Herald of Truth Obituaries - July, 1891

| Week 1 | Week 2 |


HERALD OF TRUTH , Vol. XXVIII, No. 13, July 1, 1891 - P. 206, 207

FRICK. - On the 17th of June at Frick,s, Bucks Co., Pa., Samuel Frick, aged 86 years, 4 months, and 23 days. He was buried on the 21st at Frick,s burying ground. Services were held at the house by Samuel Leatherman, and by Samuel Godshalk at the place of burial. He was a member of the Line Lexington Mennonite congregation from early life, and, when health permitted, his place in the meeting-house was seldom vacant. For a number of years he has been much afflicted from paralysis. We hope our loss is his eternal gain.

GOOD. - On the 2d of June 1891, in Caernarvon Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., John Good, aged 86 years, 4 months and 10 days. He was a faithful member of the Mennonite church for a number of years. He was buried June 5th in the Zimmerman graveyard. Services were held in the Smoketown Mennonite meetinghouse, conducted by John M. Zimmerman and Benj. Horning, from 1 John 3: 2.

MARTIN. - On the 3d of June 1891, in Kent Co., Mich., Joseph Martin, oldest son of Daniel and Mary Martin, aged 27 years, 11 months and 28 days. Since the death of the mother three years ago, the care of the family, consisting of six sons and three daughters, rested upon Joseph. In this bereavement the support of the family has again been taken away. May a kind heavenly Father provide for these orphan children the care and support which they need. Joseph was suffering with consumption about four months. Two weeks before his death he was led to see his condition as a sinner before God, look unto Jesus as his Savior and be baptized. He passed away peacefully and we hope our loss is his eternal gain. He was buried on the 7th. His funeral was largely attended. Services by Peter Keim and C. Wenger.

BRANDON. - On the 13th of June, in Elkhart, Ind., of the infirmities of old age, William Brandon, aged 81 years, 6 months and 24 days. He was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and removed to the west many years ago. He was the father of ten children of whom six are living. He was buried on the 14th. Services were conducted by J. F. Funk from 1 Peter 1: 24, 25.

ROHRER. - On the 14th of June, 1891, in Habecker,s meeting-house, very suddenly, Pre. Ephraim Rohrer, of Manor township, Lancaster county, Pa., aged 79 years, 11 months and 10 days. Funeral on the 17th. Text: Luke 2: 29 - 32. Buried at Habecker,s meeting-house. A large congregation assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to Bro. Rohrer. He attended meeting and appeared to be well, but about three minutes after his testimony to the sermon he sank to the floor and expired. He was cheerful and full of hope.

KAUFFMAN. - June 11th 1891, near Kennard, Champaign Co., Ohio, of consumption, Levi Kauffman, aged 61 years, 7 months and 27 days. Buried on the 13th, funeral services conducted by John Warye, in German, and A. Miller in English.

HILT. - On the 20th of May, 1891, in Paradise township, Lancaster Co., Pa., of pneumonia, Harry R. Hilt, aged 26 years, 3 months and 17 days. Our brother died young in years. During his short but severe illness not a murmur not a complaint was heard from his lips. For a time past he was enjoying particularly good health, on Friday morning he ate a very hearty breakfast and felt well till about ten o,clock, when he complained of a pain in his stomach, and went to the house to for medicine; his limbs began to get stiff, the Doctor was sent for and on his arrival asked him to take his bed at once. He grew worse till on Sunday morning when he seemed to be a little better, but he grew worse again. He was conscious all the time. He led a good moral life as any young man does, but when asked if he ever prayed to God to pardon his sins, expressed a desire to call earnestly on the Lord to pardon his soul, and said he led a sinful life. He resolved to lead the remainder of his days in the service of the Lord, and give himself into the hands of the Lord to deal with him as he thought best. He asked to see Pre. Abraham Brubaker and Pre. Elias Groff. They came and he seemed better in his body and answered very firmly and peacefully concerning his soul,s welfare. Prayer was offered and he desired to be remembered by the brethren and sisters. A change took place in the afternoon, he grew weaker and at three o,clock on Wednesday the 20th he died without a struggle or a moan. It,s a loud call to us all. May all young friends take warning before it is too late. The deceased leaves a brother and two sisters to mourn his early departure. We are consoled by 1 Thess. 4: 13. The funeral services were held by Abram Brubaker and Elias Groff at the Mennonite church at Strasburg on the 23d.

