Alonzo H. Erb^[1]

1857 - 1904  (47 years)

• Name	Alonzo H. Erb
  Born	8 Mar 1857	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
  Gender	Male
  Business	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Weber and Erb
  Residence	1861	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Protestant
  Occupation	1891	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	General Merchant
  Residence	1891	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Presbyteian
  Elected Office	1897	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Warden for the County of Waterloo
  Organization	Elmira Public Library, Elmira, Waterloo, Ontario
  	On January 24, 1888, a meeting was held to organize a Mechanics' Institute in Elmira. Membership cost $1 a year. The first board members were: David Bean, George Klinck, A. Werner, John Ratz, A. H. Erb, A. Blatz, Wm. Behrens, Sol Laschinger, Dr. Ullyot, and M. Weber. The librarian/caretaker, C. K. Jansen was paid $30 a year.
  Name	A. H. Erb
  Occupation	1901	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	general merchant
  		Alonzo H. Erb 1903
  Residence	1903	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Erb residence From: Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903.
  Eby ID Number	00032-2796
  Died	19 Apr 1904	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6, 10]
  	Cause: pleuro-pneumonia & paralysis of the brain
  Buried	Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Person ID	I10980	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Samuel Lewis Erb,   b. 13 Sep 1820, About Two Miles South-East Of Berlin, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 25 Jun 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 40 years)
  Mother	Annie Kay,   b. 6 Jan 1824, , England ,   d. 2 Jan 1910, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 85 years)
  Married	11 Jul 1844	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11, 12]
  Family ID	F573	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Isabella G. Scott,   b. 11 Mar 1859, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 16 Apr 1947, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 88 years)
  Married	6 Jun 1883	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 13]
  Children	1. Edna Mabel Erb,   b. 15 Mar 1885, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Aug 1977, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 92 years)   2. Grace Irene Erb,   b. 8 Oct 1890, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Douglas Scott Erb,   b. 8 Oct 1891, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1969  (Age 77 years)
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F1743	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Alonzo Erb From a binder called Hannah's Albums, (Waterloo Region Branch, OGS Collection)
  		Alonzo H. Erb 1903
  		Alonzo H. Erb 1903
  		Alonzo H. Erb image from Waterloo Region Archives 2012
  		Alonzo H. Erb image from Waterloo Region Archives 2012

  
  

