1907 Gospel Witness Obituaries

December-- | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |


Week 1: The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 36 - December 4, 1907 - page 576


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GOOD.-On Nov. 21,_____ Good, the two year old son of Bro. Moses Good of Bowmansville, Lancaster Co., Pa., died of measles. Funeral services held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p. m. at the Bowmansville M. H., Pre. Henry Good and Pre. A. Bowman officiating.

Week 2: The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 37 - December 11, 1907 - page 591, 592


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YODER.-Grant, son of Daniel and Louisa Yoder, was born July 24, 1855; died Nov. 23, 1907; aged, 22y. 3m. 26d.
Three brothers and one sister preceded him to the spirit world. He left behind to mourn his departure father, mother, 4 brothers, 7 sisters. His remains were laid to rest Nov. 25, at the Hopewell Cemetery, Hubbard, Ore. The funeral was attended by a large concourse of friends and neighbors. Services were conducted by the brethren, B. B. King and J. P. Bontrager. Text, Psa. 8:4. This is another call to the unconverted to prepare for eternity. My prayer is that it may cause the sinner to reflect seriously ab
out his condition.
-D. B. S.

JOHNS.-Bro. Joseph Johns of near Davidsville, Somerset Co., Pa., died peacefully at his home, Nov. 22, 1907; aged 81y. 5m. 8d.
He was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite Church for many years. He appeared to be greatly interested in the church, especially of late years. He made arrangements concerning his earthly possessions, and by his peaceful departure gave evidence that he only changed from an earthly home to a heavenly home.
Funeral services were conducted Nov. 24 at the Kauffman Church by L. A. Blough, Samuel Gindlesperger and Alex. Weaver. Text, Psa. 90:12. Interment in the family graveyard.
He is survived by one brother and two sisters, also two sons and three daughters and many other relatives, but they need not mourn as those who have no hope.

YODER.-William, son of Bro. and Sister Yoder of near Hooversville, Pa., met with a very sad and sudden death on the evening of Nov. 29. He was working near Scalp Level, Pa., and he and some other young people drove to a country school-house to some evening entertainment and while on the way his horse ran off, throwing him out of the buggy and killing him instantly.
Funeral services were conducted Dec. 1, at the Blough Church by S. D. Yoder, Samuel Gindlesperger and L. A. Blough. Interment in the graveyard near-by.
The young man was just in the prime of life-aged 20y. 3m. 18d. He is survived by father, mother, 4 brothers and 1 sister. This sudden death should be a loud call to all, especially the unconverted.

STOLTZFUS.-On Oct. 20, 1907, Elizabeth Stoltzfus, widow of the late Pre. John Stoltzfus, died at her home near New Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa., of infirmities due to old age; aged 87y. 9m. 4d. Funeral services were held Oct. 23, and were conducted by Henry Stoltzfus and Jacob Lapp. Text, II Tim. 4:7, 8. Her maiden name was Nafzinger, and she was born in Illbach, Germany, Jan. 16, 1820. Her parents with their seven children came to this country, the eldest child being less than ten years and the youngest less than one year old. The voyage proved to be a tedious one during which the father and one of the children took sick, died and were buried at sea, leaving the mother a widow with six small children to be cared for. They landed at Baltimore, and after a brief stay there without any friends they set out for Philadelphia, Pa., where they landed with financial means almost exhausted. By the aid of a stranger who proved a friend they reached Lancaster Co., Pa., where they procured their livelihood as best as they could. The children being put out among strangers as they became old enough to work for their keeping, which was a life of toil. Some of them were allowed very little time to attend school. The late Elizabeth was married to Pre. John Stoltzfus, Feb. 5, 1857, with whom she shared the trials and joys of life for almost forty years, he dying March 22, 1897. She united with the Amish Mennonite Church in her youth and remained steadfast in faith, hope and charity to the end. She seemed to be longing for the door to open to a better world. She had been feeble for about four years but was able to be up and around within five weeks of her death, when she fell and hurt her leg, from which she never recovered. She leaves two children, Bena, wife of John Smucker, and Isaac Stoltzfus, both of New Holland, four grandchildren and one brother, Peter Nafzinger, of Balt, Co., Ind., also survive.
By a Granddaughter.

