Peter Bricker

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74535366
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-232655

Notes:

Peter Bricker, later to settle in Cocalico, Pennsylvania in 1732, was baptized Peter Bruegger on February 14, 1700 in the Reformed church of Frutigen, Switzerland, and was identified in the parish book there as the son of Peter Bruegger (not Jacob Bricker) and Margaretha Roesti (not Catherine Mylin).

Peter's first wife was Christina Gylgen, baptized in Schwarzenburg, Switzerland in 1702. She and Peter were married in Echery, Alsace on January 6, 1723. They had seven children, of which four survived childhood: Barbara, who seems to have passed away sometime before 1763; Elizabeth, who may have passed away before 1763; Christina, who passed away in 1804; and Peter, who also seems to have passed away in 1804. The children's mother Christina may have passed away the same year that son Peter was born, sometime between 1735 and 1737.

The elder Peter, the children's father, married his second wife Elizabeth within the next couple of years, as their first child, Christian, was born about 1739. Existing evidence suggests that Elizabeth was the widow of Jacob Lisley who, along with Elizabeth's parents Valentine and Christina Becker and Elizabeth herself, sailed to America with other Brethren in 1729 aboard the ship "Allen."

After son Christian's birth, Peter and Elizabeth had another seven children before Peter passed away in 1761: Catherine, born in 1743, Jacob, born in 1744, John, born in 1745, Veronica, born in 1748, Barbara, born in 1751, David born in 1755, and Elizabeth, possibly born soon after the passing of Peter Senior's older daughter Elizabeth by first wife Christina, in 1759 or 1760.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74535366

Peter — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60179106
• Name: Catharine Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2421.1

Catharine — Christian Eby. Christian (son of Christian Eby and Elizabeth Mayer) was born 22 Feb 1734, Near Lititz, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 14 Sep 1807, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27232187
• Name: Barbara Schneider
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2422

Notes:

Barbara Eby, "the third daughter of Christian Eby and his wife, Catharine Bricker, was born April 29th, 1774. On February 21st, 1798, she was married to Joseph Schneider who was born May 24th, 1772, and died October 27th, 1843. She died March 13th, 1843. In 1807 they, in company with some of the Ebys and Erbs, moved to what is now Berlin, Waterloo County, Ontario. They settled on lot No. 17, U. B., of the Township of Waterloo, now forming part of the town of Berlin. The old homestead is now owned by a grandson, Samuel B. Schneider. Here they raised a family of seven 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.].

Barbara married Joseph Schneider 21 Feb 1798, , Pennsylvania, USA. Joseph (son of Jacob Schneider and Maria Herschi) was born 24 May 1772, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 27 Oct 1843, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Wissler
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495

Notes:

Anna Eby, "the fourth daughter and the eighth member of the family of Christian and Catharine (Bricker) Eby, was born September 9th, 1777, and died April 25th, 1829. On March 25th, 1800, she was married to Jacob Wissler who was born on the old "Wissler Homestead" on Middle Creek, Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He lived and died on the old homestead. In his old age he built a one-story brick house for himself and his daughter, Catharine. This building adjoined the house-yard of the old homestead. Both he and his wife lie buried at the Hammar Creek Mennonite Meeting House, nearly two miles west of their home. Jacob Wissler was born November 12th, 1776, and died April 27th, 1853. They had a family of ten children, namely: Andrew, Jacob, Christian, Magdalena, Ezra, John, Catharine, Mary, Levi, and Sem. (See Sem Wissler's family). All the descendents of this family have settled in different parts of the United States with the exception of Sem, the youngest, who settled in Salem, Ontario, where his family still resides."


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.].

Anna married Jacob Wissler 25 Mar 1800. Jacob was born 12 Nov 1776, Clay Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 27 Apr 1853, Clay Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; was buried , Hammar Creek Mennonite Meeting House, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19044067
• Interesting: pioneer, story, religion
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2423
• Immigration: 1807, , Canada
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 002, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite minister
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; minister
• Probate: 22 Oct 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Benjamin Eby, "the sixth son and eleventh member of the family of Christian Eby and his wife, Catharine Bricker, was born on the old homestead on Hammer Creek, Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, May 2nd, 1785. Benjamin spent his boyhood days on the farm and in his father's cooper-shop making barrels for the mills. He received a fair common school education, and during the winter evenings he continued his studies. He had free access to his father's books, as well as to his brother John's library. He was not very strong and it used to be the common saying among the neighbors: "Aus'em Bennie gebts ka Bauer, er muss Schulmaster werre!" -- "Bennie will never make a farmer, he must become a school-teacher." On May 21st, 1804, he was baptized in the Conestogo Mennonite Meeting House by Bishop Christian Burkholder, and on the same day he was admitted as a member of that body. In 1806 he came to Canada for the first time. On May 24th of the same year he came to what is now Berlin. Here he remained with his cousin, George Eby, who then resided on the place now known as the Jacob Y. Shantz farm. He purchased his land (the farm now possessed by Mr. Moses Betzner), had a small clearing of about two acres made during August, then made preparations for the erection of a log-house which was put up and completed during the following winter. On November 4th he, in company with others, set out for home. The mode of travelling in those days was on horse-back. On February 25th, 1807, he was married to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Erb) Brubacher. She was born August 6th, 1789, and died of cholera August 18th, 1834.

On June 21st, 1807, the following party arrived at George Eby's, Berlin, viz: Benjamin Eby and wife, Joseph Schneider and wife, David Eby, Daniel Eby, John Eckert, Frederick Vogt, Peter Erb and wife, Daniel Erb, Samuel Eby and a few others. On the 30th day of the same month he took possession of his farm. On November 27th, 1809, he was ordained as a minister in the Mennonite Church, and on October 11th, 1812, he was ordained bishop in that body. No sooner was Benjamin Eby ordained as minister than he advocated strongly the building of meeting-houses. His idea was to have houses of worship built in which to hold regular services. Private houses, he said, answered the purpose very well as long as the membership was small, but since we have had such a large increase in membership it has become necessary for us to have churches. He found strong opposition at first, but the Erbs, Schneiders, Brubachers, Ebys, and a few others, agreed with him on this point, and the result was that a log church was erected in 1813. (See cut.) In this church Bishop Eby taught school during the winter months. The first regularly organized school in this section was held in a little log house situated near "Indian" Sam Eby's residence, now known as "Jacob Fry's old place", on the south side of the road leading from the "Two Bridges" to Mill Creek, near the former residence of Jacob Y. Shantz. This building, containing but one room, was erected for a private house, but the party ordering its erection failed to make his appearance, hence it was turned into a school house and utilized as such until the church was built in 1813. The school was first opened some time in October, 1809, by Mr. John Beatty, a native of Ireland, who came to the Eby settlement, as Berlin was then called, some time during the summer of the same year. After being convinced that Mr. Beatty had a fair English education, the following parties, viz: Benjamin Eby, Joseph Schneider, George Eby, Samuel Eby ("Indian Sam"), Jacob Erb and others, engaged him as their teacher for the winter months. School was generally closed the week before Easter. Among the first pupils who attended this, the first school opened in Ebytown, we find David Erb, George Eby, Catharine E. Schneider, Jacob E. Schneider, Elizabeth E. Schneider, Nancy Eby, John Eby, Peter Eby and others. Mr Beatty was re-engaged as their teacher in the fall of 1810, and according to the statements given me by some of the old pupils, he must have taught there three or four years in succession. After the erection of the Mennonite church in 1813 the school was moved to that place, where Bishop Eby taught for many winters in succession. In 1833 it was thought advisable to erect a new church, owing to the fact that the log church was too small to accommodate the large congregations that assembled here to worship. In 1834 the large church still standing was erected. (See cut.) This church is still known as Eby's Meeting House, or "'s Eby's versammlungshaus".

After the decease of Bishop Benjamin Eby's first wife he was married to Magdalena Erb, widow of old Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo. Bishop Eby died June 28th, 1853. To him and his first wife was born a family of eleven 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.].

_________________________

Eby, Benjamin (1785-1853)

Benjamin Eby (2 May 1785-28 June 1853) was a pioneer Mennonite bishop of the Mennonite Church (MC) serving in Ontario. The eleventh child of Christian Eby and his wife Catharine Bricker, Benjamin was born in the old homestead on Hammer Creek, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., PA, May 2, 1785. On Feb. 25, 1807 he married Mary Brubacher. That spring he and his wife immigrated to Waterloo Co., ON, arriving at what was later Berlin (now Kitchener) on June 21. He was ordained as minister (MC) on 27 November 1809 and as bishop on 11 October 1812. In 1813 his dream of having a meetinghouse was realized with the erection of a log structure of modest dimensions, the first building erected solely for religious worship in Waterloo County. The congregation had not fewer than 150 members. Possibly as early as 1815 Benjamin Eby built a frame annex to the log church, with a movable partition between it and the main building. This annex served as a schoolhouse of which he was for many years the teacher. At the same time he carried on his farming. His farm was lot 2 of the Beasley Tract, comprising a large part of the East Ward of the modern city of Kitchener. To Benjamin and Mary Eby were born eleven children. In August 1834, Mary died of cholera. Some time after her death Benjamin married the widow of Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo. On 28 June 1853, Eby died.

To sketch the life of Benjamin Eby is to consider the man, his work, his interests, and his influence. As a farmer he seems to have been successful. He was at least generous with his money, as the few remaining records of his financial transactions indicate. In 1816, when the church purchased an acre of land to add to its holdings, he donated an additional three quarters of an acre. All this is now part of the property of First Mennonite Church of Kitchener. Between 1825 and 1830 two men, John Hoffman and Samuel Bowers, wanted to establish a furniture factory. Appealing in vain to various sources for land, they came finally to Bishop Eby, who readily made land available to them. This too was a gift. The third transaction was in connection with the founding, in 1835, of the first newspaper in inner Canada, the Canada Museum, by Henry W. Peterson. Benjamin Eby not only encouraged this enterprise by word but purchased two shares of stock at $40.00 each, a larger risk than anyone else, apart from Mr. Peterson, was willing or able to take. Again, in 1836, he donated $16.00 toward the building of a cemetery wall, the next highest gift being $4.00. Relatively small as those sums are today they were important in those pioneer days. Judged in relation to his times and his contemporaries all these transactions establish Benjamin Eby as a substantial farmer in his community. Of his occupation as a preacher only a few recorded comments survive. H.W. Peterson, publisher and Lutheran lay preacher, says in his diary: "Stayed all night at Benjamin Eby's, went with him and his family to the meeting or church. He prayed and preached well. He is a good man." An anonymous writer in the Berlin Daily Telegraph for May 19, 1906, says: "His sermons were full of good sense, very intelligible, lying parallel with the understanding of attentive hearers." A tradition has it that there were invariably tears in his eyes when he entered the pulpit on a Sabbath morning. For many years, from 1818-19 to the early 1840's, he was also the community schoolmaster. In this period he wrote two spelling or reading books, Neues Buchstabir- und Lesebuch (1839) and Fibel (1843). He also wrote a work on Mennonite faith and history entitled Kurzgefasste Kirchen-geschichte und Glaubenslehre der Taufgesinnten Christen oder Mennoniten (1841). He was most likely the compiler of the Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung (Berlin, 1836), which was long used in Ontario. Thus he was farmer, teacher, preacher, and author. As might be expected, his interests went beyond his own community. He corresponded with European Mennonites and published some of the letters received in Briefe an die Mennonisten Gemeine in Ober Canada (1840) and Zweyter Brief aus Dänemark (1841).

The physical man must be noted briefly. There was a tradition that he was frail. Aus 'em Bennie gebts ka Bauer, er muss Schulmester werre. (Bennie will never make a farmer, he must become a schoolteacher.) Yet he made two journeys to Canada on horseback through the wilderness, hewed for himself a home, prospered substantially, and was unusually active in church and community affairs. One of his coats, seen by the present writer, would indicate that he was about five feet, six inches tall, weighing possibly 150 lbs.

Up to 1833 the Waterloo County settlement was known as "Ben Eby's" or "Ebytown," thus establishing Eby as the leading citizen of his community. With the arrival of increasing numbers of German non-Mennonites, the name of the settlement was changed in 1833 to Berlin. The record of his influence and activities bears eloquent testimony that he had both a keen sense of civic and denominational responsibility. In his account of Benjamin Eby's funeral, written for the July 7, 1855 issue of the Guelph Advertiser, H.S. Peterson calls him "an Israelite in whom there was no guile, and that he was sincerely pious, humble, exemplary, practical, and non-sectarian, and eminently successful in his day and generation." The anonymous friend in the Daily Telegraph (Berlin, ON, 19 May 1906) says: "He was a person of unblemished character. Naturally of a sweet and gentle disposition, friendly and obliging, always ready to serve his friends in any way that he could by his interest and authority. This he did freely and generously, not proud or haughty, but serious in giving good counsel, and greatly esteemed for his integrity by all ranks and denominations. All very much desired his company and wholesome conversations."

Cressman, J. Boyd. "Eby, Benjamin." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1956. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 13 Nov 2005

__________________________________________

Breslau (Cressman) Mennonite Church

Services were begun in Breslau in 1815. In 1834, Benjamin Eby's log meeting house, which had been built in Berlin in 1813, was moved to Breslau to the Cressman farm. Preaching services which were held every four weeks began in the reconstructed meeting house in 1837. A new brick church was built in 1856, at which time the old log meeting house was moved to Frederick Schaefer's brickyard. The old building may have been used for storage or an office until approximately 1880 when it was clad with white "Breslau Brick" from the brickyard, and used as a home by Frederick Schaefer and his family. The address of the house is reported to have been 18 Woolwich Street; it was still standing in 1985, according to Alder 1985, with the original log walls possibly preserved within the brick ones.

A summer Sunday School was begun in June of 1872. It was held in the Breslau schoolhouse until 1877 when it was moved to the church. Sunday School continued on in the summers only until 1889 when Sunday School classes began to be held all year.

The 1856 white brick church was taken down in March 1908, and was replaced with a new white brick church. In 1968 the name of the church was changed from Cressman Mennonite Church to Breslau Mennonite Church. Major renovations were made to the church in the same year. It is of interest to know that land amounting to approximately three acres was deeded to the congregation by Christian C. Snyder in three parcels, in 1837, 1859, and 1870.

Joseph Hagey, the first minister at Cressman's, was ordained on February 10, 1839. He was ordained bishop in 1851. Ministers who followed him in serving the church at Breslau were Jacob Woolner Sr., Elias Weber, Isaac A. Wambold, Jacob S. Woolner, and Oscar Burkholder. Services were held every four weeks from 1837-1867, and bi-weekly from 1867-1894 when weekly services were begun..

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

___________________________

Wanner Mennonite Church
Begun: 1829

A small wooden meeting house was built in 1829 on a corner of the farm belonging to Samuel Bechtel which was located in the vicinity of the present-day regional headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources near the intersection of Highways 24 and 401. The site for this community meeting house, as well as a school and a burial ground, had been chosen on August 8, 1829. The land was donated by Samuel Bechtel and his wife Barbara (Baumann) on March 15, 1830. A new meeting house, of white brick, was built in 1837 on the east side of Henry Wanner's farm, somewhat north of the first meeting house. Meetings at first were held every eight weeks. The deed of land for the meeting house known as Wanner's was dated October 15, 1837. Early preachers were David Sherk, who had been ordained by Benjamin Eby in July 1837, Jacob Bretz, Jr., and Joseph Hagey.

Joseph Hagey was ordained bishop in 1851. During his time divisions occurred in the church by a surge of enthusiasm for a Methodist form of revivalism. Solomon Eby of Port Elgin, who announced his own conversion in December 1869, was leader of a group which believed that members could be converted through participation in revival meetings. John Baer of Wanner's became associated with Solomon Eby, and was compelled to leave the church in the spring of 1874, as were Eby and his other followers. The new church movement resulted in organization conferences which culminated in the conference on March 23, 1875 at Bloomingdale where New Mennonites and Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together as United Mennonites. The United Mennonites favored revival meetings, Sunday Schools and prayer meetings, and were opposed to the use of alcohol and tobacco.

The date of construction of the meeting house which replaced the one built in 1837 is somewhat in doubt. It is possible that a new building was erected in the early 1870s; it is also possible that the 1837 building only underwent extensive renovations at that time. There is no doubt, however, that a new brown brick church was built in 1938. An education wing was added in 1969.

The earliest Mennonite Sunday School in North America was begun in 1842 and was held jointly by the Wanner and Hagey Meeting Houses. It was discontinued after a short time because of a division of opinion within the congregations. An attempt was made later, in the mid-1860s, to begin another Sunday School, but this, too, did not last long. Many years later, on June 10, 1896, a meeting was held to organize a Sunday School. Anson Groh was appointed superintendent..

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

__________________________

First Mennonite Church

The first church built in Waterloo County was erected in Berlin in 1813, and was known as Benjamin Eby's Meeting House.
Benjamin Eby had come to Canada in 1807 and in 1809 was ordained preacher. Three years later, in 1812, he was ordained bishop. His "parish included sections of Waterloo, Wilmot and Woolwich" (Uttley 1937: 27). In 1818 a frame addition, which was to be used as a winter school, was built on to the church. The log meeting house was replaced in 1834 by a larger frame church, and the old building was taken to Breslau to become the first meeting house in that community. (The Breslau church was known as Cressman Meeting House, a name which was changed in 1968 to Breslau Mennonite Church.) A Sunday School was opened in the church in 1841.

Benjamin Eby died in 1853. He was followed by Abraham C. Weber who served the congregation until his death in 1874. In that same year, a division in the church brought about the departure of a group who organized a congregation of Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites, to become United Mennonites in 1875 and then Mennonite Brethren in Christ in 1883. Their church is the present-day Bethany Missionary Church on Lancaster Street East. Christian Eby was the next minister of the Berlin Mennonite Church, until 1879. The church was known over the years as Benjamin Eby's Church, Christian Eby's Church (from 1854-1904), and the Berlin Church (from 1904 until 1917.) The name of the church became First Mennonite Church in 1917.

A new brick church was built in 1902. A Bible Study School was begun in 1907, and in 1928 a separate brick Bible Study School building was erected. Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church was formed by some members in 1924 as a result of a division in the church.

Of interest: when the new church was built in 1902, the 1834 frame church was bought by D.B. Betzner who moved it to Cedar Street where it became a woodenware business and then a furniture factory. It was destroyed by fire in 1937.

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

____________________________

EBY, BENJAMIN, farmer, Mennonite minister, bishop, educator, and author; b. 2 May 1785 at a homestead on Hammer Creek, Lancaster County, Pa, son of Christian Eby and Catharine Bricker; m. first 25 Feb. 1807 Mary Brubacher (d. 1834), and they had eight sons and three daughters; m. secondly Magdalena Erb, widow of Abraham Erb*; they had no children; d. 28 June 1853 in Berlin (Kitchener), Upper Canada.
Benjamin Eby, the sixth son and eleventh child of German-speaking Mennonites, "received a fair common school education" while working on the farm and in his father's cooperage. He was among the minority of Mennonites in Pennsylvania who were unhappy at the prospect of remaining under American rule in the aftermath of the revolutionary war, and in 1806 visited Upper Canada to inspect the land in Waterloo Township that fellow Mennonites Daniel Erb and Samuel Bricker had purchased from Richard Beasley* on behalf of the German Company. After claiming lot 2 of the Beasley Tract he went back to Pennsylvania to marry and then, in the company of other settlers, returned to Upper Canada, reaching his homestead on 21 June 1807. The role he played as a founder and leading citizen of the community was reflected in its being named Ebytown, or Ben Eby's, in his honour.

Although farming was always to be the chief source of Eby's livelihood, soon after his return to the province he became involved in the affairs of the pioneer settlement. After being ordained first as minister (27 Nov. 1809) and then as bishop (11 Oct. 1812) at ceremonies presided over by his brother Peter, a bishop from Pennsylvania, he was instrumental in erecting in 1813 the village's first meeting-house for religious worship, and two years later a frame annex to serve as a schoolhouse. Ben Eby's Church, as it was known during the bishop's lifetime, began with a membership of some 150. As the years went by he donated some of his own land to expand the church's holdings, including its first cemetery. As bishop he left his mark not only on the town but on the whole county, where all Mennonite congregations were under his supervision. He was a leader of the church conferences which emerged in the province during his lifetime. When the Niagara and Markham districts were without bishops he presided over the election of new ones and officiated at their ordinations. A family tradition that Benjamin's parents had decided he should become a teacher seems to have been fulfilled in the winter of 1818-19 when he began a teaching career that, with some interruptions, was to last until the early 1840s.

Eby made a major contribution to the Mennonite church and to the preservation of German-language education in the province through a number of published works. In 1836, in an effort to enrich the church's worship and congregational life in general while respecting the various traditions of its adherents, he compiled a hymn-book called Die Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung. Reprinted several times in both Canada and the United States, it was in use until the end of the century. His first original work was a primer, Neues Buchstabir- und Lesebuch, published in 1839. Other works of a religious and educational nature followed, including his most important book, Kurzgefasste Kirchen Geschichte (1841), a study of the Mennonite church's history and doctrine.

Apart from his roles as family man and farmer, and as preacher and teacher, Eby was a promoter of the general good. He was frequently called on to offer his counsel and he occasionally adjudicated community disputes. Business involvements included the donation of some of his own land to two men in need of a property on which to establish a furniture factory, generous support of the printer Heinrich Wilhelm Peterson, and the sale of land in 1833 to Friedrich Gaukel for an inn. That sale was among the first on record to refer to the town as Berlin, a change of name traditionally attributed to the bishop.

Eby also found time to look beyond his community by corresponding with church leaders in Europe, as well as in America, and thereby establishing and cultivating international connections. His biggest contribution, however, was in his own community where he raised a large family (his son Christian succeeded him as minister), promoted a diversified economy, established a broadly based religious worship, introduced elementary school education, and inaugurated a literary tradition which served many generations.
Frank H. Epp

[Benjamin Eby's work as educator and clergyman is reflected in his publications. He wrote Neues Buchstabir- und Lesebuch . . . (1st ed., Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.], 1839); a speller entitled Fibel zu den ersten Lese-Uebungen (Berlin, [1839?]), a second edition of which was published there in 1843; Kurzgefasste Kirchen Geschichte und Glaubenslehre der Taufgesinnten-Christen oder Mennonisten (Berlin, 1841); and a second primer, ABC- Buchstabir- und Lesebuch, zum Gebrauch fuer Deutsche Schulen in Canada (2nd ed., Berlin, 1842). In addition to compiling Die Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung . . . (1st ed., Berlin, 1836), he published an edition of a popular German Mennonite catechism, [Gerhard Roosen], Christliches Gemüths Gespräch . . . (Berlin, 1839). He subsequently arranged for the first English edition of this work, which was published under the title Christian spiritual conversation on saving faith . . . (Lancaster, Pa., 1857), and may even have been the translator. His correspondence with churchmen abroad resulted in the publication of some of their letters to him in Briefe an die Mennonisten Gemeine, in Ober Canada, mit einer Zugabe (Berlin, 1840) and Zweyter Brief aus Dänemark an die Mennonisten Gemeine in Canada (Berlin, 1841). f.h.e.]

AO, RG 22, ser.211, Benjamin Eby. Guelph Advertiser (Guelph, [Ont.]), 7 July 1853. E. E. Eby and J. B. Snyder, A biographical history of early settlers and their descendants in Waterloo Township, with Supplement, ed. E. D. Weber (Kitchener, 1971). The Mennonite encyclopedia: a comprehensive reference work on the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement (4v., Hillsboro, Kans., 1955-59). F. H. Epp, Mennonites in Canada, 1786-1920: the history of a separate people (Toronto, 1974). J. B. Cressman, "Bishop Benjamin Eby," Waterloo Hist. Soc., Annual report, 1941: 152-58; "History of the First Mennonite Church of Kitchener, Ontario," Mennonite Quarterly Rev. (Goshen, Ind.), 13 (1939): 159-86. Daily Telegraph (Berlin), 19 May 1906: 1-2. M. [L]. Gingerich, "Mennonite leaders of North America: Benjamin Eby (1785-1853)," Gospel Herald (Scottsdale, Pa.), 58 (1965): 178. I. D. Landis, "Bishop Peter Eby of Pequea, 1765-1843," Mennonite Quarterly Rev., 14 (1940): 41-51.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online 2000 University of Toronto/Université Laval

___________________

As has been seen, Benjamin Eby bought Cot 2, G.C.T., and came to Upper Canada in 1807. Before leaving Pennsylvania, he and Marie Brubacher were united in marriage. A good word is due the wives of the pioneers. Stanch as maples, they left comfortable homes in Pennsylvania, faced the difficile trail. and in a wooded wilderness bore the hardships of life without a murmur.

Benjamin Eby was of the leader type. Although just of age. he took thought of the settlers spiritual welfare. The pioneers at first worshipped God in their home. He had them gather together at a particular clearing, one Sunday here and the next there, until all had been visited. He was appointed preacher in 1809. Besides promoting the building of a church, he interested himself in prim-ary education.(1)

His log house stood west of the Mennonite Church. In 1814 he sold Samuel Eschelman 56 acres adjoining the church lands. So far as known he was the first settler to sell incoming townsmen plots of land. He sold his son-in-law, David Weber, 219 acres at the upper part of his big lot. His son Elias became the owner of the remaining part on the north side of King Street. The son sold his holding to John Brubacher and Menno Erb who in turn sold his land to William Moyer and Moses Betzner. As the history un-folds other activities of Ben Eby will come to light.

In 1834 a circus employee carried the Asiatic cholera to Galt. Nearly one-fifth of the inhabitants died of the scourge. Many persons from Waterloo Township attended the performance and numerous individuals, catching the disease from one another, died also, including Mrs. Ben Eby.

The Rev. Eby carried on his spiritual labors until his own death in 1853. He had then been the servant of the Mennonite Society for forty-four years.

A History of Kitchener, W. V. (Ben) Uttley, Kitchener, Ontario 1937

_________________________

Kinagaghig Creek (1806) [Canagagigue]
How the creek in Woolwich Township got its name...

This creek was so named by George and Benjamin Eby after Conococheague creek, a little creek which drains Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and flows through Washington county, Maryland, to the Potomac [the area where from many Pennsylvania-Germans travelled by foot and Conestoga wagons.] One historian says the name Conococheague is from the Delaware Indian language and signifies "long indeed, very long indeed," while another says the original word also refers to the winding course of the stream. Eby spelled the name as Kinacachic; another as Canagaguige and others as Kanakijige, Cinacaghic. On an early map of Woolwich Township in Belden's Atlas, it appears as Kinacaghig. There are many more early spellings, as one can imagine!

The Fifteenth Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society 1927 ,pg 375.

_________________________

A-1-17 Benjamin Eby: The Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Eby, of the Township of Waterloo, Minister

…I Benjamin Eby, of the Township of Waterloo, Minister, do make and constitute these presents, dated the second day of April 1853, my Last Will and Testament….
(1) I hereby desire and empower my hereinafter name Executors, to collect, ask, demand, draw and receive all and singular my outstanding debts, dues, accounts, notes, bonds, obligations and charges whatever of right belonging to me, in due time or times, and this also to pay and discharge my own debts and charges, lawfully brought against me and my estate, and I specially desire, order and direct them to pay and discharge to my beloved widow Magdalena, a born Erb, and afterward widow of the late Abraham Erb, deceased, that sum, of money which I do owe her, in accordance with my Bond to her, dated the thirtieth of March 1855, viz: two hundred pounds

(2) This my said beloved widow Magdalena is further to have for and in place and stead of her widow third and dowry, as long as she shall and may live, all and singular the articles, goods, chattels, rights, privileges and benefits, which are mentioned and She also is to have all and singular the articles, goods, chattels, rights, privileges and benefits, which are mentioned and secured to her, in and by a certain articles of agreements between myself and my son Christian Eby, who holds our place, bearing date the third day of February A.D. 1848 and I hereby desire and enjoin my Executors, and each and either of them, to see and care that such articles be duly fulfilled. As her own property for ever, and left to her own final disposal, she is to have and use all and singuler the goods and chattels mentioned and put on the last page of my common housebook or account book. She is further to have for her own proper use and benefit during her her[?] life time all the notes, bonds and obligations, drawn in favor and name of herself, but after her demise, all that is left of such notes, bonds and obligations, in principal and interest is to fall back upon my own Estate, to be dealt with by my Executors as my own property left by myself in accordance hereinafter [rocided.[?]

(3) My son, Christian Eby is to have the farm, on which both of us do now live and dwell, it being lot number two of the German Company Tract of Waterloo Township, at the price and charge of seven hundred and fifty pounds… he is to pay to my executors - fifty pounds to be paid to the Executors one year after the day of demise of the last surviving part of myself and my wife, and thence the remainder in annual installments of fifty pounds each, until the whole be paid…

(4) All my own personal property and estates, except that belonging to my widow as herein before, provided, shall be sold by my Executors, amongst my children to the highest bidders, and the proceeds thereof be added to the general stock, consisting of the proceeds of my outstanding debts, notes, obligations and other dues. When debts, notes, obligations and other dues and such stock of proceeds of notes and other dues shall, as they shall and will be and become available from year to year, and be collected, and thus from year to year be divided and portioned and paid over by my Executors in equal shares and portions to my sons Isaac Eby, Elias Eby, Benjamin E. Eby, Henry Eby, Christian Eby, Abraham Eby, Jacob Eby and Peter Eby and my son-in-law David Weber, and their respective representatives. My son-in-law and my daughter William and Maria Bamberger shall share in the same dividends, but they, or the surviving part of them shall in the whole receive not more than fifty pounds.

(5) Concerning my son Abraham Eby, I do however direct and ordain and give it entirely over into the power and decision of my hereinafter mentioned Executors, as they shall and may deem it proper and will for him, either to pay over to him any, or either, or all such dividends, or put them, or any, or either of them, out in good and sure use for said Abraham Eby's children, to be paid to them as hereinafter mentioned. Concerning the landed property now in his possession, (but the right and title being in my own hands) the same consisting of four acres of a party of lot number fifty nine if the German Company Tract in the Township of Waterloo, aforesaid, situated in Lancaster, and as more particularly described in the Deed of Conveyance thereof from Elias Eby and wife to myself, he, my said son, Abraham and his wife and family are to have, retain and enjoy full and free possession, use and benefit there of during the whole lifetimes of both himself and his wife, but after the demise of both of them, and as soon thereafter as it conveniently can and may be, the same shall be sold, by my Executors, and the proceeds thereof, and also the aforesaid dividends, coming to Abraham Eby, or his children, be divided in equal shares amongst them - when the sons reach twenty-one year and the daughters, eighteen years. Should Abraham Eby die before his wife, and she marries again, then she is to draw her regular widow third, computed according to circumstances, and the property be sold and divided amongst his children.

(6) Concerning my daughter Maria Eby, now married to William Bamberger, I do ordain, that they shall continue to have and enjoy free, full and undisturbed possession, use and benefit of the property they now occupy, during the whole lifetime of both and either of them, but after the demise of both of them, and as soon thereafter as it conveniently can and may be, it shall be sold by my Executors, and the proceeds to be divided in equal shares between all my other children or their representatives, my son Abraham's share, however, as just before directed, such property consisting of a part of lot number nine of the German Company Tract of Waterloo, on the Waterloo and Arthur Road, and containing twenty four acres, two rods and eight perches. In case my said daughter Maria doth outlive her said husband, I hereby direct and enjoin my Executors, and also empower them to rent away such property for her benefit and use, and otherwise take proper interest and care in her well being; In case she then intermarry again, and have still no children, then after her demise the said property is still to revert upon my estate again and be divided as above directed….But if she then, or yet from her present husband, shall have issue out of her own body, then such her child or children shall have, drawn and receive the proceeds of said property, to be equally divided amongst them.

(7) I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved son Christian Eby and my trusty friend Joseph E. Schneider, both of the Township of Waterloo, Yeomen, my Executors.

Witnessed: Thomas Sparrow and Christian Schantz
Will dated: 2 April 1853
Received and insinuated 22 Oct 1853
Inventory £2,087/2/3
Died 28 June 1853

Wills of Waterloo County Register A 1853-1871, transcribed by Frances Hoffman

___________________

King Street, Kitchener

Cameron Street eastward.-A fine large holding extending along King Street to almost opposite the Mennonite Church, was Sheriff Davidson's place, Forest Hill, with square Colonial brick house, still standing, although materially changed, on a commanding hill.

Benjamin Eby's farm, occupied and owned later by his son, Elias Eby. J. Y. Shantz's farm, originally the Eby farm, with a large dam and saw mill. The pond was westerly of the present Doon Twines factory, was of good size, was fed by two creeks and gave water power for Shantz's saw mill for many years. There was no steam power. The ice supply for Berlin was largely taken from this pond in the earlier years.


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

________________________

King Street , North Side

Pandora Street

Pandora Street and next to it the site of Bishop Benjamin Eby's buildings and farm. A fine lawn surrounded a large frame house with spacious veranda between the house and King Street. There was a large barn and east of it a cider mill operated by Ely Eby, son of the Bishop. In later years the place was occupied by Rev. Moses Erb and his son Menno Erb, the cider mill long continuing. There was a large orchard between the farm buildings and the Mennonite Meeting House and cemetery. The Mennonites had at first no shed adjoining their church. Posts joined by a chain led along the King Street front, for tying horses. The sheds came later. In 1834 a frame building was erected for this Church. It was moved to Cedar Street in 1902 when the present brick Church was erected and is still used as a woodenware factory.

Eby school house was located at the easterly corner of the cemetery. A frame building, painted red, before 1830. In the rear and to the east of the cemetery was William Moyer's farm with his brick house still standing at the top of the slope from King Street.


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

Benjamin married Maria "Mary" Brubacher 7 Feb 1807. Maria (daughter of Jacob Brubacher and Susannah Erb) was born 6 Aug 1789, Elizabeth Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 18 Aug 1834, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Benjamin married Magdalena Erb Aft 6 Sep 1830. Magdalena (daughter of John Erb and Anna Erb) was born 3 Mar 1780, Warwick Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 25 Jul 1858; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Brubacher
• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.1

Maria married Jacob Brubacher 1807. Jacob (son of Jacob Brubacher and Susannah Erb) was born 27 Jan 1782, Elizabeth Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 30 Jan 1854, Elizabeth Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Shantz
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6347
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone of Cahtarine Snyder
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

SHANTZ. - Dec. 15th in Waterloo Co., Ont., of the infirmities of old age, Sister Catharine Shantz, wife of Joseph Shantz, aged 82 years, 7 months and 3 days. Buried the 17th in Martins burying-ground


Herald of Truth - Volume XIX, Number 2 - January 15, 1882 - page 29,30

Catharine married Joseph R. Shantz 8 Jul 1817. Joseph (son of Isaac Shantz and Barbara Rife) was born 24 Jun 1795, Near Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 19 Mar 1882; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6348
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Jacob E. Schneider, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 2nd, 1800. On November 18th, 1827, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Molly (Miller) Clemens. She was born February 8th, 1810, and died May 20th, 1870. Soon after his marriage he moved a little east of Berlin, on the farm now possessed by his son, Joseph, where he resided until his death which took place October 2nd, 1884. "


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.].

Jacob married Elizabeth Clemens 18 Nov 1827. Elizabeth (daughter of Deacon Abraham L. Clemens and Magdalena "Molly" Miller) was born 8 Feb 1810, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 May 1870, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Jacob — ?. was born CA 1811; died Bef 1871. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48101675
• Name: Elizabeth Shoemaker
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6382

Notes:

Elizabeth Schneider, was born January 2nd, 1802. On July 2nd, 1822, she was married to Jacob S. Shoemaker who was born April 24th, 1798 and died March 20th, 1875. She died November 26th, 1876.."


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.].

Elizabeth married Jacob S. Shoemaker 2 Jul 1822. Jacob (son of Johannes "John" Schumacher and Maria "Mary" Shantz) was born 24 Apr 1798, Frederick Twp., Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 20 Mar 1875, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Fanny Schneider
• Name: Fronica Schneider
• Name: Veronica Martin
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6383
• Grave Photograph - Find A Grave: Gravestone Image
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonist
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Veronica married Daniel Z. Martin 8 Apr 1823. Daniel (son of Peter Martin and Anna Zimmerman) was born 5 Apr 1800, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 12 Jan 1856; was buried , Martin Meeting House Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Schneider
• Name: Mary Nahrgang
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6384
• Residence: 1852, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Mary married Christopher Nahrgang 8 Apr 1833. Christopher (son of George Nahrgang) was born 25 Dec 1801, Lehrbach, District Of Alsfeld, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; died 22 Jun 1886, Near New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Historic Building: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Possesions: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Betty Lamp
• Eby ID Number: 00106-6385
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Joseph E. Schneider, "was born at Berlin, Ontario, November 23rd, 1810. On January 28th, 1834, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Esther (Bechtel) Shantz. She was born January 21st, 1816, and died October 18th, 1881. Soon after their marriage they moved on his father's old homestead, now in possession of Samuel B. Schneider. When Mr. Schneider was a young man he joined the church of his choice, the Mennonite, of which body he was ordained deacon, a position he held for many years. His old days were much beclouded with troubles in the church, and owing to the different views held by the two parties in regard to the teaching of the Bible a division was made and the one party organized themselves into a distinct body, now known as the Mennonite Brethren in Christ. Mr. Schneider joined himself with the new body. He died happy in the Lord, February 16th, 1880"

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.].

_______________________


Feb. 16th, in Berlin, Ont., of dropsy, JOSEPH E. SCHNEIDER. For several months he was obliged to sit in a chair. He bore his sufferings with christian fortitude

Herald of Truth - Volume XVII, Number 4 - April, 1880, page 76, 77, 78

_____________________

Church of the Good Shepherd

The congregation began meeting in various locations as early as 1833, with Christian Enslin as leader. A small frame church was built on Frederick Street in 1842, and was called The Free Church; the congregations of four denominations held services in it. The seating space in the Free Church became insufficient for the growing Swedenborgian congregation with the result that land on the northwest corner of Church and Benton Streets was purchased in 1847 from Joseph E. Schneider. A frame church with a seating capacity of 150 was built in the same year; the church was called the New Church (Uttley 1937: 64). Several decades later a larger church was again needed. Land was purchased on the northeast corner of King and Water Streets where a new stone church was built and completed in 1870. The old church was sold to the congregation of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Serious differences resulted in a formal split in the Berlin Swedenborgian congregation on September 18, 1891. One group, the predecessor of this congregation, whose pastor was Rev. F.W. Tuerk (June 1857-July 3, 1901), continued to worship in the stone church. The other group, eventually to be known as the Carmel Church of the New Jerusalem, built their church in 1892 at 820 King Street West; their pastor was Rev. F.E. Waelchli. In 1935 the congregation purchased land on the corner of Queen Street North and Margaret Avenue as the site for a new church. The Church of the Good Shepherd is a Convention Church of the New Jerusalem.

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

Historic Building:
Joseph Schneider's house is the oldest surviving in Kitchener dating from 1820 and has been made into the Schneider Haus Muesum.

Joseph married Sarah "Sallie" Shantz 28 Jan 1834. Sarah (daughter of Isaac Shantz and Esther Bechtel) was born 21 Jan 1816, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Oct 1881, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 20 Oct 1881, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 056, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Residence: 466 Queen st., S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2422.8
• Residence: 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Moses E. Schneider, "twin brother to Joseph E., was born November 24th, 1810. On April 12th, 1836, he was married to Molly (Magdalena) (No. 1848), daughter of Abraham and Molly (Miller) Clemens. She was born March 3rd, 1820, and died January 29th, 1887. Soon after their married they moved about two miles east of Berlin where he was the owner of a beautiful farm. Here they raised eleven children, and some time after her death Mr. Schneider made his home with his son, Esra, who now resides in Berlin. He is enjoying ordinary good health and is still able to walk about and visit his friends"


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.].

Moses married Magdalena Clemens 12 Apr 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Magdalena (daughter of Deacon Abraham L. Clemens and Magdalena "Molly" Miller) was born 3 Mar 1820, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Jan 1887, near, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495.5

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495.6

Notes:

He began farming on the old homstead. He purchased the first threshing machine in his section, and did the threshing for quite a distance around. In 1830-40 he built a house and barn on the old Groff homestead, then mostly timber land, which he cleared gradually. In 1876 Mr. Wissler sold the farm to Henry C. Brubaker, and removed to....1a

1aBiographical Annals of Lancaster Do. pg 259

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123574713
• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 062, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Name: Johannes Wissler
• Occupation: Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Eagle Tannery
• Eby ID Number: 00123-7564.3
• Business: 1835; Eagle Tannery
• Occupation: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tanner
• Occupation: 1843, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tanner
• Historic Building: 1903, 438 Malabar Dr., Waterloo, Ontario; Wissler-Cascaden House

Notes:

In the three years, from the spring of 1842 to 1845, the enterprise of Charles Allan and his partners had given Elora a good start, but no sooner was their business established than a formidable rival appeared in Sem Wissler, the founder of Salem, a village not more than a mile distant from Elora.

Sem Wissler was born in Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on the 21st of March, 1819. He was the youngest in the family of Jacob Wissler and his wile Anna Eby; and a descendant of a Jacob Wissler and his wife who emigrated from Switzerland and settled in Pennsylvania in the year 1720 Sem Wissler's father, Jacob Wissler, was one of the many Germans from Pennsylvania, who, during the first few years of the 19th Century bought land in Waterloo County, 'Ontario. Between 1802 and 1805 Jacob Wissler bought over 7000 acres in the Township of Waterloo, but although many years later he sent several of his family to Canada, he remained in Pennsylvania, where he lived all his life on the same farm. With the exception of two farms, he gradually sold all the land he had bought in Canada at a handsome profit.

In 1834 the father gave the two farms, which he had reserved, to his son John who had learned the business of a tanner. John Wissler came to Waterloo township in 1834 and on the west bank of the Grand River, about two miles north from the village of Bridgeport he built a tannery long known as Eagle Tannery, and subsequently built a large brick dwelling for himself and a number of homes for his workmen. Here he carried on a large and profitable business, having, besides Eagle Tannery, a store, saddler shops, shoe shop, and farm.

In 1837 his brother Levi came from Pennyslvania and entered into partnership with him, remaining four years. On the 24th of August 1839 Sem Wissler came to Eagle Tannery and worked for his brothers until 1841. His father was anxious that he should return home and take the homestead but he preferred to remain in Canada. On the 4th of May, 1841, he received $2,650 from his father and bought the interest of his brother Levi in the business at Eagle Tannery. Levi then returned to Pennsylvania and received the old homestead from his father. In 1845 a sister, Mary, and her husband Levi Erb, came to Canada and Mr. Erb, being a currier by trade, was at once taken into the firm.

In 1841 Jane Robertson, a Scotch lassie of fourteen years of age, came to Eagle Tannery to nurse John Wissler's children, and being clever and pretty, with fair hair and rosy cheeks she at once became a great favorite with John Wissler and his wife. Jane Robertson was a daughter of John Robertson and his wife Janet Harvey and was born on October 15th, 1826, at Largie, in the parish of Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. About 1830 her father died, leaving her mother and three children. In the spring of 1837 her mother married James Sims and they all sailed for Canada. The following winter was spent at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, on their farm, lot 12, on the 16th concession of Upper Nichol, which is on the Owen Sound Road, north of Fergus. In the spring of 1838 they moved to Galt and in the fall of that year Mr. Sims took up a farm near Hawkesville. After this Jane Robertson lived partly at home, sometimes with Mrs. Arthur Walker and sometimes with the Rev. Alex. Gardiner, minister of St. Andrew's Church in Fergus, who had been appointed her guardian by the Court, in Scotland. But in 1841 the Rev. Alex. Gardiner died and Jane Robertson went to Eagle Tannery to nurse John Wissler's children.

The reader may ask, what has all this to do with Salem? And yet it will be seen that had there been no Jane Robertson, if she had not had her aunt to visit, and if her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, had not lived north of Fergus, the chances are that there would have been no Salem.

Sem Wissler and Jane Robertson were married on the 6th of August, 1843 and after that when Mrs. Wissler visited her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, she was accompanied by her husband. On his different trips through Bon accord Sem Wissler saw several opportunities for developing the water power on the Irvine River and with that keen eye tor business which always distinguished him he saw that in the south west end of Mr. Keith's farm with. its waiter power and timber, money could be made. For in the neighborhood of Eagle tannery tan bark was becoming scarce and the firm was beginning to look for a suitable place in which to start a new tannery.

On the 28th of October 1844 Sem Wissler brought his brother John to look over the situation. Evidently John Wissler was favorably impressed with what he saw for that same day he wrote offering to buy lot number 16 and the west half of lot 17, on the 11th concession of Upper Nichol for $700.

In his reply Jasper T. Gilkison wrote on the 31st of October: "I am-not very anxious to dispose of these lots of land, but as I understand it is your intention to improve them and erect a tannery, and as I am desirous of promoting the prosperity of the township I will therefore sell you 100 acres in lot 16, and 58 acres in lot 17, for 25 shillings ($5.00) per acre; 100 pounds to be paid down and the remainder, 97 pounds 10 shillings, in two equal payments at 12 and 18 months," - which offer was accepted.

Sem Wissler then completed an arrangement he had made with Mr. Keith (see page 86) and exchanged on terms that were mutually advantageous, the north east half of lot 16 for the south west half of lot 15, arid on this the principal part of Salem now stands. He then hired Robert Barkwell and James Longman to clear part of the land, which was then a dense and unbroken forest, and to erect a log shanty with a hemlock bark roof for himself and family.

On a bright summer morning, the 9th of June, 1845, Sem Wissler with his wife and child, now Mr. J. R. Wissler, who was then nine months old, moved to the Township of Nichol and took up their residence in the log shanty prepared for them, and Mr. Wissler called his place Salem. For sixteen months they lived in this log house which was situated on the same site as he afterwards built his stone residence, and which is now owned by his son, Henry Wissler. For a cellar Mrs. Wissler used that small cave in the limestone rock which is a little east of the smaller bridge now crossing the Irvine.

During the first season he built the dam, the flume, the saw-mill, and part of the tannery. In 1846 the tannery, which was a building 40 feet by 120 feet with basement of stone and upper storey and attic of frame, was completed, part of this large building was fitted up for a dwelling, part was used as a store another part for a shoe shop, and the rest for a tannery; and in the mechanical construction of his buildings, water wheels and other machinery, his principal adviser and assistant was John Keith, from whom he had purchased the land and waterpower.

From the very commencement there was a great trade done in Salem, The tannery and saw mill were worked to their utmost capacity, the general store did a large business and in the shoe shop from fifteen to twenty shoemakers were constantly employed.

Mr. Wissler had great business ability; he successfully managed his large business with little apparent effort, and as is the case with all strong characters he made no fuss about it, but did it quietly.

Such was the beginning of Salem.

The Early History of Elora, Ontario and Vicinity / John Robert Connon; Elora, 1906


____________________________________________


Jacob Wissler, "the father to the Wisslers who had settled in this county, was born in the old "Wissler Homestead" on Mill Creek, Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 12th, 1776. On March 25th, 1800, he was married to Anna, daughter of Christian and Catherine (Bricker) Eby. She was born September 9th, 1777, and died April 25th, 1829. They resided on the old "Wissler Homestead" until their deaths. He died April 27th, 1853. To them was born a family of ten children, namely: Andrew, Jacob, Christian, Magdalena, Ezra, John, Catherine, Mary, Levi and Sem. All the members of the named family resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, save John and Sem who came to Canada in 1840 and settled at Lexington, near Bridgeport, Waterloo County, Ontario, where they were engaged in the mercantile and tanning business. In 1845 Sem moved to Nichol Township, Wellington County, thus leaving his brother John sole proprietor of the Lexington business. In 1857 Mr. John Wissler disposed of his farm and business to Messrs Schneider & Stricker and moved to Virginia, U.S., where he died some years ago, leaving a family of six children, viz: Franklin, Jacob, Levi, Aaron, Hannah, and Angelia. After Mr. Sem Wissler's arrival in Nichol Township, he purchased most of the land where now the village of Salem is situated. He was a man of first-class business abilities and this, in connection with his great energy and perseverance, caused him, in a very few years after his arrival in Nichol Township, to be the proprietor of the large grist and flour mills, store and tannery, and conjointly with the said business, he was also the owner and manager of the sawmills and the large farm now possessed by his son, Levi. In 1860 he was elected Reeve for Nichol Township which position he held until his death. Mr. Wissler was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 21st, 1819. (All the children of Mr. Jacob Wissler were born on the old "Wissler Farm" in Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania) In 1840 he came to Canada and on August 6th, 1843, he was married to Jane Robertson who was born at Insch, Scotland, October 15th, 1828, and came to Canada with her parents in 1838. They moved to Salem in 1845. Here he died May 18th, 1865. His widow is still living in Salem with one of there children. To Mr. and Mrs. Wissler was born a family of seven 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.].

______________________



John was the sixth of ten children born on the old Groff homestead, on the west bank of Middle Creek. He attended the local school, and in his youth, he apprenticed as a tanner.

In 1834 he went to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada where his father had bought a great deal of land. John opened the "Eagle Tannery" and a general store.

The following year, on December 22, 1835, John married Hannah Heiser. They had eight children.

They were joined in Waterloo by three of the Wissler siblings who partnered in the tannery and other very successful business ventures.

In 1857, however, after recovering from a serious illness, John sold his interest in the partnership and moved his family to Virginia. There he bought Columbia Furnace from his niece's husband, Samuel B. Myers.

When the Civil War broke out, John was counseled by his nephew that he, as a Northerner and a Republican, must flee. John departed at midnight with his wife and young children, driving to Winchester and then taking a train to Canada. Later, John and his family returned to Lancaster Co. and lived with his sister, Catherine.

After the close of the war, the family returned to Columbia Furnace where John, working with his sons, repaired the damages and was able to take full advantage of a period of great commercial prosperity.

By 1870, John's health again failed. He was buried on in a small cemetery that he had laid out on the east bank of Stony Creek, overlooking the Furnace. He was a member of the Universalist Church.

Source: The Wissler family record, being a brief account of Andrew Wissler's branch of the Wissler family in the United States of America and Canada, by Henry Wissler, 1904.


_____________________

The Bridges of Bridgeport - never a bestselling novel or top-grossing movie but still a good story.

Sitting on a brick pillar near the west end of the current bridge is a Region of Waterloo signboard with that story, full of historical details and illustrations. Even though cars and trucks rumble around the nearby roundabout at Bridge and Lancaster, a visit to the General's Green parkette provides a bit of calm while you read the background to the Bridges of Bridgeport.

Imagine no bridge at Bridgeport! You would then have to travel six kilometres north to Conestogo or an equal distance downstream to Breslau to simply cross the Grand River. In a modern vehicle that would be annoyance enough, but for the earliest settlers in the area, the Grand would have created a liquid wall. John Wissler was one of those early settlers, arriving from Pennsylvania's Lancaster County around 1830. Modifying the flow of the Grand on the east shore to create a mill race and an island, he erected a small tannery. To access it from the west bank, he built a wire suspension foot bridge. That didn't last long, and by 1847, two sturdier wooden structures joined west shore to east shore with the island in the middle. The semi-permanent status of the bridge meant that the two small villages facing each other across the Grand (Jacob Shoemaker's Glasgow/Lancaster on the west side and John Tyson's Bridgeport on the east shore) could come together in 1856 as a single community......


Almost-annual spring floods damaged these wooden spans during the rest of the 19th century and regular bridge repairs were part of the village life cycle. Tiring of the recurring remedial work, and realizing that traffic was increasing in amount and weight, the County of Waterloo acted. Hamilton Bridge Works erected a two-span, steel truss bridge connecting the west bank to Wissler's old island plus a smaller pony truss structure to cross the high-water channel (also known as the Cove) from the island to the east shore. While these 1897 steel bridges did survive some severe floods, especially that of 1912, it was obvious that as 20th-century truck traffic increased so did wear and tear....


mills, r. (2018). Flash from the Past: . TheRecord.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018, from https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8868671-flash-from-the-past-/

________________________________




CAUTION.

THE Subscriber hereby cautions all persons again taking any FISH out of his dam, or out of any of the waters on his premises. Any individual found hereafter trespassing as aloresaid, may depend on being dealt with according to the Law of the land.

JOHN WISSLER
Eagle Tannery, Waterloo Township, 8^th June 8th, 1837

Historic Building:
The Wissler-Cascaden house, a two-storey red brick Georgian home was built in 1842 by John Wissler, a Waterloo Township pioneer who arrived from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1834. One year after his arrival Wissler established the Eagle Tannery. A shoemaking, harness making and mercantile business soon sprang up in conjunction with the tannery. This industry, including the workers homes on nearby Bridge Street, formed the nucleus of the settlement of Lexington.
Wissler spared no expense in the construction of his home, elaborate window and door surrounds were included along with a plaster cornice in the drawing room. The most striking feature of the interior, however, is the two-storey front entrance hall which rises a full twenty feet to a magnificent plaster medallion on the ceiling. Access is gained through two arches which rest on moulded plaster shells and frame a cherry stairway which climbs to the attic level.
A number of additions have been made to the home. The first, a two-storey addition to the west side was completed around 1858. The second, which contained a bake oven, schnitz oven, ash oven and smoke house, was added behind the first between 1859 and 1875. The last addition, this time on the south side, provided a one and a half storey salt box kitchen which was designated to serve as the doddy wing at the turn of the century.
The property was sold to Samuel Weber in 1873. It remained in the Weber and Shantz families for over one hundred years until the late 1970s when it was converted into apartments and fell into disrepair. The present owners, Ron and Wendy Cascaden, have made a commitment to restoring the house.
All of the exterior elevations of the Wissler-Cascaden House and the front hill are deemed to be of both architectural and historical significance.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Designated Properties www. waterloo.ca

John married Hannah Tyson Heyser 22 Dec 1835, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Hannah (daughter of Andrew Heyser and Hannah Tyson) was born 1818, , Montgomery Co., New York; died 15 Feb 1888, , Shenandoah Co., Virginia; was buried , Columbia Furnace Union Church Cemetery, Columbia Furnace, Shenandoah, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495.8

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495.9

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495.10

Notes:

In the three years, from the spring of 1842 to 1845, the enterprise of Charles Allan and his partners had given Elora a good start, but no sooner was their business established than a formidable rival appeared in Sem Wissler, the founder of Salem, a village not more than a mile distant from Elora.

Sem Wissler was born in Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on the 21st of March, 1819. He was the youngest in the family of Jacob Wissler and his wile Anna Eby; and a descendant of a Jacob Wissler and his wife who emigrated from Switzerland and settled in Pennsylvania in the year 1720 Sem Wissler's father, Jacob Wissler, was one of the many Germans from Pennsylvania, who, during the first few years of the 19th Century bought land in Waterloo County, 'Ontario. Between 1802 and 1805 Jacob Wissler bought over 7000 acres in the Township of Waterloo, but although many years later he sent several of his family to Canada, he remained in Pennsylvania, where he lived all his life on the same farm. With the exception of two farms, he gradually sold all the land he had bought in Canada at a handsome profit.

In 1834 the father gave the two farms, which he had reserved, to his son John who had learned the business of a tanner. John Wissler came to Waterloo township in 1834 and on the west bank of the Grand River, about two miles north from the village of Bridgeport he built a tannery long known as Eagle Tannery, and subsequently built a large brick dwelling for himself and a number of homes for his workmen. Here he carried on a large and profitable business, having, besides Eagle Tannery, a store, saddler shops, shoe shop, and farm.

In 1837 his brother Levi came from Pennyslvania and entered into partnership with him, remaining four years. On the 24th of August 1839 Sem Wissler came to Eagle Tannery and worked for his brothers until 1841. His father was anxious that he should return home and take the homestead but he preferred to remain in Canada. On the 4th of May, 1841, he received $2,650 from his father and bought the interest of his brother Levi in the business at Eagle Tannery. Levi then returned to Pennsylvania and received the old homestead from his father. In 1845 a sister, Mary, and her husband Levi Erb, came to Canada and Mr. Erb, being a currier by trade, was at once taken into the firm.

In 1841 Jane Robertson, a Scotch lassie of fourteen years of age, came to Eagle Tannery to nurse John Wissler's children, and being clever and pretty, with fair hair and rosy cheeks she at once became a great favorite with John Wissler and his wife. Jane Robertson was a daughter of John Robertson and his wife Janet Harvey and was born on October 15th, 1826, at Largie, in the parish of Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. About 1830 her father died, leaving her mother and three children. In the spring of 1837 her mother married James Sims and they all sailed for Canada. The following winter was spent at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, on their farm, lot 12, on the 16th concession of Upper Nichol, which is on the Owen Sound Road, north of Fergus. In the spring of 1838 they moved to Galt and in the fall of that year Mr. Sims took up a farm near Hawkesville. After this Jane Robertson lived partly at home, sometimes with Mrs. Arthur Walker and sometimes with the Rev. Alex. Gardiner, minister of St. Andrew's Church in Fergus, who had been appointed her guardian by the Court, in Scotland. But in 1841 the Rev. Alex. Gardiner died and Jane Robertson went to Eagle Tannery to nurse John Wissler's children.

The reader may ask, what has all this to do with Salem? And yet it will be seen that had there been no Jane .Robertson, if she had not had her aunt to visit, and if her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, had not lived north of Fergus, the chances are that there would have been no Salem.

Sem Wissler and Jane Robertson were married on the 6th of August, 1843 and after that when Mrs. Wissler visited her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, she was accompanied by her husband. On his different trips through Bon accord Sem Wissler saw several opportunities for developing the water power on the Irvine River and with that keen eye tor business which always distinguished him he saw that in the south west end of Mr. Keith's farm with. its waiter power and timber, money could be made. For in the neighborhood of Eagle tannery tan bark was becoming scarce and the firm was beginning to look for a suitable place in which to start a new tannery.

On the 28th of October 1844 Sem Wissler brought his brother John to look over the situation. Evidently John Wissler was favorably impressed with what he saw for that same day he wrote offering to buy lot number 16 and the west half of lot 17, on the 11th concession of Upper Nichol for $700.

In his reply Jasper T. Gilkison wrote on the 31st of October: "I am-not very anxious to dispose of these lots of land, but as I understand it is your intention to improve them and erect a tannery, and as I am desirous of promoting the prosperity of the township I will therefore sell you 100 acres in lot 16, and 58 acres in lot 17, for 25 shillings ($5.00) per acre; 100 pounds to be paid down and the remainder, 97 pounds 10 shillings, in two equal payments at 12 and 18 months," - which offer was accepted.

Sem Wissler then completed an arrangement he had made with Mr. Keith (see page 86) and exchanged on terms that were mutually advantageous, the north east half of lot 16 for the south west half of lot 15, arid on this the principal part of Salem now stands. He then hired Robert Barkwell and James Longman to clear part of the land, which was then a dense and unbroken forest, and to erect a log shanty with a hemlock bark roof for himself and family.

On a bright summer morning, the 9th of June, 1845, Sem Wissler with his wife and child, now Mr. J. R. Wissler, who was then nine months old, moved to the Township of Nichol and took up their residence in the log shanty prepared for them, and Mr. Wissler called his place Salem. For sixteen months they lived in this log house which was situated on the same site as he afterwards built his stone residence, and which is now owned by his son, Henry Wissler. For a cellar Mrs. Wissler used that small cave in the limestone rock which is a little east of the smaller bridge now crossing the Irvine.

During the first season he built the dam, the flume, the saw-mill, and part of the tannery. In 1846 the tannery, which was a building 40 feet by 120 feet with basement of stone and upper storey and attic of frame, was completed, part of this large building was fitted up for a dwelling, part was used as a store another part for a shoe shop, and the rest for a tannery; and in the mechanical construction of his buildings, water wheels and other machinery, his principal adviser and assistant was John Keith, from whom he had purchased the land and waterpower.

From the very commencement there was a great trade done in Salem, The tannery and saw mill were worked to their utmost capacity, the general store did a large business and in the shoe shop from fifteen to twenty shoemakers were constantly employed.

Mr. Wissler had great business ability; he successfully managed his large business with little apparent effort, and as is the case with all strong characters he made no fuss about it, but did it quietly.

Such was the beginning of Salem.

The Early History of Elora, Ontario and Vicinity / John Robert Connon; Elora, 1906

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00134-8259.18
• Occupation: 1842, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tanner

Notes:

In the three years, from the spring of 1842 to 1845, the enterprise of Charles Allan and his partners had given Elora a good start, but no sooner was their business established than a formidable rival appeared in Sem Wissler, the founder of Salem, a village not more than a mile distant from Elora.

Sem Wissler was born in Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on the 21st of March, 1819. He was the youngest in the family of Jacob Wissler and his wile Anna Eby; and a descendant of a Jacob Wissler and his wife who emigrated from Switzerland and settled in Pennsylvania in the year 1720 Sem Wissler's father, Jacob Wissler, was one of the many Germans from Pennsylvania, who, during the first few years of the 19th Century bought land in Waterloo County, 'Ontario. Between 1802 and 1805 Jacob Wissler bought over 7000 acres in the Township of Waterloo, but although many years later he sent several of his family to Canada, he remained in Pennsylvania, where he lived all his life on the same farm. With the exception of two farms, he gradually sold all the land he had bought in Canada at a handsome profit.

In 1834 the father gave the two farms, which he had reserved, to his son John who had learned the business of a tanner. John Wissler came to Waterloo township in 1834 and on the west bank of the Grand River, about two miles north from the village of Bridgeport he built a tannery long known as Eagle Tannery, and subsequently built a large brick dwelling for himself and a number of homes for his workmen. Here he carried on a large and profitable business, having, besides Eagle Tannery, a store, saddler shops, shoe shop, and farm.

In 1837 his brother Levi came from Pennyslvania and entered into partnership with him, remaining four years. On the 24th of August 1839 Sem Wissler came to Eagle Tannery and worked for his brothers until 1841. His father was anxious that he should return home and take the homestead but he preferred to remain in Canada. On the 4th of May, 1841, he received $2,650 from his father and bought the interest of his brother Levi in the business at Eagle Tannery. Levi then returned to Pennsylvania and received the old homestead from his father. In 1845 a sister, Mary, and her husband Levi Erb, came to Canada and Mr. Erb, being a currier by trade, was at once taken into the firm.

In 1841 Jane Robertson, a Scotch lassie of fourteen years of age, came to Eagle Tannery to nurse John Wissler's children, and being clever and pretty, with fair hair and rosy cheeks she at once became a great favorite with John Wissler and his wife. Jane Robertson was a daughter of John Robertson and his wife Janet Harvey and was born on October 15th, 1826, at Largie, in the parish of Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. About 1830 her father died, leaving her mother and three children. In the spring of 1837 her mother married James Sims and they all sailed for Canada. The following winter was spent at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, on their farm, lot 12, on the 16th concession of Upper Nichol, which is on the Owen Sound Road, north of Fergus. In the spring of 1838 they moved to Galt and in the fall of that year Mr. Sims took up a farm near Hawkesville. After this Jane Robertson lived partly at home, sometimes with Mrs. Arthur Walker and sometimes with the Rev. Alex. Gardiner, minister of St. Andrew's Church in Fergus, who had been appointed her guardian by the Court, in Scotland. But in 1841 the Rev. Alex. Gardiner died and Jane Robertson went to Eagle Tannery to nurse John Wissler's children.

The reader may ask, what has all this to do with Salem? And yet it will be seen that had there been no Jane .Robertson, if she had not had her aunt to visit, and if her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, had not lived north of Fergus, the chances are that there would have been no Salem.

Sem Wissler and Jane Robertson were married on the 6th of August, 1843 and after that when Mrs. Wissler visited her aunt, Mrs. Arthur Walker, she was accompanied by her husband. On his different trips through Bon accord Sem Wissler saw several opportunities for developing the water power on the Irvine River and with that keen eye tor business which always distinguished him he saw that in the south west end of Mr. Keith's farm with. its waiter power and timber, money could be made. For in the neighborhood of Eagle tannery tan bark was becoming scarce and the firm was beginning to look for a suitable place in which to start a new tannery.

On the 28th of October 1844 Sem Wissler brought his brother John to look over the situation. Evidently John Wissler was favorably impressed with what he saw for that same day he wrote offering to buy lot number 16 and the west half of lot 17, on the 11th concession of Upper Nichol for $700.

In his reply Jasper T. Gilkison wrote on the 31st of October: "I am-not very anxious to dispose of these lots of land, but as I understand it is your intention to improve them and erect a tannery, and as I am desirous of promoting the prosperity of the township I will therefore sell you 100 acres in lot 16, and 58 acres in lot 17, for 25 shillings ($5.00) per acre; 100 pounds to be paid down and the remainder, 97 pounds 10 shillings, in two equal payments at 12 and 18 months," - which offer was accepted.

Sem Wissler then completed an arrangement he had made with Mr. Keith (see page 86) and exchanged on terms that were mutually advantageous, the north east half of lot 16 for the south west half of lot 15, arid on this the principal part of Salem now stands. He then hired Robert Barkwell and James Longman to clear part of the land, which was then a dense and unbroken forest, and to erect a log shanty with a hemlock bark roof for himself and family.

On a bright summer morning, the 9th of June, 1845, Sem Wissler with his wife and child, now Mr. J. R. Wissler, who was then nine months old, moved to the Township of Nichol and took up their residence in the log shanty prepared for them, and Mr. Wissler called his place Salem. For sixteen months they lived in this log house which was situated on the same site as he afterwards built his stone residence, and which is now owned by his son, Henry Wissler. For a cellar Mrs. Wissler used that small cave in the limestone rock which is a little east of the smaller bridge now crossing the Irvine.

During the first season he built the dam, the flume, the saw-mill, and part of the tannery. In 1846 the tannery, which was a building 40 feet by 120 feet with basement of stone and upper storey and attic of frame, was completed, part of this large building was fitted up for a dwelling, part was used as a store another part for a shoe shop, and the rest for a tannery; and in the mechanical construction of his buildings, water wheels and other machinery, his principal adviser and assistant was John Keith, from whom he had purchased the land and waterpower.

From the very commencement there was a great trade done in Salem, The tannery and saw mill were worked to their utmost capacity, the general store did a large business and in the shoe shop from fifteen to twenty shoemakers were constantly employed.

Mr. Wissler had great business ability; he successfully managed his large business with little apparent effort, and as is the case with all strong characters he made no fuss about it, but did it quietly.

Such was the beginning of Salem.

The Early History of Elora, Ontario and Vicinity / John Robert Connon; Elora, 1906

____________________________________

Jacob Wissler, "the father to the Wisslers who had settled in this county, was born in the old "Wissler Homestead" on Mill Creek, Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 12th, 1776. On March 25th, 1800, he was married to Anna, daughter of Christian and Catherine (Bricker) Eby. She was born September 9th, 1777, and died April 25th, 1829. They resided on the old "Wissler Homestead" until their deaths. He died April 27th, 1853. To them was born a family of ten children, namely: Andrew, Jacob, Christian, Magdalena, Ezra, John, Catherine, Mary, Levi and Sem. All the members of the named family resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, save John and Sem who came to Canada in 1840 and settled at Lexington, near Bridgeport, Waterloo County, Ontario, where they were engaged in the mercantile and tanning business. In 1845 Sem moved to Nichol Township, Wellington County, thus leaving his brother John sole proprietor of the Lexington business. In 1857 Mr. John Wissler disposed of his farm and business to Messrs Schneider & Stricker and moved to Virginia, U.S., where he died some years ago, leaving a family of six children, viz: Franklin, Jacob, Levi, Aaron, Hannah, and Angelia. After Mr. Sem Wissler's arrival in Nichol Township, he purchased most of the land where now the village of Salem is situated. He was a man of first-class business abilities and this, in connection with his great energy and perseverance, caused him, in a very few years after his arrival in Nichol Township, to be the proprietor of the large grist and flour mills, store and tannery, and conjointly with the said business, he was also the owner and manager of the sawmills and the large farm now possessed by his son, Levi. In 1860 he was elected Reeve for Nichol Township which position he held until his death. Mr. Wissler was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, March 21st, 1819. (All the children of Mr. Jacob Wissler were born on the old "Wissler Farm" in Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania) In 1840 he came to Canada and on August 6th, 1843, he was married to Jane Robertson who was born at Insch, Scotland, October 15th, 1828, and came to Canada with her parents in 1838. They moved to Salem in 1845. Here he died May 18th, 1865. His widow is still living in Salem with one of there children. To Mr. and Mrs. Wissler was born a family of seven 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.].

______________________

Sem married Jane Robertson 6 Aug 1843, Greenbush (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Jane was born 15 Oct 1826, Insch, , Aberdeen, Scotland; died 3 Jun 1907, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Elora Cemetery, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2495.4

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206243286
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2424
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Isaac Eby, "the eldest son of Benjamin Eby, was born in Berlin, July 30th, 1808. He spent his single days at home on his father's farm. On October 30th, 1831, he was married to Veronica, daughter of John and Mary (Shantz) Shoemaker, who was born February 2nd, 1815, and died July 20th, 1894. In November of the same year of their marriage they moved on their farm, situated two and one-half miles east of Berlin, being the north-west part of lot No. 120, German Company's Tract, in the township and county of Waterloo, containing by admeasurement 188 acres. The farm was, with the exception of a few acres where their first house and log stables stood, heavily timbered with all kinds of hard wood. Wolves, bears and deer were quite numerous then, and the howling of wolves was their evening band. Here they lived for nearly forty-three years. A few months before his death he disposed of his farm to Mr. Moses Betzner. Of the numerous assistants they had on their farm George Schmidt, afterwards a minister of the Gospel in the Mennonite Church, James Potter, now residing in Berlin, Jacob Becker, Barbara Rudy, now Mrs. Valentine Knechtel and mother of Rev. S. R. Knechtel, and Martha Allardyce, now of Toronto, were their favorites. These were always considered as members of their family. To Isaac Eby and his wife was born a family of ten 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.].

Isaac married Veronica Shoemaker 30 Oct 1831. Veronica (daughter of Johannes "John" Schumacher and Maria "Mary" Shantz) was born 2 Feb 1815, Frederick Twp., Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; died 20 Jul 1894, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Historic Building: 38 Bridge St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 071, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2435
• Historic Building: 1838, 65 Brubacher St., Kichener, Ontario, Canada; Georgian Farmhouse
• Elected Office: 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor - Waterloo Township
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; miller
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Miller
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Business: 1867, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lancaster Grist, Saw & Oil Mills
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Elias Eby, "the second son of Benjamin Eby, was born February 22nd, 1810, and was married to Anna, daughter of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber. After their marriage they moved on the farm now owned by Simeon Brubacher, son of the late Samuel Brubacher. From there they moved to Bridgeport, Ontario, where he, in company with Barnabas Devitt, carried on the milling and mercantile business, besides running a large farm. He died rather suddenly, June 2nd, 1878. They had a family of ten 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.].

________________________

DEATH OF ELIAS EBY

We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Elias Eby, of Bridgeport, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of this county. He had a stroke of apoplexy on Thursday morning last\emdash just as He was getting ready to visit his daughter in Markham. He became at once insensible and never again rallied. He lingered till Saturday night when he breathed his last. Mr. Eby was the second son of the late Rev. Benjamin Eby, and was born in the old Eby homestead, now occupied by Mr. Menno Erb, East Berlin. Being possessed of rather a better education than was generally obtained in those days, we believe he taught school several years when a young man. He lived a number of years on the farm adjoining his father's\emdash now occupied by the widow of the late Samuel Brubacher, when about 30 years ago, he and Mr. Barnabas Devitt purchased the Bridgeport mills, farm, &c., belonging to the late Jacob S. Schoemaker. Messrs. Eby & Devitt carried on for man? years a most extensive business, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Eby associated with him his brother Jacob B. Eby, and afterward his son and son-in-law. We believe few men enjoyed so much respect and confidence as did the deceased\emdash and the greatest sympathy was felt for him when, chiefly through being too kind-hearted with a large army of delinquent debtors, he lost a large portion of his property. He was a life-long member of the Mennonite church and his absence from the old meeting house will he greatly missed from Sunday to Sunday. His wife preceded him to her last resting place about a year. He leaves behind him two sons and four daughters, who are, one in California, one in Manitoba, one in Michigan, one in Markham and two in this county--showing how families at the present day get separated. The funeral takes place on Wednesday.

Berlin Daily News 3 Jun 1878

____________________

THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE

An interesting meeting took place the Saturday before last in the old log cabin in Waterloo Park.

This house was, of course, the first schoolhouse in this area and stood originally on the school-house square at the corner of King and Church Streets in Waterloo. It was built in 1820 and served its purpose until 1842, when it was torn down and a 1-storey stone house was constructed on the site. The dismantled log house was erected again in Greenbush and served as a residence for a long time for the coloured man, Mr. Carroll and his family. In the course of this year, the Waterloo Park Commissioners purchased the house, moved it to their park and furnished it again as it was when it was a school-house.

At this gathering, in addition to many other ladies and gentlemen, the following (male and female) former pupils attended, took their places on the benches, and were called to order by the 82-year-old teacher, Benjamin Burkholder, who held the scepter, or rather, the switch, from 1831 to 1842 in the old log-house: Joel Guth, 80 years old; Abraham Scherk, Blair, 79; Jakob Bricker, Waterloo, 77; Sarah Burkholder, nee Erb, Bridgeport, 75; Amos Weber, Berlin, 73; John C, Bricker, Hawksville, 71; Maria Erb, nee Quickfall, Norwich 69; David B. Eby, Waterloo, 69; Wendel Baumann, Woolwich, 68; Henry Stauffer, Erbsville, 67; Simon Beatty, Elmira, 67; Jakob Ratz, New Hamburg, 67; Israel Baumann, Berlin, 65; George Elbert, Moorefield, 63; George H. Baumann, Elmira, 63; John Devitt, Waterloo, 62; Richard Quickfall, Bridgeport, 62; Isaak Hoffmann, Waterloo, 61; Robert Barkwell, Peel, 60; Diana McMahon, nee Dekay, Berlin, 60; Thomas Quickfall, Floradale, 60; Benjamin Devitt, Waterloo, 60; Isaak Devitt, Floradale, 58; John Longmann, Peel, 57. In addition, to these, the teacher read the names of 25 pupils from the roll; they were, however, absent.

Mr. Burkholder gave an interesting talk about the history of the old school-house, and after him, Rev. J.A. MacLachlan, Rev. J. McNair, Mr. J.E. Baumann, M.P., and Mr. Jakob Ratz spoke about the old days which brought many things out of the past to mind again. School was, as a rule, only in session in winter and the costs were borne by the parents of the children. There were few subjects taught, namely: Reading, Writing and Sums. The children heard little about language, and geography; no child had more than 2 or 3 books. The predominant language was German. The pupils learned to read and write English, but didn't understand a word of it. Among the teachers in the old school-house from 1820-1842, with the exception of Mr. Burkholder, were the following whose names are still recognized: Jephtha DeKay, Joseph Guth, John Herringer, Peter Otto, John Dobbin, Elias Eby, Robert Barber, & Joseph Eby.

After those present, on hearing the various speeches felt themselves transported back to the past, the school was closed at four o'clock and the pupils were gathered together in front of the school and photographed as a group. On their return into the school, they found it had been transformed into a dining room with heavily-laden tables, which the old-timers thoroughly enjoyed. After everyone had chatted cordially for a while longer, the gathering broke up. The company will not meet again in complete numbers, nor in such a way.

Berliner Journal September 26, 1895 Page 4 Column 4

_________________

King Street, Kitchener

Cameron Street eastward.-A fine large holding extending along King Street to almost opposite the Mennonite Church, was Sheriff Davidson's place, Forest Hill, with square Colonial brick house, still standing, although materially changed, on a commanding hill.

Benjamin Eby's farm, occupied and owned later by his son, Elias Eby. J. Y. Shantz's farm, originally the Eby farm, with a large dam and saw mill. The pond was westerly of the present Doon Twines factory, was of good size, was fed by two creeks and gave water power for Shantz's saw mill for many years. There was no steam power. The ice supply for Berlin was largely taken from this pond in the earlier years.


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

____________________________

King Street , North Side

Pandora Street

Pandora Street and next to it the site of Bishop Benjamin Eby's buildings and farm. A fine lawn surrounded a large frame house with spacious veranda between the house and King Street. There was a large barn and east of it a cider mill operated by Ely Eby, son of the Bishop. In later years the place was occupied by Rev. Moses Erb and his son Menno Erb, the cider mill long continuing. There was a large orchard between the farm buildings and the Mennonite Meeting House and cemetery. The Mennonites had at first no shed adjoining their church. Posts joined by a chain led along the King Street front, for tying horses. The sheds came later. In 1834 a frame building was erected for this Church. It was moved to Cedar Street in 1902 when the present brick Church was erected and is still used as a woodenware factory.

Eby school house was located at the easterly corner of the cemetery. A frame building, painted red, before 1830. In the rear and to the east of the cemetery was William Moyer's farm with his brick house still standing at the top of the slope from King Street.


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

Historic Building:
Built in 1840 by Jacob S. Shoemaker across from the mill he constructed in 1830. In 1969 the house with stone foundation and handmade brick walls was listed in fair to poor condition. The roof was framed with mortise and tenon joining. The house was a combination of Georgian proportions and classical decorations. The large dormers were reminiscent of early buildings in Pennsylvania. In 1850 the house was sold to Elias Eby together with the mill complex. The house was been renovated a number of times. The porch was removed and the house converted into a tri-plex by 1969.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Bridgeport Mill, a non-dated (probably 1969) type written manuscript located at Doon Heritage Crossroads 2009

Historic Building:
Built in 1838 the house was demolished by 2003 . It was a frame building built in the "Georgian Farmhouse" style, a popular design in the Waterloo Region. In 1978 is was listed in poor condition.

Business:
from: Gazetteer and directory of the County of Waterloo. 1867

Elias — Maria "Anna" Weber. Maria (daughter of Benjamin Weber and Veronica Martin) was born 30 Jul 1809, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 9 Oct 1877, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2446

Notes:

Susannah Eby, "the third member and eldest daughter of the family of Benjamin Eby, was born February 8th, 1812, and died September 23rd, 1819."


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.].

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Weber
• Name: Katharina Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2447
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Catharine Eby, "the fourth member and the second daughter of Benjamin Eby, was born July 25th, 1814. She was married, February 3rd, 1833, to David, son of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber. They moved on their farm now forming the North Ward of the town of Berlin. Their farm buildings were situated near where the Grand Trunk Railroad station is now situated. Some time before the Grand Trunk Railway was built they sold their farm to Rev. Abraham Weber and moved two and three-fourths miles east of Berlin, on the east end of lot No. 120, where they resided until their deaths. She died March 30th, 1867, and he died September 17th, 1877. To them were born eleven 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.].

_________________________________________


On the 30th of March, in Waterloo Township, Waterloo Co., C. W., of consumption, CATHERINE, wife of David WEBER, and daughter of Bish. Benjamin Eby, deceased, aged 52 years, 8 months, and some days. She calmly fell asleep in Jesus. She was buried at Christian Eby's burying-ground, on which occasion Enoch Detweiler and Daniel Wismer delivered appropriate addresses.


HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume IV, Number 5 - May 1867 - Page 78

Catharine married David M. Weber 3 Feb 1833. David (son of Benjamin Weber and Veronica Martin) was born 22 Jun 1811, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 17 Sep 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205955181
• Name: Maria Bomberger
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2448
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Maria Eby, "the third and youngest daughter of Bishop Benjamin Eby, was born March 14th, 1816. She was married to William Bomberger (born May 30th, 1816), son of Christian and Mary (Erb) Bomberger. After their marriage they moved on a farm three miles east of Berlin. From there they moved on a small farm two and one half miles north of Waterloo, where they both died. She died June 21st, 1861. He died January 22nd, 1866. They left no heirs."


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.].

Maria married Dr. Wilhelm "William" Bomberger 7 Oct 1839, Dundas, West Flamborough Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada. Wilhelm (son of Christian Bomberger and Mary Erb) was born 30 May 1816, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 22 Jan 1886, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2449
• Residence: 1840, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Benjamin E. Eby, "the sixth member and third son of the family of Bishop Benjamin Eby, was born February 10th, 1818. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Schneider) Cressman. She was born October 4th, 1818, and died February 23rd, 1889, aged 70 years, 4 months and 19 days. They moved on a farm two and one-half miles east of Berlin, on south-west part of lot No. 120, German Company's Tract, where they lived for many years. During their old age they lived with their son-in-law, John Erb, where they died. He died July 9th, 1872. They were blessed with a family of five 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.].

Benjamin married Elizabeth Cressman 19 Mar 1839, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth (daughter of Abraham Cressman and Mary Schneider) was born 4 Oct 1818, Near Strasburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 Feb 1889, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Henry Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2450.19
• Occupation: 1842, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; printer
• Historic Building: 1850, 33 Eby Street South, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; printer
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; gentleman

Notes:

Henry Eby, "the fourth son of Bishop Benjamin Eby, was born January 25th, 1820. When a young man he received a fair school education. He was a printer by trade and for some time editor and publisher of the Deutscher Canadier, issued weekly at Berlin, Ontario. He also published many books and all kinds of English and German literature. His printing office and residence were situated on the west side of King Street, South Ward, Berlin, about 150 yards from the Market House. The property is now owned by Mr. A. S. Hallman, grocer, who resides in it, and the printing office has been turned into a dwelling house which is rented to a Mrs. John Stauffer. Henry Eby was married, August 22nd, 1843, to Elizabeth Bowers who was born November 12th, 1825. Mr. Eby died March 11th, 1855, leaving three daughters"


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.].

________________________

Henry Eby, proprietor of the German Canadian, died in Berlin, Waterloo County, the 11th inst.

The Christian Guardian 28 Mar 1855, pg 99

______________________

A-1-66 Henry Eby: Probate of Will, granted by William Miller, Esquire, Judge of the Court, 24 March 1855 on the prayer of and in favor to Elias Eby of Lancaster Mills, Miller, Joseph E. Schneider, and Jacob Y. Shantz, both of Berlin, Yeomen, all in the County of Waterloo, and by Henry Eby, formerly of the said Berlin, Gentleman, deceased, appointed Executors to his Last Will and Testament….on the said Executors giving proof and satisfaction that the said Henry Eby is dead, and he having died on or about the eleventh day of the same month of March, and they also giving proof that such Will, and of which the following is a true and faithful transcript, is the true Last Will and Testament of the said Deceased…

In the name of God, Amen - I, Henry Eby, of the Village of Berlin…being of sound and disposingh mind, memory and understanding do make, pubish and declare this my Last Will and Testament, hererby revoking and making null and void all former Last Wills and Testaments and writings in the nature of last Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. First I give and devise in trust to my hereinafter named Executors and the survivors or survivor…to dispose of all and singular my real personal and mixed property of which I shall be seized and possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my deceased (excepting that portion thereof herinafter given to my beloved wife Elizabeth Eby) entire or in parcels, by public auction or private contract…for the most money that can be obtained..to pay debts, dues, notes, bill, book accounts, obligations and charges against me…to give public notice in some public newspaper for all parties who are indebted to me to pay without delay and all persons to whom I be indebted to send in their claims forthwith, so that my Executors may know what amount to reserve for my debts and liabilities….I give devise and bequeath as follows, that is to ssay, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Eby, one acre of land, which consists of the rear or south end of the lot number twelve in the said Village of Berlin, where I now reside, commencing at the corner of Eby and Church Streets…and which said lot of land together with the month and other provisions for her hereinafter made I declare shall be taken in lieu and satisfaction of all her Dower and right to Dpwer in the lands of which I have been or may hereafter be seized…I also direct that my said Executors shall build and prepare for my said wife a suitable house and premises, the expenses whereof shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars on the said acre of land bequeathed to my wife, and that my Executors do reserve sufficient for her support, so that she may live comfortably so long as she remains my Widow., and in case of my wife's second marriage or upon her death, I direct that the said acre of land and all and singular shall be sold - the money to be put into a general fund for my children. It is my desire that my children shall live with their mother until they shall attain respectively the age of Eighteen years…If all my said children be eighteen years of age upon my wife's death or in case of her second marriage, all the said money under the control of Executors shall be equally divided among my said children…I nominate and appoint Elias Eby of Lancaster Mills, in the Village of Lancaster and County of Waterloo, Miller, Joseph Schneider of the Village of Berlin, Farmer, and Jacob Y. Shantz of the said Village of Berlin, Farmer, to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
The Inventory of the personal Estate of the aforesaid Henry Eby, deceased, is of the amount of One Thousand Four Hundred and forty seven pounds, fifteen shillings and five pence.

Witnessed by Johannes Hiller and James Potter
Will Dated 8 March 1855
Probate granted 24 March 1855
Inventory amount £1447/15/5
Died 11 March 1855

_________________________

King Street, Kitchener

Benton to Eby Street.-Successive occupation was as follows: From Benton Street easterward, before 1855, a one-story brick building with gable facing King Street was erected at the corner and used by Jacob Benner as blacksmith shop. Later Benner moved to West Montrose and the next occupant was Valentine Gildner and after him his son John Gildner . This blacksmith shop continued until comparatively recent years. A frame building painted white, with veranda in front, was Gildner s residence..

Vacant lot.

A tinsmith shop owned by Mr. Lehnen . This had a nice front with two good-sized glass windows on either side of the door.

A dwelling house built by Henry Rothaermel 1848-9. He was a carpenter and later was market clerk and tax collector.

A lane.

A one and one-half story building, with gable facing King Street and a verandah extending over the sidewalk, occupied by a Mr. Coleman 1855-1860. Adjoining it was a warehouse. The store passed to Coleman's son and then to John Kegel. Later John George Schmidt, shoemaker, occupied the building.

A lane.

A double, frame building about 50 feet along King St.; the east half used as a dwelling had a veranda; the west half was occupied by Charles Koehn, shoemaker.

Open space.

Dwelling of Gabriel Bowman, carpenter, who built the house.

A one and one-half story building occupied by Balzar Allendorf, a coverlet weaver, about 1840. Allendorf later moved to New Hamburg. There was a veranda at the front of the house and under it a well. Cattle ran at large in the streets at this time and one Sunday afternoon a steer got on the veranda floor, which was partly rotted, broke through, fell into the well and had to be pulled out by means of a windlass. The building was torn down later.

frame building ocupied by Henry Sippel, former employee of Allendorf, as a weaver's shop.

In 1855 there was a frame building one and one-half story high along King Street divided into two parts, one part a dwelling and the other part a hat shop, owned by John Kidder, who made felt hats and old-fashioned bonnets. The shop was a few steps above the sidewalk level.

A dwelling.

A one and one-half story frame building lengthwise with King street occupied by a widow, Mrs. Caroline Lehnen.

A driveway.

A two story brick building with gable toward King Street, occupied by J. J. Lehnen, son of the widow Lehnen, as a copper and tinsmith shop and a store. Lehnen made his own tinware. Later Jacob Doebler occupied this building as a bakery.

A one and one-half story frame building with gable toward King Street occupied by George Yantz, a cabinet maker. He had a tavern in this same building for a time, and lived there.

In the early years a garden.

A small shop with sloping roof used by Christian Enslin as a book store and book-bindery, the first book-bindery in Berlin Enslm arrived in Berlin about 1830. Jacob Stroh remembers going with his father to the store to buy school supplies. Enslin later was editor, for Henry Eby, the publisher, of the Deutsche Canadier which began publication in 1840.

Enslin's House, one-half story, frame, standing lengthwise with King Street and having a veranda over the door, was on the site of Dr. Hetts present office and house. At the rear there was an orchard.

About 60 feet back of King Street there was a house built by Henry Eby. Shubel Randall, brother of George Randall, lived in it later. In 1860 the building was destroyed by fire and a servant girl Dina Hertz, perished in the flames. The walls remaining standing, the house was re-built, and is still in use.

A brick building, abutting on King Street with gable facing the street, was Henry Eby's printing office. The main floor was she or seven feet above the sidewalk level. In 1860 this building was changed to a church and was the first Anglican Church in Berlin.

A frame building, one end of which was used by Henry Bowman as a general store; he lived in the other end. This was known as the Bowman building. Later William Stein had a tailor shop in it and after him William Thoms used it as a shoe repair shop.

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

Historic Building:
Built in 1850-1855 by Henry Eby, it is a frame house. In 1978 it was covered in insul-brick and was listed as being in fair condition.

Heinrich married Elizabeth Bowers 22 Aug 1843. Elizabeth (daughter of Samuel Bowers and Lydia Sauers) was born 12 Nov 1825, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 13 Mar 1833, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Mar 1903, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Heinrich — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168929349
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2459
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Possessions: 1853, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 002, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

Rev. Christian Eby, "the fifth son and eighth member of Bishop Benjamin Eby's family, was born June 19th, 1821. He was received as a member of the Mennonite Church while yet a young man. On February 26th, 1854, he was ordained as a minister of the church. The congregation soon found him to be a man of more than ordinary talents. Having his mind well stored with biblical and other knowledge, besides being endued with grace and unction from on high, he was fully qualified for the work of the ministry. He ranked with the best ministers of the church in his day, and was by all considered sound in the doctrine of their famous founder, Simon Menno. He did not, like some, try to build the house of God, the Lord's temple, with wood, hay and stubble, but with gold, silver and precious stones. His sermons were generally well prepared for the various occasions, full of logic, adapted to the wants of the hearers and attended with divine influence and power, hence deep and lasting impressions were made upon his large congregations. The writer heard him preach telling sermons even within the first years of his ministry, and many times afterwards. He was very punctual in attending to his appointments and faithful in visiting the poor and all members of the church placed in his charge. During the year 1857 it was noticed that his health was failing, and, to the great loss of the church, he, on November 5th, 1859, passed out of this vale of tears to mansions above, where all is peace and joy. He was married to Mary, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Schneider) Cressman. She was born December 17th, 1820, and died April 23rd, 1867. They resided on the old homestead of his father, Bishop Benjamin Eby. They had two children who lived but a few hours"

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.].

____________________________

First Mennonite Church

The first church built in Waterloo County was erected in Berlin in 1813, and was known as Benjamin Eby's Meeting House.

Benjamin Eby had come to Canada in 1807 and in 1809 was ordained preacher. Three years later, in 1812, he was ordained bishop. His "parish included sections of Waterloo, Wilmot and Woolwich" (Uttley 1937: 27). In 1818 a frame addition, which was to be used as a winter school, was built on to the church. The log meeting house was replaced in 1834 by a larger frame church, and the old building was taken to Breslau to become the first meeting house in that community. (The Breslau church was known as Cressman Meeting House, a name which was changed in 1968 to Breslau Mennonite Church.) A Sunday School was opened in the church in 1841.

Benjamin Eby died in 1853. He was followed by Abraham C. Weber who served the congregation until his death in 1874. In that same year, a division in the church brought about the departure of a group who organized a congregation of Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites, to become United Mennonites in 1875 and then Mennonite Brethren in Christ in 1883. Their church is the present-day Bethany Missionary Church on Lancaster Street East. Christian Eby was the next minister of the Berlin Mennonite Church, until 1879. The church was known over the years as Benjamin Eby's Church, Christian Eby's Church (from 1854-1904), and the Berlin Church (from 1904 until 1917.) The name of the church became First Mennonite Church in 1917.

A new brick church was built in 1902. A Bible Study School was begun in 1907, and in 1928 a separate brick Bible Study School building was erected. Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church was formed by some members in 1924 as a result of a division in the church.

Of interest: when the new church was built in 1902, the 1834 frame church was bought by D.B. Betzner who moved it to Cedar Street where it became a woodenware business and then a furniture factory. It was destroyed by fire in 1937.

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

Christian married Maria "Mary" Cressman 2 Mar 1843, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Maria (daughter of Abraham Cressman and Mary Schneider) was born 17 Dec 1820, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 23 Apr 1867, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 26 Apr 1867, First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2462
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Abraham Eby, "the sixth son of Bishop Benjamin Eby, was born on the old homestead, November 21st, 1823. On April 30th, 1843, he was married to Lucy Hembling who was born August 9th, 1822. Soon after their marriage they moved on a farm two and one-half miles east of Berlin. This farm is now owned by Henry Cressman. Here they resided for nearly five years, when they moved on another farm two and one-half miles north of the town of Waterloo where they lived for about five years, then they sold out and moved to the village of Bridgeport, where they resided until his death which took place August 21st, 1885. His widow still owns and occupies the old homestead. They had a family of eleven 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.].

Abraham married Lucy Hembling 30 Apr 1843, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lucy (daughter of Noah Hembling and Hannah Rose) was born 9 Aug 1822, Ilketshall, Saint Andrew Parish, , Suffolk, England; was christened 22 Sep 1822, Ilketshall, Saint Andrew Parish, , Suffolk, England; died 12 Feb 1912, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2474
• Residence: 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Jacob B. Eby, "the seventh son of Bishop Benjamin Eby, was born March 24th, 1826. After his marriage, in September, 1845, to Lucy Kauffman (born February 26th, 1830, and died September 24th, 1877), he moved on his farm three miles north of the town of Waterloo, Ontario, where he resided for a number of years. He afterwards went into the milling business in partnership with his brother, Elias, having purchased Barnabas Devitt's interest in the firm of Eby & Devitt, Bridgeport, Ontario. In 1867 he sold his interest in the Bridgeport Mills and purchased the Salem Mills where he carried on business for some years. Some time within the years 1875-76 he disposed of his Salem property and moved to the town of Waterloo where his wife, Lucy Kauffman died. On September 16th, 1878, he was married a second time to Elizabeth Schill (born May 12th, 1848), to whom his youngest child was born. He died December 21st, 1882. He had a large family"


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.].

Jacob married Lucy Kaufman 30 Sep 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lucy (daughter of Andrew Kaufman and Magdalena Erb) was born 26 Feb 1830, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Sep 1877, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Jacob married Elizabeth Schill 16 Sep 1878. Elizabeth (daughter of John Schill and Anna M.) was born 12 May 1848, , Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00031-2491
• Residence: 1847, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; printer
• Occupation: 1853, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; printer

Notes:

Peter Eby, "the youngest son of Bishop Benjamin Eby, was born on the old homestead in the town of Berlin, February 28th, 1828. In his younger days he was engaged as a teacher in our public schools. He afterwards became interested in the printing business and was for a number of years proprietor and publisher of the Berlin Telegraph and Der Deutsche Canadier; he was also Crown agent. In 1856 he moved to the state of New York, and finally located in Buffalo where he carried on the printing business with great success for 30 years. On September 30th, 1847, he was married to Susan Sparrow who was born April 28th, 1826, and died November 17th, 1888. He died August 15th, 1894. To them was born a family of three 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.].

__________________

Queen Street North, West Side

Gaukel's well at the corner of the hotel shed, the corner being later built up as the Bowman Block, now the Bank of Montreal.

A brick warehouse belonging to the corner store of the Bowman Block. First occupants of this store were Bowman and Heins, later H. S, Huber and then by Huber and Roy.

Opposite the Breithaupt leather store stood a one-story brick building, Dr. Pipe's surgery and later Dr. Wright's.

A two-storey brick house lengthwise with Queen Street and with veranda on two sides, the veranda a few steps above the ground, occupied by Henry Schaefer. In 1871 Dr. Pipe lived in this house. Among other things Dr. Pipe kept bees, although he was quite afraid of them. Dr. Pipe and Henry Stroh succeeded in bringing the first Italian queen bee to this part of the country.

A lane.

A handsome brick house, gable roof, lengthwise with the street, the corners faced with limestone from Guelph, erected by Joseph Hobson, the surveyer, in 1860. Hobson eventually was Chief Engineer of the Great Western Railway and when that was merged with the Grand Trunk he became Chief Engineer of the latter Company and was among other things Chief Engineer of the Sarnia tunnel. Alexander MacPherson, editor and publisher of the Berlin Telegraph, later lived in the house. The site is now occupied by the head office of the Economical Fire Insurance Company.

A two-story red frame building well back from the street built probably before 1850 by Peter Eby, identified with the "Deutsche Canadier" and with the early days of the "Telegraph". Dr. Eggert, homeopath, lived in the house 1859-1860 and later John Klippert, high constable and county bailiff.

One and a half story brick building at the corner of Duke and Queen Streets occupied by a Mr. Von Ebenau and wife and later for a number of years by Michael Jaehle, a blacksmith. The site is now occupied by the Daily Record building.

Duke Street.

A large handsome building trimmed with cut stone built in 1860 by David S. Shoemaker of Bridgeport who was county registrar, The building was intended for a bank and agent's residence and so used first by the Commercial Bank which failed and later by the Merchants Bank of which R. N, Rogers was agent for a number of years. Some time later Dr. H. S. Lackner acquired the property and used it as residence and surgery. After Dr. Lackner's death the property was sold to the present occupants, the Langleys of Toronto.
building, colonial style, with large posts at the front carrying the projecting roof, erected in 1848-49, the Waterloo Township Hall, the land for which was donated by Frederick Gaukel. General public meetings were held in this hall, among others meetings purposing to have Berlin named as county town. After consummation of this a banquet was held in the hall, which was occasionally used for such purpose. The occasion of this particular banquet was the laying of the corner stone of the new county buildings in 1852. 100 guests were present and there were a number of patriotic toasts. Later the building was used as a printing office, the "Deutsche Canadier" and the "Telegraph" being printed there for a time. Eventually the building was remodelled and enlarged and became the Methodist Church. In 1904 the St. Matthews Lutheran congregation purchased the property and later the First English Lutheran Church, which still continues in the building.

Behind the present Kitchener Public Library, occupying the site of his ornamental garden, and still standing is Dr. Scott's residence, built in 1855. Henry Rothaermel was the contractor. Dr. Scott was the first warden of the county and first reeve of Berlin. After his death the house was occupied by M. C. Schofield who married Dr. Scott's widow. Later Israel Bowman, for many years county clerk and town clerk of Berlin, acquired the property and lived there.

Weber Street.

On the corner the Presbyterian Church first built 1860-61 at a size of 36 ft. by 50 ft., cost $4,500 and seating 175 persons. Rev. John McMeekin was an early minister.

A two-story red brick building lengthwise with Queen Street, built 1855-56, the house of H. S. Huber.

Simon Roy's house, also red brick, one and one-half story high, both of these houses were set back from the street. Mr. Roy was nurseryman and florist.

A one-story double house lengthwise with Queen Street.

Before Ahrens Street was continued westerly across Queen Street there was on the site a two-story unpainted weather-boarded building, the house of John Dopp.
frame building, similar to Dopp's, the house of Christina Bloch, a widow who lived there for many years.

A frame building, similar to Dopp's, but with gable facing Queen Street, the house of August Vetter, painter and paper-hanger.

A vacant lot later owned by Louis Breithaupt who built, on the corner of Margaret Avenue, a residence for Judge Lacourse.

Margaret Avenue.

On Margaret Avenue a short distance westerly from Queen Street was the Moxley farm with house and barn. The barn was later moved to Lexington by Henry Stroh who bought it to replace one that had been struck by lightning. On the corner of Ellen Street a brick house occupied in the early days by Rev. Mr. Savage, Methodist minister, and later by John Hoffman, Jr., a druggist.

Ellen Street.

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

Peter married Susan Sparrow 30 Sep 1847, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Susan (daughter of Thomas Sparrow and Sarah Ann West) was born 28 Apr 1826, Thetford, Norfolk, England; was christened 10 Sep 1826, Wesleyan Methodist Church, Thetford, Norfolk, England; died 17 Nov 1888, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.4

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.5

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.6

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.7

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.8

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.9

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.10

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.11

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00018-1373.12