Wilhelm "William" Rebscher

1814 - 1856  (42 years)

• Name	Wilhelm "William" Rebscher
  Born	1814	, Germany
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1836	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	beer brewer
  Business	1842	59 King St. N., Waterloo, Ontario
  	beer brewery
  Occupation	1852	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	brewer
  Died	22 Apr 1856	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  Death	29 Apr 1856	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Business	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Brewery
  	The Spetz family purchased the Rebescher Brewery which was located near the corner of Frederick and Weber Street in Kitchener. Spetz Street was named in their honour where the brewery was located. On the 1875 is it mislabelled as J. H. S. Pitz's Brewery and should read J. H. Spetz's Brewery
  		Brewery 1875 Bounded by Weber, Spetz and Frederick Streets.
  Interesting	story, misfortune
  Misfortune	Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Body was stolen by Dr. Frederick Christ to be used as a medical display. A few days after the burial of Eby's child, Dr. Christ came into Schnarr's Tavern in Waterloo Village, and made the remark that the bodies of William Rebscher, John Nahrgang, and Zoeger were not in their graves. Afterwards, Dr. Christ offered to bet with witness that Abram Eby's child was not in his grave. Christ said that he would not go and bring the bodies himself, but that he could get plenty at an outlay of ten dollars.
  Name	William Rebscher  [6]
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-71642
  Person ID	I71642	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	George Nikolaus "Nicholas" Rebscher,   b. 1786, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany ,   d. 13 Nov 1873, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 87 years)
  Mother	Sophia,   b. 12 Mar 1787, , Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany ,   d. 2 Apr 1869, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 82 years)
  Family ID	F670	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Elisabeth Nahrgang,   b. 1821, Lebosbach, Hessia, Germany ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	12 Jul 1836	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 7]
  Children	1. Anna Rebscher,   b. 29 Mar 1837, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Wilhelm "William" Rebscher,   b. CALC 7 May 1838, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 9 Aug 1867, Neustadt, Normanby Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 29 years)   3. Sophia Rebscher,   b. 20 Jan 1840, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   4. Mary Rebscher,   b. 1841, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   5. Henry Rebscher,   b. 1843, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   6. Catharina Rebscher,   b. 13 Sep 1848, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 12 Oct 1920, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 72 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F18806	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  A-1-97 William Rebscher Probate of the will of William Rebscher of the Village of Waterloo, granted the 2nd day of July 1856…on the petition of Moses Springer, Elias Snider and Ludwig Peppler, the Executors named in said will… I William Rebscher of the Village of Waterloo, Beer Brewer, (1st) I will and desire that all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses be paid… (2nd) I give and devise unto my beloved wife Elizabeth all and as much of my house and kitchen furniture as she requires for her own use, and one cow out of my stock of her own choice which she my beloved wife shall have to herself. (3rd) And I give and devise to my beloved wife Elizabeth as long as she remains my widow the three northern rooms in the first story and the two northern rooms in the second story of the house I now occupy and reside in, also as much room in the washhouse cellar and stable as she requires, and a piece of ground for a garden which is not to exceed one tenth of an acre situate and being on lots number nine and ten in the west side of King Streets in the said Village of Waterloo. [No 4th clause] My will further is that my hereinafter named Executors shall find and provide for my beloved wife Elizabeth during her natural life, or so as she remains my widow, with firewood, clothes and all other necessaries, such as she requires to make her comfortable, (but they are not to give her anything to excess). (5th) I will and devise unto my beloved children as soon as they marry or stand in need of house furniture, that my hereinafter named Executors shall give them to the same amount as I have already given my daughter Sophia. (6th) My will is that as soon as conveniently can be after my decease, my executors shall hold an appraisement and have the whole of my Real and Personal property appraised and sell my personal property to the highest bidder at public auction. (7th) My will is that my Real Estate shall remain in the hands of my Executors, if nothing occurs that it will be necessary for them to sell sooner, until my youngest child obtains the age of twenty one years, and after youngest child has attained the said ago, and sooner if necessary, my Executors shall sell the same to the best advantage as they see fit and proper. (8th) My will is that my beloved children shall have the first chance to lease or purchase my real estate, and if there is any money to let my children are also to have the first chance to borrow it… (9th) I will that the rest reside and remainder of my real and personal estate which remains in the hands of my Executors…shall be divided equally between and among all my sons and daughters. (10th) I also will that my two youngest children shall remain with my beloved wife, and faithfully sent to school, so that they become a good common education, and after my youngest son becomes a proper age he is to be bound out to trade, that he chooses. (11th) This my will (if possible) that my hereinafter named Executors shall not lease the House I now occupy for a Tavern. (12th) And I nominate and appoint my trusty and worthy friends Moses Springer of Waterloo, Elias Snider of the same place, and Ludwig Peppler of the same place, to be the Executors of this my last will and testament. Witnesses W.A. Schoeman and George Gleizer Will dated 21 April 1856 Proved 2 July 1856 Died 22 April 1856 Inventory £789/1/1. Surrogate Court Records Copybook Register A 1853-1871 transcript to 1863. Frances Hoffman transcriber. __________________ Queen to Benton Street A few feet back of King Street and about 15 feet from South Queen Street was a vaulted cellar built of field stone by Peter Rebscher [William?] in 1838-39. In 1855 Sheriff Davidson [George Davison] bought this cellar from Paul Schmidt [Paul Schmitt 1808-1862]. He erected a frame building extending from the corner, partly using material brought from a former building at New Aberdeen, a village about five and one-half miles southwest of Berlin, where he had also a store business. Jacob Stroh helped to lath the building, receiving 75c as a day's wage. The new building was called The California Block and contained several stores. George Davidson, son of the Sheriff, occupied the corner store as a Grocery and Dry Goods business. Next there was a shed with outside stairway leading to a dance hall above it. The shed was used by the guests of Schmidt's Tavern known as the banners Inn. In the rear of the shed there was a brewery operated William Rebscher, who started to brew about 1830. The process of the Rebscher brewery was to soak the grain for 24 hours, then spread it on the cellar floor and shift it around until it commenced to sprout, after which it was carried upstairs again and put into a dry-kiln about 20 x 20 feet in size, the grain being on