Herald of Truth - Volume XVII, Number 2 - February, 1880, page 34, 35, 36, 37

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

On the 22nd of October, 1879, at Grand Island, Hall Co., Nebraska, J. G. GNAGEY came to his death in the following manner as attested to before the coroner at an inquest held upon his body. E. A. Johnson of Howard County, says as he was driving past Hall's he saw Gnagey's team start up quite lively, and Gnagey fall down from the wagon, which was loaded with manure. Johnson drove up quickly tied his team to the fence and went to Gnagey. When he came to him he gasped several times, and then life was extinct. The wheel passed over his neck and broke it. He was a resident of Grand Island, and was said to be one of its oldest and most respected citizens. He leaves a daughter, an only child to mourn the death of her father. The deceased was a brother of John Gnagey who resides near Goshen, Ind.

May 10th, 1879, in Holmes Co., Ohio, MAGDALENA, wife of Daniel STUTZMAN, aged 39 years, 1 month and 13 days.

May 6th, same county, JONAS MILLER, aged 36 years, 4 months and 13 days.

Aug. 31st, same Co., SAMUEL STUTZMAN, aged 21 years, 5 months and 28 days.

Sept. 7th, same Co., JOHN M. YODER, aged 55 years and 15 days.

Sept. 6th, same Co., REBECCA, wife of Daniel MILLER, in her 86th year.

Mrs. LEIBENGOOD, of Walnut Creek Twp., same Co., in her 81st year.

Oct. 29th, in LaGrange Co., Ind., of whooping-cough, JOSEPH A., son of Robert and Effa VINCENT, aged 4 years, 11 months and 14 days. Services by J. J. Weaver.

Dec. 27th, in Champaign Co., Ohio, of croup, EMMA, daughter of Chr. Z. and Mary KING, aged 8 years, 9 months and 5 days. Services by Moses Stutzman and Jacob King.

Dec. 21st, in LaGrange Co., Ind., of consumption, ANGELINA YODER, aged 18 years, 5 months and 3 days. This is now the fifth of the family, and it falls heavily on parents, brother and sisters; but they do not mourn as those who have no hope, for they all confessed the Savior, before entering on the future. Services by Benj. Schrock and J. J. Weaver.

Dec. 22d, in Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Va., of pneumonia, FRANCIS H. MURRAY, aged 47 years, 11 months and 7 days. He was buried on the 24th at the Bank Church, where funeral services were held by Gabriel D. and Daniel Heatwole, assisted by Daniel Driver, of Missouri. Text: Matt. 24:42. Brother Murray was sick only three days. How frail is man; how quickly is he cut down when the Lord's appointed time has come.

On November 26th, in La Grange County, Ind., of affection of the lungs, BARBARA PLANK, aged 83 years, 10 months and 26 days. She was the mother of Pre. Christian Plank. Services by Christian Miller and J. J. Weaver.

Jan. 10th, 1880, in Clinton Twp., Elkhart Co., Ind., of membraneous croup and diphtheria, JONAH H., son of Joseph and Anna WEAVER, aged 2 years, 6 months and 5 days. Little Jonah was one of twins, and of a family of 13 children, the first of whom God called away to the glories of a brighter world above. He was buried at Clinton Mennonite church on the 12th. Services by J. F. Funk from 2 Kings 4:26 (last clause), "Is it well with the child? and she said, It is well with the child."

The dearest lamb of all the flock,
By death's rude hand is swept away;
But Jesus sent an angel down
To bear our Jonah to his home,
No more 'mid scenes of earth to roam,
And give him there the heav,nly crown.

Dec. 8th, near Locke, Elkhart Co., Ind., of dropsy, SUSANNA CROWL, aged 84 years, 8 months and 8 days. She was a member of the Reformed Lutheran Church for many years. She suffered a great deal and desired to depart and be with Christ, manifesting good evidences of her hope of salvation. She was followed to her burial at South Union by a goodly number of sympathizing friends. Sermon by J. M. Culbertson, from Col. 3:3.

"Rest, mother, rest, in quiet sleep,
While friends in sorrow o'er thee weep;
The sweet remembrance of the just,
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."

Dec. 13th, in Perry Twp., Wood Co., Ohio, of piles and jaundice, Bro. JACOB PLETCHER, aged 73 years and 11 months. Buried on the 15th. Funeral services by F. Kempler and J. Whitmore from Rom. 6:23.

Dec. 13th, near Marshall, Henry Co., Iowa, of dysentery, JOHN, son of Stephen T. and Leah MILLER, aged 4 months. Buried in the Marshall Amish burying-ground. Services by John V. Gunden and Sebastian Gerig. Text, Mark 10:13-16.

Dec. 10th, at "Zook's Factory," Donegal Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., Bro. ABM. H. STAUFFER, aged 38 years, 10 months and 19 days. Funeral on the 12th. Text, Rev. 22:14. Buried at Krabill's Meeting-house. Bro. Stauffer was a faithful member of the Old Mennonite Church.

Dec. 14th, near Davidsville, Somerset Co., Pa., Sister LOVINA, wife of Bro. Levi A. BLOUGH, and daughter of Bro. Jacob Thomas, of Bedford Co., at the age of 27 years, 9 months and 20 days. She was always mild and lovely to every one, from a child to her death. About three years ago she united with the Mennonite church, and was a shining light until death removed her. On the 17th her remains were buried in the family grave-yard. She left a bereaved husband and many friends. Services by Samuel Blough and Jonathan Herschberger.

Dec. 15th, in Somerset Co.; Pa., of consumption, with which she lingered many years, Sister FRANY LIVINGSTON, widow, aged 65 years, 2 months and 7 days. Buried the 17th in the family grave-yard beside her husband, who went before her many years. She was respected in her family. Services by Peter A. and Samuel Blough.

Dec. 5th, in Wilson Co, Kansas, by drowning, GEORGE H. ECKARD, formerly of Wayne Co., Ohio, aged 31 years, 10 months and 12 days. Funeral services were held by Rev. Miller of the Christian church, from Heb. 2.6, last clause, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of Him? or the Son of man that Thou visited him?" He left home Dec. 4th to go east of Independence, in Montgomery Co., to see a tract of land, by request of his brother-in-law, who resides in Indiana. On Friday, Dec. 5th, on his way home, he stopped a few minutes at Rodesha. This was about 12 o,clock. A little later he was seen passing a neighbor's house about two and a half miles from home and a half a mile from Chetopa Creek. One fourth of a mile from the Creek he was met by a neighbor, which was the last seen of him alive. A short time after he had been seen passing the neighbor's house his mule came back with the saddle on, but no rider. This induced the neighbor to go to the Creek, which he found so swollen by the recent rains that it was past fording and could not be crossed until 9 o,clock in the evening, when inquiry was made for him at his home, and not finding him there, a search was instituted the next day, when he was found, about 2 o,clock, a fourth of a mile from the ford. The water was about eight feet deep where he was drowned. He was a son-in-law of Abraham Martin, and leaves a deeply bereaved widow to mourn his early death. May we all remember to be also ready when the messenger of death shall come.

Dec. 24th, in Wayne Co., Ohio, of lung fever, Bro. DAVID ZUERCHER, aged 76 years, 4 months and 5 days. Buried the 26th, at Sonnenberg church. He leaves a bereaved wife and five children to mourn their loss. Funeral discourses by Chr. Schneck and C. B. Steiner, from 2 Cor. 5:13.

Dec. 25th, in St. Joseph Co., Ind., of consumption, LEAH, wife of George STEELE, aged 55 years, 5 months and 17 days. Buried the 27th. Sermon by M. W. Shank and _____ Harter.

On the same day, in Waterloo Co., Ont., the wife of JOHN SHUMACHER, aged 79 years, 10 months and 3 days. Interred at Cressman's.

Dec. 29th, in the same place, of consumption, Bro. MENNO S. WEBER, aged 41 years and 6 months. Funeral the 31st, at Cressman's. He fell asleep in Jesus, with a living hope of reigning with Him in glory. Words of comfort were delivered by Moses Bowman and Jacob Rohrer. Text, 2 Cor. 5:1, and Philip. 3:30.

Dec. 22nd, in Livingston Co., Ill., BENJAMIN, son of Joseph and Barbara OHRENDORF, aged 1 year, 2 months and 10 days. Buried the 24th. Services by J. P. Schmitt and Chr. Schloegel.

Dec. 5th, same Co., Bro. CHRISTIAN FOX. Buried the 7th. Services by B. F. Hamilton and J. P. Schmitt. His death occurred in the following manner: A niece of his and her husband did not live agreeably together. Bro. Fox advised them to live in peace. She applied for a divorce and Fox was required to take her to the attorney to, if possible, settle the trouble. They wanted the husband to go along, but he, coming out of the field with a fork in his hand, and being very angry, struck Fox on the head with the fork, causing his death in ten days.

Dec. 27th, in Mechanicsburg, Pa., MONROE BELTZHOOVER, in his 23d year. His ailment was typhoid fever.

Jan. 3d, 1880, in Waterloo Co., Ont., of typhoid fever, Sister HANNAH MARTIN, wife of Amos Martin, aged 24 years, 11 months and 24 days. Buried in Martin's grave-yard. Services by Samuel Weber and Elias Snyder, from I Cor. 1:30 and Psalm 102:30.

Jan. 3d, in Bucks Co., Pa., quite suddenly, Deacon JOHN DETWEILER, at the age of 72 years, 2 months and 15 days. He was an active laborer in his office and was beloved by all upright members of the church. Buried the 6th in Cressman's Burying-ground. Services were conducted by Josiah Clemmer, from Thess. 5:1-4.

Dec. 28th, 1879, in Franconia, Montgomery Co., Pa., SUSANNA RUTT, aged about 30 years. Disease consumption. Buried the 3d of Jan. Services by Henry Gottshalk and Josiah Clemmer, from I Peter 1:24.

Jan. 9th, 1880, in Wayne Co., Ohio, from a fall from a ladder, by which he injured his back and neck, causing death the next morning, Bro. JOSEPH STUDER, aged 52 years, 7 months and 3 days. He leaves a wife and three children. Words of comfort were spoken by Jacob Nussbaum and Chr. Sommer. Text, Rev. 16:15.

Jan. 3d, near Bronson, Branch Co., Mich., of diphtheria, ANNA GARBER, daughter of Bro. David and Sister Elisabeth Garber, aged 9 years, 9 months and 2 days. Anna was an interesting child and to lose her is a sore affliction to the family but we hope her death is a loud call to her brothers and sisters to prepare to meet her in heaven. Young as she was, let them imitate her example of faithfulness in prayer. She was buried on the 4th at Pleasant Hill. Services by J. S. Coffman, of Elkhart, Ind.

Jan. 5th, in Branch Co., Mich., of a lingering illness, ANNA MARIA SWAIN, aged 86 years, 10 months and 28 days. Her maiden name was Keller. On the 9th of May, 1819, she married Elias Swain. She was the mother of 10 children, and leaves 32 grand-children and 32 great-grand-children. She became a member of the Reformed Church in Reading, Pa., in 1810, and in 1870 she united with the Mennonite Church, and has been a faithful member. For some time before her death she made it a custom to pray every evening when the sun set. She seemed to have a good hope in Jesus, was resigned to the will of God and trusted in his mercy. She said to the writer a short time before her death, "Was auf Gott vertraut Der hat wohl gebaut In Himmel und auf Erden." Services by J. F. Funk, of Elkhart.

Suddenly, on the night of the 7th of Jan., at Rahn Station, Montgomery Co., Pa., KATE G. BECHTEL, widow of the late John D. Bechtel and daughter of Joseph S. Gotwals, aged 41 years, 11 months and 25 days. She was buried on the 9th, followed to her grave by a large concourse of mourning relatives and friends. Services at the house by Andrew Mack and John B. Hunsberry, and at the church by Jos. H. Hendricks, from I Thess. 4:13, 14. She was the first to die of a family of eight children, and leaves an only child, a daughter of 14 years, who, being absent at the time of her mother's death and coming home to find her lying in the cold sleep of death, was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow and awakened a deep feeling of sympathy in all who saw her. But we trust that her mother, free from all the sufferings of this life, has gone to meet her companion, for whom she had mourned these thirteen years, in a bright and better world.

Gone to meet her loved one of the earth,
Gone to praise a precious Savior's love;
O! happy thought, from pain and care
Hast thou been called? Loved one, go -
This is thy sister's prayer.

Nov. 29th, 1879, in McPherson Co, Kansas, of inflammatory rheumatism and erysipelas, SOLOMON KEIGE, aged 22 years, 5 months and 9 days. Buried Dec. 1st. Services by J. Voth and C. B. Schmitt, from 2 Cor. 5:1-10. His sickness lasted about three weeks. He bore his sufferings with patience, for he acknowledged that about a year ago he had strong convictions that he should repent, but did not hearken to them, that it was just in God to punish him for his disobedience, and he felt a deep conviction for the salvation of his soul.

Jan. 9th, 1880, in Clinton Twp., Elkhart Co., Ind., of lingering debility, Bro. JACOB ZUG, aged 60 years, 11 months and 13 days. Buried the 10th. For three years he had been waiting prayerfully for the Lord to call him from the sufferings of this world. Services by Benjamin Eicher, of Iowa, B. Shrock and Eli Miller. Text, Heb. 9:27.

Sept. 28th, 1879, in Upper Leacock, Lancaster Co. Pa., of croup and diphtheria, JASON, son of Jacob R. and Susanna MUSSER, aged 1 years and 8 days.

On Pretty Prairie, LaGrange Co., Ind., all of diphtheria, and in one family:
Jan. 9th, SARAH ELISABETH, aged 10 years, 2 months and 21 days;
Jan. 11th, NANCY, aged 8 years, 5 months and 15 days;
Jan. 14th, the BABY, aged 10 months and 11 days;
Jan. 15th, Isaac C., aged 4 years and 4 months.
The latter two were buried in one grave. All children of Joseph C. and Lydia BORNTREGER. The parents were unable to attend the funeral. May God bless them in their affliction. Funeral discourses by Peter Long and Christian Warey.

Jan. 25th, LYDIA BORNTREGER, mother of the above children died of the same disease. Buried the 27th. This is indeed a sadly afflicted family. May the Lord bless the father and remaining child in their bereavement.

Jan. 11th, in Franconia, Montgomery Co., Pa., of the infirmities of age, ABRAHAM FRIED, aged 82 years, 1 month and 4 days. Buried the 14th. Services by William and Henry Nice and Josiah Clemmer, from John 9:4.

Jan. 22d, in Elkhart, Ind., JOSEPH MILLER, SR., aged 72 years. Buried the 24th at Shaum's. Services by Joel Shively.

Transcribed by: Mary Teeter , Michigan

OBITUARY

ELISABETH PLANK was born March 27th, 1798, and died Dec. 11th 1879, aged 81 years, 8 months, and 14 days. She leaves an aged husband who assisted in taking care of her through all her trials and afflictions. The funeral, which was very largely attended, took place on the 13th, on which occasion appropriate remarks were made by Isaac Smucker in German, and Peter Long in English, from John 5: 24, 25. She united in marriage with Christian Plank March 31st, 1917, in Huntingdon Co., Pa. They lived together 62 years. Their offspring were 12 children, 10 of whom are living, 90 grand-children, and 103 great children. They moved to Wayne Co, Ohio, and from thence about July 1st, 1872, to Pretty Prairie, La Grange Co., Ind, where she lived until death. In June, 1873, she fell and was unable to walk after this without help. She remained in this condition until about the 1st of March, 1879, when she had a fainting spell and fell from her chair, after which she was helpless, and at times suffered much pain, yet withal was very patient. She bore her afflictions with great firmness, and committed herself into the care of a crucified Redeemer continuing steadfast in the faith until her end. Her whole desire was for exhortation, singing, and prayer. The writer often visited her during her afflictions, and a few weeks previous to her death I was with her, and as we sang she joined in with us in singing the following hymn, number 238 of the Amish Mennonite Hymn Book:

"Was ich euch nun sage hier,
Nehmt es a aus Lieb zu mir,
Weil ich auf die Reise geh,
Und vielleicht euch nicht mehr seh'."

She was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite Church. She was no respecter of persons, and when visited by a minister of any denomination, she invited him to lead in singing, exhortation, and prayer. Her whole desire was to do the will of her heavenly Father. She endeavored to dissuade all from strife, envy, and from the fashions of the world, while on the other hand she strove to cultivate love, peace, and harmony. Her hand was ever ready to assist the poor and needy, and we believe she passed away without an enemy, and with a strong desire to be with Christ. Let us, therefore, not mourn as those having no hope; but let us strive to live closer to God, and we entreat the children of the beloved sister, to remember the many admonitions she gave to them. She has now gone to the spirit land; her voice is no more heard by us; she is numbered with the dead, therefore, let us follow her example, so that we may meet her on the bright shores of eternity, where no sickness, sorrow, pain, or death can ever come. - Joseph Yoder

Transcribed by Carolyn J. Lichti, Goshen, Indiana