Week 3:
The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 38 - December 18, 1907 - page 607, 608


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KAUFFMAN.-Paul, infant son of Bro. and Sister Daniel B. Kauffman was born Oct. 19, 1907; died Nov. 29, 1907. He was a little sufferer during his short life in this world, until God saw fit to call him home to rest. A loving father and mother, one brother and two sisters are left to mourn the departure of one who budded on earth to bloom in heaven.

SMUCKER.-Orla Smucker was born in Logan Co., Ohio, Nov. 30, 1882; died near Hubbard, Ore., Dec. 3, 1907; aged 25y. 2d. Bro. Orla united with the Amish Mennonite Church at the age of 16 and remained a faithful member thereof. We need not mourn as those who have no hope.
His remains were laid to rest in Zion cemetery, Dec. 4, 1907. Preaching in German by Dan Kropf on I Cor. 5:1 and by A. P. Troyer in English on Job 19:21. May we all meet him again in the home above.
Bro. Smucker leaves a wife, two children, father, two brothers and five sisters.

KREIDER.-Mary (Denlinger) Kreider, wife of Isaac Kreider died Dec. 2, 1907; aged 69 y. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn the loss of a kind wife and loving mother, but we do not mourn as those who have no hope. Early in life she unite
d with the Mennonite Church and remained faithful till called to her heavenly home. Her place in the church was seldom vacant unless on account of sickness, she having been at church only two weeks before her death, although her health hardly permitted her to be there. She will be sadly missed in the home and by her neighbors and friends for she was always ready to help those in want or trouble. She was especially good to the poor and needy as nothing would please her more than to help some one in need. Although mother had been in failing health for about a year her death came very unexpectedly.
Funeral services were held at the Paradise Mennonite Church by Bish. Isaac Eby and Pre. Christian Brackbill. Text, Rev. 14:- 12,13.

Dear mother, rest from all thy care,
And let the hands that knew no rest,
Lie still upon thy peaceful breast;
No more that look of trouble wear,
Sleep now, thy loving work is done,
Thy toil is o'er, thy crown is won.
{By her daughter.

HORST.-Sister Anna Horst was born near Orrville, Ohio, July 30, 1878, and died in her home at La Junta, Colo., Dec. 2, 1907; aged 29y. 4m. 2d. She was united in marriage with Bro. Jonas Horst of Sippo, 0., Oct. 10, 1899. In the spring of 1907, Brother and Sister Horst with their two boys, Leroy and Vernon, moved to La Junta, Colo. There seemed to be but few clouds of disappointment in life's sky until a few weeks ago, when Bro. and Sister Horst were both taken down with sickness, and on Dec. 2, the dark cloud of death overshadowed them and Sister Anna became the victim and peacefully fell asleep in Jesus. She gave her heart to Jesus at the early age of 15, and was a faithful member of the Mennonite church until death. Her body, having been prepared for burial, was accompanied by her brother Benjamin and her two chidren to Orrville, 0., and taken to the home of her parents, Bro. and Sister Abram Huntsberger, while her loving husband, on account of sickness, was compelled to remain in the hospital at La Junta. Funeral services were held in the Martin Church near Bro. Huntsberger's home on Dec. 8, in the presence of nearly 1,000 people. When the large, spacious building had been filled to its utmost capacity the people then entered the old building on the same ground near by. Services were conducted in the new building by I. J. Buchwalter from the text "Can it be" (Jer. 47:7),and in the old building by David Hostetler and Aaron Eberly. During these sad, sad hours of bereavement, may we with submissive hearts, say "Not ours, but thy will be done."

Week 4:
The Gospel Witness - Volume 3, Number 39 - December 25, 1907 - page 623, 624


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SNYDER.-Jacob William, infant son of Bro. Daniel and Jane Snyder of Roaring Spring, Pa., was born May 2, 1907; died, Nov. 30, 1907; aged 6 m. 28 d. Funeral services were conducted in the Mennonite Church Sunday afternoon, Dec. 1, by A. Metzler, J. N. Durr and J. W. Heffner. "Budded on earth to bloom in heaven."

