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

Benjamin Bear[1, 2, 3]

Male 1847 - 1932  (85 years)


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

  • Name Benjamin Bear 
    Born 2 Mar 1847  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    Mennonite 
    Residence 1868  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Occupation 1869  West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    sawmiller 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    Sawyer 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    NC Methodist 
    Occupation 1873  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    carpenter 
    Residence 1873  Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Bridge 1881  Kissing Bridge, West Montose, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Benjamin Baer constructed in 1881 Ontario's last remaining covered bridge at West Montrose, Ontario.
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182431171 
    Historic Building 1881  1245 Covered Bridge Dr., West Montrose, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Construction of the West Montrose covered bridge by John and Benjamin Bear 
    • The West Montrose covered bridge was constructed in 1881 by John and Benjamin Bear and is best known for being the last remaining historical covered bridge in Ontario. Known as the Kissing Bridge. Wikipedia Entry
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    carpenter 
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Carpenter 
    Residence 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Mennonite 
    Historic Building 1889  1151 Doon Village Road, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Polychrome brickwork, rare in Upper Doon, is a feature of this small residence. The original structure, built in 1889 by engineer Benjamin Baer, is a side-gabled, three bay cottage with original doorcase of transom and sidelights still present. The building is situated on a large lot at the corner of Oregon Drive...many changes and a large rear addition..1a

      1aUpper Doon, a a heritage conservation district plan, prepared by Nicholas Hill (architect planner - London) 1987 pg 32
    Name Benjamin Baer 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    Bridge Builder 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    Methodist 
    Occupation 1901  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Bridge Builder 
    Eby ID Number 00003-609 
    Died 29 Mar 1932  Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Buried Kinzie-Bean Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region. Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Person ID I711  Generations
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 

    Father Rev. John G. Bear,   b. 15 May 1804, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Dec 1894, Near Doon, Waterloo Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 90 years) 
    Mother Anna "Nancy" Pannabecker,   b. 23 Apr 1812, Near Hespeler, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Feb 1875, Near Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 62 years) 
    Married 11 Feb 1827  [12, 15
    Family ID F261996  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Lena Hamm,   b. 15 Feb 1870, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married 17 Dec 1891  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Bear,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Ruhannah Bear,   b. 13 Aug 1892, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 
    Family ID F253  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Lydia Snyder,   b. 8 Feb 1846, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Dec 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 25 years) 
    Married 27 Dec 1868  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 5
    Children 
     1. Nancy Bear,   b. 1861, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Byron Bear,   b. 1 Aug 1869, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Jul 1892  (Age 22 years)
     3. Aaron Baer,   b. 15 Oct 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1952  (Age 80 years)
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 
    Family ID F254  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Jemima Hallman,   b. 4 Feb 1850, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Jun 1889, Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 39 years) 
    Married 18 May 1873  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 14
    Children 
     1. Josiah Bear,   b. 1874, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Mar 1880  (Age 6 years)
     2. Peninnah Bear,   b. 1876, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Beniah Bear,   b. 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Joshua Bear,   b. 4 Aug 1878, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Aug 1878  (Age 0 years)
     5. Ida Bear,   b. 26 Nov 1880, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Edwin Bear,   b. 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Oct 1891  (Age 10 years)
     7. Priscilla Bear,   b. Abt 1884, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. Drusilla Bear,   b. 1884, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. Clara Bear,   b. 22 Nov 1885, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     10. Sarah Bear,   b. 1887, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Nov 1891  (Age 4 years)
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 
    Family ID F255  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Benjamin Bear, "was born March 2nd, 1847. He is a builder and contractor, and resides near Doon, Ontario. He was first married to Lydia Snyder, with whom he had two sons, Byron and Aaron. After his wife's decease he married Jemima Hallman, with whom he had nine children, After the decease of his second wife he was married to Lena Ham, with whom he has one son named Hamey."


      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.].

  • 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..., 280.

    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..., 771.

    3. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 22 May 1873.
      18 May 1873 By Rev. J. Anthes in Berlin, Benjamin Bear of Preston was married to Jemima Hallmann of Wilmot.

    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..., 187.

    5. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Benjamin Bear, age 21, res Waterloo, born Waterloo, son of John and Nancy married 27 Dec 1868 to Lidea Snyder, aged 22, res Waterloo, born Waterloo, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth.

    6. [S186] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Kinzie-Bean CC#5424 Internet Link .
      [Broken And Repaired]
      [Front/North] In Memory Of/ Jemima/ Beloved Wife Of/ Benjamin Bear/ Died June 21, 1889/ Aged/ 39 Years
      [Back/South] In Memory Of/ Benjamin Bear/ Died Mar 29, 1932/ Aged/ 85 Yrs 21 Dys
      [Left/East] In Memory Of/ Sarah/ Died Nov. 19, 1891/ Aged 4 Years/ Byron/ Died July 23,1892/ Aged 22 Years/ Children Of Benjamin & Jemima Bear
      [Right/West] In Memory Of/ Josiah/ Died Mar 1, 1880/ Aged 6 Years/ Joshua/ Died Aug 5, 1878/ Aged 1 Day/ Edwin/ Died Oct 13, 1891/ Aged 10 Years/ Children Of Benjamin & Jemima Bear
      [A] B.B. [B] S.B. [C] J.B. [D] J.B. [E] J.B. [F] E. B.

    7. [S178] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1881, Division 3 Page Number 40 Household Number 180.

    8. [S86] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1901, Waterloo (South/Sud) G-2 Page 5.

    9. [S604] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1871, Siv. 2, Pg. 15.

    10. [S178] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1881, Waterloo S. Twp. 1881 Div 3 Page 40.

    11. [S2560] aaaWaterloo Township South 1891, Sect. 1 Page 54.

    12. [S894] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1861, Sect. 10 Page 68.

    13. [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration.
      Name: Byron Baer
      Event Type: Birth
      Event Date: 01 Aug 1869
      Event Place: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
      Gender: Male
      Father's Name: Benjamin Baer sawmiller of West Montrose
      Mother's Name: Lydia Snyder
      Certificate Number: 5258

    14. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012903-73.
      Benjamin BEAR, 26, carpenter, Canada, Preston, widower, s/o John & Nancy married Jemina HALLMAN, 23, Canada, Wilmot, d/o Wendell & Nancy, witn: Joel & Lavinia WANNER both of Wilmot, 18 May 1873 in Berlin

    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..., 185.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 2 Mar 1847 - 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 MapsResidence - 1868 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 27 Dec 1868 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - sawmiller - 1869 - West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Sawyer - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - NC Methodist - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - carpenter - 1873 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1873 - Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 18 May 1873 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBridge - 1881 - Kissing Bridge, West Montose, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Construction of the West Montrose covered bridge by John and Benjamin Bear - 1881 - 1245 Covered Bridge Dr., West Montrose, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - carpenter - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Carpenter - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1881 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - 1889 - 1151 Doon Village Road, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Bridge Builder - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Methodist - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 17 Dec 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Bridge Builder - 1901 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 29 Mar 1932 - Doon (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Kinzie-Bean Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region. Ontario Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth