Herald of Truth - Volume XII, Number 4 - April 1875 Page 61, 63

Died January 9th, 1875, in Johnson county (sic), Iowa, of Dropsy, Brother JOHN P. KNEPP, aged 56 years, 5 months and 24 days. His remains were buried on the 11th, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and acquaintances. He leaves a deeply afflicted wife and five children to mourn his departure. Services by Amos Yoder. The deceased was unwell for two years; the last year of his life he suffered greatly yet he bore his afflictions with Christian fortitude to the end. During his confinement he had a pleasant dream in which he greatly rejoiced: "Being in a heavenly building, surrounded by a great number of children in the most glorious and happy state."
This dream was repeated. He afterwards rejoiced to hear of the death of a child It pleased God to call a little one from our midst-a grand-child-and by him dearly beloved, it always gave him much joy and comfort when in his presence, Anna, daughter of J.J. and Leah Marner, on the 25th of December, 1874, aged 1 year and 9 days. Being weak and his strength failing fast, when he heard of the above death it affected him greatly; but he was soon permitted to follow, in the living hope of meeting a reconciled God through the merits of the Savior. He was conscious to the end. He was born in Union Co., Pa., joined the Amish Mennonite Church in Mifflin Co., where (he) was married. In 1846 he moved with his family and aged mother-in-law to Mercer Co., Pa. In 1848, to Holmes Co., Ohio, where they have many friends and acquaintances. In the Spring of 1851, they came to Johnson Co., Iowa, where he lived to see his children grown and married. As a neighbor he was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was hospitable, charitable, and lending a helping hand where an opportunity offered. He was always fond of children, and when in their company the writer sometimes observed him making the remark, "Loving Christ is better than knowing all."

"Dearest father thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel,
But 'twas God that hath bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal."
Iowa City, Iowa J.J. Marner.

Febr 3rd, 1875, in Douglas Co., Ill., Sister VERONICA HERSCHBERGER, aged 67 years, 8 months and 20 days. She was a faithful sister in the Amish Mennonite church.

Feb 13th, in LaGrange Co., Ind., of consumption, Bro. TOBIAS YODER, aged 69 years and 18 days. He suffered severely about four months yet he bore his afflictions with Christian fortitude. His remains were buried the 15th, in the presence of many relatives and acquaintances. He was a Brother in the Amish church. Funeral sermon by D.D. Miller and Christ. C. Yoder, from 1 Thess. 4:13.

Febr 16th, in Conemaugh, Somerset Co., Pa., of Intermittent fever, PETER, son of Bro. John and Sr. Magdalena SALA, aged 18 years, 8 months and one day. Funeral services by Peter A. Blough and Jonathan Hershberger.

Febr. 17th, in New Britain, Bucks Co., Pa., Sister MARY F. MOYER, wife of A.M. Moyer, aged 22 years and 8 days. Her remains were interred in the Doylestown Mennonite burying ground on the 20th, on which occasion appropriate remarks were made by Samuel Leatherman, Isaac Overholt, Isaac Moyer, and Isaac Richert from Psalm 103:15-17. She leaves a bereaved husband and two children to mourn their loss. She was well and hearty till the 16th in the morning, and by the next morning she lay a corpse. Here is another example of the uncertainty of life. One moment we may bloom as the lilies of the field, and the next, we may be as a lifeless lump of clay. She became convinced that her course was not right in the sight of God, and calling upon him to bestow his grace, her prayer was granted, and on Christmas day was received into the Mennonite church by baptism at Doylestown.

She is no more, our loved one's gone,
And hard it is to part:
Perhaps we should not grieve and mourn,
But sorrow fills our heart.

God's praise she loud and clearly sung.
Before her sufferings came.
And now she sings the heavenly song,
Of Moses and the Lamb.

Feb. 17th, in McLean Co., Ill., of puerperal fever, MARIA IMHOFF, aged 32 years, 4 months and 7 days. She leaves a husband and 5 children to mourn their loss. She died with full hope of the glory which awaits the death of the righteous. Services by Peter and Joseph Stuckey, and J. Stehley from Isaiah 38.

Feb. 19th, in Champaign Co., Ohio, SARAH A. YODER, wife of Jonathan D. Yoder, aged 26 years, 5 months and 15 days.

"Oft as the bell, with solemn toll,
Speaks the departure of a soul,
Let each one ask himself, "Am I
Prepared, should I be called to die."

Feb. 20th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., near Grove Dale, in the district of Abraham Martin, Sister FANNY A. SHIRK, aged 26 years, 2 months and 29 days. At this place remarks suitable to the occasion were made by the brethren George Weaver and Abraham Martin. The corpse was then taken to her parents in Juniata Co., near McAllisterville. She leaves a husband and one child to grieve their loss. Buried the 24th, in Lost Creek burying-ground. Discourses by Jacob S. Graybill, in German, and Wm. Graybill, in English, from 1 Pet. 1:24.

Feb. 20th, in Hickory Co., Mo., Bro. JOSEPH MILLER, aged 58 years, 9 months and 8 days. He was a faithful brother in the Amish Mennonite church, and died in living faith. He leaves a wife and 8 children to mourn the loss of a husband and father, yet they mourn not as those who have no hope. Services by John Klopfenstein, and Jacob Yoder, from Rev. 14:13.

Feb. 22nd, in Halifax, Dauphin Co., Pa., of pain in the limbs for over three years, Bro. ABRAHAM BOWMAN, aged 79 years, 6 months and 5 days. He was confined to his couch of affliction about one week. Funeral services by Nathaniel Shope, from 2 Tim. 4:6,7.

Feb. 25th, in Harmony, Butler Co., Pa., of consumption, Sister EVA WEISZ, aged 61 years, 4 months and 20 days. She was sick nearly six months, and died in the full hope of meeting her two infants that went before her. She lived the life of a Christian. Leaves a husband and 7 children to mourn their loss. Discourse by Joseph Zeigler, from Rev. 14:13.

Feb. 26th, in Clarence, Erie Co., N.Y., Sister MARIA SCHERER, wife of John Scherer, aged 80 years, 10 months and 28 days. She complained of illness but three hours. For many years she was a faithful sister, and she has now gone to receive the crown of the rightous (sic). Here we have another instance of the uncertainty of life. To-day we live; to-morrow we die. Funeral services by John Lapp, from 1 Pet. 1.

March 1st, in Campden, Lincoln Co., Ind., of Typhoid fever, Bro. DAVID L. MOYER, aged 43 years and 2 months. Funderal services by Jacob Woolner and A.K. Honsberger. Reader, "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live."

March 3rd, in Plumstead, Bucks Co., Pa., HANNA, only child of Henry W. and Eliza WISMER, aged 1 year, 6 months and 5 days.

March 3rd, in Stark Co., Ind., of Lung fever, Bro. NOAH HOCHSTETLER, on his birthday, aged 37 years. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite church. He leaves a wife and 4 children. Services by Jonas D. Troyer, Jonathan Smucker and Seth Troyer.

March 5th, in Fayette Co., Pa., Sister SUSANNA FRETZ, widow of Henry Fretz, aged 83 years. Her remains were laid in the Mennonite burying-ground in Westmoreland Co., where remarks were made by J. Bouch, in English and by J.D. Overhold in German.

March 9th, in Kishacoquilias valley, Mifflin Co., Pa., Bro. JACOB KING SR., aged about 75. He was a faithful member of the Amish church, and was highly esteemed for his many good qualities of head and heart.

March 11th, in New Britain, Bucks Co., Pa., ANNA MOYER, wife of Rudolph Moyer, aged 35 years, 2 months and 29 days. Services by Isaac Overholtzer and Isaac Rickert, form Heb. 4:9. She leaves a bereaved husband and four children.

March 15th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., Bro.SOLOMON MISHLER, aged 75 years, 1 month and 8 days. Services by J.M. Culbertson, J. Anglemyer and Martin E. Kreider.

March 15th, in Holmes Co., Ohio, of sever pain and suffering for nearly two years, Bro. SOLOMON J. MILLER, aged 53 years, 4 months and 12 days. He bore his severe affliction with Christian fortitude, and frequently expressed a desire to be with Jesus. He was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite church. He leaves a bereaved wife and 9 children. He was beloved by all who knew him. Services were held by the brethren Shem Miller and Moses J. Miller.

March 19th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of measles, ENOS SMELTZER, aged 2 years, 8 months and one day. Services by J.A. Beutler in English, and John Metzier in German.

Transcribed by Donna Schrock Birkey, Illinois