BARLEY.-Paul M., son of Frank and Sara Barley, of near Mountville, Pa., died of brain fever on Dec. 7, 1907; aged 18 days. Services at the house by Pre. Ebersole. Interment in the Masonville Cemetery.
The few days that little Paul was with us were full of suffering for him, but we know he is now resting safe in the arms of Jesus.

BROOKS.-William Lloyd, son of Martin Brooks of Masontown, Pa., died from the effects of pneumonia on Dec. 16, 1907; aged six months. Funeral services were held at the Mennonite Church on Dec. 18, by J. A. Brilhart and David Johnson. Text, Luke 21:31. May the Lord comfort the deeply sorrowing parents.

ELZA.-Margaret Elza died at her home near Middle Mountain, W. Va., on Dec. 9, 1907, She leaves a husband and seven children to mourn their loss, three sons and four daughters. She was a loving mother and faithful wife. She will be missed by the children and all who knew her. She is gone but not forgotten. Her memory will long be cherished. She has set a noble example for others to follow. Let us strive to meet Sister Margaret at the golden gate.
T. S.

HORST.-Bro. Christian Horst was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., died near Greencastle, Pa., Dec. 13, 1907; aged 86 y. 3 m. 28.
He was married four times, he surviving all of his wives. He leaves eight children, three brothers and one sister.
The cause of his death was a stroke of paralysis. He had for a long time been living with his son, Martin Horst. He seemed to be fully resigned to the will of the Lord and said he was ready to go.
Funeral services were conducted at Reiffs M. H. by George Keener and Christian Strite from I Pet. 1:34.

WHITE.-Lela White died at his home near Job, W. Va., on Nov. 29, 1907. His remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near the Bethel Church. He leaves to mourn his departure a wife and ten children, one son and nine daughters. He was sick for nine months, and all that could be done for him proved fruitless. He was a member of the Mennonite Church.

When last we saw him living,
We thought his eye looked bright,
Yet we knew that Lela
Soon would pass from our sight.
We have the bright assurance
That Lela in heaven lives.
Will you not accept the Savior?
He will peace and pardon give.
T. S.

SHADE.- Clarence Shade was born Dec. 20, 1903; died, Nov. 27, 1907; aged, 3y. 11m. 7d. He was the second son of Henry Shade of near Palmyra, Mo. Little Clarence was sick only four days with membraneous(sic) croup. Funeral services conducted by Bro. J. M. Kreider. Text, Matt. 19:14.
Just two weeks after Clarence took sick, his baby brother, Orville, took sick in the same way, and died Dec. 11; aged, 1y. 7m. 11d. Funeral conducted by Bro. J. R. Shank. Text, II Sam. 12:23. Two precious little jewels have gone to their better home. They leave sorrowing parents, one brother and one sister to mourn their early death. We are glad for the sweet assurance in which we can rest that these little ones are with Him who said, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Would we wish to call them back to this world of sorrow, sin and suffering? Oh, no! Let us look forward to the time when we can be privileged to follow them. May their beckoning hands ever call their dear ones heavenward.
EMMA A. SHANK.

Note: Two obituaries in this one.

MAST.-Jeremiah Mast was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, Oct. 9,1844, and died in Howard Co., Ind., Dec. 15; aged 63 y. 2 m. 6 m. He came to Howard County when about 8 years old. He lived two years at Goshen, Ind., and spent one year with his son at Aurora, Ohio. He had been in poor health for some time. In Sept. he took a trip east and spent some time with his son at Aurora, Ohio, and also with another son at Washington, Pa. On his return he stayed with his sister at the home of Ananias Hensler. He was the father of 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. His wife and 6 children preceded him to the spirit world. Besides his 2 sons he leaves 2 brothers, 2 sisters and a host of friends to mourn his departure. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite Church. Funeral services were conducted on Dec. 16, at the Zion Church by Amos Kendall from Rev. 14:13. Interment in the Mast cemetery.


Transcribed by Ron Garber, Kansas
Copyright 1999 - All rights reserved - Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, PA Used with permission by the Archives of the Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN 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.