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

David Wenger Eby[1, 2]

Male 1812 - 1886  (74 years)

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

  • Name David Wenger Eby 
    Born 23 Apr 1812  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1841  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    Occupation 1851  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    pumpmaker 
    Residence 1852  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1855  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    pump maker 
    Occupation 1861  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    Pump Maker 
    Occupation 1861  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    pumpmaker 
    Residence 1861  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    EV 
    Business 1867  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Berlin Pump Factory 
    Berlin Pump Company
    Berlin Pump Company
    from: Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867
    Occupation 1871  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Peddler 
    Occupation 1881  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Basketmaker 
    Eby ID Number 00031-2725 
    Died 19 Jun 1886  Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 4, 5, 10
    Cause: general decline 
    Buried Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Person ID I21893  Generations
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2024 

    Father George S. Eby,   b. 8 May 1776, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Nov 1858, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years) 
    Mother Barbara Wenger,   b. 1780, , Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Sep 1834  (Age 54 years) 
    Married 1 Apr 1797  [15, 16
    Family ID F4279  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Christina Hauck,   b. 11 Nov 1816, , Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Oct 1853  (Age 36 years) 
    Married 20 Jan 1835  [1
    Children 
     1. Elias H. Eby,   b. 20 Dec 1835, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Feb 1913, , Kent Co., Michigan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
     2. Jacob H. Eby,   b. 30 Dec 1836, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Sarah H. Eby,   b. 1 Jan 1838, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Mar 1841, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     4. Levi H. Eby,   b. 14 Oct 1840, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Oct 1846  (Age 5 years)
     5. Israel H. Eby,   b. 6 Aug 1842, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Oct 1844  (Age 2 years)
     6. Noah H. Eby,   b. 25 Feb 1844, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Feb 1845  (Age 0 years)
     7. Mary Ann H. Eby,   b. 5 Nov 1845, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. Julia Ann H. Eby,   b. 27 Dec 1847, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. Emanuel H. Eby,   b. 27 Dec 1848, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     10. John H. Eby,   b. 29 Oct 1850, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Aug 1854  (Age 3 years)
     11. Edward H. Eby,   b. 4 Jul 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 2 Mar 2024 
    Family ID F5313  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Ann Robinson,   b. 28 Sep 1822, , Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jul 1855  (Age 32 years) 
    Married 22 Feb 1854  [1
    Children 
     1. Isaac R. Eby,   b. 18 Nov 1854, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 2 Mar 2024 
    Family ID F5314  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Christina Hoffer,   b. 23 Mar 1827, , Alsace Lorraine, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 May 1907, Grand Haven, Ottawa, Michigan, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married 24 Nov 1855  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 13
    Children 
     1. Isaac Eby,   b. 1854, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Solomon Henry Eby,   b. 20 Apr 1857, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Jun 1934, St. Thomas, Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
     3. Charles H. Eby,   b. 18 Jun 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Maggie R. Eby,   b. 20 Dec 1861, Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Oct 1944, Grand Haven, Ottawa, Michigan, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years)
     5. Magdalena Eby,   b. 1862, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Amanda H. Eby,   b. 20 Jan 1865, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 2 Mar 2024 
    Family ID F5315  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • David Eby, "the sixth son of George and Barbara (Wenger) Eby, was born on the farm now owned by Jacob B. Shantz within the corporation of the town of Berlin, Ontario, April 23rd, 1812. On January 20th, 1835, he was married to Christina Hauck who was born November 11th, 1816, and died October 13th, 1853. He died in Elmira, Waterloo County, Ontario, June 19th, 1886. After the decease of his first wife he was again married, February 22nd, 1854, to Ann Robinson who was born September 28th, 1822, and died July 16th, 1855. After her decease he was married a third time, to Christina Hoffer who was born March 23rd, 1828. He resided in Berlin for many years, then he moved to Elmira, where he died.."

      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.].

      ___________________

      Among the early settlers of Berlin were August Fuchs, a jeweller, from Baden ; George Jantz, a grocer and tavern keeper, also from Baden ; Anselm Wagner, a potter from Alsace


      Theobald Spetz, The Catholic Church in Waterloo County Book I

      ______________________

      Anselm Wagner was the first potter in Berlin and had a shop for many years on King street south.

      _________________

      How More German Families Were Brought In

      At that stage there was a further influx of German hand-workers. In the main they came from Hesse, with sprinklings from Baden, Saxony. Mecklenburg, and other States. Woodworkers predominated. The Dorf however boasted a weaver, wagonmaker, hatmaker. a tailor (John Nahrgang), two shoemakers, and several carpenters, while Anselm Wagner, potter, made shilling crocks and flowerpots for the Hausfrau. A Dr. Klinkert was the first doctor

      A History of Kitchener

      ___________________

      King Street , North Side

      Frederick Street.

      Bishop Benjamin Eby's farm came to the corner of King and Frederick Streets. Next to Frederick Street, Frederick and William Miller erected a frame building and used it as a general store. After the grading operations spoken of this building had to undergo the same process as the St. Nicholas Hotel. It was considered a fine building in its day with large windows on each side of the centre door. Henry Stroh finally bought the building and tore it down in 1868. Jacob Stroh has some of the window sash, shutters, stairway, etc., still in his possession. Later the building was occupied by Jacob Eckstein cigar maker and tobacco dealer. Mrs. Warren with a family lived on the second story for a number of years.

      Vacant lot. Next a large brick building with double deck porch along the front, the Queen's Arms Hotel, built about 1840 and continued as a hotel until about 1860. A Mr. Butchard was the first landlord and later Levi Weber. From this hotel the first omnibus met the trains at the G.T.R. station in Berlin in 1856. Before that day it was a stopping place of stage coaches operating from Hamilton and Galt to Berlin and beyond. The old Queen's Arms long vacant and practically ruined as a building was sold finally and made room for the Market Building and Town Hall in 1869.*

      Next we come to the John Roos house. This also had a double-deck veranda with heavy posts as was the style 1840-50. The building was later turned into a hotel known as the Market Hotel and kept by Casper Heller.

      A lot with a log cabin in the rear, occupied by Jacob Sauer, who had come from Pennsylvania, father of Mrs. John Roat.

      * See 1922 Annual Report W. H. S., p. 210.

      A harness shop occupied by John Roat, then by his son John and later by John Haugh, a son-in-law of John Roat.

      A garden. A dwelling, 4 or 5 feet lower than the street which had been filled up, where lived the Susand family. Mrs. Susand had a reputation with juveniles for tarts and molasses taffy sold in lc. bars. Her children were in the habit of selling these wares to passengers at the G.T.R. station. After her husband's death about 1860, widow Susand moved her shop to Foundry Street North, and there continued until she died. Susand was an ex-slave. In 1857 at a nomination meeting for Council, he was nominated and stood a good chance of being elected, as a joke. However, the more thoughtful element among the voters prevailed.

      A two story, frame building, lengthwise with King Street, built in the '30's. After street grading this had to be raised so that what had before been the ground floor became the cellar or basement.

      A house occupied by Wm. Hawke,-known as Bill Hawke- a mason. A stout, easy-going man. His wife was in the habit of standing in the door way, with white lace cap, smoking a clay pipe. The east end of this building was occupied by Winters, a hatter, the first hat maker in Berlin. He made the old style, broad brim, Mennonite hats in fashion up to about 1845. At the corner of Scott stood a brick building of good size with gable toward King Street, used to stable the first fire teams for a number of years. Later John Wagner had a waggon shop above and George Ward a blacksmith shop underneath. Scott Street was, however, not opened until many years later.

      A one and one-half story building rough cast, gable facing King St., occupied by H. W. Peterson, who began publishing the "Canada Museum", in 1835 and so continued until 1840 when he went to Guelph as first Registrar of the County of Wellington. This was the first newspaper published in Waterloo County.

      Jacob Hailer's house, a one and one-half story, frame building with porch along the front partly enclosed by lattice work. In this house was born in 1834, Catherine Hailer, who married Louis Breithaupt. She is said to have been the first child born in Berlin of parents who came from Germany. Hailer's barn was some distance back from the street and next along on the street front was his shop where he manufactured spinning wheels, etc., and chairs which had a large distribution. Hailer was an expert wood turner. He had two foot-power lathes and a number of German assistants from time to time, continuing his shop for about 40 years.

      A two story frame building lengthwise with King Street, erected by Dr. John Scott. He had a drug store with two good-sized windows at the front. On the east gable of the building was a sign, "Med. Hall" in large letters. The sign was legible long after Dr. Scott's death. The doctor pursued his practice on horseback for which he used three horses. He was the first medical practitioner in Berlin, coming in 1834, at the time of the cholera epidemic. For a few years before he was married he boarded at the Gaukel Hotel. His later house, after the one described, is still standing on Weber Street at the rear of the Kitchener Public Library.

      The old Scott house on King Street was later occupied by Franz Martin who kept a saloon. Martin had a musical family, with the zither as their principal instrument, which all the children could play.

      A one and one-half story, frame building, painted, occupied by Anslm Wagner, a potter.

      A brick building 1 ½ story lengthwise with King Street, the west end of which was John Eby's drug store, the rest of the building being his dwelling. This was the first regular drug store in Berlin.

      A brick building with a frame extension in the rear used by David Eby as a pump shop. Part of the brick building is still standing, the rest having been cut off for the opening of Eby Street North.

      A one story hip roof brick cottage occupied by Geo. Eby, a Notary, who came to Canada in 1804. He died in this house. A considerable fish story is told of how he followed a sturgeon in the Conestoga River, part of Grand River, and finally speared it.

      A one and one-half story building, probably rough cast, occupied by Hy. Wurm, a carpenter employed at the Simpson factory.

      A two story brick building painted red occupied by Henry S. Huber.'

      A handsome brick building, two story, with veranda along the front and ground floor considerably above the street level, with broad steps, the width of the building, leading to it, was built in 1850. Some time later it was occupied by Casper Heller and known as the Royal Exchange hotel. Following the old custom its swinging sign had "Last Chance" on the side toward the village and "First Chance" outward, referring to liquid refreshments. Heller kept a good hotel and had also a large shed and ham next east of the hotel.

      On the corner a steam grist mill was erected, about 1860. Louis Seyler, a German, was the miller. The custom was for farmers to bring in their wheat to have it ground, getting in return flour, bran and middlings, the miller retaining his toll. Later Lehnen & Shelly operated this mill.

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



  • 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..., 605.

    2. [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..., 141.

    3. [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Div 13, Page 13.

    4. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), July 8, 1886.
      June 19, 1886 David Eby died in Elmira at age of 74 years, 1 month and 26 days.

    5. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.

    6. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div 1 Pg 6.
      D. W. Eby Pump Maker UC EV 48
      C. Eby France EV 33
      E. Eby UC EV 13
      John Bell UC EV 24 (not member of family)
      J. Eby UC EV 6
      S. Eby UC EV 4
      C. Eby UC EV 2
      M. Eby UC EV 15
      J. Eby UC EV 14
      E Eby Pennsylvania MN 78

    7. [S130] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1881, Div. 2 Page 1.

    8. [S233] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1852, Div 3 Pg 55.
      David Eby Pump Maker Canada Menonist 39
      Christina Eby Germany Menonist 35
      Elias Eby Canada Menonist 16
      Jacob Eby Canada Menonist 15
      Mary Ann Eby Canada Menonist 6
      Julian Eby Canada Menonist 5
      Emanuel Eby Canada Menonist 4
      John Eby Canada Menonist 2

    9. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div. 1 Page 6.

    10. [S98] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - Elmira Union CC#4578 Internet Link.
      David W. Eby/ Born Apr. 23, 1812/ Died June 19,1886

    11. [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, 2 Apr 1841 Page 14.
      Died last week A child of David Eby in Dumfries Tp died.

    12. [S233] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1852, Div 3 Pg 55.

    13. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library.
      David W. Eby, pumpmaker of North Dumfries married 24 Nov 1855 to Christine Hoffer of Woolwich. wit: C. L. Bindeman & Catherine Hoffman

    14. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div 1 Pg 6.

    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..., 587.

    16. [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..., 630.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 23 Apr 1812 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1841 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - pumpmaker - 1851 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1852 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - pump maker - 1855 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 24 Nov 1855 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Pump Maker - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - pumpmaker - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - EV - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Berlin Pump Factory - 1867 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Peddler - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Basketmaker - 1881 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: general decline - 19 Jun 1886 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Elmira Union Cemetery, Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth