Jane Caroline "Johanna" Elchert

Other Events:

• Name: Hannah Elchert
• Name: Jane Caroline "Johanna" Fehrenbach
• Name: Johanna Elchert
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-69265
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Catholic
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Notes:

95-Year-Old Recalls Events of Long Life

One of Preston's Oldest residents, Mrs. Philip (Johannah) Fehrenback celebrated her 95th birthday anniversary Sunday at her home, 217 Guelph St. N.

An open house given in her honor by her nieces and nephews was convened by co-hostesses, Mrs. Harold Simmers, Hamilton Street, and Mrs. George Brohman, Concession Road.

Mrs. Fehrenback's childhood began on a little farm near Maryhill. She was one of nine children born to John Elchart and Catherine Beechey. A Maryhill one-room school house, its only heat, supplied by a wood stove, is where Johannah Elchart received her education. It was a two-mile walk to school from her home and Mrs. Fehrenback clearly recalls the deep snowbanks and extreme cold of the winters. The family attended the Maryhill Roman Catholic Church. It was there Johannah was baptized, received her first communion, and then on Oct. 1, 1896 married Philip Fehrenback.

"We would have married sooner, however a special excursion to Ohio was arranged for that time of year. We decided to wait and journey to Ohio on our honeymoon." commented Mrs. Fehrenback.

Her husband built their first home in Maryhill where they lived 8-1/2 years. Later moving to Kitchener, the young couple resided there about the same length of time. Following this Mr. and Mrs. Fehrenback moved to Preston, establishing residence at their Guelph Street Home where Mrs. Fehrenback has lived for the past 60 years.

Mr. Fehrenback died Nov. 30, 1940, but for many years he had owned and operated a harness shop in Preston where he also sold luggage. He first located his business where Landell's Book store now operates, later he opened his store in the old Kleinstuber block, on the premises of what is now the Italian Shoe Store.

This bright little lady of 95, is most efficient in her own home. Although her eyesight is failing, she takes care of her large home and prepares al the meals for her two nephews, Peter and Tony Elchart, who reside with her. Mrs. Fehrenback has one sister still living, Mrs. Sophia Fehrenback, Ktichener Highway, Preston.

An honorary member of the Catholic Women's League, Mrs. Fehrenback loved to knit and sew until her eyesight failed. " A beautiful bedspread which she made, square by square is still in use on her Jenny Lind bed." said her niece.

Jane married Philip Clements Fehrenbach 1 Oct 1896, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Philip (son of Mathias "Mathew" Fehrenbach and Marianna "Mary Ann" Halter) was born 27 Feb 1874, Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario; died 30 Nov 1940, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 3 Dec 1940, Saint Clements Roman Catholic Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]