A Sad Accident ....Bro. Kinsey Cooper, a watchman on the Railroad Bridge across Big Chiquisalungo Creek, two miles East of Mt. Joy, Lancaster co., Pa., was instantly killed. A freight train broke in two when nearing the bridge, and when the forepart had passed Bro. Cooper, he followed it, not aware of the latter part of the train approaching. He was struck by the cars and fell on the rail; the cars passed over him, and cut off his head; one of his arms also was broken in three places, and one of his ankles crushed. Oh! how sudden and unexpected death can overtake us. Oh! how necessary to be prepared always for death. Bro. Cooper leaves a wife and four children to mourn his sudden death. He was buried on Friday the 3rd of Jan. 1873, aged 72 years, 8 months, and 29 days. - JACOB N. BRUBAKER

Transcribed by Carolyn J Lichti, Goshen, Indiana

Herald of Truth - Volume X, Number 2 - February 1873 - 30-31, 46-47

Died

On the 4th of Sept., in Center co., Pa., of paralysis, Sister MAGDALENA PLETCHER, aged 72 years, 4 months, and 19 days. She was a faithful sister in the Mennonite church for about 48 years. She was confined to her bed the most of the time for nearly two years, yet she bore her afflictions patiently. She loved to converse about the love and mercy of God and her Savior, and expressed her hope of being accepted of God, through Jesus Christ. She was buried on the 6th in Schenk's burying-ground, in the presence of man relations and friends. Sermon by J.W. Buckly.

On the 20th of November, in Center co., Pa., of the infirmities of age, Sister CATHARINE HOLDER, aged 83 years, 6 months, and 17 days. Her remains were interred the 22nd in Schenk's burying-ground, attended by a large concourse of friends. Sermon by F. Pletcher, at the house, in German, and at the grave by Conrad Long. She was a faithful sister in the Mennonite church over sixty years. She was confined to her bed and chamber more than two years. She was patient and hopeful, having a strong confidence in God. We hope she is now at rest from all her toil. Her posterity numbers 12 children, 63 grand-children, and 28 great grand-children.

On the 25th of Nov., in Lagrange co., Ind., at the residence of her uncle, of consumption, CATHARINE, daughter of Joseph and Magdalena Yoder deceased, aged 25 years, 9 months, and 23 days. She was a beloved sister in the Amish Mennonite church. Her remains were laid in the grave the 27th, where appropriate discourses were made by Joseph Yoder from Rev. 20:12-15, and Jonas C. Yoder from 1 Peter, 1:24, 25.

On the 6th of December, in Center co., Pa., of dropsy, Bro. EMMANUEL SCHENCK, aged 66 years, 2 months, and 20 days. He was afflicted over a year, but was confined to his bed only about four days. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn their loss. He was a faithful member in the Mennonite church. He was buried on the 8th in Schenk's burying-ground, on his own farm. Funeral sermon in German by Frederick Pletcher, and J.W. Buckly, in English.

Near Gardner, Grundy co., Ill., on the 12th of December, of croup and sore throat, ELLSWORTH, only son of Michael and Sarah Buchwalter, aged 6 years, 7 months, and 9 days. He was very patient during his sickness, complaining very little. A few moments before he died he requested some of the family to sing the hymn of which the following is the last verse:
"Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer
Are the Jewels, precious Jewels,
His loved and his own."
His two oldest sisters sang this hymn, which seemed to gratify him very much, and shortly after the echo of the last words had died away, his spirit took its flight to a better world. Let us try and meet him there.

On the 14th of December, in Orange City, New Jersey, THEODORE FRETZ, son of Martin Fretz, deceased, who was once a minister of the New Mennonite Church, at Deep Run, Pa. His age was 26 years, and 13 days.

Buried on the 18th of Dec., in Lancaster co., Pa., MARY, aged 7 years, 10 months, and 23 days; and on the 22nd, FANNY, aged 12 years, 3 months, and 24 days, both children of Sister Elisabeth Flory.
Beware of pleasure's siren song,
Alas, it cannot sooth you long!
It cannot quiet Jordan's wave,
Nor cheer the dark and silent grave.

O, let your thoughts delight to soar,
Where earth and time shall be no more;
Explore, by faith, the heavenly fields,
And pluck the fruit that Canaan yields.

On the 27th of Dec., JONAS, son of John, and _____ HOSTETTER, aged 1 year, 7 months, and 26 days.

On the 20th of December, in Wayne co., Ohio, of apoplexy and consumption, Bro. ABM. HOFSTETTER, aged 26 years, and 9 days. The 22nd his remains were deposited in the Sonnenberg grave-yard, where a discourse was delivered by D. Steiner and Christian Sommer, from 1 Thess. 4: 13-18. He leaves a bereaved wife and one child.

On the 23rd of December, in Allen co., Ohio, of bronchitis and consumption, Bro. JOHN KOHLI, aged 59 years, 2 months, and 20 days. He leaves a number of children to mourn their loss, yet we hope their loss is his everlasting gain. His remains were deposited in the earth on Christmas-day, in the presence of many relatives and acquaintances. Sermon by Christian and Abraham Steiner, from Rev. 20: 12-15.

On Christmas morning, in Mahoning co., Ohio, very suddenly, of palsy, SARAH AUSBORN, aged 59 years, 7 months, and 13 days. Sermon by Jacob Kurtz.

On the 16th of Dec., in Putnam co., Ohio, sister ELISABETH, daughter of Jacob and Lydia MYERS, aged 24 years, 11 months, and 11 days. She was buried on the 18th. Funeral discourse by G. Brenneman, from Isa. 57:1, 2. Sister Myers had been afflicted for several years, with a tumor in her body, from which she suffered a great deal, but she bore it with chirsian fortitude. Her suffering finally became so great that she gave herself into the hands of the doctors to have the tumor removed, but she died almost immediately after the operation.
We hope she is now free
From all suffering and pain:
Her joy and her peace
Will forever remain.

Transcriber's notes: - written as chirsian instead of Christian

On the 23rd of December 1872, in Perkiomen township, Montgomery county, pa., Bro. JOHN KRATZ, aged 90 years, 5 months, and 27 days. He as a deacon in the Mennonite Church about 47 years. He was buried on the 26th at the old Skippack Mennonite Meeting-house. Funeral discourses by Jacob B. Mensch, both at the house and Meeting-house, assisted by George Detweiler, from 2 Cor 5:1. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Ich harre froh und stille,
Bis meines Gottes Wille,
Mich nach dem Kampfe kroenet;
An meiner Laufbahn Ende
Sink' ich in Jesu Haende,
Mit dem ich bin versoehnet.

On the 10th of December 1872, in Mahoning county, Ohio, of Croup, ELMER, aged 1 year, 11 months, and 3 days, and on the 12th, of Croup, EVA, aged 7 years, 9 months, and 10 days, children of Eli and Elisabeth DETWEILER. Funeral services improved by Jacob Kolp and Joseph Bixler.
Both Elmer and Eva now are gone,
Gone to the world of bliss - not woe;
And they never more to us will come,
But we to them may go.

In McLean county, Ill., December 20th 1872, of Epilepsy, MARGARET STRUBHER, aged 15 years, 9 months, and 6 days. Buried the 22nd in Imhoff's burying-ground. Occasion improved by Jos Stuckey, from 1 Cor. 15.

In Henry county, Iowa, January 9th, 1873, after a lingering illness, BARBARA, wife of Joseph ZEHR, aged 66 years, 11 months, and 4 days. Her maiden name was Ramseyer. Fifteen children were born unto her in her first marriage, of whom 9 are living. Her remains were laid in Somer's burying-ground in the presence of many friends. Services by Joseph Schlegel, from 2 Tim. 4:7,8.

In Lancaster county, Pa., December 24th 1872, of Dropsy, CHRISTIAN BINKLY, aged 78 years, 7 months, and 26 days. During his illness, what opportunities he had were devoted to choosing the better part - the salvation of his immortal soul. Sermon by _____ Mummah, and Benj. Lehman, from 2 Cor. 5:1.
Aged father, thou are gone,
We hope to Canaan's land:
There in heav'n, an mansion own,
"An house not made with hands."

In Allen county, Ohio, January the 12th, of Lung fever, IDA ROSETTA, daughter of Henry and Elisabeth STEMEN, aged 2 months, and 16 days. Services by C. Culp, and C.B. Brenneman, from Matt. 24:44.

In York county, Pa., December 24th 1872, of Palsy, Sister EVA DEARDORFF, aged 66 years, 2 months, and 16 days. Services by D. Shank, and Samuel Moyer, from Ps 57:4.

On the 23rd of December, in Cumberland co., Pa., after a brief illness, GEORGE BRENNER, aged 82 years, 1 month, and 19 days. He was buried on the 25th at Slate Hill. Funeral discourse by Geo. Rupp in German, and Saml. Zimmerman in English. He was a member of the Mennonite Church for many years. He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his departure.

On the 6th of January, in Cumberland county, Pa., DANIEL HERTZLER, aged 23 years, 4 months, and 3 days. He was afflicted for many years but bore it with Christian fortitude and resignation. He made a covenant with his God two years ago. He leaves parents, brothers and sisters to mourn his early departure. Buried on the 8th in the family burying-ground - was followed to the grave by a large concourse of relatives and friends. The occasion was improved by Samuel Zimmerman in German and Amos Herr in English.
Weep not for me, for here you see,
My trials have been great:
But now ('tis true) I bid adieu,
And change my mortal state.

In Darke county Ohio, on the 8th of January, BARBARA BEAR, aged 81 years, 4 months, and 9 days. The subject of this notice was born in Lancaster county, Pa. In the spring of 1852 she moved to Darke county, Ohio, where she lived with her children until she died. Was a widow fortyfive years and a consistent member of the Mennonite Church for forty years, was confined to her bed about five months. She bore here affliction with christian fortitude and patiently awaited the hour of death, was anxious for it to come to release here from her suffering. She was a kind and devoted mother and a friend to all that knew her. She passed the usual period allotted to man by over eleven years. Funeral services by John M. Greider, and Jospeh Risser, from Rev. 14:12, 13.
She fell as falls the aged tree,
With four-score winters crowned,
And her soul has passed to eternity
To a purer and happier ground.

In Lancaster county, Pa., July 7th 1872, Sister MARY, wife of Benjamin BUCHWALTER, aged 73 years, 10 months, and 12 days. Her disease was dropsy, in a very malignant form. She was obliged to sit in a chair about three months, continually, and fell asleep in Jesus, in her chair.

In Lancaster county, Pa., December 16th 1872, of nervous debility, Bro. BENJAMIN BUCHWALTER, aged 73 years, 4 months, and 16 days. He was sick ever since his wife died in July last, and confined to his bed about three weeks. He had but little pain, and was very rational to the last. He frequently expressed a desire to leave this world and go to his Maker, saying, death cannot come too soon.

In Woodford county, Ill., December, 24th 1872, of dropsy, JOSEPH BALSLY, snr., aged 70 years, 6 months, and 26 days. He leaves a bereaved wife and one son to mourn their loss. Services by Jacob Unzicker, Christian Esh, and Peter Gingerich. Peace to his ashes.

In Doylestown, Bucks county, Pa., January 11th, at the residence of Charles Allen, her son-in-law, Sister MARY HALDEMAN, at the advanced age of 90 years, 8 months, and 27 days. For 70 years she has served her master, Jesus; and we have reason to believe that she could say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." The occasion was improved by J.M. Haldeman, and S. Godshalk in English, and Isaac Richart in German.

At Linwood Md., very suddenly, of heart-disease, on the 3rd of January, ISAAC W., eldest son of Jacob SHRINER, deceased, aged 53 years, 11 months, and 20 days. Farewell dear brother, thou has passed away from this world of care and sorrow. We do not mourn thee as lost to us forever; but only gone before to that Holy City, the New Jerusalem, where we have the promise, if we are faithful, we shall meet around the great white throne of God and the Lamb, there to sing praises unto him forever.

Near Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa., January 5th, after a short illness, Sister ANNA, consort of Pre. Abraham HORST, aged 48 years, 6 months, and 16 days. Her mortal remains were followed on to the grave by the family, and many friends, on the 8th. Services by the brethren, John Risser, Chr. Bomberger, and John B. Landis, from Ps. 39:6.

In Rapho township, Lancaster county, Pa. January 19th, SUSAN EMMA, youngest daughter of Bro. and Sr. Isaac and Anna BRUBACKER, aged 11 years, and 17 days. The deceased was a blooming girl, but soon the icy hand of death removed the bloom from her cheek, and the sparkle from her eyes. May God be pleased to comfort the bereft parents in their affliction.

In Woodford county, Ill., January 8th, of Lung disease, Sister MAGDALENA MAYER, aged 67 years, 11 months, and 24 days. Interred the 11th in Farnisville burying-ground. She leaves an only daughter to mourn her loss. Services by Joseph Stuckey, and Christian Imhoff from Heb. 4.

In Bloomington Ill., January 2nd, of the infirmities of age, Bro. PETER MOURER, aged 85 years, 9 months, and 9 days. The 4th his remains were deposited in his family burying-ground, 15 miles northwest of Bloomington. He was born in France, and emigrated with his family to America in 1830, first settling in Butler county, Ohio. In 1837 he came to Illinois where he remained until his end. Services by Mia Kinsinger, and Joseph Stuckey from Job 14:1-5.

In Allen county, Ohio, on the 1st of December, of Diptheria, NANCY, daughter of Samuel and Elisabeth DILLER, aged 12 years, 10 months, and 25 days. Text, Psalm 90:12, "So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom".

In Allen county, Ohio, on the 17th of December 1872, of Diptheria, MALINDA, aged 3 years, 10 months, and 27 days, and on the 18th, SIMEON, aged 5 years, and 10 months, children of Joseph and Nancy BRENNEMAN. The two were buried in one grave. Funeral services were held on the 19th of January, by D. Brenneman and J.F. Funk, from 1 Chron. 29:15.

In the same neighborhood of the same disease, on the 23rd of December 1872, JOHN M., son of Isaac and Lydia STEMEN, aged 4 years, 4 months, and 16 days. Funeral discourse by George Brenneman, from 2 Kings 4:26 "Is it well with the child?"

In the asylum in Toronto, Canada, the 13th of January, a sister aged 72 years, 8 months, and 24 days. Her remains were deposited in Heisis burying-ground. Services by Jacob Weidman, and J. Steckley from 2 Tim. 4:6 ,7 ,8.

In Clinton township, Elkhart county, Ind., on the 28th of Jan., MARY, wife of C.P. NUSBAUM, and daughter of Pre. John Hartman of Ohio, aged 35 years and 4 months. She was buried on the 30th, at the Men. Meeting-house, followed to the grave by a large concourse of mourning friends and relatives. Funeral discourses by D. Brenneman and J.F. Funk, from 1 Jn. 2:25. She leaves a husband and 7 children to mourn their loss. She was a faithful member of the Mennonite church. She had been lingering for several weeks, but bore her sickness with christian fortitude and was fully resigned to the will of God. Her greatest solicitude was for her children. She earnestly exhorted her husband and her children to consecrate themselves to God and his service and to serve him faithfully, and at last before her departure she said, "Lift me up to Jesus." We hope she is indeed gone up to Jesus, where we may meet her again. Oh let us all remember to live near to Jesus here, and we shall go to dwell with him there forever.

Transcribed by Ruth Schrock, Indiana.