RINGENBERG. - On the 4th of June, 1891, near Nappanee, Ind., Ora A., son of Henry and Mary A. Ringenberg, and grandson of Pre. J. P. Smucker, aged 10 years, 10 months and 15 days. He suffered intense pain in his head, for forty-eight hours, until God called his spirit home to dwell with Him in the beautiful mansions above. Although he was young he was a regular church and Sabbath-school attendant, and his presence will be missed. During his sufferings he sang much and called his Sabbath-school teacher, and said, I can find the ten commandments, and I can get them too. He had his favorite verse commencing with the letter "C" committed to memory, which is as follows: "Consider mine affliction and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law: Ps. 119: 153. It was hard for the parents to give up their only son, but "God has given and God has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Services by Jas. H. McGowen in English and David Burkholder in German, from Mark 10: 14.

One sweet flower has drooped and faded;
One sweet infant voice has fled;
One fair brow the grave has shaded;
One dear school-mate now is dead.

Peaceful be thy silent slumber,
Peaceful in the grave so low,
Thou no more will join our number,
Thou no more our songs shalt know.

BEILER. - On the 11th of June, 1891, near Smithville, Wayne Co., Ohio, Eli Beiler, aged 72 years, 6 months and 2 days. He had to suffer much, but bore every affliction patiently. He wished to partake of the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of Christ, which was administered to him. Bro. Beiler leaves a wife and 8 children to mourn their loss. Buried at the Union church, near Paradise, on the 13th. Services by J. K. Yoder and Isaac Miller in German, and D. Z. Yoder in English.

HOSTETLER. - On the 24th of May, 1891, in Wayne Co., Ohio, of Scarlet fever and dropsy, David, son of Chr. Hostetler, aged 13 years, 8 months and 20 days. A father, 7 brothers and 2 sisters remain to mourn their loss. Buried in the Sonnenberg cemetery. Services by Chr. Schneck and Jacob Nusbaum, from 1 Thess. 5: 1 - 10.

NUSBAUM. - On the 9th of June, 1891, in Wayne Co., Ohio, Catharine, wife of Jacob Nusbaum, aged 54 years, 2 months 17 days. She leaves a sorrowing husband, mother, and two sisters to mourn their loss. She was a faithful member of the Mennonite church and was loved by all who knew her. Buried in the Sonnenberg cemetery. Services by Chr. Schneck and Chr. Sommer, from Luke 19: 10.

KRUPP. - On the first of June, at the residence of his son-in-law Simon Fetters, in Harrison Twp., Elkhart Co., Ind., of paralysis, Joseph Krupp, aged two days less than 78 years. He had been enjoying usual health until the day he died. He had been feeling more than ordinary well the previous evening. On Monday morning he felt ill, became worse during the day, and died in the evening. He was born in Bucks Co., Pa., and came to Ind., many years ago. His funeral was largely attended. Services were held at the Yellow Creek church, by George Lambert and D. Brenneman.

BIXLER. - On the 4th of June 1891, in Medina Co., Ohio, Samuel Bixler, aged 60 years, 8 months and 10 days. Bro. Bixler halted between two opinions for many years, but last February he finally decided to cast his lot with the people of God. He has since often regretted that he waited until the eleventh hour to take up the important work. On the 2d of May, he with a number of brethren and sisters, partook of the communion. Buried at the Mennonite meeting-house. Services by Martin Leatherman in English, and Isaac Good in German, from Heb. 4: 1 - 11.

NISSLEY. - On the 4th of June 1891, near Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of apoplexy and diphtheria, Katie Ethel, daughter of Abm. L. Nissley, aged 3 years, 4 months and 26 days. Funeral on the 6th. Text, Ps 16: 6. Buried at the Landisville meeting-house.

BUCKWALTER. - On the 30th of May 1891, at the residence of her son-in-law, Samuel Lachman, at Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa., Sarah Buckwalter, widow of David Buckwalter, aged 73 years. She leaves three sons and one daughter. The funeral was held on the 3d of June. Buried in the Upper Providence Mennonite graveyard.

ZUERCHER. - On the 28th of April 1891, in Wayne Co., Ohio, Anna Zuercher, aged 92 years, 9 months and 5 days. Buried in the Sonnenberg Cemetery. Services by Chr. Schneck and Jacob Nusbaum, from Rev. 7: 13 - 17.

HOSTETLER. - On the 16th of March 1891, in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nicholas Hostetler, aged 91 years and 8 months. He leaves a wife and children to mourn their loss. Buried in the Sonnenberg cemetery. Services by Jacob Nusbaum, from John 11: 25, 26.

STEFFEN. - On the 6th of May 1891, in Wayne Co., Ohio, Maggie, wife of John Steffen, aged 45 years, 4 months and 16 days. She leaves her husband, eight children and six brothers and sisters to mourn their loss. Buried in the Sonnenberg cemetery. Services by Chr. Sommer and Jacob Nusbaum.

THE FOLLOWING LINES WERE WRITTEN BY BRO. HENRY M. MUSSER, ON THE 6TH OF OCT., 1891, AND FOUND IN HIS BIBLE SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER HIS DEATH. SEE IN THE DEATH NOTICES OF THE 1ST JUNE NO., IN THE HERALD OF TRUTH.

A blooming youth so bright and fair
Is taken from this world of care;
His earthly sorrows are all o,er,
He is not dead, but gone before.

He bade farewell to earthly joys,
And sweetly raised his dying voice,
Singing, "Jesus, lover of my soul,
Do thou my dying thoughts control."

Then parents cease to mourn and weep,
Since your beloved has gone to sleep,
The time is short till life is o,er,
And we may meet to part no more.

Dear sisters, you are lonely now,
But make and keep the solemn vow,
To live for Jesus and to be
With brother in eternity.

God,s ways are secret, He knows best
Why he has called this youth to rest;
The aged and infirm must stay
To wait the summons and obey.

His young associates here below
Will miss a friend, wher,er they go;
A vacant place they cannot fill,
His form is cold, his voice is still.

Transcribed by Terri Harper, Utah.

UP


HERALD OF TRUTH , Vol. XXVIII, No. 14, July 15, 1891 ­ p. 221, 222

NEUHAUSER. ­ On the 22d of June 1891, near Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a lingering illness of consumption, Katie E., daughter of Jacob and Barbara Neuhauser, aged 15 years, 11 months and 12 days. Funeral was held on the 25th. Services in English and German by G. S. Herr, and Samuel Lantz. She said on her sick bed that there was but one reason for which she desired to live. That was, that she might help her parents to bring up her little brothers and sisters, that they too in early life, would accept Jesus as their Savior. Her greatest concern during the last days of her sickness, was for her young friends and associates, fearing that they loved the things and pleasures of this life, more than they do their Savior. An example of patience during sickness, and submission to God's will, can truly be taken from the deceased by both old and young. Witnessing her death, one was fully persuaded that God our heavenly Father can, and doth take away every fear of death, when one can exclaim with almost the last respiration, I'm so glad. O! grave where is thy victory, O! death, where is thy sting!

"Weep not that her toils are over,
Weep not that her race is run
God grant we may rest as calmly
When our work like hers is done.

'Till then we yield with gladness,
Our sister to him, to keep,
And rejoice in sweet assurance,
He giveth his loved ones sleep."
AUNT MARY.

FELLMANN. ­ On the 24th of June 1891, of concussion of the brain, caused by a fall from a haymow, Isaac Fellmann, aged 57 years, 9 months and 11 days. The deceased was born near Wuertzburg, Bavaria, in Germany. The funeral services were held on the 28th, at the house of his sister Barbara Zeizet, in Lancaster Co., Pa., conducted by preachers Ben Hertzler and John Landis. Text, Mark 13: 33.

HAVERSTICK. ­ On the 23d of June 1891, in Conestoga Center, Lancaster Co., Pa., of consumption, Sister Lavina, wife of John Haverstick, aged 32 years, 10 months and 6 days. Sister Haverstick left the one thing needful till the hand of affliction laid hold upon her, but ere it was too late, she saw her lost condition, and desired to enter into a covenant with her God, was received into the church by water baptism. She leaves a husband and three children. May God comfort them in their bereavement. Funeral on the 26th at Habecker's meeting house. Services by Amos Shank, from Ps. 119: 54 and J. K. Brubaker, from Matt. 5: 6.

MANN. ­ On the 10th of June 1891, in Manor Twp. Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister Leah, wife of Bro. George S. Mann, and daughter of Benjamin Kauffman, deceased, aged 62 years and 28 days. She was afflicted with a complication of diseases, and after eleven weeks of great suffering, peacefully fell asleep in Jesus. We believe she is now a partaker of the rest for which she so often longed. She leaves a husband, two sons, an aged mother, a sister and brothers. Funeral on the 12th at Habecker's meeting house. Buried in the Central Manor cemetery. Services by Benj. Lehman in German, and J. K. Brubaker in English. Text, Numbers 23 part of 10th verse.

KROPF. ­ On the 29th of April 1891, in Schuyler Co., Mo., Sister Mary, wife of Christian Kropf, aged 76 years and 20 days. She lived in Waterloo Co., Ont., Canada, 29 years, then moved with her husband to Fulton Co., Ohio, Davis Co., Iowa, and lastly to Schuyler Co., Mo., where she quietly passed into, as she strongly indicated, a better land. She lived in matrimony 53 years, 3 months and 22 days, and leaves her husband, 7 children, 33 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren to mourn their loss. Services by Chr. Gardner, from Rev. 14.

RICHERT. ­ Near Weymoth, Medina Co., Ohio, David Richert, aged 33 years, 9 months and 14 days. David R. fell from the beam to the basement in a new barn he was helping to build, and fractured his skull, which caused his death in about twenty hours. It is supposed that a fainting spell caused him to fall. The community loses a good neighbor and one of the best young carpenters in the county. He had many warm friends, but we fear he had made no preparation for the sudden change. A solemn warning indeed to the uncoverted! What will cause them to think upon their way?

YODER. ­ On the 22d of June 1891, near Monitor, McPherson Co., Kas. Sister Catharine, (Hershberger) wife of Chr. Ch. Yoder, aged 74 years, 5 months and 18 days. Sister Y. suffered 5 weeks, but bore all her afflictions patiently. She was an earnest Christian, and in the latter day of her life constantly desired to have some one read, sing, or pray with her. She was since her youth a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite church. Her husband, 4 children, 22 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren mourn their loss. She lived in matrimony nearly 50 years, and meets 4 children in the spirit world. Buried on the 24th. Services by I. Zimmerman, S. J. Swartzentruber and S. C. Miller.

KINSINGER. ­ On the 21st of June 1891, near Groveland, Tazewell Co., Ill., of consumption, Sarah, daughter of John and Barbara Kinsinger, aged 21 years, 4 months and 10 days. Sarah was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite church, and expressed a living hope in Christ Jesus. Her parents, 8 sisters, 3 brothers, and many friends mourn their loss. The funeral on the 23d was largely attended. Services by Peter ____, Chr. King, and John P. Schmitt, from John 5: 24, 25.

ENGEL. ­ On the 22d of June 1891, near Roanoke, Woodford Co., Ill., of consumption, Mary Elizabeth, (Zeisert) widow of Peter Engel, deceased aged 36 years, 3 months and 28 days. The deceased has been a widow 8 years and lived in matrimony but one year. During the last two years she suffered much, but bore every affliction with Christian fortitude, and desired to depart and be with Christ and the redeemed. She leaves her mother, three brothers, and many friends. Her father died in January of this year. Sister E. was a member of the Mennonite church. Services by Bish. Emanuel Hartman, from Phil. 1: 21, in English and Peter Hostettler, from 2 Cor. 5 in German.

SCHMIDT. ­ On the 15th of June in Allen Co., Ohio, of consumption, Sister Sarah Schmidt, aged 39 years, 2 months and 15 days. She was buried on the 17th at the Salem church cemetery. Services were conducted by John Shenk and Moses Brenneman, from Job 26: 22. The deceased was afflicted for some time, but she bore her afflictions patiently, and seemed to have resigned herself wholly to the will of her Heavenly Father. She was a bright pattern of a Christian life. She died with full hope of meeting a redeeming Savior, with whom pleasure never ends, and sorrow is never known. The day she died, the writer of this notice was called to her bedside. As I enetered the room, I saw at once that our dear sister was dying, and while the family stood around her bed weeping, I said: "Do you feel that you are soon going to a better world?" She answered "Yes." And looked up toward heaven and a number of times stretched up her hands as though she wanted to grasp something. I asked her whether she saw something up yonder. She said, Yes, "I am so glad I can go where Jesus is." She then lay quietly for a while, but soon beckoned her family to come near, and reaching out her pale hand, bade them all farewell. One of the friends then asked her whether she wanted a drink of water, she answered, "No, I will soon drink better water, water that will not hurt me: and Oh I am so glad that Jesus loves me, and I can go where he is." The she said to my wife and me, "And I will look for you too," and soon calmly and peacefully fell asleep in Jesus. Her last words left a deep impression on our minds, and I thought of the words of the poet:

Shall we meet beyond the river,
Where the surges cease to roll,
Where in all the bright forever
Sorrow ne'er shall press the soul?

Shall we meet in that blest harbor,
When our stormy voyage is o'er,
Shall we meet and cast the anchor
By the fair celestial shore?"

The deceased was a faithful member of the Mennonite church for a number of years, and was a devoted Christian, putting all her trust in Jesus. May her piety, her good example, and her devotion to her Savior, inspire many to imitate her life. She leaves her husband, 3 children and 5 step-children to mourn their loss.

HEGE. ­ On the 24th of June 1891, in the city of Lancaster, Pa., suddenly of heart disease, Bro. John Hege, Sr., in the 79th year of his age. Funeral services were conducted by Benj. Hertzler, John Landis and John K. Brubaker. The following account of his death we take from the Lancaster Examiner of the 24th of June.
John Hege, a venerable and esteemed citizen of Lancaster, was found dead in the kitchen of his home, No. 638 South Queen street, this morning.
It was Mr. Hege's invariable custom to rise early, and this morning he got out of bed about half-past three o'clock, went down stairs, opened the windows and shutters and kindled a fire in the kitchen stove. His movements thereafter are not known. The exact time of his death is not known, because no person saw him until five o'clock when Mrs. Hege arose and went down to the kitchen. She saw Mr. Hege sitting on the kitchen floor, with his back resting against the cupboard. Mrs. Hege thought that her husband had a fainting spell, and would get up in a few minutes. She attended to her household duties and Mr. Hege remained in the same position his wife had found him. John Hege, only son of the dead man, who lives a short distance above his father's home, visited his parents' residence about seven o'clock, after he had arrived from the market. He saw his father in the position above described, and on making an examination was horrified to see that life was extinct. The body was cold and rigid and death must have taken several hours before. Mrs. Hege then told her son how Mr. Hege and risen at 3: 30 o'clock and how she had found him about an hour and a half later.
Deceased had been under treatment for heart disease for some time. Dr. Hess being the attending physician. The doctor told the family that Mr. Hege was liable to be stricken suddenly at any moment. Deceased was able to be about yesterday, and was in the enjoyment of his usual health.
John Hege was born near Heidelberg, Germany. He was in the 79th year of his age. In 1852 he came to the United States and located in Lancaster. He was a skilled gardener and truck farmer, and for years he sold the produce of his garden and also kept a dairy. For thirty years he had lived on South Queen street.
Deceased was a member of the Old Mennonite church. His wife, aged 76 years, and an only son, John Hege, a well-known citizen of Lancaster, survive.

BIEBERSTEIN. ­ On the 25th of June 1891, near Berne, Adams Co., Ind., Ida, daughter of Abraham and Mary Bieberstein, aged 3 years, 2 months and 20 days. Buried at the Amish church, on the 27th. Services by Daniel Yoder and Jos. Egle, from Ps. 16:6 and Phil. 1: 21.

*Transcribed by Terri Harper, Utah


||| UP ||| Next --> | <--Previous |

Copyright 1999 - All rights reserved - Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, PA
Used with permission by the Archives of the Mennonite Church, Goshen, INDIANA
Permission granted to private family researchers to use selected portions of these images to tell their family stories.
May not be mass-produced in any form for commercial purposes.