Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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John Bear[1]

Male 1832 - 1908  (75 years)


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

  • Name John Bear 
    Born 30 May 1832  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32284566 
    Occupation 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Carpenter & Joiner 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Farmer 
    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
    WestMontrose-Covered-Bridge-0004-Stamp.jpg    		 WestMontrose-Covered-Bridge-0004-Stamp.jpg
    WestMontrose-Covered-Bridge-0005-Stamp.jpg    		 WestMontrose-Covered-Bridge-0005-Stamp.jpg
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Farmer & Sawmiller & Brickmaker 
    Residence 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Mennonite 
    Possessions Bef 1889  16 Mittierra Dr., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1901  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Farmer 
    Eby ID Number 00003-601 
    Died 24 Feb 1908  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10, 11] 
    Cause: Arteriosclerosis 
    Buried Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 10] 
    Person ID I9874  Generations
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2025 

    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  [9, 12] 
    Family ID F261996  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Margaret Steen,   b. 29 Dec 1831, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Feb 1920, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years) 
    Married 28 Oct 1856  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9, 13] 
    Children 
     1. Jonah Steen Baer,   b. 11 Oct 1858, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Aug 1946, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years)
     2. Josiah Bear,   b. 19 Aug 1860, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Apr 1873, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 12 years)
     3. Mary Ann Bear,   b. 9 Jun 1862, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Feb 1950, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years)
     4. Catharine Baer,   b. 18 Dec 1863, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Jan 1950, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years)
     5. Elizabeth Bear,   b. Aug 1865, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1954  (Age ~ 88 years)
     6. John Henry Bear,   b. 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F2852  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • John Bear, "was born May 30th, 1832. He resides a little west of Doon where he is engaged in farming. He is married to Margaret Steen. Their family consists of six 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.].
      ________________________________

      West Montrose Covered Bridge

      On January 17, 1881, Woolwich Council accepted the tender of $3,197.50 from John and Benjamin Bear for a covered bridge at West Montrose. John Bear prepared the plans and specifications for a two-span, covered bridge. The total cost, including the extra work, for building this bridge was $3,557.65. John became a renowned bridge builder after he built the Covered bridge. John Bear was hired by Woolwich Council on October 15, 1880 to inspect the following bridges: the West Montrose bridge over the Grand River, the bridge over the Conestogo River at Daniel Weber's farm and the gully bridge on the north side of Scheifele's farm (Waterloo Historical Society Journal, Kathryn Lamb, "West Montrose Covered Bridge," 1977, p27). On November 16 he stated that these bridges should be replaced in the following year (Woolwich Council Minutes, Nov 16, 1881. p280). A number of John Bear's draughting instruments are part of the museum collection at Doon Heritage Crossroads.

      On the 9th day of May, 1883, the tender of George Peppler & Co. to paint the bridge with oil paint for $74.25 was accepted.This information comes from the Elmira Municipal Archives, Box #5-1-2-8. "Bridge Book, with statements of Bridges in the Township of Woolwich, November A.D. 1903. It contains builders, tenders, costs and repairs for every bridge in Woolwich from 1881-1910. . In 1895, a cedar crib was built by M. Richard Boye at a cost of $124.00. In 1900, Bowman and Elliot built a centre pier of stone at a cost of $981.00. The total cost of the bridge was $4,662 (Bridge book, 1903, p36).

      From: https://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/0/4f08d9c14e31e3a085256b090055cf08?OpenDocument 2004

  • 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..., 303.

    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..., 186.

    3. [S86] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1901, Waterloo (South/Sud) G-2 Page 1.

    4. [S163] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Wanner Mennonite CC#6479 (formerly Waterloo Township).
      Bear / in memory of / John Bear Jr. / born May 30, 1832 / died Feb.24, 1908 / aged 75 yrs. 8 mos. 24 dys / The pains of death are past, labor and sorrow cease / and life's long warfare closed at last, his soul is found in peace / his wife / Margaret Steen / died Feb.11, 1920 / aged 88 yrs. 1 mo. 13 dys.

    5. [S604] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1871, Div. 3, Pg. 33.

    6. [S178] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1881, Waterloo S. Twp. 1881 Div 3 Page 43.

    7. [S2560] aaaWaterloo Township South 1891, Sect. 1 Page 56.

    8. [S2588] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Wanner Cemetery Internet Link.
      BEAR/ in memory of/ John BEAR Jr./ Born May 30, 1832/ Died Feb. 24, 1908/ Aged 75 yrs. 8 mos. 24 dys/ The pains of death are past, labor and sorrow cease/ And life's long warfare closed at last, his soul is found in peace/ His wife/ Margaret Steen/ Died Feb.11, 1920/ aged 88 yrs. 1 mo. 13 dys./

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

    10. [S163] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Wanner Mennonite CC#6479 (formerly Waterloo Township).

    11. [S2491] aaa Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 029686 (1908).
      Name:John Bear
      Gender:Male
      Age:75
      Birth Date:abt 1833
      Birth Place:Ontario
      Death Date:24 Feb 1908
      Death Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    12. [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.

    13. [S6] Church Records - ON, Waterloo - Bindeman, F. W. - Card Index Kitchener Public Library.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 30 May 1832 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 28 Oct 1856 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Carpenter & Joiner - 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 MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada 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 - Farmer & Sawmiller & Brickmaker - 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 MapsPossessions - Bef 1889 - 16 Mittierra Dr., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1901 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: Arteriosclerosis - 24 Feb 1908 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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