William Rebscher

Other Events:

• Business: Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Brewery
• Interesting: story, misfortune
• Misfortune: Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-71642
• Occupation: 1836, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; beer brewer
• Business: 1842, 59 King St. N., Waterloo, Ontario; beer brewery
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; brewer
• Death: 29 Apr 1856, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

A-1-97 William Rebscher Probate of the will of William Rebscher of the Village of Waterloo, granted the 2^nd day of July 1856…on the petition of Moses Springer, Elias Snider and Ludwig Peppler, the Executors named in said will…

I William Rebscher of the Village of Waterloo, Beer Brewer, (1^st) I will and desire that all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses be paid…

(2^nd) I give and devise unto my beloved wife Elizabeth all and as much of my house and kitchen furniture as she requires for her own use, and one cow out of my stock of her own choice which she my beloved wife shall have to herself.

(3^rd) And I give and devise to my beloved wife Elizabeth as long as she remains my widow the three northern rooms in the first story and the two northern rooms in the second story of the house I now occupy and reside in, also as much room in the washhouse cellar and stable as she requires, and a piece of ground for a garden which is not to exceed one tenth of an acre situate and being on lots number nine and ten in the west side of King Streets in the said Village of Waterloo.

[No 4^th clause] My will further is that my hereinafter named Executors shall find and provide for my beloved wife Elizabeth during her natural life, or so as she remains my widow, with firewood, clothes and all other necessaries, such as she requires to make her comfortable, (but they are not to give her anything to excess).

(5^th) I will and devise unto my beloved children as soon as they marry or stand in need of house furniture, that my hereinafter named Executors shall give them to the same amount as I have already given my daughter Sophia.

(6^th) My will is that as soon as conveniently can be after my decease, my executors shall hold an appraisement and have the whole of my Real and Personal property appraised and sell my personal property to the highest bidder at public auction.

(7^th) My will is that my Real Estate shall remain in the hands of my Executors, if nothing occurs that it will be necessary for them to sell sooner, until my youngest child obtains the age of twenty one years, and after youngest child has attained the said ago, and sooner if necessary, my Executors shall sell the same to the best advantage as they see fit and proper.

(8^th) My will is that my beloved children shall have the first chance to lease or purchase my real estate, and if there is any money to let my children are also to have the first chance to borrow it…

(9^th) I will that the rest reside and remainder of my real and personal estate which remains in the hands of my Executors…shall be divided equally between and among all my sons and daughters.

(10^th) I also will that my two youngest children shall remain with my beloved wife, and faithfully sent to school, so that they become a good common education, and after my youngest son becomes a proper age he is to be bound out to trade, that he chooses.

(11^th) This my will (if possible) that my hereinafter named Executors shall not lease the House I now occupy for a Tavern.

(12^th) And I nominate and appoint my trusty and worthy friends Moses Springer of Waterloo, Elias Snider of the same place, and Ludwig Peppler of the same place, to be the Executors of this my last will and testament.

Witnesses W.A. Schoeman and George Gleizer
Will dated 21 April 1856
Proved 2 July 1856
Died 22 April 1856
Inventory £789/1/1.

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

__________________

Queen to Benton Street

A few feet back of King Street and about 15 feet from South Queen Street was a vaulted cellar built of field stone by Peter Rebscher [William?] in 1838-39. In 1855 Sheriff Davidson [George Davison] bought this cellar from Paul Schmidt [Paul Schmitt 1808-1862]. He erected a frame building extending from the corner, partly using material brought from a former building at New Aberdeen, a village about five and one-half miles southwest of Berlin, where he had also a store business. Jacob Stroh helped to lath the building, receiving 75c as a day's wage. The new building was called The California Block and contained several stores. George Davidson, son of the Sheriff, occupied the corner store as a Grocery and Dry Goods business. Next there was a shed with outside stairway leading to a dance hall above it. The shed was used by the guests of Schmidt's Tavern known as the banners Inn. In the rear of the shed there was a brewery operated William Rebscher, who started to brew about 1830. The process of the Rebscher brewery was to soak the grain for 24 hours, then spread it on the cellar floor and shift it around until it commenced to sprout, after which it was carried upstairs again and put into a dry-kiln about 20 x 20 feet in size, the grain being on screens exposed to the heat coming from below. The dry malt was crushed and ground between iron rollers turned by hand. Later on a steam engine supplied the required power. Mr. Rebscher had this brewery until about 1855, when he moved to Frederick Street on Spetz Street.

Sheriff Davidson bought the shed and converted it into two stores. One of these was occupied by Conrad Schmidt who sold wines, liquors, groceries and hardware. Yost Kimmel had a meat shop under the stores.

Next came an open space and a well and next to that a building which was used 1830 to 1835 as a church by a body known as Mifferites whose main article of belief was that the world was coming to an end in 1835. Many of the Millerites, faithful to their belief, sold their properties and household effects. The building was about 1840 occupied by Paul Schmidt, as the Farmer's Inn already spoken of.

Next came an alleyway and next to that William Moore's general store. Mr. Moore's residence was next to his store. Later on it had a clock factory on the second floor for a short time Next came a three-story building erected in 1860 and next to that no building for a long time until the Boehmer Block was erected. This had a clock factory on the second floor for a short time. Next came a building occupied by Mr. Hymmen, erected between 1850 and 1855. The building was painted a buff color and occupied as a bakery. In 1860, E. R. Hayne had a bakery and confectionery store in the Hymmen building. Next came a two-story frame building located on the site of the westerly half of the present Post Office and occupied by William, David and Frederick Miller as the first general store in Berlin. The location was opposite the end of Frederick Street. J. F. Kannengieser had a tailor shop and was also dealer in fancy goods in this building at one time. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. John Albright occupied part of the building as a dressmaking and millinery shop. Later on Mr. Rooke had a lock and gunsmith shop on the street floor while his family lived above. There was a high board fence on the Benton Street line with balsam trees planted along the inside.

REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder.

Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930

Misfortune:
Body was stolen by Dr. Frederick Christ to be used as a medical display.

A few days after the burial of Eby's child, Dr. Christ came into Schnarr's Tavern in Waterloo Village, and made the remark that the bodies of William Rebscher, John Nahrgang, and Zoeger were not in their graves. Afterwards, Dr. Christ offered to bet with witness that Abram Eby's child was not in his grave. Christ said that he would not go and bring the bodies himself, but that he could get plenty at an outlay of ten dollars.

Business:
The Spetz family purchased the Rebescher Brewery which was located near the corner of Frederick and Weber Street in Kitchener. Spetz Street was named in their honour where the brewery was located.

On the 1875 is it mislabelled as J. H. S. Pitz's Brewery and should read J. H. Spetz's Brewery

William married Elisabeth Nahrgang 12 Jul 1836, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Elisabeth (daughter of John Nahrgang and Anna Margaretha Kuhl) was born 1821, Lebosbach, Hessia, Germany; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Hannah Rebscher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-71641

Other Events:

• Name: William Rebscher
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-79175
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ?
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-79229

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-79230

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-79231

Other Events:

• Name: Catharina Soehner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-79232
• Residence: 1861, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

LAID AT REST

Many friends and relatives attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Catharine Soehner which took place on Wednesday from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. John Graff, Victoria street. After a brief service at the home a service was conducted at the St. John's Lutheran church by Rev. E. Bockelman. Interment was made in Mount Hope cemetery.

The Chronicle Telegraph 21 Oct 1920, p. 5

Catharina — Wilhelm Soehner. Wilhelm was born CALC 19 Aug 1844, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Jul 1898, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Graff
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-193025
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Elizabeth married John August Graff 8 Jul 1906, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. John (son of David D. Graf and Wilhelmina Sophia C. Menzie) was born 1 Feb 1862, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 May 1938; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: William Henry Soehner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-148446

Other Events:

• Name: Alfred Soehner
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-41842
• Occupation: 1892, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Fireman, Factory
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Phillip married Catherine Heimbecker 24 Apr 1892, Erbsville, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Catherine (daughter of John Heimbecker and Elisabeth Anna Schaefer) was born 4 Feb 1871, Erbsville, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 20 Jan 1964, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-195626P
• Occupation: 1901, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Iron Moulder
• Occupation: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Butcher
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1939, Dunnville, Haldimand Co., Ontario

Notes:

Passing of Edward Soehner - by the death on Thursday, May 16, of Edward Soehner, the community loses an esteemed citizen and the family a kind husband and loving father. The deceased, who was in his 34th year, had been ill for some time, and despite all efforts to regain his health was cut off in the prime of life. He came to Ayr just after attaining his manhood and was employed for a number of years as a moulder in the foundry. Later he engaged in business as a butcher, but was obliged to give up on account of continued ill-health. About ten years ago he married Miss Euphemia Grigg, who, together with a son and daughter - Earl and Marion - survive to mourn their loss. Mr. Soehner was a member of Court Forest of Lebranch, C.O.F., No. 75, Ayr, the members of which order, to the number of about 35, attended the funeral on Sunday in a body, interment being made in the Ayr Cemetery. The pallbearers were also foresters, those acting in that capacity being Bros. H. Griffin, A. Melvin, Chisholm Scott, Chris. Leiska, Robert Taylor and J. Urquhart. The services at both house and grave were conducted by Bro. Rev. W. E. S. James, pastor of the Methodist church. Mr. Soehner's mother and several brothers and sisters were among the mourners. The relatives from a distance who attended the obsequies included Mr. Walter Willison, sr., Mr. and Mrs. Walter Willison, jr., Wm. Willison, James Willison, B. Brown, Miss Jean Willison and Charles Soehner, Hamilton; Mrs. A. A. Reid and son, Guelph; Mrs. Soehner, sr., Mr. and Mrs. Alf Soehner, and Mr. and Mrs. Graff, Waterloo; Mr. John Grigg, Chicago, and Mrs. Geo. Evans, London. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful.

The Ayr News May 23 1912 pg 8

Edward married Euphemia Jane Grigg 18 Oct 1900, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Euphemia (daughter of Thomas Thorne Grigg and Maria Willison) was born 6 Apr 1878, Embro, West Zorra Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; died 6 Feb 1977, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried 8 Feb 1977, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Katharine Wilhelmina Sitler
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-193069
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Katharine — Isaiah Sitler. Isaiah (son of Wesley Aaron Sittler and Lydia Heckendon) was born 1 Apr 1906, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-193080
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-190579
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Glove Maker, Factory
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-41844

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-190582
• Occupation: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Upholsterer, Factory
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-41845

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-148452

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-190583
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Charles — Viola Sophia Seip. Viola (daughter of Adam Seip and Caroline Fricke) was born 20 Mar 1901, Baden, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1980, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Memory Gardens Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-190584
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-193013

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-190585
• Residence: 1911, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-195627P
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

Earle E. Soehner - The death occurred at the Toronto Hospital at Weston on Sunday of Earle E. Soehner, in his 31st year following a lengthy illness. He was a son of Mrs. Soehner of Toronto and the late Edward Soehner, one time residents of Ayr. The deceased came to Ayr with his parents as an infant. He attended the Ayr public and continuation schools, and was later a student at Galt Business College. He was a member of the former Methodist Church here, and the United Church. Earle left Ayr nine years ago. He was very popular here and enjoyed a wide circle of friends.

Besides his mother, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. William Little of Hamilton, and his grandmother, Mrs. T. Grigg of Toronto. The funeral service was held Tuesday evening at his late residence, 541 Dovercourt road, Toronto, with interment being made in the Ayr Cemetery this (Wednesday) afternoon.


The Ayr News Mar 21 1935 pg 6

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-195628
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist