erb 1789. Elizabeth (daughter of Christian Erb and Maria Scherch) was born 23 Jan 1770, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 29 Sep 1818, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Schneider
• Eby ID Number: 00106-5816.1
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image

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