• Notes

  Elonzo Erb, "was born March 8th, 1857. His nature prompted him to make exertions to have his life directed in the mercantile channel. With a fair education he entered upon the life of his choice when a young man, and when arriving at the years of maturity he entered into partnership with Mr. David Betzner and opened a large general store in the village of St. Jacobs in 1878. After the term of agreement of partnership had expired they sold their business to the late J. B. Snyder. Mr. Erb then went to Elmira and entered again into the mercantile business with Mr. Menno Weber where they have since built up one of the largest trades in North Waterloo. Some years ago he was elected reeve for Elmira, a position which he still holds. He is in his sentiments entire liberal and charitable and has never been known to attempt to dictate to men under his control for whom they shall vote. He always permits men to exercise their own judgement. As a man he is honest and upright and has ever maintained an irreproachable reputation. On June 6th, 1883, he was married to Isabella G., daughter of Andrew and Christina (Clark) Scott. She was born March 11th, 1859. To them was born a family of three 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.]. ___________________ …This week we are called upon to report the demise of a prominent and useful citizen, who has lived and laboured amongst us a score of years and who was called away in the prime of life. Mr. .H. Erb, respected by all and loved by all who had the pleasure of a closer acquaintance, a kind father and husband, a holder of positions of trust and a prominent figure in society, passed away at his home last Tuesday evening, at the age of 47 years 1 month and 11 days. Although not of robust health deceased was able to attend constantly to his duties. Several weeks ago, he contracted a bad cold but had recovered sufficiently to attend to his duties until several days before his death when he was attacked by pleuro-pneumonia. His disease was apparently relinquishing when paralysis of the brain set in which was the immediate cause of death, everything that medical skill and attentive nursing could do, proving of no avail. Alonzo H. Erb, was born in the town of Waterloo, in 1857. Then he removed to Berlin where he obtained his education in the public school. He entered first on his mercantile career at Waterloo in 1875 and commenced business on his own account at St. Jacobs in 1878. In 1882 he sold his interest there and entered into partnership with Mr. M.L. Weber, of Elmira. The year after Elmira became incorporated, Mr. Erb was elected a member of the Village Council. He served three years in this capacity. Then he was elected Reeve and held the position for six years. When the new law of municipal representation was introduced, Mr. Erb was elected County Councillor for the district of Woolwich and Elmira. He was Warden of the County of Waterloo in 1897 and held the position of County Councillor three years longer, at the end of which time he retired from public life…member of Gale Presbyterian Church….[leaves a wife and family]…. [Article contains a photograph of A.H. Erb.] Elmira Signet Newspaper 21 Apr. 1904 p. 1, col. 3-4 _______________________ Mr. A. H. Erb, was born in the town of Waterloo, in 1857. Then he removed to Berlin where he obtained his education in the public school. He entered first on his mercantile career at Waterloo in 1875 and commenced business on his own account at St. Jacobs in 1878. In 1882 he sold his interest there and entered into partnership with Mr. Menno L. Weber, of Elmira. The year after Elmira became incorporated, Mr. Erb was elected a member of the Village Council. He served three years in this capacity. Then he was elected Reeve and held the position for six years. When the new law of municipal representation was introduced, Mr. Erb was elected County Councillor for the district of Woolwich and Elmira. He was Warden of the County of Waterloo in 1897, and held the position of County Councillor three years longer at the end of which he retired from public life Enterprising Elmira Souvenir, An historical, descriptive, and illustrated Book of the Village of Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada, published by George Klinck, 1903. ____________________ HIS WAS A USEFUL AND HONORABLE CAREER. One of the prominent personages in North Waterloo answered the summons of the Grim Reaper on Tuesday evening. It was Mr. Alonzo H. Erb of the firm of Weber & Co.. He contracted pneumonia, which proved fatal, despite the most skilful of medical attendance. A Biographical Sketch. The late Alonzo Erb was born on March 8th, 1857. He was the son of the late Samuel L. Erb, who resided for years in Waterloo and carried on a store business with John Shuh. Alonzo received a fair education and when a young man he entered into partnership with D. Betzner and opened a large general store in St. Jacobs in 1878. After the term of partnership had expired they sold the business to the late J. B. Snyder. Mr. Erb went to Elmira and entered into partnership with Mr. Menno. Weber, and the two had built up one of the largest businesses in North Waterloo. He was a member of the firm until his death. He was reeve of Elmira for several years, and was a valued and respected member of the Waterloo county council in the years of 1891, 1896, 1897 and 1900. In 1897 he ably filled the warden's chair. He always viewed county projects in a broad and liberal light. He was opposed to the debenture principle, and at that time Elmira had no debenture debts. He was an honest, upright man and enjoyed an irreproachable reputation. On June 6th, 1883, he was married to Isabella G. Daughter of Mr. Andrew Scott. A family of three children survive. Paper unknown ___________________ WEBER & ERB. The individual interests of these two well known gentlemen were consolidated on July 28th, 1882. To look at their mammoth establishment of to-day and the small beginning they made in their first business venture the reader is at once reminded of what men of pluck and eminent business qualifications can accomplish. Their first stock of merchandise was kept in a building which has since been converted into a residence that is at present occupied by James Nicol. This they soon found to be too small for their rapidly increasing business, and they moved to the corner building formerly occupied by Mr. J. S. Bauman. At the end of two years they found this building also entirely inadequate to meet the requirements of their constantly increasing trade and they purchased what was then known as the "Ratz Block." To this they erected an addition equal in dimensions to the original building, and which now comprises their two mammoth double stores of 75 feet in length and two stories high. This spacious structure is packed from cellar to garret with foreign and domestic merchandise and seldom do we find such a varied exhibit of that line in a country town. Mr. M. L Weber, the senior member of the firm, was born near Elmira in 1856 and spent, the first fifteen years of his life on the farm. He is a business man from the ground up and an adherent of the Methodist church. He has had a thorough and practical experience in the vocation in which he is now engaged, having for a number of years been connected with some of the prominent mercantile establishments of several of the leading towns and cities of Ontario. Mr. A H. Erb, the junior member, was born in the town of Waterloo, in 1857, his father at that time being in partnership with Mr. John Shuh, at present of that town. Mr. Erb's first business venture was at St. Jacobs in 1876, being associated with Mr. David Betzner in the business formerly carried on by Peter Gleiser. In 1881 the firm sold out to one Ortwein and Mr. Erb became a business partner of Mr. Weber. He was Reeve of the village for six years in succession, and would likely have had the office thrust upon him that many times more had he not declined to further serve in that capacity. In January, 1897, after the county had been divided into districts, he was elected a member of the Council and at the first meeting of the County Council he was unanimously chosen warden of the county, the responsible office of which he is now the incumbent awaiting the appointment of his successor. Messre. Weber & Erb have been in every sence of the word honorable in their personal and business relation with the public in general. They are public spirited, for it cannot be said that in any worthy enterprise that meant increased prosperity for the town they have not shown a liberal hand. Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1, 2, 3

  
  

• Sources

  [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 620-621. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 620. [S161] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1901, Elmira (Village) B. Page 16. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 12480-83. 12480-83 Alonzo ERB, 26, merchant, Waterloo, Elmira, s/o Samuel & Ann, married Bella G. SCOTT, 24, Galt, same, d/o Andrew & Christena, witn: illegible ROBINSON of St. Jacobs & Aggie FIND? of Galt, 6 June 1883 at Galt [S161] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1901, Elmira (Village) B Page 16. [S98] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - Elmira Union CC#4578 Internet Link. In / Loving Memory / Of / Alonzo H. / Erb / Died / Apr. 19, 1904 / Aged 47 Yrs. 1 Mo. / 11 Days / He Being Dead Yet / Speaketh / Heb. 11.4 / His Wife / Isabella / Scott / 1859 - 1947 [S604] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1871, Div. 3, Pg. 18. [S1885] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1861, Waterloo 1861 Dist. 2 Page 15. [S2057] Census - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - 1891, Pg. 39. [S77] News - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Elmira Signet (1893-1982), Obituary of Alonzo H. Erb 21 Apr. 1904 p. 1, col. 3-4. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 619-620. [S244] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Deutsche Canadier (1841-1865) - Index to Births, Deaths and Marriages Announced in the Deutsche Canadier, Berlin, Canada West. originally indexed by Simone Nieuwolt and Sylvie Kuppek..organised by Rosemary Ambrose, 18 Jul 1844 Pg: 29. ERB, Samuel married 11 Jul 1844 To Anna KAN [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 621.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 8 Mar 1857 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Business - Weber and Erb - - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Protestant - 1861 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 6 Jun 1883 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - General Merchant - 1891 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyteian - 1891 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - Warden for the County of Waterloo - 1897 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Organization - - Elmira Public Library, Elmira, Waterloo, Ontario Occupation - general merchant - 1901 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1903 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: pleuro-pneumonia & paralysis of the brain - 19 Apr 1904 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth