HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume XVIII, Number 9 - September 1881 - pp 161, 162

A SAD DEATH.

Found drowned in Lake Michigan, near the foot of 27th street, Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday July 26th 1881, JOHN BEIDLER, son of Jacob and Mary Ann Beidler, of that city, aged 21 years, 7 months and 10 days.

John Beidler was book-keeper for the firm of the J. Beidler and Bro. Lumber Co., and after the days work on Friday evening, July 22nd returned in his usual pleasant and cheerful mood, took tea with his brothers and sisters and after supper, took a number of letters to be mailed before 8 o'clock, at which time the post office closes, and started down town.

On the street cars, going down, he fell in company with a young man by the name of Murphy, with whom he was acquainted. They separated at State street and at a quarter after eight, John Beidler called on a gentleman, by the name of Dixon, on West Van Buren street, only several blocks from his home.

After some conversation there, he left Mr. Dixon's house going in the direction of the Lake, accompanied by a short-set young man, who had been waiting for him on the sidewalk, while talking with Dixon. This was the last that was seen of John alive by any of his friends.

On the following Tuesday, the body was found by two fishermen, floating on the Lake, as stated above. The face was much swollen and discolored, so that he could not be recognized by his features, but the clothes, his pocket books, and other articles about his person, with the letters he had taken to mail on the evening of his disappearance, were sufficient evidence of his identity.

His parents were on a visit to the east and were on their way from Philadelphia to the Adirondack Mountains, in New York, when the dispatch recalling them to Chicago reached them.

The Post mortem examination disclosed the fact that John Beidler came to his death by a blow on the left side of the head above the ear, and choking or strangling. He had with him a valuable gold watch which was missing. The probability is, that he was struck on the head, choked, robbed of his watch and then thrown into the Lake.

He was buried on Saturday July 30th, at Rose Hill Cemetery. Services were held at the residence of the family, by Rev. Arthur Swazey. The funeral was largely attended.

John Beidler was a young man of excellent character, esteemed and respected by all who knew him, and from this fact his untimely departure is the more keenly felt, not only by the bereaved household, but also by all his friends and acquaintances. But his mildness of spirit, his upright conduct, and devotion to religion leaves us the evidence that he has found a better home, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.

FUNK.-June 2nd, in Harrison Co., Mo., of old age, Brother Martin Funk, aged 75 years, 5 months, and 7 days. Brother Funk was in usual health in the evening and fed his hogs as usual, but after walking away a few steps he fell in the road, but recovered his feet when some neighbors came along and assisted him and called the family, but at their arrival he spoke but one word, and expired. So we can see that in the midst of life, we are in death. They buried him in their neighboring grave-yard, but could not obtain a minister to their neighborhood to preach the funeral. They wrote for me, and on the 10th of July I met a large congregation at the residence of the deceased and spoke from 2 Corinthians 5: 1. Bro. Funk was born in Rockingham Co., Va. He leaves a deeply bereft widow, eight children, about sixty grand-children of whom forty-two are yet living, and two great-grand-children to mourn their loss.

KRIEGBAUM.-April 14th, in Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pa., of four months sickness, David L. Kriegbaum, aged 32 years, 7 months and 6 days. He leaves a deeply bereaved wife and three children to mourn the loss of a beloved husband and father. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and died in full faith in Jesus Christ. Previous to his death he selected as a hymn for his funeral, "Asleep in Jesus! Blessed sleep." For a text he chose John 14: 1-3, from which Rev. George Parsons of Sunbury, spoke, assisted by Rev. J. D. Kinninger of Northumberland, from Psalm 90: 12. Buried in Sunbury on Easter Sunday.

BEIDLER.-June 17th, in Stevenson Co., Ill., Susanna P. Beidler, aged 11 years, 7 months and 11 days.

If we faint not nor grow weary,
Though the way sem long and dreary
The storm of life will soon be o'er,
And we shall meet to part no more.

MILLS.-June 5th, in Cambria Co., Pa., of scarlet fever, George Washington Mills, aged 1 year 3 months and 14 days. Buried the 7th; sermon by J. Smith. This little boy was sick only thirty-two hours, and then called to a better home. The words of the bereaved father were , after the child was buried, "He has a better home now than I could give him." Now my young friends take warning and think of death and the grave; how would you, reader, be prepared if death would come in thirty-two hours?

