Barbara Betzner

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00006-0942

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00006-0934
• 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; Farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Retired: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Income
• Residence: 1921, 139 Lancaster St. E. Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Noah Betzner "was bron March 22nd, 1836. He is married to Barbara Schneider, who was born September 11th, 1838. They reside about three miles east of Berlin, on the old "Jacob Sherk" farm. 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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

________________________


Noah Betzner

One of the oldest citizens of Kitchener, if not the oldest, passed away this morning at his late residence, at 139 East Lancaster street, in the person of Noah Betzner, born on March 22, 1836, he was well on in his 92nd year, and in full possession of all his faculties up to three or four weeks ago, when he was compelled to take to his bed. During his short illness he received at the hands of his family and other friends the watchful care due a father, a neighbour and a friends, the end coming this morning at an early hour, without pain and without apprehension of any kind.

The late Mr. Betzner was the son of the late John B. Betzner and Magdalena Eby and a great grandson of Samuel Betzner, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1738, and who migrated to Canada about the year 1800, taking up land on the Grand River, opposite Doon, where the monument to the Waterloo County pioneers now stands. The late Mr. Betzner was proprietor of this farm during the first five years of his married life, after which he moved to the "Jacob Sherk" farm on the Grand River between Kitchener and Breslau. In 1898 Mr. Betzner gave up farming and moved to Kitchener, where he has resided ever since.

On March 3, 1857, he was married to Barbara Schneider, who predeceased him just two years ago, and eight years beyond their 60th anniversary. Three children died in infancy, the surviving members of the family being Mrs. Isaac Brubacher, Mrs. Moses Shantz, Mr. Oliver Betzner, Mrs. Oliver Hallman, and Mr. Ephraim Betzner, all of this city and vicinity. There also survive fourteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. To all of these sympathy is extended on the loss of a kind and Christian father, whose memory will be revered by all who knew him.

In the death of Mr. Betzner the community loses one of the few links which still remained to bind us to early life in Waterloo County. He was one of the original members of the M.B.C. congregation, organized in the early seventies, under the guidance and inspiration of Rev. Solomon Eby. He was a consistent member of that church ever since, was faithful and even severe with himself in his religious duties, and was an inspiration to many by his upright and exemplary life and his Christian testimony given many times and often both in public gatherings and in private life. Truly this was a good man, - good in the face of the many trials, difficulties and disappointments of a long life.

The funeral will take place from his late residence on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock and will proceed to the M.B.C. church for service and to the East End cemetery where internment will take place.


Obituary - Kitchener Daily Record, August 25, 1927

Noah married Barbara Snyder 3 Mar 1857. Barbara (daughter of Moses E. Schneider and Magdalena Clemens) was born 11 Sep 1838, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Sep 1925, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Name: Barbara Betzner
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6409
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheren
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1921, 139 Lancaster St. E. Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Waterloo County Pioneer Passes
Death Calls Barbara Snyder Wife of Noah Betzner In Her Eighty Seventh Year

On Sunday morning at her late residence on Lancaster Street, there passed away in the person of Barbara (Snyder) Betzner, daughter of the late Moses E. Snyder, and wife of Noah Betzner, one of the few remaining people who are able and competent to speak of pioneer days in Waterloo County. Although Mrs. Betzner was within five days of her eighty-seventh birthday and somewhat feeble due to her advanced age, her death was quite unexpected and particularly so as she arose and partook of her breakfast on Sunday as usual. She passed away as she wished to do in her chair and under circumstances which would bring the least inconvenience to those most dear to her.

Mrs. Betzner was the eldest of a large family of eleven children, all of whom were well known in Waterloo County, and of whom only three survive, namely Moses C. Snyder of Gloversville, N.Y., and the Misses Hannah and Lucena of Kitchener. On March 3rd 1857, the deceased was married to Noah Betzner who was brought up on the now historic farm on the Grand River opposite Doon. Mr. Betzner, who is in his ninetieth year, will have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in this great bereavement, breaking as it does a companionship of over sixty-eight years.
The late Mrs. Betzner was the mother of eight children, three of whom died in infancy, the other five remaining to mourn the loss of a good Christian mother. They are Mrs. Mary Ann Brubacher, Mrs. Magdalena Shantz and Mrs. Zelinda Hallman, of Kitchener, Mr. Oliver Betzner, on the Breslau Road, and Mr. Ephrain Betzner, of Conestogo. Fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren also survive.

The funeral will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday, a short service at her late residence at two o'clock to be followed by a service at the Bethany Mennonite Church, of which congregation she was one of the original members. Internment will take place in the cemetery of the First Mennonite Church on King Streete East. The passing of this grand old lady will be mourned by many besides those of her immediate family and the sympathy of the whole community will go to those who were nearest and dearest to her.


Kitchener Daily Record, September 8, 1925

Other Events:

• Name: John B. Betzner
• Eby ID Number: 00006-0926

Notes:

John B. Betzner "the second son of John D. and Mary (Bechtel) Betzner, was born February 13th, 1808. Early in spring of 1833 he was married to Magdalena, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Bechtel) Eby. She was born December 12th, 1813, and died April 2nd, 1886. Soon after their marriage they moved on his father's and grandfather's old place opposite Doon where he died February 6th, 1854. Their family consisted 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.].
___________________________-


February 6, 1854 - John Betzner. Waterloo Township. 45 years


Death Announcement - Deutsche Canadier, February 16, 1854

______________________

A-1-32 John Betzner: Administration to the estate of John Betzner, late of the Township of Waterloo granted on Petition and issued in favor of his widow Magdalene the eighth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty four, after her giving proof that the said deceased died intestate on or about the sixth day of February of same year, and on her giving Bond into the sum of Five Hundred Pounds, with David Sherick and Abraham Cressman, both of the said Township of Waterloo, Yeomen, as her sureties. Inventory amounting to Six Hundred and seventy four pounds, eighteen shillings and 5 1/2 pence.

Granted and issued 8^th March 1854
Inventory £674/18/51/2d

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

Johannes married Magdalena Eby 30 Apr 1833. Magdalena (daughter of David Eby and Elizabeth Bechtel) was born 12 Dec 1813, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 2 Apr 1886, Near New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Betzner
• Name: Magdalena Hallman
• Name: Magdalena Histand
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2371
• Residence: 1865, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Magdalena Eby, "the second daughter in the family, was born December 12th, 1813. On April 30th, 1833, she was married to John Betzner who was born February 13th, 1808, and died February 6th, 1854. After Mr. Betzner's decease she was married, June 19th, 1855, to Abraham Hiestand. After Mr. Hiestand's decease she was married to Mr. Joseph Hallman. When married the third time she resided near New Dundee, Ontario, where she died April 2nd, 1886. With her first husband she had six children, namely:., and with Mr. Hiestand she had one child named Magdalena."


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:

• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 056, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2422.8
• Residence: 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Moses E. Schneider, "twin brother to Joseph E., was born November 24th, 1810. On April 12th, 1836, he was married to Molly (Magdalena) (No. 1848), daughter of Abraham and Molly (Miller) Clemens. She was born March 3rd, 1820, and died January 29th, 1887. Soon after their married they moved about two miles east of Berlin where he was the owner of a beautiful farm. Here they raised eleven children, and some time after her death Mr. Schneider made his home with his son, Esra, who now resides in Berlin. He is enjoying ordinary good health and is still able to walk about and visit his friends"


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.].

