What Happened to the ? The Disappearing Mennonites Ontario ofWellandCounty By Sam Steiner

IVlennonite Presenled at The First Mennonite Chtu'ch, Vineland, .lune 2006

History Mennonite historians have long puzzled over the history of the late I 8th lnd early lqth cenluD p1"nns6i1es in Upper Canada. The settlement atound THE the future Waterloo County plospered, but the Geman Menro- NEWSTETTER nile 5erllerncnts on the Niagarr Perrin- sula stmggled and were overwhelmed OFTHE by the end ofthe 20th century except for small renmants around Vineland MENNONITE and Stevensville. Harold Nigh talked to our Sociefv in 1986 ofthe "Lost Tribes HISTORICAT of the Niaiara Plain Folk."l SOCIETY OF ONTARIO Most ollerr the weakress of lhe Niagara settlements has been attributed This c(iirn \t. 1ds dl llrc Btrtie Brclhren in to a combirratiorr olpoor leaderslrip or Chri.tt Chltt ch in tnetntt:t o/ Bi.rhop John lfinger u,lto diet[ in ]8)8, theJbuntler und intemal disagreenrent on how to inter- ./i st hishop .)/ lhe Brcthrcn in Cltrist Churth sect with the larger culrr:re. Both L. J. in Cdn.ldd. The origindl grct e\ile i\.11.)ng Epp Burkholder and Frank tbllowed Bt,t. L 1 ,,\'A , ,,.r .r Sr. ri rl r r// '\1,]jltot,it. VOLUME XXV this approach. lt, hlv \ ot Ont.t'i'' ll''tt'tt:A(ttt'1 \' NUMBER 2 I believe Mennonite historians have a not adequately considered the varied shaped their European experience, and religious renewal movements within 2OO7 sharply contrasted to the prosperity a d NOVEMBER the Geman-speaking communities, ind ividtra li.m ol their fir't generattons a and theil'impact on the Mennonite in Norlh America. They still sang fron.t rssN I 192-551s settlements ofUpper Canada. The the ,with its martyr hymns earliest divisions in Mennonite Upper and clear emphasis on separation from Canada long preceded the better known the world, but they also read the Pietist schisms ofthe 1870s and 1880s. literarure they brought lrom Europe arrd bepan lo reorint irr North Anteri- The Faith oflSth Century ca.r Thrs made tlrern more receptit e to Pennsylvania Mennonites the Pietistic rener.val movements that Fighreenth centu11 Perrnsl Ir ania flourished both in English and German Mennonjtes did not live in separatist speaking America. enclaves like their Old Order descen- The Revolr.rtionary War ( ) 775- I 783) dents. They interacted regularly u'ith caught Pennsylvania Memonites un- their Gemran-speaking Lutheran, prepared in tlie midst oftheir prosper- Reformed and Moravian neighbors, ity. This was also a time of spiritual and their shared Pennsylvania Gennan "drought" among the traditional Men- culture shaped their daily life as well as no:rites. Applicants lor rnembetship in life. their church Mennonite churches, who may have In tbe second half ofthe l8th erperienced an etnotiona I conve15ion century Pennc) l\ ania Merrrronites in a traveling evangelist's revival were complcling their ttansitiott lront the persecution self:identity that liad - Contintlerl on pase ) - Pase 2 - Contntuedfon pase I - shifted the emphasis from the mer Mennonite bishop who became visible church toward the individual's a founder ofthe United Brethren in seNice or in a prayer meeting held personal relationship with God. Christ mor ement. However the River in a neighbour's home, were dismayed One practical outcome ofPietist Brethren wanted to retain Mennonite to find that Mennonite leaders remained emphases was an increased spirit oltol- doctrines not emphasized by Boehm more interested in teaching thern about eration and religious freedom, with the (like nonresistance, non-taking of rrles and regulations than hearing about emelgence ofan "invisible" church that oaths. not holding gor emment office. their corl ersion.J spanned the Protestant denominalions. etc.). The developing Boehm group Three non-Mennonite renewal Sometimes this lowered view of the also placed no emphasis on a particular movements found their way into the institutional church led to a decreased baptismal fom, an ordinance that was Geman-speaking areas of Upper Can- emphasis on the sacraments as prac- irnponanl lo the neu group. Some- ada-the Tunkers (also known as River ticed in a panicular denomination. time in the late 1770s a group of River Brethren leaders baptized one another Brethren or Brethren in Christ), the The central feature ofall the Penn- (sometimes and began the formation of a new de- United Brethren in Christ sylvania German renewal groups was nnnrinitinn.l I called Brethren), and the Evangelical the need for an explicitly personal (Evangelicals Association or Genran experience ofthe "new bir1h" in Christ. The River Brethren were the first "intemal" Methodists). The earliest With this new bifih came an assurance ofthe renewal groups to fully "orga- Mennonite renewal movement also had that one's sins were forgiven. For some nize" as an identifiable denorninational an impact on the enomous Mennonite leaders, ifthere was a doubt about group. Of the non-Memonite groups comnrunity that emerged on the Niag- one's salvation, it was clear evidence they were also the most theologically ara Peninsula-John Herr's Refomed that you was not saved. "Ilyou have cornpatible with the Mennonites be- Vennolite group (also knor.r n as Her- cause cole values they retained in it lsalrationl. )ou can Iell uhen and ofthe "Neu " _ --a rires or Menrronires.4 All of rhe where you got rt. " their confession. They were likely also Lancaster County renewal movements less flamboyant than some of the other Some afiiculate, but more tradition- had their roots in European Pietisrn, groups in their worship and the revival al, Mennonite leaders were dismayed although in the 2lst century we do not style of their services. by the religious chaos that the renewal generally thint of the Refomed Men- movements generated in their churches. nonite Church in Pietistic terms.5 United Brethren in ChristD Christian Burkholder (1746-l 809), a Maftin Boehm ( 1725- l812) was the l ancarter Counry Mennonite minis- What was Pietism?6 son of a Vennonite immi- ter and bishop. spoke appror ingly of )ounge\l Classical Pietism emerged in 17th grant to Pennsylvania in l7l7 who had the "new birth," but said he could not century Germany following the Thirty beerra Pietist in Furope belorejoining dictate to God how to create this new Years War. lt influenced all the ma- the Mennonites. Maftin was ordained bifih in others. For Burkholder, boast- jor Luropean Protestant naditions by lot as a Mennonite nrinister in ing ofone's "new bifih" reflected the Lutherans, Reformed, and Anabaptist. Lancastel County at the age of30. He influence ofthe "old man." not thc new Dale Brown, who has written exten- struggled as a preacher, however, and follower's salvation in Christ.9 sively on Pietism, lists some compo- believed this str-uggle cast doubt on the We'll tum now to a brief review of nents ofPietist theology: I ) an empha- state ofhis personal salvation. Boehm each olthe renewal movements that sis on God's love for humanity, rather later said he was "lost," a concept that also became part ofthe Mennonite than on God's wrath; 2) tuming the came fiom Pietism, not frorn his Men- community in Welland County. chrrrch lronr rigid top-dor,r n doctrine. nonite roots. Boehm subsequently had toward a very active laity (priesthood of a dramalrc conversion while plou ing in all believers); 3) emphasis on the Bible, River Brethren / Tunke.sl0 the fields. This experience changed his group including devotional study in small The first renewal to influence life and enlivened his preaching, and groups led by lay leaders; 4) living a the earl; Upper Canadian Vennonites his story ofconversion and subsequent daill lile that matched one's Ch-ristian was the River Brethren or Tunkers. assurance of salr ation soread into the faith; and 5) an emphasis on personal The River Brethren emerged in the late Mennonite corrmunitv 1 3 1770s around the leadership ofJacob convelsion and a new bifih, a "theol- Boehm rnaintained his Memronite Engel (c1753-1833), who arrived as an ogy of experience."T Pietism reduced leadership role for some years, and was propositional infant in Penlsylvania with his Men- emphasis on doctrines as er en ordained as a Memorrite bislrop in they be a nonite parents. The most prominent mighr erpressed in conlession 1761 .14 He preached to audiences that lounders of the River Brethren ap- of faith, and placed more reliance on went beyond his own denomination. A peared to have Mennonite roots. the Holy Spirit for spiritual enlighten- famous 1767 meeting in Landis Val- men1. Although the local church com- The River Brethren were first ley, Lancaster County, found Boehm munity remained important, inevitably influenced by , a fbr- preaching to a crowd ofa thousand Pagc 3

people that included the rl,ell-knou'n Btethren on Mcnnonites Methodist denomination, and began a Relomed minister, Philip Wilhelm Or The United Brethren encouraged Bible "class" in his community. He did terbein ( I 726- I 8l 3). After the sennon emotional expression in their revival so well that the Methodists licensed Otterbein came tblward. enrbraced meetings with crying, shouting, and him as an "exhorter."2l "We Boehm, and said, are Brethren." singing. There could also be physical Albright began preaching in 1796 This r'vas later seen as the seminal emotional release through jumping or in any Protestant setting that would moment in the fbrnation of the United leaping around the room. This spiritual leceir c hinr. TIre Fr arrgelical Associa- I 5 Brethren derronrinatiorr. expression was an ath'action 1br some tion lirst organized in 1800 rvith the Since Otterbein and Bochm came obsen ers. and a sign ol supeiliciality to lbrmation of three "classes" lbllow- fi-om traditions with vastly differ- other-s. l9 ing a Methodist model. Albright was ing understandings ofbaptism the ordained as a ministel in the new group Refbrmed sprintled iniants, the Men- Evan gelical irr I 803. arrd ellectir elr actcd as ils Association20 )) nonites poured on adults and other- Jacob Alb ght (1759-1808) was o rs nop.'' leaders in the emerging group canre bom as a Luther-an near Pottsdown. tr angelical Associrlron u orslrip tiom an immelsion background- the Pennsylvania, but moved to Lancasler selices also t'ealured occasions ol United Brethren from the beginning dlamatic emotional display, though allowed flexibilitv in the nrode and Albright himself u,as to be ru1Z said age of . more resen'ed in worship style, il Martin Boehm did not with- not in his conflontational preach- drau' as a Mennonite rrrirrister. but ing. It was not uncommon fbr cr en rua lly the LancJstcr Verrrronite repentant sinners to be crying fbr. Conference expellecl hin as a Men- mercy at the end olhis messiges.23 nonite leader, likely in 1777 after the requirement ola "test oath" by Reformed Mennonite Church the new Revolutionary Govem- The last ofthe renewal groups to lnelrt. The other Mennonite bishops coalesce vu,as the Refon.ned Men- lelt Boehm consofted too fi'eely nonite Church. John Her (1782- rr ith religiorrs leaders who nerrher I 850) was the son ofFrancis Her. Tlti.; huiltlinT4 rtplotctl thc log tlturclt at Blutk Crcek. lrcld lo ronresistancc nor prelchcd a I att,.arler Cottttty latrner. francis lt \a: unyed and listnantletl in 1911. (lletlnonite against taking the oath. I 7 At-(hi|et ol Ontdt io (ollcLtbtl 19,r3 1.21) Herr withdres fi-om the Mennonite The United Brethren remained Church in the 1790s. In his view. infomally structnred though the the Mennonites did not adequately County after man'iage. In 1790 the Al- 1790s, but regular annual meetings of maintain traditional Mennonite doc- bright family lost several children to ill- thc rnini)ters \\ illr rninutes ofdecision' lrine. llances Hen begrn to meet in ness; this tragedy thlew Jacob Albright began to be kept in 1800. Thus 1800 is his home with a group of family and into spiritLral despair. Finally in 1792 olten regarded as the semi-stmctured h'iends for worship, preaching and rvith the assistance ola United Brethren begirrning ol'the United Brethren in pral er. Hc preached in a seatcd posi- lay minister he experienced conver- Christ, though they still regarded thern- tion sinee he recuunizcJ lrc uas not an sion. Although he maintained friendly selves as nonsectarian.l8 This r'ro,,- ordained urinister?4 relations with the United Brcthren, he sectarian spilit meant United Brethren The fom of Hen's meetings was was not comlbftable with the ir rclaxed ministers spoke fleqLrently in Men- renalkably like the "classes" initiated by approach to discipline and to chulch non ite. Baptist. Lrrthcran. Metlrodisr the other Lancaster County Pielist groups, ordinances like baptism. He initially at: and Reformed churches- and is cr-ucial and Her's role was similar to that olthe filiated u.ith the neu" EnglishJanguage in explaining the impact ofthe United - (oLttiltue.l o pdge 4 -

Ontafio Mennonile lftblary is published semi-annually by the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, College, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G6, and distributed to all members of the Society. It is distributed fiee of charge to public libraries and school libraries in Ontario, upon request. Editor: Barb Draper Editorial Committee: Linda Huebert Hecht, Lorraine Roth, Marion Roes Financial assistance from the Ontario Ministry ofCitizenship and Culture is gratefully acknowledged. lnquiries, articles, book notices or news items should be directed to the Editor, Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario c/o Coruad Grebel College, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3c6 TEL. 519-885-0220, FAX 519-885-0014 I'age 4 - Gnthue.lf ont pase J - the relationship ofthe United Brethen and the "exhofter" in the emerging Unrted Refomed Mennonites. "lt Blcthren arrd tr angelical communitie.. is said fthe United Breth- L. ll rr,r,,,r r 'l ,l l-\\l r. -4 During the years ofthese house renl separated from the l------r q pi- Mennonites in Lancaster rreerings. teenager John Herr. rn a [:,,",..,.',1 cal Pietistic manner. experienced deep Counfy, Pennsyh'ania, on '._---.1. 1--- '-' --- emotional concem about the state ofhis account ofrest ctions, \\ \l\L l-I.-t;1. t-'..------1 asrd*s -t i r'\llrrir.- I salvation. He called on God fbr mercy and that the Refomed ! \,t1 , \ l,: I t .[.t. .: but felt his prayer unheard. He also Mennonites separated 1'eared fbr the salvation ofhis brothers lion the United Brethren and sisters. Later in an aurobiographi- on account of liberties."27 The tounships o/ Welland Counll cal essay he recounted experiences of accident and illness and the death Early Immigrants to of Winger and Jacob Sider moved to Ber- Welland County his brother'-in-law that underscored his tie Township after \192. Berlie Town- au'areness state Around We'll norv look brielly at the earliest olhis ofsin. ship became the core of a new Tunker Anabaptists who arrived on the Niagara I 810 after a series ofpersonal crises, settlement that became more prominent John Herr finallv achieved a sense of Peninsula, pafticularly in what became ' )< than the one in Pelham Township.l0 pcrsonal salvatron. " Welland County. We won't dwell on the 1786 settlers at "The Thirty" or the later Also in 1788 the Abraham Bearr and a small group continued Hen (c1723-1799), ( group that became the core of this settle- Christian Stoner 1752- to meet privately for worship, but ment at The Twenty in 1799 and l 800. I 835), Christian Krisely ( 1757-c 1 836) 1812 they organized and elected in and Abraharn Neff (c.1746-?) thmilies \\ ithin rwo of the l-86 irnmi- Her to be minister. A member of the lears lrom York and Lancasler countie: group grants, Pennsylvania Mennonites began baptized him and he assumed arrired rn \\ elland. lhese farnilies the leadership group. was a to arive in significant numbers from ofthe Her became the core of the later Reformed both the Franconia and Lancaster settle- charismatic and influential speaker, and Mennonite renewal. Like the Winger his movement was more dynamic and ments. Christian Sevits (Zavits)(I750- clan, the Stoners, Knisely and Neff I 826) came to the Sherkston area along engaged with the larger society than his families were interrelated. Christian more traditional Mennonite contempo- Lake Erie and apparently estabJished Stoner was married to Abraham Nefls raries. The Relbrmed Mennonites were a mill. Within fbur years his parents, niece, Elizabeth ( 1760-1849) and Jacob (1728-1800) and Magdalene, two rrore'-urbarr" lhan olher Vennon ite Christian Knisely u'as manied to Chds- groups, and more and blothers, Henrl (1748- 1 810) and Jacob attracted doctors tian Stoner's sisier.3 I Abraham Beu- ( 1752-1815), and their families came to educators in its lirst decades than the uas lhe brother of United Brethren in Berlie and Humberstone Townships.28 Lancaster Confbrence Mennonites.26 Christ founder, Martin Boehm.32 Other These families came from the Flanco- Hen did not associate with other re- Mennonite families who came tiorrr nia Mennonite communities nodh of neu''al groups because he believed they Lancaster County to the Sherkstor area Philadelphia. did not marntrin consisterrcy rn lherl about the same lirne included Chris- Christian lives. For Hen true disciple- Other settlers began to arrive in topher Cr.rlp and brothers Michael and jrr ship rellected the new birlh and was Pelham Tou nship the center of Caspar Sherch (Sherk). more imporlant rhan lc\limo- the Niagara Peninsula. Three Winger dranraric By 1790 there \\'ere three Anabaptist nies siblings John (c 1750- 1828), Mary about one's conversion, though "settlements" on the Niagara Penin- his own autobiography provided that (c 1755-c 1808) and her husband, Jacob sula the earliest in the area of"The dramatic type testimony. Herr Sider (1758-1825), and Anna (1759- of did Thirty" (Clinton Township), the second 1832) and her husband Jacob Damude not "f'ellowship" with other churches. in Pelham To*'nship (between Welland TIri. generally meanl not taking (1758-1839) arived in 1788. Johr tem and Fonthill) and a third scattered along was already a River Brethren (Tunker) the Lord's Supper with members of the Niagara River and Lake Erie shore practice minister, and probably leader ofthe other churches. I suspect the of in Willoughby, Bertie, Hurnberstone not attending the seruices of, or pray- group, but he and his sisters were of and Wainfleet Townships. These were persons the Mennonite heritage. Others with them ing with, outside Refomed not "compact" settlements in any sense, Mennonite Church was not an original were Groh and Steckley families. River with the fhmilies in many cases spread doctrinal position, Brethren Bishop Jacob Engle visited but developed over over substantial distances that would time as a defensive mechanism. the new Niagara settlernent aheady have limited frequent contact. in 1789 and rnay have ordained John Ontario Mennonite lay historian, J.C. Wincer as the Bishoo of lhe Canadiarr Since only one ofthe settlerrents Fretz, quoted an old aphorism about Iunf,er communin at rhis time.2a John had ordained religious leadership as I'age 5 pafi oftheir migration, the Pelham speaking Protestants in Upper Canada the horne of Jacob Miller. doubtless 5 settlement ofTurkers likely was first to in the late 1830s. Their ellofis in the tlle "Mcnnon rre" m in irrer.J Christ ian hold regular worship ser.rices, lbllowed Niagara Peninsula soon made an impact Newcomer, a United Brethlen leader, by the Bertie Tunker comnrunity. on the Mennonites of Welland County in a visit to Canada also mentions being There were also hvo small Menno- as well as at "The T\\'enty" where there hosted by Jacob Miller.36 nite settlements in New York Statc on was a major division at the end olthe Miller likely sen-ed as a "bridge" be- the U.S. side of the Niagara River that I 84us. lheearliesr Frangelical Associ- tween the Mennonites and the renewal regu Iarl5 intersectcd wrth Mennonites ation congregation in Niagara emerged groups. His Riverside church remained in Niagara. These were in near Stevensville in Welland County. open to Daniel Hoch after Hoch was 'ettlcrnents Erie County (Clarence/Williamsville) expelled from the Memronite Confbr- and Wheatfield Township in Niagara Willoughby & Bertie Tonnships ence olOntario, and consequently the County ("The Falls" settlement). Willoughby Township was the Ioca- renewal groups met with significant lion ofan interesting United Brethren The Mernorrite communities in success among the Mennonites in influence on the Mennonile and Tunker Upper Canada were not seriously Welland County. comnunities. This centred on an disturbed by the renewal groups until lhe prirrarl traditional Venno- enigmatic minister named Jacob Miller the 1830s, except for the attraction that rrite corrmunitl in Berrie Torr nship ( 1772-1841) rvho lived along the Ni- TLrnkers held lor isolated Vennonite> rn that sur,'ived u'as at Sherkston. Jacob agan River. By the 1820s he preached We lland County. But during the | 830s Zavitz (Sevitz) had anived in 1788, in the "r-rnion" Riverside meeting- evangelistic efforls by the renewal and his sous, George ( l78l - 1858) and house. Millcr had inimigrated to Upper -48- groups began in eamest. The Evangeli- John 1 I I R72,1 became leaders in Canada tiom Penlsylvania by 1 804. cal Association and United Brethren the Sherkston Mcrrnonile commttniq. lrr Pennsl lr ania hc had been a Ia1 rrere fully organized. arrd both tlcnonri Bishop leadership fbr both Black Creek minister in the United Brethren move- nalions supported traveling ministers (Riverside) and Sherkston was usually nrcrl. bul probably had a Mennorrite similar to the Methodist circuit ders, provided by bishops from the U.S. side backgr-ound. In Canada he ret-ened to $ ho vi5Ied any rccepti\ e cornmurrilies olthe Niagara River. For reasons that his group as "Mennonite." A later local and had preaching senrices in homes, are not clear. the churches in Welland historian, M.G. Sherk, said that Miller schools, or if permitted in churches. Corrnty dtd har e a clo:e relation'hip called himsell Mennonite in order to Convefts would be baptized, but often $ ith those in Lincoln County. After obtain military exemption status.33 the fledgling group of'neu'convefis Vineland-based bishop Jacob Moyer's would be too snral) to organize a con- Jacob Millel was maried to Barbara death, bishop oversrght in Welland glegation. John Herr ofthe Relonned Hershey (1771-1840), a daughter of County did not come lrom the Lincoln Mennonites also began to travel fbr John B. Flershey (1741-1811) u'ho had County. lbr a timc as a Mennonile beyond Lancaster County. He had scn ed short John Herr made his first trip into minister near I'Ialrisburg, PA, but by cousins in the Williansville, NY area, Canada in 1833. This was pan ofa 1791 had become a United Brethren and by 1833 had cstablished a tlrir ing . ,t/ larger tour that also took him to Wil- Drnrsler ll) ]vlar1 land - ' congregation there. At the same time liansville in Erie County, New York. he visited the Niagara Peninsula and f rcn if Jacob Miller uas Mennonrte Hen's uncle, Henry Her, had moved to organized churches therc. by self-identification in Upper Canada, Williamsville earlier. so John Herr had The Evangelicals began systematic he u'as very ecumenical and provided numerous relatives in the Williamsville n.rissiolary u'ork among Genlan- a preaching location 1br visiting United area. The 1833 visit resulted in a nurn- Brethren and Evan- ber of convefis, and the Williamsville gelical Association Relbrmed Mennonite congregation was ministers. Soon af- organized the following year with 21 ter the War ol I 812 members.3T John Dreisbach, While John Hen organized a larger leader in the a Refbrmed Mennonite settlement in Evangelical Asso- Humberstone Township along Lake ciation, visited two Erie, a Refbrmed Mennonite group also uncles in Grimsby emerged in Berlie Township ne ar Ste- and Ancaster, and vensville. A Iog church, located west of preached in the Stevensville. was built on land donated Niagara Peninsula by Benjamin Bearn in l82E.l8 Berla- as he had occa- The Shet k.rton Cht ch tlLts the osl lang lt|ed Old llfeunonitc min Beam was the grandson o1' sion. His preach- thurch in Wellutd Ctnolt'- Il rlas sold ta !he Brctht cn in Christ in ing stops included 193 L lNlcnhonitc .4t thi|e.t al OnlLlrio colleclion 1990- l.I ) - Cutinu,:.d t,i t)age 6 - - Cantinued.fiom Pdge 5' for a community that had experienced gelicals approached their mission rn traditional ecumenical cooperation with Upper Canada systematically, and put inrmigrant Abraham Beam and other groups. church snxctures into place at an early a great-nephew of United Brethren The Evangelical Association be- date. Although United Brelhrerr circuit founder- Martin Boehm. I believe this gan its own deliberate visits to Upper preachers had traveled through Upper they was likely a traditional Mennonite Canada in 1836. Wilhelm Orwig, an Canada on numerous occasions, meetinghouse prior to John Her's or- fvangelical Association leader u riting did not establish a structure to nurture ganization ofthe new group, but there some twenty years later, said: lhe new converts. Thus congregations is not firm evidence ofthis. identified as United Brerhren in Niagara did not come until after the period of lnitially there were no ordained In several regions ofthat prov- tliis study, although United Brethren Reformed Mennonite leaders stationed ince ofthe English empire lived a theological influence was marked at Stevensville; the ministers fiom great many Germans who, for the through the ministry of Jacob Miller Humberstone Township and fiom Erie most par1, had emigrated thither and the visits ofitinerant United Bretb- County, NY, provided the necessary lrom Perrnsylr ania. and u ere. in a ren ministers. leadership. Samuel Beam was the first religious point of view, in a very minister ordained fbr this field and neglected condition, having either Thus the Mennonites in Willoughby Jacob Young the first deacon. Sanruel no preacher at all, or only such as and Bertie Townships were divided into Beam was also a grandson ofAbraham were rrot wonhy of the narne of three factions by the end ofthe 1830s Beam. an evangelicaL preacher.au earlier than the churches at "The joined Bishop John Seybeft of the Eva - Twenty." Signifi cant numbers gelical Association, who visited Upper J.G. Zinser first visited Upper the Reformed Mennonite renewal, and preached horres Canada in the late 1830s. had an Canada, and in the another faction was attracted to the interesting comment about the Tunkers, of Mennonites Martin and Christian Evangelical Association. As happens Mennonite and Reformed Mennonite Shaub near Black Creek. Michael Eis in any such division, this likely meant communities he would have encoun- also began regular preaching visits to another portion simply withdrew frorr partici- tered: Black Creek and Stevensville by 1838. the Llifficulr circurnslances and By I8Jq the Erangelical Associalion pated very nominally in the church, or had agreed to establish fottr missions in with another Protestant Many ofthem endeavored to fellowshipped o al Berlin. Ontario church Then there were the lead a quiet, virtuous, peaceable Upper Canada t\ nearby. and two at Black Creek.4l active Tunker congregations that would life. But as regards the spi tual provided a home for many lif'e that comes frorn God- the After the first yeal of the mission at have oftheir cousins. This left new birth and the renewal olthe Black Creek, Michael Eis reported: Mennonite Anabaptist one traditional Mennonite church hearl by the Holy Ghost, they only in Bertie Township the one located at are generally ignorant, klowing ... fTlhe religious condition of nothing ofthe blessedness of true these people in general is indeed Sherkston. godliness... Among the New [Re- wretched. Their rnostly formed] Mennonites some may consists in the obseruance of Hunberstone Township have had a religious hean experi- some rites and . Yet I Humberstone Township was the ence. but the) uere r ery egotisti- can say, that a great change has early home of the Neff, Itrisely and cal and separated from all other already taken place, and many Stoner families that came lrom Lan- good men and could, therefore, do begin to inquire what they must caster County about 1788. Other nothing for the improvement of do to be saved; and already some Memonite family names here included the German people of Upper Can- proless to har e lound peace with Zavitz, Kinsy, Zimnerman, Hershey ada, hence there was no improve- God.+l and Sherk. nrent in the seneral condition of That this communiq had an ac- . 10 these untortunate people." The mission at Black Creek was so tive Mennonite fellowship is clear successful that by the end of 1839 tt fiom Bishop Jacob Moyel's Bible that "circuil" This ofcourse reflected John had been chanped to a resular mentions a council meeting in [ 8l 9 at Herr's refusal to fellowship with other with a membership of 8,1.+r Sugar Loaf (Humberstone) held on suc- Christian groups, even those who had In Pennsylvania the United Brethren cessive days at Christian Kleislis, Mi- experienced a measure of "awaken- made greater inroads into the Men- chael Sherks and John Wengers. This ing." The exclusive nature of Refomed nonite cornmunitres. B; contrast. in sugge\ts rhere \.\as no meelinghouse in Mennonite theology would have made Upper Canada greater influence came place at the time. There are a number of the di\ ision within the local Mennonite flom the Evalgelical Association. fi'aditions that suggest the early Men- comrnunity very difficult, especially This was primarily because the Evan- nonites initially may have worshipped Page 7

The enigma ofthe Re- denonination in 1946. ln I 968 the formed Mcnnonites cor.r- E.U.B.'s merged with the Methodist tinues to need analysis Church in the United States to fbrm the in the absence ofgood United Methodist Church: in Canada it joined church records. (There and becanre pad oltlte United Church of Canada are not good church re- at the same tirrre. The Refbnned Mennonite Church cords, because Relormcd has rnaintarned ir. narrre rnd di.ciplinc Mennonites on principle srnce the earll lalh cenrrrrJ. br.r rs did not keep n.rembership con.idcr.rbll srnlljer in .ize rhtn it u a, lists.) Where Reforrned in l \40. Qnly tu o Rerorrn,:d Vennonire Mennonite fbunder. John congreeations rernarrr in ( anada in The Re/orncd Mcnnonite Chto'cl? Ltt .*e\)en\ville ru\ hltilt in Herr. traveled he man- 2006 one in Stevensville and orre near 187] .tnd is still iti lt" aged to establish thriving Amulrce in Pert County. congregations. 5 Stephen L. Longenecker. Piety und in schools or union meetinghouses, The attraction ofa Toleronce . Pennslrami6 (ieyma, but there is uot firm evidence ofthis. Religion, 1700-1850. Vol. (Metuchen, wam conversion experience combined 6 Even more puzzJing is our inability to N.J.: Scarecrow Press. 1994). with a cedainty ofpersonal salvatiorr identill ordained V ennon itc nriniqter{ 6 A grr,rd i1111116xq1ar1 rerr on Prerirm i, attracted nany Mennonites in Niagara. in the Hunberstone/Wainfl eet area. Dale W. Brown. Linderstanding Pietism, Another series ofdivisions a genera- Rev. ed. (Nappanee. lnd.: Evangel Pub. Several possibilities come to rnind lion jalcr trrrderrcored this altraction. I-louse, 1996), 125. the niost likely is that an existing Only a11er a significant minority ol 7 Brou'n.21-22. Although thc Mennonite congrcgation in Humber- Mennonites left to lbrrr the Old Order Pcnnsylvania German Pictists stone was alnrost complcteJy conveficd Mennonites in the I 880s/1890s. did the sontelinle< denred r "crisrs erperrenee by John Herr and simply became a Vcnnurrilc ntajolitl emblar.e lire rer ir. was neces\ary lo sal!alion. tn practtce Relormcd Mennon rrc congregariorr in alisnr and assurance of salvation it had it was very highly valued and expccted. the mid-1830s. Brothers John Stolcr rcsisted for so long. By then it was too Longenecker'. l06tll ( l-80 l8b I I lnd Abraharn Sroncr. latc tu levrre thc Wclland Vennonire 8 Quoted in Carlton O. Wittlinger, Ore.s1 ( 1796- 1848) (sons of imnigrant Chris- conrmunity. .fbr Pien, and Obedience . The Story of tian Stoner) u,ere early minister-s in the the Brethren llr Clrlrt (Nappance, Ind.: Evangcl Press. Relbrrned Mennonite congregation at 1978). (Endnotes) a Humberstone. Translated and reprilred in Clrri:riarr Is it possiblc one of therr I llarold Nigh, "The Losr Tribes ofthc Burkholdcr, "Useful and Edilying had been a minister in an earlier tradi- Niagara Plairr Fdk," i1ennoge4r.iich 4, Address to the Young, on True tional Mennonite congregation'? Johrr no. 2 (Scptenber I086, 1986). t3-18. Repentence. Saving in Christ Jesus, Sloner n ls "r'clicr ed" as rrrinister in http: **umhsoorg. r Pure Love to God arrd our Neighbor, thc Rclorrned Ven non 2 For hackgruund on iEth c.nturl ite congrcgaliotl Obedience to the Word olGod and about I Merrrronitc piety see the chapter 841, though this could have oc- on a Full Sunender of the Soul into His ''Religi,'rr. lnnrr I rti: Venrrunrles cuned 1br a number ofrcason..44 Hrnd. in Questrons !ld Ans\\er: in and Pietisln ' in Richard Kcru,in C h ris I i dn Sp ir ituLl I Cl onye rs ut i on o.t MacMaster, Land, Pien,, Peoplehoocl Summary Sdving Ftrith,.for the Youtg in Questions . The Establishnent af Mennonita Unlike Waterloo, on the Niagara and Answers, ancl a Confbssion of Faith, (ontnlL!tlities in A tet.icu, 1683 1790- Peninsula, the Mennonites in Welland of the Mennonites, with on,Tppendix Vol. I (Scottdale. Pa.:Herald Press. County (Lancaster, PA: John Baer's Sons. were never a compact com- r985). 157-182. -o-25-.. l8-x). | Sce I 81. 22o-22 I munily. Land was purchased as it u,as 3 John L. RrLth. The Ettrth is the Lord'.r See also Ruth, The Earth is the Lord's. available from Loyalists uLro did not . A Norrdlire F{isla4, of the l.tncasler want to farm the land grants they had Me n n on i te C on;fe re n ce, Y oI. 39 l0 The source for this secrion unless r eceived. Mennonites (Scottdale. Pa. Warerloo. ON: rvere quickly ; Heralcl other$'isc noted is the standard history Press. 2001 I interspersed u'ith English-speaking ). 3 7-31 E.. ofthe Brethren in Christ, Wittlinger, 4 neighbors. The diversity rvithin the Thcse groups all continue in Canada st QLtest Jbr Pie\ cnd Obeclience . The in the 21 century community \\'as great. Travel behveerl it'l modifiecl nanles Slon of tlte Brethren in Christ,580 and lorms. The Tunkers in 1933 took the Mennonite settlements in the pen- I i Wittlinger, 23. E. Moris Sider says this tl're more lornal Brethren in Christ insula was not easy, and the dispersed baptism took place between 1778 and name cll'their sister denomination in Welland County Mennonite commu- 17t30 in the Conoy Creek near Jacob the United States. The United Brethren nities were not fiequently reinforced Engel's farrn, a shoft distance from the and Evangelical Church (as it becarne through interaction Suscluehanna River and rvith the Mennonite knou,n in 1922) firsr nerged into the folks at "The Twcnty." Evangelica] United Brethren (E.U.B.) - Continue.l an puge E - Page 3

i gnr.cgi?db=dzavitz (accessed 30 AtLg, - (antinLtcd fiont Pds( 7 - the Methodist church. u'ho did not "preach" but sometiInes througl] 2005 ).. tricd to bIing 29 Ruth. The Eutth is the Lorcl's A thc Villagc of Marietta in northwest \cr) ern,'lroltal .rpperl' experience. Ndrrdlive Histol oJ tlle LLlt1(4ster Lancaster County. E. Morris Sider and listeners to a conversion ! Meanni/e Corle renca,3(t2. Nigh. Brethren in Clhlist Chutch. Canadian Stapleton described Riegel as an perhaps The Lost Tribes of lhe Nrugara Pluin ( onlercnie. The lJr, th en ttl l ltt trt t4 "indepcndent" preachcr which stance ofthe Folk,11 ; Asa W. Climenhaga. Hrlo/'-r' Cantrtla . Tv,o Htndt ed Years o.f Trtrdition reflects the nonsectarian group the end ofthe ofthe ftretltren in Christ Church und Chemge l{anrlton, Ont.: Canadian United Brcthren at was attracted 1

P.rrt a/ lhe Old Niagora River Roaa (1 789-l 87 1 ) see Stapleton, 525-528. have been a Mennonite meetinghouse (Toronto: Ontario I listorical Society, 36 Newcomer. 308. that became Refbrmed Mennonite 1929), l0- 1 1.. Mennonite Archives ol 37 Burkholder. 244-245; Herr Genealogy uhen a rnajoril oIthe eongregation Ontario. i.C. Fretz collection Box 1, fblder for Henry Her. The lirst Relonned lavored that afllliation after John Herr's 30. Mennonite minister at Williamsville visit to Canada in 11133. l4 J ud rth Han.-Descendant. o l'ChrisLiarr was John Reist (1800-1879). Reist 39 Quoted in Albright,,110. Herche (Hershey)," Judith Hart, http:// was related by marriage to the Long 40 On ig, 188. www.myancestralli le.com/hershey/ family in Williansville, who uere 4l Albright, 410-,11 1. Marlin Sheup u'as index.hhr.r (accessed August 16, 2005). also related by marriage to the Hcrrs. identified as Mennonite in Michael Barbara Hershey Miller js no. 236. Reist and his family had actually Gonder's I E37 Memorandun of That John B. Hershey was originally immigrated to Bertie Tou'nship in Assessment for Willoughby Township. a Mennonite minister is confirmed in 1800. and owned land uhere Fort Erie See J.C. Fretz, The Early Histon ofthe Noah Good's list olordinations in the is presently located. When the War of Mennonites in II/elland County, p. 2l. Lancaster Conference found iu Ruth. 1812 broke out, they felt threatened by ,12 Quoted in Onvig, 27.1. The Earth is the Lord's, p. 11,19. their location. and moved back across ,13 AJb|ight, 412. 35 Stapleton, lrrals ofthe Evangelicol the Niagara River to Williansville, ,14 Richard Rcmnrel. ""Ministers and Association of Norlh Anericd end N.Y. Henry G. Reist, Pelei' Renl o/ Deacons ol'llre Re lbnned Vennonrte Histot t- of the Uniled Evangelical Ldtl cds ter CoLt n lt, P en nsy I ta ni tt on d Church f'rom the Time of John Her"" Church. 109, Orwrg. 8,1; AIbright, sotne oJ His Descendartu (Schenectady. (Photocopy of typescript, Waynesboro, ,120; for Dreisbach's relatives in Upper NY; H.G. Reist, 1933). PA, 1e5,r,., frctz Ix, Burkholder. Canada and quotations fi.om his diary 38 James A. Galloway, "Bicentennial 246.Ji11 Fyf fe, "Cowan,/Stevens/Sisson/

about an I 8l6 visit to Canada see ( clcbration. Boehnr's Chdpel Socrel) . Gray/Hal laday/Hou, elIlT t o\tp / Za\ itzl "Descendants of Johannes George http://r'ww.boehmschapel.or g/ Pendergast/Scarlelt/Steele/Doan."

Buchs." http://horrepages.rootsweb. gene/.%5Cdata%5CGallorvay I 991 . RootsWeb's WorldConnect Project, conr/-nrcclell2/hornepage/buchs.fi f PDF (accessed May 111, 2005).The http:,1$'c.rootsweb. con/cgi-bin/igm. (accessed August 16,2005). For a early date ofthis land donation would cgi?op:GET&db=saby&id=15473 biographical sketch of John Dreisbach suggest the initial Iog church'tnay" (accessed 30 December 2005. 2005).

ElmiraFarmers'Shed By Marion Roes

When Mennonite famers want to the automobiles were being built and supply ofnatural products. I{ence Ieave theil horse-and-buggy sheltered in some cases were remodelled from a larger number of farners bring from the elements while they do er- fomrer stables and liveries. In general, in their produce and trade jn this rands in Elmira, they can still use the tlre need lor prrblic srables had drmin- cornnruniry....This i. a queition Elmira Fanlers' Shed. The steel shed ished. Not so in Elmira. A large lumber afTectjng both the fanner and our oftoday is adjacent to the municipal of latmer>. Vennonrte and non-Men- citizeruf. In the matter of shed ac- parking lotjr-rst west ofthe rnain street nonite, regularly brought their produce commodation Miss Elmira needs in Elmira. and trade to this community, especially a new overcoat....lt was agreed The Elmira Famer's Shed has a 1br the monthly Prg Fair. When C. W. that the supplying of ample long history. At the tr.nn of the 201h Quickfall purchased the Zilliax hotel driving shed accommodation in century, hotel accommodation inciuded barn on Church Stleet West in early Elmira a neighborhood ques- stables for farmers' and travellers' 1920, he plomised to "leave the shed tion-in which Elmira is as fully horses. John Studdick, proprietor of open as long as possible for the accom- concemed as are the fbrmers: and the Floradale Hotel, advertised, "Good modation of our famers." However. that the t\\, o pafties most directly stabling. Good Livery in connection" the need lol a replacemenl r'r as iner i- interested can best solve it by to- in the 1899 Elmira newspapers. Ads table. A committee was tbn'ned and gelher undcflaLing the pror ision for the Zilliax House i;r Ehnira boasted. members called a meeting for January of the desired shelter.r "The best accon.rmodation for the trav- 24, 1q20. Farmcrs u ho rnade Elnrira At the meeting, 25 to 30 f'amrers elling public. Good meals at all hours. their marketing centre attended. heard that had already Large Stables. An attentive hostler The Elmira Signet reported that: a sub committee looked at rnelal always at hand." I inuood's clad skaling rink building, which was for sale, but In 1920, the Elmiro,tlgrel repofied Elmira has of late years had a decided it would be too expensive to that there were 139.288 motor vehicles steady growth. It has an industrial _t ou ned in Ontario. ' Carages lo serrrice population that requires a larger - aontinue.l on pase lA - Pagc l0

- aantinucd lia t pds. 9 - Iimit of four to one person. Provisional be lemoved and the shed re-built lrom .a directors and olicers elected were: thc toundrtron up. ' dismantle, move and lebuild. Henry Benjamin Bmbacher (plesident), Henry Serendipitou.lS. t Ire annual meeLing and George were ap- Klinck Miller Klinck (secretary-treasurer), John olthe shareholders had been scheduled pointed to meet $'ith town council Ge isel. Adam Mattusch and David 1br tirat Saturday moming. Directols and ask for assistance. Council heard Bmbacher. elected by 160 shareholders present the representatives on January 27 and u,ere: Israel Bearinger, Anson Ging- appointed a committee consisting of Elmira Monthly Fair rich, Cyms Bowman, Enos M. Mafiin Messrs. and to Winger, Allgeier Small and Josiah G. Martin. The shed was meet the cor.nmittee and The with famers' Flmira Monthll Fair lPig insured against loss by fire and wind make a decisior.r. is r-rnique, js Day) Iin] that it the only. After a great deal ofdiscussion, only one of its kind in the Do- it was decided that a joint meeting was Joint Stock Company mirriorr of Carrada. Established in needed with the directors ofthe Fann- ,10 1865, is held On Febmary 1,1, 1920, persons it the lirst Monday ers' Driving Shed of Elmira Ltd., the elected Henrl Klinck to be chaiman of befbre the second Tuesday of Planning Board oi the Llnrira Plarrning montlr, the meeting and HenrJ B. Eix secre- eaclr rain or shirre. Auc- Area. the Elmira Towr.r Council and tary. A cornmittee had viewed available tion centres are the Steddick Hotel building lnspcctor Nonnan Hipel. At sites and selected the one to the rear and the lront ofthe Fanners' this meeting, held on February 5, 1952, Shed. ofthe Genz and Hahn properties on Mennonite farmers and oth- "Everyone agrecd that shed acconr- ers come the Althur Steet, rccently purchased by from communities ol modation was a necessily in Ehlira and Mr. G. O. Wahl.r Mr. Wahl agreed to three townships, u''ith fron 600 to should be plovided without delay."9 sell 105 feet at the rear ofthe property 700 horses and buggies and can, Discussion included repairing the shed and a righlof-way l6 feet wide on the nraking the day more ofa south side of the fomer Hahn propefty community get-together. 6 at the price ol S I ,000. If a right-of-way r.vas wanted on the nofth side, the cost Sheep, cows, dogs and wouldbe$1.300. little pigs were traded or sold at the nonthly fairs as well The plars u'ere to erect a closed shed as anything second hand or 180 x 57 f'eet and 28 feet high u'ith an homenade : fu iriture. fanlr open shed on the south side 180 x 25 implements, hamesses. Until feet. Together they would accommo- sometime in the 1930s. Fair date 00 teams. or rnotor ca|s- figuring day business transactions six f'eet to a team. The cost would be except pig sales took place $7,148, not including the land. in fi'ont ofRuppel's store at Allgeier Councrllor reported that Mr. Church and Afthur Streets. It already had Winger subscriptions from had become a traffic hazard local business men for $450 and hoped but police welen't able to 1o raise ir ro $500 or nrore. Speaking disperse the crowd. Perhaps The Elmiru Fu nters Shed t eplaLei holcl lirerJ sltlhles (leli) on behalf of the Elmira council. Mr. it was then that one ofthe t1t( h Lls ll1c.v al the Tilliut Hotel in Elntira erbout Allgeier said that "u'hile the Council I 9 I 0. ( Mennon i te Arch i|es o/ Ontat'ia ca I le( tion auctioneers set up in front could not give a shed company Dif:itul 122) driving ofthe fanners' shed. Other exemption ftom taxation, it was ready auctioneers followed and the give and using salvaged material, however to it a low assessment. And fufther old custom was finally changed.T it would, had it been legal to do so, "since the shed u.as a public building, rrake a granr toward briilding a shed.'4 repair plans would have to be plepared Shed collapses A few men favored an open shed, but by an architect and submitted to the Early Saftuday moming, on January the motion to "build a shed on the Wahl depaftment of labor for approval before 26, 1952, the Elmira Farmers' Shed propefy as proposed was passed." The the local building inspector could issue collapsed under tons of wet snow. From l0Il driveway was to be on the south side r pcmrir." rcbuildingrnas re- January 3 I to March 13 that year the and l8 feet wicle.) quired, it u''ould bc more costly. Elmirct Signet reported on the col)apse The Farmer''s Co-operarive Drir - and the building "bee" for the new In the meantime, up to 40 farnrers at a time worked at twisted and ingshed Lirnited was the approved driving shed. Although it was the centre clearing nal.re of the joint stock company. section which collapsed, "the standing broken arches. liaruework and metal Shares wel'e to be $25 each with a end sections ofthe shed...will have to roo{ing f}om the site. When it was de cided that a ne\r' shed would be built opcration they have received in on the existing foundation, another town during the past few u'eeks. gloup of larrners. mo.tl1 Mennonite. We have ltlt that the people ot' look dor,vn the end sections. Elmira were really anxious to help us. Wc cspecially appreci- On Wednesday, Thurcday and ate the generous donations we Friday, fMarcb 5, 6, 7] the gang are receiving lrom merchants swelled to 80 amateur carpenteN and businessmen. Without all rvho prefabricated the nine trusses this help u'e ourselves couldn't on the ice-covered ground, laid the har e leplaced thc verl necessary rvood "plate" on the loundation timers sh.d.l i rvalls, cut the inter-truss bracing to rcquired length and nrade othel plep- Annual Meetings alations for Sahrldar'. rririns I l The Elmira Fair Deqler re- ported the 42nd annual meeting On Saturday. March 11.240 arca farm- of the Elmila Farmcr's Driving ers held a traditional "bee" and laiscd Shed in 1962: Llhtn thL'slteclcollttp.retl ttnder the veight oJ heav, nine nlain trllsses fbr a new building on .rnov in 1952. il r']jt\ rcbuilltilh u .\hcLl-t'Lt!sing bee. the foundation ol'the old one. Thc lirst Re-clccted u'ere: Enos M. (Muntniite.t At thi|es o/ Otlltu io olledion DuriLl one was hoisted al9:45 a.m. and the last Mxfiin, R.R. 1. Elmira, presi- H nshet qer 955) went up in the early aliemoon. Trusses, dent; Ephriam L. Marlin. made ol laminated wood and weighing Drayton, R.R. 2. sccretary- The financial report ofthe 431'd an- about two tons eaclr. were shoved into tfeasureri Josiah G. Martin, Wal- nual meeting in 1963 r.vas sirnjlar: position u'ith long, spiked poles. Clay- lenstein, R.R. 2. r,ice-prcsident; ton Mafiin ofFloradale had lhe contracl Cyrus Borvlnan, Elmila, R.R. 3. Most oi the presenl dircctors and the only others paid were carpenlers and Moses Eby, Elnrira, dircctors. have been in off,ce for about l0 Amon Bowman, RR I . Wallenstein years....The shed is believed to be and Amos Mafiin. Floradale. Bownran one ol'rhree ol its k ind i Onlariu. -rn ploved to be erperl in orgarrizing The business rvas reporled to The other t\\,'o are in Waterloo and rnil dirccting the hbor 1orce."l I have a total income fbl the year St. Jacobs. The Elmira shed is ur- price Net cost oftlle new structure. which of S2,032. The olall-day der the supen'ision ofa caretaker, lbr horse had l gable roof lou el thrn the pler i- acconrmodation dtawn rl'ho is Elam Gingrich of Ehnira. vehicles had remained at the his- ous shed, u'as expected to be $8,000. One ol tlrnila s )enior citi,/ens. The company planned to pay lor it toric price ol10 cents "the only Mr. Henry Klinck, was treasurer thing in lif'e rvhich hasn't increased through the sale of additional stock ofthe compary for'30 years. The cost through the years," as one and hoped-for cash dorrations. Enos M. in plices lol acconrmodation har e nrenrher renrarkcd. Mafi in, conrpany president, expressed remained unchanged through the heartfelt appreciation: years. These charges are l0 cents lor a horsc rrr the slred. )5 ientr The directors and ofllcen ofthe Tlre . apitrl ol'the bttsine.s rr as fbr all-day stabling, plus f'eed, Farmer's Drivin.s Shed o1'Ehrira Ltd., placed at S I 1,175. represerttirg:t when horses are unl.litched. and all the larmers rvho regularly trade irtal o1447 shrres issued. l4 in Elrnira, sincerely appreciale the co- The shed continues to be busy with as many as 50 to 60 buggies on the premises at one time. The traditional purposes ofthe build- ing have also been maintained. These are to provide accommoda- tion for horses. and for 1'armers to keep u'am and meet their neigh- bours. "lt is also a place rvhere a lot ofnews gets spread around," remarked a member.

Todd\ tltc Llt)li]d l.dnlpr! Shed is nlade ol tteel.lPhoto b.\ lldtion Roes) - Coninpd ut pLlse l2 - Page 12

- (:antin ed|iom pase ll - 6 Sourenir ol the Elmira Old Boys and Girls Remion 1948, Souvent Booklet The famers' shed warrants almost a Committee (Elmira ON, 1948) pp. 35, 36. Alsaceancestors full page of description in the 1973 re- 7 Isaac R. Hots| Up the Coneslogo, (Mt. Forest. ON. 1979) p. 201. union book for the 50th anniversary of is researching 8 Elmira "Remove Wreckage Alfled Kleitz Elmira. lnfonnation is mostly anecdotal Signet, of Driving Shed. Plan Replacement," families who emigrated from but indicates the importance ofthe shed February 14, 1952, pg 1. Dettwiller, Alsace, to Ontario. to the community: 9 Elmira Signet, "Shed Facilities are He would like to update his Needed Here Joint Meeting Agrees. infbrmation and will give The doors of the Famers' Shed February 7, J952. details he has found ifyou stand wide open as they do all the l0 ibid contact him at allr ed.k)eitz@ time except for several occasions ll Elmira Signet. "Volunteem Stage 'Bee' wanado.fr. during the year when damage by I . Raise framelr ork lor \eu Drir ing Please write to him in pranksters is feared. The n.nnager of Shed," March I 3, 1952. French ifyou can, or he will the Shed is James Eftel and he is ea- l2 ibid have your message translated. ger to point out that he is the "boss." 13 ibid 14 Elmira Fair Dealer. "Rc-elect Farmers' Alfred will send a 16-page The mtes are very modest with Shed Directors," February 7, 1962, pp. chart of immigrants with their a day's board amounting to only 1. 5. families. Marion Roes has the tlirly-five cents... Sunday the shed l5lltc Elnira Old Bor, & Girl' Rertttiun chart as an e-mail attachment is closed. There are fifty-five season 50th Anniversary,,Iune 29 -.Iuly 2, "A and will forward it on request ticket holders who may come from Visit Tnto The Present," Anniversary ([email protected]). as lar away as Conestogo, Erbsville, Booklet Committee, (EImira ON, 1973), Linwood, St Jacobs, Winterboume pc.47 and Wallenstein. Mr. Eftel knows e\ ery one 01 these men. ''

Over 40 years later, in 1998, the shed u as orrce agairr destrol ed. this time b1 fire and under suspicious cir- Catharine Rittenhouse Coverlet discovered cumslances. Once again a shed-raising By Larry Rittenhouse bee uas organized in the Vennonrte comrnunity, but this time the building was made of steel. One of the f'ew Rittenhouse Museum in September, 2005 with a ancestors that Larry Rittenhouse beautiful black and white (summer/ Today the Elmira Farmers' Shed is had very little information on was winter) reversible coverlet, originally still run by a five-man board appointed his great-grand aunt, Catharine belonging to Catharine. It has her name by the various farmers who own the Rittenhouse (1838-1872), older sister in fllll, on a comer with the date, 1857. shares. The doors are still always open; of Moses F. Rittenhouse and Larry's After a lot ofresearch. it still is not a caretaker cleans the shed moming and gleat-grandfather, Rev. Abraham F. knou n hou tlre coverlet ended up in a evening and the offce and washrooms Rittenhouse. Pether family blanket box. The fanrily are locked up ovemight. The rates, either originally lived in the Beamsville daily or yearly, are still modest but cover All he knew u'as her birth and area and have corulections with the the cost oftaxes and upkeep. Today the death dates and that she had been Simpkins, Masales, Hendershot, Elmira Farmers' Shed is probably the married to Jacob Swaftz. There were McCallum, Ball and Su'ackhammer' only one of its kind in the province. no photographs or a family Bible. Very little is known about her husband. t'amilies. either. Catharine died young at the age Based on similar designs on a @ndnotes) 1 Elnira Signet, "Farmers Ask Aid of34 years and is buried in the Vineland Christina Rittenhouse 1870 coverlet In Providing Ample Drivingshed Old Mennonite cemetery. They had no and a Gamer 1860 coverlet, it is almost Accommodalion," January 29, 1920 children and no records have been found cedainly a coverlet woven by Moses 2 ibid on Jacob's later life. but we believe he Grobb. Catharine's uncle and was 3 "Faoners Favor Building Shed on Wahl remanied at least once. likely made for her troLlsseau. Propefiy," -6lmi-d Slgrer, February 19. Tt uas cenainlS a rerl pleasant It is hoped that the Pethers will 1920, pg 1. surprise when Jane and Gjl Pether donate the coverlet to the Jordan 4 ibid of Porl Elgin visited the Jordan Museum collection in the near f'uture. 5 ibid