BEERY.-July 10th, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, of a short illness, Sister Elisabeth, widow of Jacob Beery, aged 71 years. She was buried at the Pleasant Hill Church. Funeral service by Jacob Good and Benjamin Huber. She leaves six step-children to mourn their loss. She was a sister to our brother minister C. Culp, in Allen Co., O., and to sister Frances Good in Marion Co., Kan. She was a faithful sister in the Mennonite Church. Peace to her ashes.

BOOKWALTER.-July 13th, 1881, David Bookwalter, in the 56th year of his age. He was the son of Abraham Bookwalter, and was born in Lancaster Co., Pa. He was married to Nancy Moyer of Butler Co.,Pa, in the year 1849, and moved to Illinois in 1855 settling in Gardner, where he resided until his death.

BLOSSER.-July 25th, in Excelsior, Morgan Co., Mo., of heart disease, Noah, son of Peter and Elisabeth Blosser, aged 1 year, 6 months and 7 days. Buried at Mt. Zion Church. Services by D. F. Driver in English and D. D. Kauffman in German, from 1 Peter 1: 24, 25.

BUCKWALTER.-August 5th, 1881, in East Lampeter, Lancaster Co., Pa., of Diphtheria, Harry Franklin Buckwalter, aged 8 years, 7 months and 7 days.

Little Harry's time was short
In this vain world below;
'Tis Jesus Christ that called him home,
To dwell with him above.

How happy are these little ones,
Which Jesus Christ has blessed;
Come, let us praise with all our hearts
The God who gives them rest.

EBERLY.-August 6th, 1881, near Clarinda, Page Co., Iowa, of inflammation of the bowels and spasms, Edward M., son of Samuel M. and Susan M. Eberly, aged 11 months. Buried at Butler's School-house; service by John S. Good rom Matt. 18: 1-5.

SMITH.-August 11th, in the hospital for the insane, in Indianapolis, Ind., John J. Smith, of Union township, Elkhart Co., Ind., aged 40 years, 9 months and 27 days. His remains were brought home on the 14th, and interred at Yellow Creek Meeting-house, where services were conducted by David Burkholder, Henry Shaum and John F. Funk. He leaves a deeply afflicted wife and several children to mourn their loss.

MYERS.-On the 21st of June in Plumstead, Bucks county, Pa., Clara Myers, aged 1 year, 3 months and 4 days. Services by Isaac Myers and S. Godshalk.

ROSENBERGER.-On the 21st of July, in Hilltown, Bucks Co., Pa., Mary, widow of Joseph Rosenberger deceased aged 66 years, 5 months and 17 days. Interred at Line Lexington, on the 25th. Services by Samuel Godshalk and Josiah Clemmer.

MINNINGER.-In Montgomery county, Pa., on the 24th of July, John Minninger, aged 61 years and 18 days. He was buried at the Plain cemetery. Services at the house by the brethren Isaac Moyer and Jacob Loux, and at the burying place by S. Godshalk, and others. Text, Rev. 14: 13. Six of his children remain, while two have gone before, and we hope he is waiting in happiness for those who are mourning the loss of a loving father.

HERSHEY.-May 26th, near Junction, Lancaster county, Pa., Brother Martin Hershey, aged 79 years, 9 months and 6 days. Funeral on the 29th. Text, Psalm 47: 5,

STRICKLER.-June 12th, near Shenk's Mills, Lancaster county, P., Brother John Strickler, aged 83 years, 1 month and 15 days. Funeral on the 14th. Text 2 Cor. 5: 1. Buried at Erisman's meeting-house. Brother Strickler was a man of peace, and led an exemplary life.

SWEITZER.-June 28th, in Lancaster City, Jacob Sweitzer, of Petersburg, Lancaster county, Pa., aged 31 years, 4 months and 29 days. Funeral near Petersburg, on July 1st. Text, Heb. 9: 27, 28. Buried at Rohrerstown.

KLINE.-July 1st, in West Hempfield Twp., Lancaster county, Pa., Margaret Kline, wife of Christian Kline, aged 74 years, 5 months and 16 days. Funeral on the 4th. Text, Gen. 35: 29. Buried in the family grave yard.

WEIDMAN.-July 6th, near Salunga, Lancaster county, Pa., of palsy, Brother Jacob Weidman, aged 78 years, 9 months and 6 days. Funeral on the 8th. Text, Heb. 5: 9. Buried at Landisville meeting-house.

BRECKBILL.-July 6th, near Strasburg, Lancaster county, Pa., Christian Breckbill, aged 52 years, 11 months and 5 days. Funeral on the 9th. Text, Isaiah 38: 1. Buried at the Strasburg meeting-house.

LEHMAN.-July 12th, near Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa., Brother Jacob Lehman, aged 85 years, 10 months and 6 days. Funeral on the 15th. Text, Rom. 6: 23. Buried at Hernley's meeting-house. Brother Lehman was a quiet peaceable brother.

WISSLER.-July 14th, near Wissler's Mill, Lancaster county, Pa., Brother Levi Wissler, aged 64 years, 6 months, and 11 days. Funeral on the 17th. Text, Luke 2: 29-32. Buried at Hammer Creek meeting-house. Brother Wissler was a light to the world.

BURKHOLDER.-July 23, near Lititz, Lancaster county, Pa., of diphtheria, Sister Anna B. Burkholder, aged 33 years, 2 months and 7 days. Funeral on the 26th. Text, Rev. 3: 20. Buried at Hess' meeting-house.

BURKHOLDER.-July 30th, near Lititz, Lancaster county, Pa., of diphtheria, Henry C. Burkholder, aged 10 years, 8 months and 25 days. Funeral on the 1st of August. Text, Psalm 39: 5, 6. Buried at Hess' meeting-house. The mother of this boy died on the 23d, of the same disease. Truly this was a sad bereavement for the husband and father.

SHIRELY.-August 7th, near Silver Springs, Lancaster county, Pa., Elizabeth, youngest child of William and - Shirely, aged 1 year, 5 mo. and 26 days. Buried on the 9th at Silver Springs cemetery. Text, Rom. 8: 17.

HENGST.-Aug. 10th, in West Hempfield, Lancaster county, Pa., Catharine Hengst, aged 78 years, 8 months and 27 days. Buried in York county on the 12th. Text, psalm 90: 12.

NISSLY.-August 13th, at Nissly's mills, Lancaster county, Pa., Sister Anna Nissly, wife of Bro. Levi W. Nissly, aged 35 years, 10 months and 25 days. Buried at Nissly's family grave yard on the 15th. Text, John 17: 24. Many friends and neighbors assembled to sympathize with the bereft family. A solemn call.

DIENER.-At Harrison Centre, Elkhart county, Ind., August 9th, Cora May, daughter of Christian and Susanna Diener, aged 4 years, 2 months and 17 days. The funeral was largely attended and was held at the Yellow Creek meeting house. Services by Henry Shaum and John F. Funk. Cora was a bright little girl and during her short stay on earth many friends had learned to hold her dear. Her death was especially sad, since it occurred so suddenly, and at a time when none thought of her but to expect to hear her merry voice and to see her cheerful face all radiant with the joys of innocent childhood. This little girl in company with one still younger, was playing in the saw-mill yard, and they amused themselves with a log-boat which had been left standing, unsupported, on its edge. From what the other little girl could tell, and the position of the child when found, it is supposed that she was walking on the lower runner of the boat and holding to the upper, in this way pulling it over, the upper runner striking her head, and bruising and crushing it that she died in a few minutes. Happy as the singing bird she was stricken down, and passed from earth, probably without a single pain. Thus was the oft repeated truth brought again to our minds, and we could feel in full sympathy with the sorrowing mother as she said, "In the midst of life we are in death." What a sad day it would be when parents bury a loved and loving child, if death were a fixed, eternal state ­ "A sleep from which there is no waking." The blessed comfort is that their souls are safe with God, and all the faithful shall meet their loved ones in a better world than this.

SHROCK.-At Mancelona, Michigan, August 5th, Alma Priscilla, daughter of Adam and Ida Shrock, and grand-daughter of Pre. J. J. Weaver of LaGrange Co. Ind., aged 2 years, 1 month and 21 days. She was buried, and funeral services were held on the 7th; appropriate remarks were made by Pre. McKinley.

Dear Alma now is gone to rest
To share the joys of all the bless'd;
If we will only faithful be,
We have the promise there to be
With her in all eternity.

Transcribed by Janice Wilbur, Utah