Moses married Magdalena Clemens 12 Apr 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of Deacon Abraham L. Clemens and Magdalena "Molly" Miller) was born 3 Mar 1820, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Jan 1887, near, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Magdalena Schneider
• Name: Mollie
• Name: Molly Clemens
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1848
• Residence: 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Mennonite

Notes:

Magdalena Clemens, "was born March 3rd, 1820. On April 12th, 1836, she was married to Moses E. Schneider. They resided on a farm about two miles east of Berlin where she died January 29th, 1887. "


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:

• Historic Building: 437 Pioneer Tower Road, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Name: John Betzner
• Eby ID Number: 00006-0916
• Land: 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 11, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 12, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John Betzner, "the third son of Samuel and Maria (Detweiler) Betzner, was born May 7th, 1783. In 1804he was married to Mary, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Morris) Bechtel. She was born July 11th, 1782 and died September 22nd, 1843. After their marriage they moved on his father's farm opposite Doon where he died November 3rd, 1852. To them were born five 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:
The Betzner Farmstead, composed of a farmhouse, drive shed and cultural heritage landscape, is located at 437 Pioneer Tower Road, in the southeast end of the City of Kitchener. The two-storey farmhouse was designed in the Mennonite Georgian style by John Betzner, and the accessory drive shed was designed in the utilitarian and vernacular style typical of pioneer farmsteads. Both buildings were constructed in circa 1830.

Johannes married Mary Bechtel 6 Jul 1804. Mary (daughter of George Bechtel and Elizabeth Mary) was born 11 Jul 1782 OR 22 Jul 1782, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 22 Sep 1847, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Doon Pioneer Tower Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Betzner
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0814

Notes:

Mary Bechtel "the eldest in the family, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, July 11th, 1782. She came to Canada when nineteen years of age and on July 6th, 1804, she was married to John, son of old Samuel Betzner. He was born May 7th, 1783, and died November 3rd, 1852. They resided on a farm opposite Doon. She died on September 22nd, 1843. They had a family of five 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.].

___________________________________


Sept 22, 1847, Maria Betzner, nee Bechtel, wife of Johann Betzner, Aged 65 y, 2 m.


Death Announcement - Deutsche Canadier, September 30, 1847

Other Events:

• Residence: Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2360
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 032, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Historical Event: 29 Aug 1839, Evangelical Association Church, Waterloo, Ontario; church founding
• Historic Building: 1842, 15 Fischer-Hallman Rd. N., Waterloo, Ontario
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

David Eby, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 23rd, 1785. The house in which he and the Rev. Benjamin Eby made arrangements in regard to the moving to Canada is still standing and occupied by a son of Henry E. Brubacher. On June 21st, 1807, David Eby, in company with Benjamin Eby and wife, Joseph Schneider and wife, Peter Erb and wife, Daniel Eby, Samuel Eby, Daniel Erb, and others arrived at George Eby's who resided on the farm now owned and occupied by Jacob B. Shantz, one-half mile south-east of Berlin. He made his home for a few months with Peter Erb for whom he cleared ten acres of forest. Peter Erb had settled on the west side of the Grand River, one mile north of Bridgeport. David Eby was always happy and merry, even while at his work clearing away the large trees of the dense forest he was either singing or whistling most of the time. On May 8th, 1810, he married Elizabeth Bechtel who was born March 5th, 1787, and died January 15th, 1844. They resided on lot No. 32, German Company's Tract, where he died April 1st, 1860. They raised 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.].

___________________________

Erb Street (David Eby) Mennonite Church

Early services which began around 1837 were held in private homes. Land at the corner of Erb Street and Hallman Road, where the present-day cemetery is located, was donated by David Eby Sr. on July 14, 1851; a red brick church known as David Eby's Church was built in the same year. The first minister in the new church was Jacob M. Oberholtzer who served from 1852 to 1874. He was followed by Elias Schneider (1874-1889), Jonas Snider (1892-1900), Newton Weber (1921-1923), and Noah Hunsberger (1923-1929).

Due to a difference of opinion in the David Eby congregation, Sunday School classes were held at first in a private home, that of Levi Groff, beginning in 1887. The dissension which resulted culminated in a division in the church in 1889; the minister, Elias Schneider, and the deacon, Menno S. Shantz, left the church and joined with the Old Order Mennonites of Woolwich Township. The following year, 1890, saw the commencement of "Edification Meetings", which were held in the homes of members of the David Eby congregation. These meetings later became the Young People's Bible Meetings.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, it was recognized that the church building was either in need of repair or in need of complete replacement. Consideration was given to building a new church on the same site or on a site on King Street North. A decision was made to accept from Samuel S. Snider the donation of a parcel of land which was also on Erb Street, but nearer town. Excavation of the foundation for the new church began in the Spring of 1902. A dedication service was held on August 17, 1902. A parsonage was built in 1929 on land donated by Herbert Snider, the son of Samuel Snider. The church building was renovated and enlarged in 1949-1950; a dedication service was held on April 9, 1950. Further renovations were made in 1974..


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

_________________________


In 1852 David lived with his son David.

Historical Event:
A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob , was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Ambrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]

Historic Building:
Two story log house covered with clapboard was built in 1842. The logs were dressed down to 7" and by 1851 was covered in clapboard The date 1842 was carved into one of the second story logs. The house was on land in 1981 to be redeveloped and has probably been demolished.

David married Elizabeth Bechtel 8 May 1810. Elizabeth (daughter of Rev. Joseph Bechtel and Magdalena Allebach) was born 5 Mar 1787, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 15 Jan 1844; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Eby
• Residence: 168 Bechtel St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00007-0646

Notes:

Elizabeth Bechtel "the eldest in family, was born March 5th, 1787, and died January 15th, 1844. On May 8th, 1810, she was married to David Eby, who was born February 23rd, 1785, and died April 1st, 1860. They resided two miles west of the town of Waterloo where they both died. Their family consisted 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.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27232276
• Historic Building: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Interesting: religion, pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6346
• Historic Building: 1807, 393 Queen Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Site of first log cabin
• Historic Business: 1816, 113 David Street, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawmill
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 017W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 023W, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Historical Event: 29 Aug 1839, Evangelical Association Church, Waterloo, Ontario; church founding

Notes:

Joseph Schneider, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, May 24th, 1772. On February 21st, 1798, he was married to Barbara, daughter of Christian and Catharine (Bricker) Eby. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 29th, 1774, and died in Berlin, Ontario, March 13th, 1843. On May 8th, 1807, Mr. Schneider with wife and family and a large company of others (See Vol. 1 pages 39, 40 and 41 for particulars) moved to Canada and settled where now is the town of Berlin, Ontario. Here he was engaged in farming. His first buildings were erected where now his grandson, Samuel B. Schneider, lives, a little west of the Walper Block, Berlin. Here he died October 27th, 1843, leaving 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.].

__________________________

Zion United Church

A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob, was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider. The church was dedicated on September 25th of that year, with Rev. Christian Hummel of Buffalo, New York, officiating. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was pastor from 1840-1842. In 1842 the Waterloo Mission became a Circuit of the East Pennsylvania Conference. Two years later it was part of the New York Conference.

The second church building was built of brick on the same site in 1866, and dedicated in 1867; Rev. C.A. Spies was pastor at the time. The old frame church was sold and moved to Elgin Street where it was used as a dwelling. In the same year Berlin became a station.

The present church building was built in 1893 on Weber Street; dedication services were held on June 15, 16 and 17, 1894. This building was heavily damaged by fires in 1942 and 1965 but was renovated and restored each time.

The union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 created the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The name of the church was to change again, to Zion United Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada on January 1, 1968. Of interest: some maps of early Berlin show this church as a German Methodist church.


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

___________________________

SCHNEIDER, JOSEPH, settler and sawmill owner; b. 24 May 1772 in Lancaster County, Pa, son of Jacob B. Schneider and Maria Herschi; m. 21 Feb. 1798 Barbara Eby, sister of Benjamin Eby*, and they had seven children; d. 27 Oct. 1843 in Berlin (Kitchener), Upper Canada.

Joseph Schneider's father immigrated with his parents to Pennsylvania from the Palatinate (Federal Republic of Germany) in 1736. In 1806, three years after Jacob's death, two of his sons, Christian and Jacob, settled in block 2 (Waterloo Township), in the vicinity of present-day Kitchener. Joseph and a group of other Mennonites followed them, making the month-long journey in horse-drawn wagons. Schneider purchased and settled on lot 17 of the German Company Tract of block 2. It was the attraction of inexpensive land, as well as the desire to remain under British rule in the years after the American revolution, that brought many Mennonites to the area, among them Benjamin Eby and Samuel D. Betzner*. Geographical isolation allowed them to practise their religion and language freely, although at first it forced them to travel to such centres as Dundas for supplies and services.