screens exposed to the heat coming from below. The dry malt was crushed and ground between iron rollers turned by hand. Later on a steam engine supplied the required power. Mr. Rebscher had this brewery until about 1855, when he moved to Frederick Street on Spetz Street. Sheriff Davidson bought the shed and converted it into two stores. One of these was occupied by Conrad Schmidt who sold wines, liquors, groceries and hardware. Yost Kimmel had a meat shop under the stores. Next came an open space and a well and next to that a building which was used 1830 to 1835 as a church by a body known as Mifferites whose main article of belief was that the world was coming to an end in 1835. Many of the Millerites, faithful to their belief, sold their properties and household effects. The building was about 1840 occupied by Paul Schmidt, as the Farmer's Inn already spoken of. Next came an alleyway and next to that William Moore's general store. Mr. Moore's residence was next to his store. Later on it had a clock factory on the second floor for a short time Next came a three-story building erected in 1860 and next to that no building for a long time until the Boehmer Block was erected. This had a clock factory on the second floor for a short time. Next came a building occupied by Mr. Hymmen, erected between 1850 and 1855. The building was painted a buff color and occupied as a bakery. In 1860, E. R. Hayne had a bakery and confectionery store in the Hymmen building. Next came a two-story frame building located on the site of the westerly half of the present Post Office and occupied by William, David and Frederick Miller as the first general store in Berlin. The location was opposite the end of Frederick Street. J. F. Kannengieser had a tailor shop and was also dealer in fancy goods in this building at one time. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. John Albright occupied part of the building as a dressmaking and millinery shop. Later on Mr. Rooke had a lock and gunsmith shop on the street floor while his family lived above. There was a high board fence on the Benton Street line with balsam trees planted along the inside. 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 _____________ QUEEN vs DR CHRIST This case, which we noticed in this journal a short time ago, arose out of the fact that the prisoner, Dr. Christ, had been detected in the act of boiling parts of a human body on his premises in the Village of Waterloo. From some remarks he, Dr. Christ had dropped, it was suspected that a son of Mr. Abraham Eby, who was killed at Bridgeport had been taken from his grave; which on examination proved to be correct. The indictment is as follows: The Jurors of our Sovereign Lady the Queen upon their oaths present that Frederick Christ did on the 13th of August last willfully and indecently enter the churchyard of the Mennonites in Berlin, and dig open the grave in which one Edward Eby had been buried, and did then take away the said body. The following witnesses were then called on behalf of the Crown: JOHN WALTER - Sworn - Was on Christ's premises on the 29th August, and saw him boiling something in a kettle. Christ said those are the bones of a human being, of which I am going to make a skeleton. Cross examined - Was not annoyed by the smell. Christ did not say to me he was going to sell the bones. Dr. S. S. BOWERS - Is a physician in Waterloo. Was on Christ's premises on the 30th day of August last. Opened a tub in a barn and saw quite a number of human bones. The smell I the barn was that peculiar to a human body in a state of decomposition. Saw also in the house where Christ lived, the whole of the bones belonging to a skeleton. Saw other bones taken from a trunk. The bones so found, belonged to a head. Can't tell what size they were, as they were broken and only a very few of them. Should think they belonged to a child of 7, 8, or 9 years. Can't tell how long since they were dressed. Here the bones were produced and Dr. Bowers described them fully to the Court. A scalp was also produced, which showed evidence of the skull having been fractured. Cross ex'd - The bones in the tub were those of a grown person. Have no means of connecting the bones of the head with the scalp shown. The trunk in which the bones were found was not concealed. ABRAHAM EBY - Affirmed - Had a son killed on the 23rd of July, aged nearly six years, was buried in the Mennonite Churchyard, Berlin. With the particulars of this child's death our readers are already acquainted. Witness identified the hair as belonging to his son. The scalp produced is that of my son. Swears positively that the bones produced are belonging to his child. MR. SPENCER, ESQ. - Sworn - On going to the premised of Dr. Christ, I told him I understood that they were carrying on the business of preparing skeletons. Christ said he did and he made no secret of it. He had a right to do it, and it was nobody's business how he made his money. Corroborated the evidence of Dr. Bowers as to the appearance of the bones in the tub, and of the skeletons in the house. Went and saw the grave of Mr. Eby's child, opened it and found the coffin empty. On returning to Christ's house found the pile of small bones removed. Was present when Mr. Abraham Eby's son was killed. Find the same marks on the scalp produced, and were on the head of the child. Cannot be mistaken as I helped to wash and lay out the child. Cross ex'd - I committed Christ for a misdemeanor for cutting up bodies and boiling them. I am not on bad terms with Dr. Christ. Considered it my duty after examining the premises to have Christ and Werthman arrested. Offered to take bail from them on their appearance at court. The did not tender any. JOHN W. KOEHLER - Sworn - A few days after the burial of Eby's child, Dr. Christ came into Schnarr's Tavern in Waterloo Village, and made the remark that the bodies of William Rebscher, John Nahrgang, and Zoeger were not in their graves. Afterwards, Dr. Christ offered to bet with witness that Abram Eby's child was not in his grave. Christ said that he would not go and bring the bodies himself, but that he could get plenty at an outlay of ten dollars. Cross ex'd - But for Dr. Christ having offered to bet with me as to the child being out of his grave, I had no reason to suppose that he had taken the body. Thinks it was about a week after the funeral, when defendant offered to bet with him. have always been on good terms with defendant. Abram Eby - Recalled by Crown Attorney - Said he examined the grave where his child was buried, and found the same empty. D.S. Shoemaker and Moses Springer, Esqs. were present. WM. LOEFFLER - Sworn - On two occasions saw a team leave Christ's premises about 10 pm and return about 2 am. Saw the parties unload bags from the wagon. Christ owns a team. Cross ex'd - Has known Dr. Christ to be called to attend patients after night. I am on good terms with Dr. Christ. M. SPRINGER - Recalled - Saw a large bag on the premises. I recognize the hook now shown to me as the one found in the cellar of Christ's home. Is ignorant of its uses. CONRAD SMITH - Sworn - the hook produced was made in my shop, by order of one of Werthman's boys. This closed the case for the prosecution. [Mr. Palmer, Barrister, of Guelph, did all he could for the prisoner, but the evidence was too strong against him. - Ed. Ch.] His Honor read the indictment, and the evidence in full to the Jury, and stated at some length the different Statutes connected with such cases. The jury retired, and after a very short absence returned into Court with a verdict of Guilty. The trial of the QUEEN vs WERTHMAN, was then gone into. The evidence was in every respect similar to that adduced in the case of Dr. Christ. Verdict Guilty. Christ and Werthman were sentenced to 3 months in Common Gaol. Berlin Chronicle And Gazette - Tuesday Morning, Sep. 20, 1859 - County Court and Quarter Sessions

  
  

• Sources

  [S9] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Canada Museum und Allgemeine Zeitung (1835-1840), 21 Jul 1836:40. 12 Jul 1836 Rev Bindemann, in this city m. Wm. Rebscher, son of Georg Rebscher, beerbrewer in the vicinity of Berlin, to Elisabeth Nahrgang, daughter of Johannes Nahrgang, tailor, from here. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 3 Pg 30. William REIBSCHER Brewer Germany 37 Lutheran Elisabeth REIBSCHER wife Germany 30 Lutheran Hanna REIBSCHER daughter Canada 15 Lutheran William REIBSCHER son Canada 14 Lutheran Sophia REIBSCHER daughter Canada 12 Lutheran Mary REIBSCHER daughter Canada 10 Lutheran Henry REIBSCHER son Canada 8 Lutheran Catherine REIBSCHER daughter Canada 6 Lutheran [S1737] Probate - Wills of Waterloo Register A 1853-1871, Will of William Rebscher - 1856 - A-1-97. [S14] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Chronicle (1856-1860), 7 May 1856. On 29 April, at Waterloo Village, William REBSCHER, aged about 38 years. [S14] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berlin Chronicle (1856-1860), 20 Sep 1859 - Queen vs. Dr. Christ. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library. Anna Rebsher d/o W & Elisabeth b. 29 Mar 1837, bapt. 6 Aug 1837 Berlin sponsors: John Nahrgang and Margareth (his wife) [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library. William Rebscher, married 12 Jul 1836 in Berlin by banns to Elisabeth Nahrgang, wit: Peter Knechtel & Carl Israel

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 1814 - , Germany Occupation - beer brewer - 1836 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 12 Jul 1836 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Business - beer brewery - 1842 - 59 King St. N., Waterloo, Ontario Occupation - brewer - 1852 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 22 Apr 1856 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Death - 29 Apr 1856 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Business - Brewery - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Misfortune - - Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth