Herald of Truth - Volume XII, Number 10 - October 1875 Page 174, 175

In Harrison township, Elkhart county, Ind., on the 29th of August, HARRIET, daughter of Amos and Mary Ann BECHTEL, aged 12 years, 3 months and 16 days.

Harriet was a good child, of a kind and gentle disposition, very industrious and loved to work at our of door work. On Saturday, the day preceding her death, her father, assisted by a number of the neighbors, was engaged in threshing with the machine. After supper, she again went along to the barn, and about six o'clock the father seeing it necessary that he should assist the men in the mow in taking away the straw, took his fork in his hand and as he stepped over the large driving belt, in some unaccountable manner, the belt caught the fork and hurled it a distance of about 20 feet, in the direction where the girl was standing, striking her head with such force that one of the prongs penetrated her left temple about four inches. She immediately fell backwards, the fork dropping on the floor. She was carried to the house, and laid in an insensible condition until two o'clock, Sunday morning, when she expired.

For some time, she has had, as it seems, a presentiment of her death. Within the last few weeks she said to her mother, "You will not have me here long any more," When her mother asked, "Why, where are you going," she replied, "You will see." On Friday evening preceding her death, she combed her mother's hair, a work which she had been doing for some time, and after she had finished she went out to the pump, and weeping, said to her sister, "Mother will not have me long any more to comb her." On Friday morning she appeared especially happy and cheerful, singing unusually loud and vigorously. During the Summer she has been very diligent about her work, helping her mother to plant, and taking care of the garden, and everything seemed to grow so finely for her, and now in the very midst of her youthful enjoyment, in the brightest bloom of the happy days of her girlhood, the destroyer, death, overtook her and she was stricken down without a moment's warning, and her mortal remains were borne away to their last resting place in the silent grave, leaving desolate the hearts of father and mother and sister, amid the sweet remembrance of other days, while through their sorrows and their tears they may cherish the comforting assurance that the spirit has gone to the realms of the paradise of God, from whence she will never return.* Let us all seek to gain an entrance there, in those heavenly mansions where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes, and where parting is never known.

She was buried on Monday the 30th. Services by Martin Hoover and J. F. Funk. A very large concourse of friends and relatives followed her to the grave. J.

*Transcribers note: The writer seems himself to have been caught up in grief for this child, as he continues on and on, forgetting about periods.

On Monday, September 6th, a very serious accident happened at the residence of George Berkey, one and a half miles north of Wakarusa.-While they were engaged in threshing, from some cause the machine took fire. The fire spread so rapidly that those engaged in throwing down sheaves barely made their escape: while JOHN FRANKLIN BERKEY, who also was in the mow, was overtaken by the fire and perished in the flames. His remains could not be found until next morning. The 8th his remains were taken to Shaum's burying-ground, followed by a large procession of sympathizing neighbors and friends. Funeral discourse delivered in English by _____Baker, and in German by John Metzler. The age of John F. Berkey was 14 years, 10 months and 4 days. The barn with all its contents, was entirely consumed by the fire.

In memory of JOHN FRANKLIN BERKEY, son of George and Fanny Berkey:

Farewell, farewell, my parents dear,
My voice on earth you'll no more hear;
But if you serve the Lord in deed,
In glory then again we'll meet.

Think, parents dear, by grief oppressed,
My body's burnt my soul's at rest;
My spirit rests with God on high,
There you may meet me bye and bye.

Oh brothers dear, by grief oppressed,
Your brother in the grave doth rest:
The spirit rests above the sky;
Prepare to meet me when you die.

Farewell, my loving sisters too,
We're parted for a while tis true;
If garments white you do retain,
We'll meet and no more part again.

Then oh, dear parents, do not weep,
I am not dead, but here I sleep,
Until the resurrection day
And with the Savior I do stay.
John Metzler

(NOTE: The following info should be added to the August obit of Christian Rudy.)

ERROR.-In the August Herald, the death notice of CHRISTIAN RUDY should read Wayne Co., Ohio, instead of Manheim Tp., Lancaster Co., Pa. He was born in the latter place.

July 25th, near Chatsworth, Livingston Co., Ill., of Measles, JOSEPH, infant son of Elias and Sarah HARTMAN, aged 10 months and 12 days.

