Herald of Truth - Volume XV, Number 9 - September 1878, pages 160, 161 and 162

DEATH OF BRO. JOHN LAPP

It becomes our painful and solemn duty to announce the death of Bro. John Lapp, one of the oldest and most respected bishops of our church. He died at his home, in the village of Williamsville, Erie Co., New York, on the 5th of August, the cause of death being paralysis. He had attained the advanced age of 80 years, 1 month and 14 days.

Bro. Lapp was born in Chester Co., Pa., on the 22nd day of June 1798. In the year 1828 he removed to Clarence, Erie Co., and resided there just forty years, having removed to Williamsville in 1868 where he lived up to the time of his death. While in Clarence he became a minister of the Mennonite church, of which he was ordained bishop in 1839. He followed the occupation of a farmer and never received any pay for his ministerial services.

The deceased was married in Pa., in 1818 to Barbara Kurtz, who survives him. He also leaves five sons and one daughter, the former being Jacob and Christian Lapp who reside on the homestead; John Lapp farmer of Amherst; Dr. Henry Lapp of Clarence, and Benjamin Lapp of Williamsville. The daughter Betsey E. is the mother of Jno. D. Leib, of Buffalo.

Bro. Lapp adhered strongly to the tenets of the Mennonite church. He never cast a ballot since he was ordained minister, and one of his views was that if all people lived as they should, there would be no need of civil officers, especially of salaried ones. He was a man of great simplicity of life, and was held in the highest estimation by the community in which he lived. His profound but unostentatious piety, invested him with a dignity which always commanded the greatest respect. An unblamable life, a godly example, and the integrity of purpose which characterized his profession furnish unmistakable evidence that it was the great aim, the earnest endeavor-yea, the sole absorbing theme, of the faithful departed, fully to preach the gospel of Christ, and to keep a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Faith, hope and charity, the ennobling attributes, were his inherent virtues.

All his finer feelings and sensibilities were made subservient to the will of God. His sympathy and love, his words of instruction and consolation, will long be remembered by the bereaved, whose homes have been made so desolate by the visitation of death. Yea, he was a good man, susceptible of the purest and holiest aspiration, and around whose memory cluster gems "of purest ray serene."

Is the memory of the just blessed, then the Christian minister of forty-five years' service, in his family, in his particular church, and in the world, though dead, shall continue to speak.

The funeral services were held in the grove by the church in which he preached for forty years. The sermon was preached by J. M. Ballou of Clarence, and A. K. Hunsberger of Jordan, Canada, presence of between eight hundred and one thousand people. The former spoke from the text, "Remember the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you," and the latter from Rev. 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

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ANGLEMEYER.--July 15th in Branch Co., Michigan, of consumption, HANNAH, wife of Joseph ANGLEMEYER, aged 37 years, 6 months and 17 days. She leaves a husband, seven children father, mother, and ten brothers and sisters to mourn their loss, but they need not mourn as those who have no hope. On visiting her, as I approached her bedside she extended her hand, called me by name and said, "O, I am soon going home." She said further that she was willing and ready to go at any time. When I saw her again a week later, she still expressed the same willingness and readiness to go. Once when she felt her weakness very sensibly she cried out, "Oh! brethren and sisters pray for me, I can't any more," and then as though she was singing she said, "Sweet sleep in Jesus, Oh, sweet sleep in Jesus." She bore her afflictions patiently. She talked to her children and told them how wrong it was to follow the fashions of the world, and that they should try and meet her in a better home. She was buried on the 16th, followed to the grave by a large concourse of people. Services by Peter Long and -Keim, from Rev. 14: 14. She was a member of the Dunkard church.

"Dearest mother, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel
But 'tis God that hath bereft us,-
He can all our sorrows heal."

ANGLEMYER.-CORRECTION.-In the notice of the death of HANNAH ANGLEMYER in the above, it was stated that she "leaves father, mother, and ten brothers and sisters." This was a mistake. It should have been stated that her father, mother and five brothers and sisters have gone before, while ten remain to mourn their loss.  From: Herald of Truth - Volume XV, Number 11 - November 1878, pages 197 and 198

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SHELLY.--July 5th, in Snyder Co., Pa., Bro. CHRISTIAN H. SHELLY, aged 37 years, 9 months and 25 days. He was fully resigned to the will of the Lord, and waited patiently for the time of his departure; he partook of the Lord's Supper just before his death. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn their loss. Buried at the Brick church near Richfield, followed to the grave by many sympathizing friends, where remarks were made suitable to the occasion by Samuel Winey and others from Jer. 48:17.

BERGY.--July 8th, in Juniata Co., Pa., LIZZIE E., daughter of William and Kate BERGY, aged 2 months and 23 days. Buried at Lost Creek church. Funeral sermon by Samuel Gayman and Jacob Kurtz, from the words, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

MATHEWS.--July 19th, in Augusta Co., Va., Sister SUSANNA MATHEWS, aged 65 years, 4 months and 6 days. Sister Mathews was afflicted over three years, had early lost her speech and was quite helpless the most of the time, but she bore her afflictions with much patience, and manifested a Christian spirit. She was a consistent member of the Mennonite church for the last 12 years. She seemed to have a strong hope for that rest that remains for the people of God. She leaves an afflicted husband, an afflicted daughter, and four other children to mourn her departure. Buried on the 20th at Hildebrand 's grave-yard. Funeral by Jacob Hildebrand and Jacob R. Hildebrand. Text: 1 Cor. 15: 55-58.

SHELLENGER.--July 26th, in Page Co., Iowa, JACOB, son of John and Fanny SHELLENGER, aged 3 months and 20 days. Buried the 28th at the neighboring grave-yard. A funeral discourse was delivered by J. S. Good, from Matth. 18: 1-5.

Weep not for me parents dear,
Since I must go and leave you here;
With Jesus I shall happy be,
O, parents do not weep for me.

WISLER.--July 30th, in Hatfield, Montgomery Co., Pa., of cholera infantum, LIZZIE, daughter of Jacob B. and Mary WISLER, aged 9 months and 21 days. Buried at the Old Mennonite burying-ground in Skippack.

STAUFFER.--July 31st, in Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister SUSANNA STAUFFER, aged 51 years, 9 months and 9 days. She was a member of the church, and was ailing for some time, and often expressed a desire to go home. Buried on 3d of Aug. Funeral services by Jonas Martin and John Landis, from Luke 10: 42. "But one thing is needful." By her request before died the following hymn was sung:

"Wer weis wie nahe mir mein Ende?
Die Zeit geht hin, es kommt der Tod ;" &c.

HERTZLER.--July 14th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., of consumption, Pre. SAMUEL HERTZLER, in the 56th year his age. He was a brother in the Amish church. Services by Chr. Umble and John K. Stultzfus, from John 5:24, 25.

ANDREWS.--Aug. 13th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., of typhoid pneumonia, Sister ANNA ANDREWS, aged 86 years, 6 months and 14 days. Funeral services by Abram Herr and John Harnish. Tex: Luke 10: 42.

DANNER.--July 28th, at Black Creek, Canada, Bro. SAMUEL DANNER, aged 66 years and 3 days. Funeral services by John Lapp and Jacob Krehbiel from Jas. 4:13-17. This was probably Bro. Lapp's last public service.

RICHER.--Aug. 4th, near Peru, Miami Co., Ind., of cholera infantum, JOHN R., son of Christian and Martha E. RICHER, aged 8 months and 3 days. Services by M. E. Martin, from Rom. 8: 18.

KREIDER.--July 23rd, in the vicinity of Mount Fairwiew, San Diego Co., California, of Consumption, URIAS KREIDER, formerly of Elkhart Co., Ind., aged 23 years, 2 months and 28 days. Nearly 2 years ago, on account of failing health, he left his wife, child, and home, and went to California in the hope of improving his health. During this time he was engaged in different kinds of employment such as his health would permit, until about a month before his death, when he came to W. E. Irving, of the above given place, who is in the Bee business, where he was engaged in extracting honey and other work connected with the care of bees. Here he worked about two weeks, when be began to complain of violent pain in the head and numbness in the limbs, when he took his bed and continued to decline until his death. He was unconscious for several days previous but during his sickness was taken care of by these friends as though be had been one of the family, and after his death gave him a respectable christian burial. His early death is a very severe affliction for the bereaved young wife. About a year ago she buried her only child and now the husband, too, has been called away, and she in her sadness of heart, can look alone to Him who doeth all things well, and in humble submission to the divine will, say, "Thy will be done." May God grant her that needful measure of grace which shall enable her to rely in sweet comfort, on the blessed promises of her heavenly Father. Funeral services for the occasion were appointed at Shaum's meeting- house in Elkhart Co., on Sunday August 18th, where a large number of friends and relatives had gathered for the occasion.
Just before the services commenced, information was received that EPHRAIM KREIDER, an uncle of Urias, had died on the 6th of August, aged about 66 years, in State of Kentucky, where he had been traveling, and at the request of the friends services for him were also included. The services were conducted by John Metzler from Rev. 22: 12, and by John F. Funk from Gen. 23: 4, first part of the verse.

BLOSSER.--Aug. 2nd, in Toledo, Iowa, of paralysis, Mrs. Mary Reedy Blosser, aged 61 years. The deceased was born in Rockingham Co., Va., Feb. 28, 1817; in 1835 removed to Ohio where she remained till 1853, when she and her husband and family emigrated to Iowa in Tama county and settled near Toledo, where she has lived most of the time since. Her home and hospitality are known by many who remember the incidents of pioneer life in Tama Co. For two years past she has been a sufferer both physically and by the loss of the proper use of her mental faculties, from the disease which terminated her death. In early life she became interested in Religion and entertained a hope in Jesus Christ, and made public her profession of faith by uniting with the Baptist church. She leaves a husband, and a family of seven children, and a wide circle of acquaintances to mourn their loss, which we believe to her is gain. Text: Eccl. 11: 9.

Transcriber's note: Mary Reedy Blosser's name is not capitalized Also: "....which terminated her death".

PLETCHER.-Aug. 3rd, in Jamestown, Elkhart Co., Ind., of typhoid fever, ELIZABETH ANNA, daughter of Samuel and Catharine PLETCHER, aged 13 years, 4 months and 27 days. She was buried at the Baptist church, in Baugo township, on Sunday afternoon, where appropriate services wore held by John F. Funk, from Heb. 9: 27. May this sad affliction be the means of bringing us all nearer to God.

GROBB.--Aug. 3rd, in Lincoln Co., Ont., of bowel complaint, EVA ELENA, aged 5 months, and ALBERTIE, aged 2 years and 7 months, daughters of Jonas and Sarah GROBB. They died about 6 hours apart, and were both buried on the 5th, at Beamesville burying-ground, where a large number of friends and relatives met to mourn with the afflicted parents. They were only sick about two days. It seemed hard for two so dear to be taken away at once, but what God does is well done and he will care well for his own.

NUNAMAKER.--Aug. 4th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of femoral hernia, CATHARINE NUNAMAKER, wife of Thomas Nunamaker, aged 62 years, 6 months and 4 days. She was a daughter of Henry Means, formerly of Bucks Co., Pa. She was the mother of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. She had been in ill health for some years, and one of her chief anxieties was that the Lord would permit her to remain with her family until her children should reach maturity, which desire was also granted her. Several weeks before her death, her health greatly improved, so that she expressed herself as enjoying better health than she had for many years. This lasted about two weeks, when she was taken suddenly with a severe attack of vomiting, and for some ten days she suffered very severely, but bore it with Christian resignation, after which it pleased the Lord to relieve her, and we hope that he has taken her to himself, where all suffering and sorrow shall forever cease. She was fully resigned to the will of the Lord, said she had peace with God, and was willing and ready to die; she bade all the members of her family "farewell," and gently fell asleep on Sunday morning at 10 o' clock. She was buried on Monday at Yellow Creek meeting-house, followed to her grave by a large concourse of friends and relatives. Services were held by Jacob Wisher, Martin Hoover, and John F. Funk, from John 5: 28, 29; and 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. Her death is a very severe affliction for the bereaved family, but they may well comfort themselves with the hope that the companion of so many years, the dear mother whom they so tenderly loved has only exchanged this vale of sorrow and tears for the home of the blest beyond.

ROSENBERGER.--Aug. 4th, in Bedminster township, Bucks Co., Pa., of Consumption and dysentery, MARY, wife of Jacob ROSENBERGER, aged 75 years, 2 months and 8 days. Buried on the 7th at Deep Run. Services by J. S. Moyer and Isaac Rickert.

MESCHTER.--Aug. 2nd, in Towamencin township, Montgomery Co., Pa., of nervous fever, HANNAH, wife of Abraham MESCHTER, aged 32 years, 4 months and 7 days. Her maiden name was Cassel. Buried at Plain Meeting-house. Services by J. Meschter and Josiah Clemmer.

MEYERS.--Aug. 6th, in Elkhart, Elkhart Co., Ind., of a protacted illness, Bro. ANDREW MEYERS, aged 64 years, 7 months and 2 days. He was born in Bucks county, Pa, from which place be removed with his parents to the State of Ohio, when only nine years of age. Afterwards he came to Elkhart county, Indiana, and from there again removed to Cass Co., Michigan, where, about four years and a half ago, his wife died. In the Spring of 1877, he sold his farm and moved back to Elkhart county, and at the time of his death, resided with his son, Enos Meyers, of the city of Elkhart. He had been in feeble health for some years, and about two months ago was taken down, and gradually grew weaker (being unable for some days preceding his death, either to eat or drink anything) until he died. During his sickness be was led to think of his spiritual condition and to turn to God in earnest prayer acceptance. In accordance with his desire, he was baptized and received into the church. He bore his sufferings with patience, and looked forward with an earnest desire to the hour of his departure, trusting in Christ alone for salvation. He was buried on the 7th. Services by J. F. Funk, from Rev. 14: 13. "Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his."

METZLER.--Aug. 12th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., Bro. DANIEL METZLER aged 40 years, 3 months and 2 days. He was buried on the 13th, and followed to the grave by a large concourse of friends and relatives. Funeral services by Jon. Smucker and J. M. Christophel. Bro. Metzler leaves a mourning wife and 8 children. May the Lord bless them in their sad bereavement, inasmuch as we have reason to believe that he exchanged this world of sorrow for everlasting joy.

HIGH.--Aug. 13th, in Lincoln Co., Ont., of inflammation of the bowels, Pre. DANIEL HIGH, aged 72 years, 11 months and 13 days. He was sick about one week, and had great pain, which he bore with Christian fortitude. He seemed willing to depart and meet his Savior. He was a preacher of the Reformed Mennonite church. Buried on the 15th at Moyer's Meeting-house. Services by Pre. Umbach from Luke 2: 29, 30.

HACKMAN.--Aug. 3rd, in Lower Salford township, Montgomery Co., Pa., EMMA, daughter of Joseph and Sophia HACKMAN, aged 2 years, 3 months and 27 days.

WAMBOLD.--Aug. 12th, in Towamencin township, Montgomery Co., Pa., of typhoid fever, HENRY WAMBOLD, aged 30 years and 6 months. He was sick about four weeks and said he would die. He also desired to be baptized, which desire was fulfilled. On the 16th he was buried at Salford burying-ground, on which occasion services were held by C. Allabach and J. Clemmer, from Isa. 38:1. He leaves a wife and one son to mourn their loss. Truly in the midst of life we are in death.

RUTH.--Aug. 18, in New Brittain township, Bucks Co., Pa, of consumption, MARIA RUTH, (maiden name Gehman) at the advanced age of 92 years, 9 months and 18 days. On the 21st she was buried at Line Lexington Mennonite burying-ground, followed to her last resting place by a large concourse of friends and relatives. Services at the house by I. Walter and I. Moyer, and at the Meeting-house by J. Clemmer and S. Leatherman, from John 5: 24, 25. "Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life," &c.

ALDERFER.--Aug. 15th, in Souderton, Montgomery Co., Pa., of consumption, SUSANNA ALDERFER, daughter of --------Frederick, aged 21 years, 9 months and 11 days. Services by J. Hunsberger and J. Clemmer at the house, and by preacher Denler at the Meeting-house.

LANDIS.--Aug. 19th, in Montgomery Co., Pa., HANNAH LANDIS, (maiden name Gerges), aged 61 years, 6 months and 9 days. She was married in early life to Abraham Landis, and lived in matrimony about 40 years. She was the mother of 6 children, 5 sons and 1 daughter, all of whom are now living. Services were held at the house by Henry Price and Henry Nice, and at the Meeting-house by J Landis and Josiah Clemmer, from Ps. 25: 17, 18.

KEMPF.--Aug. 16, in Johnson Co., Iowa, of long continued illness, Sister CATHARINE KEMPF, aged 39 years, 8 months and 25 days. Her remains were placed in the grave the 17th. She was a faithful sister of the Amish Mennonite church, and much beloved by all who knew her. It was her desire with God's will, to he released from her suffering, and she said she was ready to meet her God and Creator in peace.

MACK.--Aug. 19th, of short illness of paralysis, BARBARA, widow of David MACK, maiden name Moyer, aged 8* years, 4 months and 24 days. Buried the 23rd at the Franconia Mennonite Meeting house, Pa., by which opportunity a sermon was delivered by J. Clemmer. She had 12 children, 23 grand-children, and 30 great-grand children.

Transcriber's note: Barbara Mack's age in years is partially illegible, first digit definitely 8, next digit either 8 or 3.

HORNING.--Aug. 23rd, in Page Co., Iowa, of fever and inflammation of the bowels, ORA J., only child of Hattie HORNING, aged 1 year, 5 months and 20 days. Funeral sermon by Pre. Howard, Mark 10: 14, 15. It seems hard to give up these little ones, but 'tis Jesus calls them home.

"I take these little lambs says he,
And lay them on my breast;
Protection they shall find in me,
In me be ever blest.

Now I am gone and can't return,
And me no more you'll see;
But it is true, that all of you
Must shortly follow me?"

Transcrbed by: Nancy Regan, Washington