Herald Of Truth - Volume XIV, Number 4 - April, 1877, pages 61, 63 and 64

A sad accident occurred on Thursday, February 22nd, on Chestnut Ridge, near Dundee, in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, by which two children of August Von Guntere, MARY MAGDALENA, aged 3 years, 2 months and 25 days, and PHILIP, aged 7 years, 5 months and 18 days, lost their lives. The father was engaged in felling trees, and at the same time set fire to an old hollow chestnut tree, from which projected a single limb. About the time the old chestnut was burned through at the foot, his wife with the two children came to the place where he was working, bringing him some cider and apples. The little family sat down together, and the father pared an apple for his little boy, who took it and with the little girl went away from the place where the parents were sitting. Without thinking of the children or of any danger the parents remained on the spot where the children had left them when suddenly the cracking of the old chestnut tree stuck the father's ear and he observed that the tree was about to fall; looking up to see where the children were, he saw them standing just in the spot where the tree must fall. Springing forward to save his children, he was just in time to catch the little girl by the arm, but the great limb projecting from the old trunk reached the spot too soon, striking both the children on their heads and knocking the little girl from his hand. The mother picked up her boy and started for home, but he died in her arms before she reached the house. The little girl lived an hour and a half. The two children were buried in one grave at Dundee on the 24th, where a large concourse of people had assembled to witness the sad scene. Services by Jacob Kilmer and ---- Butner. This severe affliction upon the unfortunate parents demands our kindest sympathies. They were the only children they had. So strong was the mother's love for her dear boy that she felt as though she could not give him up to be wrapped in the shroud. She wept sore and lamented over the untimely death of her children; but Jesus said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Therefore let these parents not think of their children as lost, but gone before, where, if we are faithful, we may meet them.

On the 10th of January, in Haw Patch, Noble Co., Ind., of the infirmities of age, JOHN HARTZLER, aged 80 years, 6 months and 4 days. Services by Joseph Yoder and Jacob Berky from Ps. 90:10.

Feb. 5th, in Wayne Co., Ohio, Sister MARY HOOVER, aged 77 years, 4 months and 10 days. Services by M. Rohrer and F. Good.

Feb. 5th in Holmes Co., Ohio, of measles, HESTER L., daughter of Bro. John and Mary SHOUP, aged 2 years and 17 days.

Feb. 6th, at the same place and complaint, Sister MARY SHOUP, aged 34 years, 4 months and 27 days. She leaves a deeply afflicted husband and 4 children to mourn their loss. Funeral services by H. Kilmer, and Geo. Brenneman.

Feb. 15th, in Davies Co., Ind., of lung fever, Sister ANNA RICHER, aged 42 years, 9 months and 14 days. Sister Richer was sick but 5 days. She departed with a living hope of entering the heavenly mansions of eternal rest. The day previous to her death she called her husband and children to her bedside, and admonished them to live in peace, and hold fast to that which is right in the sight of God. She gave direction concerning her burial clothes, and who should preach the funeral sermon. Services by John and Jacob Graber, from Jn. 5:24--29, and 1 Cor. 15.

Feb. 20th, in Indiantown, Lancaster Co., Pa., widow MARY EBERLY, aged 70 years and 19 days.

Feb. 22nd, in Lancaster Co., Pa., JACOB R. HESS, aged 60 years, 7 months and 11 days. He leaves 7 children and an aged mother to mourn their loss. Buried the 25th at Hammer Creek burying-ground.

Feb. 24th, in Indiantown, Lancaster Co., Pa., DANIEL SCHMUCK, son of Gideon Schmuck, aged 9 years, 6 months and 19 days. He was the last remaining of 9 children. Buried at Groffen Thal burying-gound.

Feb. 25th, near Colebrook, Lebanon Co., Pa., MARIA REESOR, wife of Christian Ressor, aged 60 years, and 4 months. Funeral the 28th. Buried in the family grave-yard. She leaves a husband and 7 children. She was a faithful sister in the River Brethren church. Text: Rev.7:13--17. Farewell, mother, a long farewell! For we shall meet no more, Till we are raised with thee to dwell On Zion's happier shore.

Feb. 26th, in Lakeville, St. Joseph Co., Ind., Bro. ELIAS BEAR, aged 29 years, 3 months and 13 days. Bro. Bear and wife came from Stark Co., Ind., to visit friends. He took sick and died suddenly from cold settling on his lungs. Sermon by M. W. Shank. We should be prepared at all times for we know not how soon we may be called from time to eternity.

Feb. 27th, in Kent Co., Mich., of spasms, infant son of Peter D., and Anna STEINER, aged 1 month and 13 days.

March 11th, in Lee Co., Ill., CHRISTIAN, son of Christian and Susan EBERSOLE, aged 1 yr., and 4 mos. Services by A. Ebersole and J. Allebach.

On the 10th of March, in Elkhart Co., Ind., Sister ELIZABETH JONES, aged 72 years, 9 months and 3 days. Her maiden name was Hummel. She was born June 7th, 1804. Her mother died when she was in her 7th year, and her father being poor, was forced to put his children (three in number, one older and one younger than Elizabeth) out, and she, as orphans and motherless children generally are, was cast upon the cold mercies of the world. She received her education from her father, who was a German school teacher. In 1824, in her twentieth year, she was married to John Jones, with whom she lived until the time of his death, Sept. 30th 1860. She remained a widow to the time of her death, a period of 16 years, 5 months and 10 days. She was the mother of 7 children, one of which died in infancy. She lived to see all the others surrounded by families, and her six children, four sons and two daughters, were all present at her funeral. She had 29 grand-children living and eight dead; 13 great-grand-children living and 3 dead. She and her husband, soon after their marriage, united with the Mennonite church, of which she lived a consistent member unto her death. A few weeks before her departure, she wished to partake of the sacred emblems of the broken body and the shed blood of her Lord and Savior. She called the elders of the church to visit her in her affliction and enjoyed the blessed privilege of communing with a few of the brethren and sisters. Her affliction was of nearly a year's duration, but she was not prostrated until about three weeks before her death. During her affliction she never murmured or complained. She was well aware that the time of her departure was at hand, but being reconciled to the end and retaining her faculties to the last she died in peace and hope of a mansion in the Father's house above. She was buried on the 12th at Yellow Creek, followed to her last resting place by a very large concourse of relatives and friends. Services by C. Christophel and J. F. Funk from 1 Tim. 4:6--8. Peace to her ashes.

Nov. 12th, 1876, in Dade Co., Mo., JOHN M. KISTLER, aged 66 yrs., 8 mos., and 4 days. He lived the life of a Christian, and died in a living hope of meeting his Savior in peace. Before he died, he called his family to his bedside, and told them to take the Scriptures for their guide. He leaves a wife and nine children to mourn their loss. The funeral services were conducted by William Watson.

Dec. 27th, 1876, in Markham*, York Co., Ont., formerly of Somerset Co., Pa., ANNA H?BER**, aged 81 years., 10 mos.

*It could be Markbam. ** The letter is an o or u.

Feb. 5th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., SAMUEL SCHEIDER, aged 61 years, 11 mos., 6 days. Buried the 7th in Kauffman's burying-ground. Text: Rev. 21:7.

Feb. 9th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., EDWIN Z. son of Samuel and Ester ERB, aged 8 yrs., 3 mos., 11 days. Services by Chr. Bomberger and Samuel Landes, from Lam. 3:31--33.

Sleep Edwin dear, and take your rest,
God called you home, he thought it best;
'T was hard indeed to part with thee,
But Christ's strong arm supporteth me.

Feb. 14th, in Marion Co., Kansas, CHARLES E., son of Eli and Mary JONES, aged 1 month, 14 days.

Feb. 14th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., of Scarlet fever, ANNA MAST, aged 3 months and 9 days. Services by Gideon Stoltzfus and John Yoder of Mifflin Co.

Feb. 28th, in Westmorland Co., Pa., JOHN O. OVERHOLT, aged 61 years, and 18 days. Buried March 3rd, in the Mennonite burying ground. Services by Jonas Blough.

March 11th, DANIEL MAST, aged 5 years, 6 mos. and 21 days. Services by David Stoltzfus and Jonathan Kauffman. Both of the above children were children of Amos and Sarah Mast.

March 12th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., of scrofula, WILLIAM H. HABERSTICK, aged 15 years. He suffered very much until released by death.

March 13th, in Leacock, Lancaster Co., Pa., of cancer, PETER SHARP, aged 87 years, 3 mos., and 11 days. The deceased had been insane for about 57 years. Buried the 16th. Appropriate remarks by John Landes, from Ps. 99:12.

Tanscribed by: Cheri Salz , Illinois