Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Elias Eby

Elias Eby[1, 2, 3, 4]

Male 1810 - 1878  (68 years)

Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Elias Eby 
    Born 22 Feb 1810  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
    Gender Male 
    Historic Building 1838  65 Brubacher St., Kichener, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Georgian Farmhouse 
    • Built in 1838 the house was demolished by 2003 . It was a frame building built in the "Georgian Farmhouse" style, a popular design in the Waterloo Region. In 1978 is was listed in poor condition.
    Elected Office 1850  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    councillor - Waterloo Township 
    Occupation 1852  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    miller 
    Occupation 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Miller 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Mennonite 
    Business 1867  Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Lancaster Grist, Saw & Oil Mills 
    • from: Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867
    Lancaster Grist, Saw & Oil Mills Advertisement
    Lancaster Grist, Saw & Oil Mills Advertisement
    Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867
    Historic Building 38 Bridge St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Built in 1840 by Jacob S. Shoemaker across from the mill he constructed in 1830. In 1969 the house with stone foundation and handmade brick walls was listed in fair to poor condition. The roof was framed with mortise and tenon joining. The house was a combination of Georgian proportions and classical decorations. The large dormers were reminiscent of early buildings in Pennsylvania. In 1850 the house was sold to Elias Eby together with the mill complex. The house was been renovated a number of times. The porch was removed and the house converted into a tri-plex by 1969.1a

      1aBridgeport Mill, a non-dated (probably 1969) type written manuscript located at Doon Heritage Crossroads 2009
    Land Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 071, Waterloo County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Mennonite 
    Eby ID Number 00031-2435 
    Died 2 Jun 1878  Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 11, 12
    Buried First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    Person ID I21065  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Bishop Benjamin Eby,   b. 2 May 1785, Hammer Creek, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jun 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years) 
    Mother Maria "Mary" Brubacher,   b. 6 Aug 1789, Elizabeth Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Aug 1834, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 45 years) 
    Married 7 Feb 1807  [3, 11, 14, 15
    Family ID F159  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Maria "Anna" Weber,   b. 30 Jul 1809, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Oct 1877, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years) 
    Children 
     1. Mary Eby,   b. 23 Sep 1835, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Jul 1855  (Age 19 years)
     2. Josiah Eby,   b. 10 Apr 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Aug 1847  (Age 10 years)
     3. Benjamin W. Eby,   b. 26 Jul 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Magdalena Eby,   b. 26 Aug 1841, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Sep 1915  (Age 74 years)
     5. Veronica "Fannie" Eby,   b. 19 Sep 1843, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Nov 1885, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 42 years)
     6. Annie Eby,   b. 19 Dec 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     7. Elias W. Eby,   b. 6 Jul 1848, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Aug 1883, Caledonia, Kent, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 35 years)
     8. Tobias Eby,   b. 6 Oct 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Sep 1872, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 21 years)
     9. Christian Eby,   b. 28 Mar 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 May 1855, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 2 years)
     10. Moses Eby,   b. 20 Nov 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Nov 1855, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F4715  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Elias Eby, "the second son of Benjamin Eby, was born February 22nd, 1810, and was married to Anna, daughter of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber. After their marriage they moved on the farm now owned by Simeon Brubacher, son of the late Samuel Brubacher. From there they moved to Bridgeport, Ontario, where he, in company with Barnabas Devitt, carried on the milling and mercantile business, besides running a large farm. He died rather suddenly, June 2nd, 1878. They had a family of ten children"


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

      ________________________

      DEATH OF ELIAS EBY

      We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Elias Eby, of Bridgeport, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of this county. He had a stroke of apoplexy on Thursday morning last\emdash just as He was getting ready to visit his daughter in Markham. He became at once insensible and never again rallied. He lingered till Saturday night when he breathed his last. Mr. Eby was the second son of the late Rev. Benjamin Eby, and was born in the old Eby homestead, now occupied by Mr. Menno Erb, East Berlin. Being possessed of rather a better education than was generally obtained in those days, we believe he taught school several years when a young man. He lived a number of years on the farm adjoining his father's\emdash now occupied by the widow of the late Samuel Brubacher, when about 30 years ago, he and Mr. Barnabas Devitt purchased the Bridgeport mills, farm, &c., belonging to the late Jacob S. Schoemaker. Messrs. Eby & Devitt carried on for man? years a most extensive business, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Eby associated with him his brother Jacob B. Eby, and afterward his son and son-in-law. We believe few men enjoyed so much respect and confidence as did the deceased\emdash and the greatest sympathy was felt for him when, chiefly through being too kind-hearted with a large army of delinquent debtors, he lost a large portion of his property. He was a life-long member of the Mennonite church and his absence from the old meeting house will he greatly missed from Sunday to Sunday. His wife preceded him to her last resting place about a year. He leaves behind him two sons and four daughters, who are, one in California, one in Manitoba, one in Michigan, one in Markham and two in this county--showing how families at the present day get separated. The funeral takes place on Wednesday.

      Berlin Daily News 3 Jun 1878

      ____________________

      THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE

      An interesting meeting took place the Saturday before last in the old log cabin in Waterloo Park.

      This house was, of course, the first schoolhouse in this area and stood originally on the school-house square at the corner of King and Church Streets in Waterloo. It was built in 1820 and served its purpose until 1842, when it was torn down and a 1-storey stone house was constructed on the site. The dismantled log house was erected again in Greenbush and served as a residence for a long time for the coloured man, Mr. Carroll and his family. In the course of this year, the Waterloo Park Commissioners purchased the house, moved it to their park and furnished it again as it was when it was a school-house.

      At this gathering, in addition to many other ladies and gentlemen, the following (male and female) former pupils attended, took their places on the benches, and were called to order by the 82-year-old teacher, Benjamin Burkholder, who held the scepter, or rather, the switch, from 1831 to 1842 in the old log-house: Joel Guth, 80 years old; Abraham Scherk, Blair, 79; Jakob Bricker, Waterloo, 77; Sarah Burkholder, nee Erb, Bridgeport, 75; Amos Weber, Berlin, 73; John C, Bricker, Hawksville, 71; Maria Erb, nee Quickfall, Norwich 69; David B. Eby, Waterloo, 69; Wendel Baumann, Woolwich, 68; Henry Stauffer, Erbsville, 67; Simon Beatty, Elmira, 67; Jakob Ratz, New Hamburg, 67; Israel Baumann, Berlin, 65; George Elbert, Moorefield, 63; George H. Baumann, Elmira, 63; John Devitt, Waterloo, 62; Richard Quickfall, Bridgeport, 62; Isaak Hoffmann, Waterloo, 61; Robert Barkwell, Peel, 60; Diana McMahon, nee Dekay, Berlin, 60; Thomas Quickfall, Floradale, 60; Benjamin Devitt, Waterloo, 60; Isaak Devitt, Floradale, 58; John Longmann, Peel, 57. In addition, to these, the teacher read the names of 25 pupils from the roll; they were, however, absent.

      Mr. Burkholder gave an interesting talk about the history of the old school-house, and after him, Rev. J.A. MacLachlan, Rev. J. McNair, Mr. J.E. Baumann, M.P., and Mr. Jakob Ratz spoke about the old days which brought many things out of the past to mind again. School was, as a rule, only in session in winter and the costs were borne by the parents of the children. There were few subjects taught, namely: Reading, Writing and Sums. The children heard little about language, and geography; no child had more than 2 or 3 books. The predominant language was German. The pupils learned to read and write English, but didn't understand a word of it. Among the teachers in the old school-house from 1820-1842, with the exception of Mr. Burkholder, were the following whose names are still recognized: Jephtha DeKay, Joseph Guth, John Herringer, Peter Otto, John Dobbin, Elias Eby, Robert Barber, & Joseph Eby.

      After those present, on hearing the various speeches felt themselves transported back to the past, the school was closed at four o'clock and the pupils were gathered together in front of the school and photographed as a group. On their return into the school, they found it had been transformed into a dining room with heavily-laden tables, which the old-timers thoroughly enjoyed. After everyone had chatted cordially for a while longer, the gathering broke up. The company will not meet again in complete numbers, nor in such a way.

      Berliner Journal September 26, 1895 Page 4 Column 4

      _________________

      King Street, Kitchener


      Cameron Street eastward.-A fine large holding extending along King Street to almost opposite the Mennonite Church, was Sheriff Davidson's place, Forest Hill, with square Colonial brick house, still standing, although materially changed, on a commanding hill.

      Benjamin Eby's farm, occupied and owned later by his son, Elias Eby. J. Y. Shantz's farm, originally the Eby farm, with a large dam and saw mill. The pond was westerly of the present Doon Twines factory, was of good size, was fed by two creeks and gave water power for Shantz's saw mill for many years. There was no steam power. The ice supply for Berlin was largely taken from this pond in the earlier years.


      REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER)
      By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

      Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

      ____________________________

      King Street , North Side

      Pandora Street

      Pandora Street and next to it the site of Bishop Benjamin Eby's buildings and farm. A fine lawn surrounded a large frame house with spacious veranda between the house and King Street. There was a large barn and east of it a cider mill operated by Ely Eby, son of the Bishop. In later years the place was occupied by Rev. Moses Erb and his son Menno Erb, the cider mill long continuing. There was a large orchard between the farm buildings and the Mennonite Meeting House and cemetery. The Mennonites had at first no shed adjoining their church. Posts joined by a chain led along the King Street front, for tying horses. The sheds came later. In 1834 a frame building was erected for this Church. It was moved to Cedar Street in 1902 when the present brick Church was erected and is still used as a woodenware factory.

      Eby school house was located at the easterly corner of the cemetery. A frame building, painted red, before 1830. In the rear and to the east of the cemetery was William Moyer's farm with his brick house still standing at the top of the slope from King Street.


      REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

      Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

  • Sources 
    1. [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..., 557.

    2. [S10] Book - Vol II 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..., 594.

    3. [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..., 344.

    4. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 28 Oct 1877.
      Died 9 Oct 1877 In Bridgeport, Anna, nee Weber, wife of Elias Eby, died at 68 years of age.

    5. [S16] Bible - Genealogical Information in the Bibles of the Waterloo Historical Society, Eby Bible owned originally by Menno Eby Jr. Berlin, 15 Mar 1885.
      22 Feb 1810 a son was born to us in the morning betwen 4 and 5 o'clock, under the sign of Pisces. His name is Elias Eby and he died Jun 2, A. D. 1878. Aged 68 years, 3 monts and 10 days.

    6. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 18.
      Elias EBY Miller Canada MN 41
      Anna EBY wife USA MN 42
      Mary EBY daughter Canada F. MN 17
      Benjamin EBY son Canada F. MN 13
      Magdaline EBY daughter Canada F. MN 11
      Fronica EBY daughter Canada F. MN 9
      Anna EBY daughter Canada F. MN 7
      Elias EBY son Canada F. MN 4
      Tobias EBY son Canada F. MN 2

    7. [S1887] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1861 (North Division), Div 6 Page 37.

    8. [S168] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1871, Div. 3, Pg. 17.

    9. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 18 Oct 1877.
      Died 9 Oct 1877 In Bridgeport, Anna, nee Weber, wife of Elias Eby, died at 68 years of age.

    10. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 18.

    11. [S16] Bible - Genealogical Information in the Bibles of the Waterloo Historical Society, Eby Bible owned originally by Menno Eby Jr. Berlin, 15 Mar 1885.

    12. [S1118] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Daily News (1878-1897), Death of Elias Eby - 3 June 1878.

    13. [S47] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - First Mennonite CC#4507 Internet link First Mennonite Cemetery online.

    14. [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..., 550.

    15. [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..., 616.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 22 Feb 1810 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Georgian Farmhouse - 1838 - 65 Brubacher St., Kichener, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - councillor - Waterloo Township - 1850 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - miller - 1852 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Miller - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Lancaster Grist, Saw & Oil Mills - 1867 - Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - - 38 Bridge St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLand - - Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 071, Waterloo County, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 2 Jun 1878 - Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth