Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Deacon Abraham Oberholtzer

Deacon Abraham Oberholtzer[1, 2, 3, 4]

Male 1834 - 1917  (82 years)

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

  • Photos
    Abraham Oberholtzer
    Abraham Oberholtzer
    Mennonite Archives of Ontario

  • Name Abraham Oberholtzer 
    Prefix Deacon 
    Born 30 Nov 1834  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68479343 
    Residence 1859  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    Occupation 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    Laborer 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [15
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [15
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Farmer 
    Residence 1881  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    Farmer 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    Mennonite 
    Retired 1901  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    Occupation 1911  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    Income 
    Residence 1911  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    Mennonite 
    Eby ID Number 00086-5057 
    Died 1 Aug 1917  [7, 16
    Buried First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [16
    Person ID I21972  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Rev. Jacob M. Oberholtzer,   b. 30 Mar 1800, , Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Jan 1879, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Mother Hannah Erb,   b. 25 Jan 1813, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Nov 1894, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Married 9 Jan 1831  [1, 7, 12, 17, 18
    Family ID F1021  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah Erb,   b. 16 Dec 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Jun 1909  (Age 68 years) 
    Married 15 Feb 1859  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 12, 13
    Children 
     1. Mary Ann Oberholtzer,   b. 13 Feb 1860, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Mar 1861  (Age 1 years)
     2. Clara Oberholtzer,   b. 1861, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Sarah Jane Oberholtzer,   b. 1864, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. David Oberholtzer,   b. 1865, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Clarissa Ann Oberholtzer,   b. 1866, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1940  (Age 74 years)
     6. Amos Oberholtzer,   b. 5 Apr 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Oct 1872, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 5 years)
     7. Josiah Erb Oberholtzer,   b. 30 Dec 1872, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jul 1937  (Age 64 years)
     8. Angeline Oberholtzer,   b. 16 Dec 1874, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1954  (Age 79 years)
     9. Emmaline Oberholtzer,   b. 5 Mar 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Jul 1905, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 28 years)
     10. Bernice Oberholtzer,   b. 20 Apr 1879, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F371  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Abraham Oberholtzer, "was born November 30th, 1834. He is married to Sarah Erb who was born December 16th, 1840. They reside on a farm on the east bank of the Grand River, a little above the village of Doon. Several years ago he was ordained a deacon for the Mennonite Church, a position he well and worthily represents. His 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.].

      ____________________________

      Preston (Bechtel or Hagey) Mennonite Church

      The second meeting house in Waterloo County was built, probably in 1814, by John Erb, a wealthy miller of Preston. This brick meeting house served as a community church and was located "near Jacob Hagey's", which was on the road running from the top of the Kress Hill west and "adjoining the Kitchener Highway" (Witmer 1967: 26). Another meeting house, known as the Union Meeting House, was built in the area around 1824. A meeting was held in the Union church on November 20, 1824 to commence recording the accounts of the congregation in Hagey's Deacon Book. The deed of land for the Union Meeting House and burial ground, which was for one acre of part Lot 22, Beasley's Broken Front, was transacted in 1835.
      Hagey Meeting House was buiilt of red brick in 1842 on part Lot 23, just north of Preston on the west side of the Breslau Road, and slightly north of the Union Meeting House site. The deed, dated February 2, 1842, recorded the purchase of the land from John Hilborn and stressed that the property was to be for "the purpose of public worship by the Mennonist Society" (Witmer 1967: 28). Joseph Bechtel was the first minister in the area, from 1804-1837; he was followed by David Sherk (1838-1843). Next came Joseph Hagey (1844-1877), who was ordained bishop in 1851, and then Jacob B. Gingrich from 1878 to 1901. Services were held every four weeks until 1890 when bi-weekly services were begun. A Sunday School was established in 1842 with the congregation of Wanner Meeting House near Hespeler, but it was discontinued because of a difference of opinion regarding the need for Sunday Schools. On April 26, 1891 a Sunday School was organized at Hagey's, with deacon Abraham Oberholtzer as superintendent. Five years later, on June 10, 1896, a Sunday School was organized at the Wanner church.
      Major changes were made to the church building in 1927-1928 when the basement was excavated, new windows were installed and the roof was raised two feet. Fire on January 15, 1950 caused extensive damage to the interior and furnishings of the church. The building was completely renovated and also enlarged at the same time; dedication was on July 2, 1950. Another fire, on Feburary 19, 1953, completely destroyed the church. A congregational decision was made to build a new church, on Concession Road in Preston, and the cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, October 12, 1953. Official dedication services in the new Preston Mennonite Church were held on May 16, 1954. The building was enlarged in the summer of 1989.

      Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

  • 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..., 636.

    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..., 647.

    3. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 17 Oct 1872.
      Amos Oberholtzer died 9 Oct 1872 in Waterloo Twp., son of Abraham, 5 yrs, 6 mths, 2 days.

    4. [S3002] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 012369-94.
      Josiah Oberholtzer, 21, occ. Farmer, b. Canada, res. Waterloo Twp, son of Abraham and Sarah married Laura H. Snyder, 22, b. Canada, res. Waterloo Twp, daughter of Aaron and Sarah, Witn: Menno Snider and Angelina Oberholtzer of Waterloo Twp, 12 December 1894 in Berlin

    5. [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..., 144.

    6. [S47] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - First Mennonite CC#4507 Internet link First Mennonite Cemetery online.
      Oberholtzer / Abraham Oberholtzer / born Nov. 29, 1834 / died Aug.1, 1917 / aged 82 yrs. 8 m. 1 d. / Sarah Erb / wife of / Abraham Oberholtzer / born Dec.16, 1840 / died June 18, 1909 / aged 68 yrs. 6 mos. 2 ds.

    7. [S33] Bible - Oberholtzer, Jacob.

    8. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 21.
      Abraham OBERHOLZER Labourer Birthplace: Canada Age 18 Mennonite b. 30-Nov

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

    10. [S178] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1881, Waterloo S. Twp. 1881 Div 2 Page 28.

    11. [S272] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1911, Div. 7 Page 2.

    12. [S1887] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1861 (North Division), Div 3 Page 14.

    13. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register.
      Abram Oberholtzer, 24, res. Waterloo, b. Waterloo, son of Jacob and Ann, married 15 Feb 1859 Sarah Erb, 18, res. Waterloo, b. Waterloo, daughter of Peter and Mary Ann

    14. [S2575] Census - ON, Waterloo Township - 1891, Sect. 3 Page 7.

    15. [S2767] aaaWaterloo Township 1871 South, Sect. 2 Page 50.

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

    17. [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..., 142.

    18. [S514] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1871, Sect. 1 Page 42.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 30 Nov 1834 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1859 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 15 Feb 1859 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Laborer - 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 MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 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 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 MapsRetired - 1901 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Income - 1911 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1911 - Waterloo Twp., 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