Jacob Oberholtzer

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5041

Notes:

Jacob Oberholtzer, "(As informed by the late Rev. Jacob Oberholtzer, the first Oberholtzer came from Switzerland about the year 1725) was the early settler of this family as near as can be ascertained. He resided in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, near Indian Creek. To him were born four children, namely: Jacob, Barbara, married to a Mr. Funk, Ann, married to Matthias Stauffer, and Elizabeth, married to Jacob Hackman."


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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 — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5042

Notes:

Jacob Oberholtzer, "(From Cassel's 'History of the Mennonites') the only son, was ordained as a minister of the Mennonite Church and we find that in 1775 (From Rev. Jacob Oberholtzer) he was stationed on the Franconia field of labor. He was married to Esther Lederach. The dates of birth and death, together with names of children, save one whose name was John, were not received"


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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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 — Esther Lederach. Esther was born Abt 1740, Of, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Barbara Funk
• Eby ID Number: 00086-5041.1

Barbara — Mr. Funk. Mr. was born Abt 1742; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Ann Stauffer
• Eby ID Number: 00086-5041.2

Ann — Matthius Stauffer. Matthius was born Abt 1746; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Hackman
• Eby ID Number: 00086-5041.3

Elizabeth — Jacob Hackman. Jacob was born Abt 1748; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5043

Notes:

John Oberholtzer, "(From Rev. Jacob Oberholtzer) was married to Susannah Moyer. They resided in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where they had a family of several children, three of whom settled in Canada"


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 — Susannah Moyer. Susannah was born Abt 1770, Of, Montgomery Co. Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5044
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 035S, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1852, Erb Street Mennonite Church, Waterloo, Ontario; Minister
• 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:

Jacob M. Oberholtzer, "was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, March 30th, 1800. He came to Canada in 1826 and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario. On January, 9th, 1831, he was married to Hannah, daughter of Jacob and Salome (Graybill) Erb. She was born January 25th, 1813 and died November 12th, 1894. Soon after their marriage they moved two miles west of Berlin on their farm, then all forest, which was composed of part of lot No. 35, German Company's Tract. Here they resided some forty years, then he sold the farm and moved to Berlin where he and his aged wife spent the evening of their life in comfort and ease. When a young man he was ordained as a minister of the church of his choice, 'The Mennonite', which body he served faithfully unto his end. He died January 14th, 1879. His family consisted of fourteen 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.].

___________________________

Erb Street (David Eby) Mennonite Church

Early services which began around 1837 were held in private homes. Land at the corner of Erb Street and Hallman Road, where the present-day cemetery is located, was donated by David Eby Sr. on July 14, 1851; a red brick church known as David Eby's Church was built in the same year. The first minister in the new church was Jacob M. Oberholtzer who served from 1852 to 1874. He was followed by Elias Schneider (1874-1889), Jonas Snider (1892-1900), Newton Weber (1921-1923), and Noah Hunsberger (1923-1929).

Due to a difference of opinion in the David Eby congregation, Sunday School classes were held at first in a private home, that of Levi Groff, beginning in 1887. The dissension which resulted culminated in a division in the church in 1889; the minister, Elias Schneider, and the deacon, Menno S. Shantz, left the church and joined with the Old Order Mennonites of Woolwich Township. The following year, 1890, saw the commencement of "Edification Meetings", which were held in the homes of members of the David Eby congregation. These meetings later became the Young People's Bible Meetings.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, it was recognized that the church building was either in need of repair or in need of complete replacement. Consideration was given to building a new church on the same site or on a site on King Street North. A decision was made to accept from Samuel S. Snider the donation of a parcel of land which was also on Erb Street, but nearer town. Excavation of the foundation for the new church began in the Spring of 1902. A dedication service was held on August 17, 1902. A parsonage was built in 1929 on land donated by Herbert Snider, the son of Samuel Snider. The church building was renovated and enlarged in 1949-1950; a dedication service was held on April 9, 1950. Further renovations were made in 1974..


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

Occupation:
Early services which began around 1837 were held in private homes. Land at the corner of Erb Street and Hallman Road, where the present-day cemetery is located, was donated by David Eby Sr. on July 14, 1851; a red brick church known as David Eby's Church was built in the same year. The first minister in the new church was Jacob M. Oberholtzer who served from 1852 to 1874. He was followed by Elias Schneider (1874-1889), Jonas Snider (1892-1900), Newton Weber (1921-1923), and Noah Hunsberger (1923-1929).<sup>1a

1a</sup>Ambrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]

Jacob married Hannah Erb 9 Jan 1831. Hannah (daughter of Jacob Erb and Salome Graybill) was born 25 Jan 1813, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 12 Nov 1894, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00086-5071
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 070N, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer

Notes:

Abraham Oberholtzer, "son of John and Susannah (Moyer) Oberholtzer, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1802. In 1826 he, in company with his brother Jacob and others, moved to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario. He was married to Rachel, daughter of Martin and Magdalena (Bear) Baumann (No. 553). She was born April 21st, 1801, and died November 28th, 1851. They resided at Bloomingdale, on the farm now possessed by Isaac E. Weber. He died February 24th, 1855, leaving a family of four 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.].

__________________

A-1-62 Abraham Oberholtzer: The Last Will and Testament of Abraham Oberholtzer, of the Township of Waterloo.

In the name of God, Amen. I Abraham Oberholtzer, of the Township of Waterloo, in the County of Waterloo, Yeoman, do make and constitute these presents, dated the fifteenth day of May 1854, my Last Will and Testament, ordaining and directing concerning my worldly estate as follows, viz : (1) My hereinafter named Executors I hereby authorize to collect all my outstanding debts, notes and bonds, and pay and discharge all my own lawful and just debts and dues. (2) Having sold and disposed of my Real Estate to my son Owen Oberholtzer for the purchase sum of Three Thousand Dollars, out of which there are to remain standing the sum of One Thousand Dollars for the Dowry of my Widow, I hereby ordain that my beloved widow Nancy shall have, draw and receive the annual interest of that sum during her widowhood, and also the interest of Two Hundred Dollars which my Executors shall invest out of my Estate for that purpose, but in case she married again, these two hundred dollars shall be her portion for and in lieu of her Widow Third in my real property, the grant of Deed whereof being as yet in my possession, and of which, if not done by myself during my life time, it shall be executed and given by my Executor….my property being composed of the North East Third part of Lot number Seventy of the German Company Tract of Waterloo. My widow is further to have during her widowhood the free use and benefit of all my household chattels and goods, but if she intermarries again, she is to have as her own for ever, out of the same, one full Bed, one Bureau, one Table, six Chairs, and all her necessary Kitchen furniture. (3) After the demises of my widow shall the above mentioned Two Hundred Dollars fall to the present children of my widow, she of late having been the widow of John Bowman, deceased, and then after her demise, or at her intermarriage, the remainder of my chattels and goods shall be equally divided, or be sold and the proceeds thereof be equally divided, amongst all my own children, and which also shall be so done with all my monies, notes, bonds and other obligations including the above said One Thousand Dollars. (4) In case I shall be at the time of my demise in possession of some landed property, my widow shall of course have her regular widow third therein, but she shall never the such be obliged for and in lieu of a fair commutation and compensation thereof to release her Dower therein, so that a clear Deed may be given to the Purchasers thereof…As executors to my Estate I hereby appoint my beloved son Owen Oberholtzer and my beloved Son-in-Law Jacob B. Bowman, both of Waterloo, Yeomen.

Witnessed by Jacob Hailer and Henry Boedecker
Will dated 5 May 1854
Proved 7 March 1855
Inventory amount £1371/18/8
Died 24 February 1855

Surrogate Court Records Copybook Register A 1853-1871 transcript to 1863. Frances Hoffman transcriber.

Abraham — Rachel Bauman. Rachel (daughter of Martin Bauman and Magdalena Baer) was born 21 Apr 1801, Alleghany Valley, Berks Co., Pennsylvania; died 28 Nov 1851, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Abraham — Nancy Bechtel. Nancy (daughter of Deacon Jacob Bechtel and Elizabeth Gabel) was born 6 Jun 1808, Blair (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 3 Aug 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Blair Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Henry M. Oberholtzer
• Eby ID Number: 00086-5081
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 070, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Henry M. Oberholtzer, "son of John and Susannah (Moyer) Oberholtzer, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, December 27th, 1807. He came to Canada and settled in Waterloo County, Ontario, on the farm now possessed by Harry Sheppard near Bloomingdale. He was married to Elizabeth Baumann who was born July 4th, 1810, and died December 29th, 1882. He died suddenly December 25th, 1876. To them was born one child"


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.].

Heinrich — Elizabeth Bauman. Elizabeth (daughter of Martin Bauman and Magdalena Baer) was born 4 Jul 1810, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 29 Dec 1882, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]