Schneider was an active figure among the Mennonite settlers and, with Eby, is often regarded as a founder of Kitchener. He helped open the first local road, which ran from his farmstead to the Dundas road and was known as Schneider's road until the 1870s. In 1808-9 he and four other heads of families hired a teacher to open the first school in the area. He was involved four years later in the building of the first Mennonite meeting-house, headed by Eby; in 1834 Schneider participated in the construction of a new church. Perhaps as early as 1816 he had built a sawmill on what is still known as Schneider's Creek, and in the 1820s a blacksmith shop and tavern were erected by Phineas Varnum on land leased from Schneider. Together these enterprises formed the commercial nucleus of the developing village, known variously as Sand Hills, Ebytown, and, later, Berlin. In 1835 Schneider strongly supported the establishment of its first newspaper, Heinrich Wilhelm Peterson*'s Canada Museum, und Allgemeine Zeitung, of which he was a stockholder.

Schneider died on 27 Oct. 1843. Among the possessions he left to his family were traditional objects valued by Pennsylvania Germans, including a tall case clock, the works for which he had brought with him in 1807. The clock still stands in the house he built about 1820, Kitchener's oldest structure and now a museum. In other local collections are two family bibles: one, in the Mennonite Archives of Ontario, a rare edition published in Zurich in 1560 by Christoph Froschauer and brought to Upper Canada by Schneider; the other, in the possession of a descendant, printed in Lancaster County in 1805 and containing striking examples of fraktur (ornamental writing), executed by teacher-artist Jacob Schumacher in 1821.

Schneider's farming and milling operations were continued by his youngest son, Joseph E., who in 1849 had the family's history printed in Berlin in a small booklet, possibly the earliest published genealogy in Canada. In 1874 he was a charter member of the Reforming/Reformed Mennonites (later the Missionary Church) .
E. Reginald Good and Paul Tiessen

Toronto and York Land Registry Office (Toronto), "Old York County," deeds, 5, no.1839 (mfm. at AO). Waterloo South Land Registry Office (Kitchener, Ont.), Waterloo Township, abstract index to deeds, German Company Tract, lot 17 (mfm. at AO). E. E. Eby and J. B. Snyder, A biographical history of early settlers and their descendants in Waterloo Township, with Supplement, ed. E. D. Weber (Kitchener, 1971), 136. John English and Kenneth McLaughlin, Kitchener: an illustrated history (Waterloo, Ont., 1983). Hannes Schneider and his wife Catharine Haus Schneider, their descendants and times, 1534-1939, ed. J. M. Snyder (Kitchener, [1940]). Herkommen und Geschlechts Register der Schneider Familie (Berlin [Kitchener], 1849). P. G. Klassen, "A history of Mennonite education in Canada, 1786-1960" (d.ed. thesis, Univ. of Toronto, 1970), 73-74. W. V. Uttley, A history of Kitchener, Ontario (Kitchener, 1937; repr. [Waterloo, 1975]), 17. M. [H.] Snyder Sokvitne, "The Joseph Schneider house, 1820," Waterloo Hist. Soc., [Annual report] (Kitchener), 1966: 20-27. W. V. Uttley, "Joseph Schneider: founder of the city," Waterloo Hist. Soc., Annual report (Waterloo), 1929: 111-19. G. K. Waite, "Joseph Schneider sawmill operations, 1848-1859," Waterloo Hist. Soc., [Annual report], 1985: 57-65.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online 2000 University of Toronto/Université Laval

____________________

JOSEPH SCHNEIDER
Founder of the City

The first stones in the city's foundation were laid in South Queen Street, in 1807, by Joseph Schneider. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa, in 1798, and married Barbara, sister of the Rev. Benjamin Eby.

On Lot No. 17, Pioneer Schneider built a log cabin. It stood on the east side of Queen Street, where John McKay's former home rests. Next he cut a roadway from the house to the Walper House corner and easterly to No. 57 East King Street, where he built a barn. South Queen Street was the first thoroughfare in the city and until the eighteen-eighties was called Schneider's Road.


A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 pg 16

Historic Building:
Joseph Schneider's house is the oldest surviving in Kitchener dating from 1820 and has been made into the Joseph Schneider Haus Muesum.

Historic Building:
Now on this site is Barra Castle a 15 unit apartment building, due to be renovated for other purposes (2009).

Historic Business:
Joseph Schneider's Saw-Mill

The pioneers had then begun to replace their log-houses with frame homes. To meet a demand for lumber Joseph Schneider built a saw-mill in 1816 on Schneider's Creek. It rested on the easterly side of David Street, opposite Victoria Park. The mill dam was above the railway, and the mill-race crossed David Street between Schneider Avenue and Roland Street. The up-and-down or "muley" saw was run by an overshot waterwheel.1a

1aA History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 pg 17

Historical Event:
A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev. Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839, and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother, Jacob , was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation. The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schneider.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Ambrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]

Joseph married Barbara Eby 21 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA. Barbara (daughter of Christian Eby and Catharine Bricker) was born 29 Apr 1774, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 13 Mar 1843, 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/27232187
• Name: Barbara Schneider
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2422

Notes:

Barbara Eby, "the third daughter of Christian Eby and his wife, Catharine Bricker, was born April 29th, 1774. On February 21st, 1798, she was married to Joseph Schneider who was born May 24th, 1772, and died October 27th, 1843. She died March 13th, 1843. In 1807 they, in company with some of the Ebys and Erbs, moved to what is now Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario. They settled on lot No. 17, U. B., of the Township of Waterloo, now forming part of the town of Berlin. The old homestead is now owned by a grandson, Samuel B. Schneider. Here they raised 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.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19903938
• Eby ID Number: 00023-1830
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 21, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Abraham Clemens L., "the eldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lederach) Clemens, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, July 3rd, 1781, and when four years of age his parents moved to Chester County where he was raised. In 1807 he was married to Magdalena, daughter of John and Hester (Steiner ) Miller. She was born February 8th, 1786, and died February 1st, 1847. In 1809 they moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario, a little north of Preston on the farm owned until recently by their son Joel Here they both died. His death took place January 26th, 1845. In 1815 he was ordained deacon of the Mennonite Church for the Hagey field of labor. This position he held until his death. To him and his wife 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.].

__________________

Mennonite families suffered misfortunes, such as childbirth deaths of women, accidental work deaths of men, frequent deaths of infants and young children, and the scourges of cholera, typhoid and tuberculosis. Cholera epidemics of the 1830s especially in July-August 1834 - could be devastating. Funerals were usually arranged by neighbours and friends, but the community was so demoralized in 1834 that, as Deacon Abraham L. Clemens wrote to his brother in Chester County in 1836, "the neighbours did not go out to assist one another as in any other disease so that there was no funeral held."

BUILDING COMMUNITY ON THE FRONTIER: the Mennonite contribution to shaping the Waterloo settlement to 1861 by Elizabeth Bloomfield

Abraham married Magdalena "Molly" Miller 1807. Magdalena (daughter of John Miller and Hester Steiner) was born 8 Feb 1786, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 1 Feb 1847, North Of Preston, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19903751
• Name: Magdalena "Molly" Clemens
• Name: Molly Miller
• Eby ID Number: 00079-4778

Notes:

Magdalena Miller, "daughter of John and Hester (Steiner) Miller, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, February 8th, 1786. She was married, in 1807, to Deacon Abraham L. Clemens who was born in the same place, July 3rd, 1781. In 1809 they moved to Canada and settled a little north of Preston where they both died. He died January 26th, 1845, and she died February 1st, 1847. See No. 1830. (Could not ascertain whether Magdalena and Margaret Miller were any relation to I Jacob Miller)."


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.].