July 26th, in New Britain, Bucks Co., Pa., ELIZABETH DETWEILER, at the advanced age of 82 years, 8 months and 15 days. Sermon by John Walter, in German, and J.M. Haldeman, in English.

August 2nd, in Providence, Bureau Co., Ill., Bro. CHRISTIAN ZIERLIEN, aged 35 years, and one month. He leaves a bereaved wife and five children. Services by Peter E. Stuckey, and Joseph Burcky.

August 9th, in LaGrange Co., Ind., JOHN HENRY, son of Eli and Lydia HOCHSTETTLER, aged one year, 2 months and 15 days. Sermon by Henry Miller, Joseph J. Borntrager and J.J. Weaver, from 1 Peter 1:24,25.

August 14th, in Livingston Co., Ill., of Whooping-cough, JOSEPH, son of Joseph and Maria STALTER, aged 4 months and 19 days. The remains of the little one were placed in mother earth the 16th, at which time remarks were made by Joseph Gascho, John P. Schmitt and Christian Schlagel.

August 16th, in Lebanon Co., Pa., GRANDMOTHER ENSMINGER, at the advanced age of 82 years, 8 months and 17 days.

August 23rd, near Harmony, Butler Co., Pa., of pneumonia and pleurisy, Dea. JOHN ZIEGLER, aged 61 years, 6 months and 29 days. He suffered very much, yet he was patient in his affliction. Sermon by John Kulp, from Psalm 103:15,16.

August 25th, in St. Joseph Co., Ind., of Cholera-infantum, CORA ELLEN, daughter of Jacob and Alice RADER, aged 1 year, 6 months and 5 days. Buried at Bremen. Services by ____Simmer, and J. M. Culbertson.

August 31st, in Champaign Co., Ohio, of Cholera-infantum, ENOS, son of Jacob and Lydia GRAYBILL, aged 8 months and 24 days. Sermon by C. K. Yoder, from Rev. 17:24, and by John P. King, from Psalm 16:6.

Sept. 2nd, in Stark Co., Ohio, ANNA, daughter of Bro. Michael and Maria HORST, aged 17 years, 4 months and 4 days. Buried in Horst's burying-ground. Text, Luke 7:13.

Sept. 2nd, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, JACOB LEHMAN, aged 65 years, 6 months and 19 days. He was the father of 15 children, 13 of whom are still living. His remains were interred in Bixler's burying-ground, at which time appropriate remarks were made by Peter Basinger, and Jacob Culp.

Sept. 6th, in the congregation near Hammond, Kent Co., Mich., of the infirmities of age, Bro. HENRY EYMAN, at the age of 78 years, 2 months and 4 days. During the last few weeks he appeared to be contented. One night he said to his son that he should go to rest, he replied that he did not want to leave him alone, he said, "I am not alone, the Father and the Son are with me." He left all in the hands of God, and took refuge in his crucified and risen Redeemer. Funeral services were held by the brethren, John Speicher, Daniel Wismer, Peter Keim, from Isaiah 38.

Sept. 6th, in St. Joseph Co., Ind., of flux, HENRY, son of John and Catharine RHEINBOLD, aged 4 months and 18 days.

Sept. 7th, near Chatsworth, Livingston Co., Ill., of Paralysis, SAMUEL HARSHBERGER, aged 78 years and 13 days. Funeral services by B. F. Hamilton, from Psalm, 90:10.

Sept. 10th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., ISAIAH, son of Jacob and Mary Ann SHENK, aged one month and 25 days. Services by Henry Shaum, and Chr. Christophel, from James 4;14.

June 24th, at Unionville, Ontario, of ten months illness, VERONICA HUBER, widow of Daniel Huber, dec'd, aged 73 years, 1 month and 8 days. Buried in Waidman's burying-ground, when appropriate remarks were made by the brethren, J. Waidman, C. Risser, and S. Huber, from Isaiah 28:1, 2. She leaves 4 children to mourn their loss. In early years she became a follower of the lowly Jesus. She desired to be released from her great suffering, if it were God's will. She was born in Somerset Co., Pa., and came to Canada at 6 years of age.

July 31st, near Newtown, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a short illness, MAGGIE H. WITTMER, wife of ____Wittmer, aged 21 years and 3 days. A loud and solemn call to the young. Funeral on the 2nd of August. Text, Heb. 13:14.

August 12th, Mount Joy Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister BARBARA NISSLEY, wife of Dea. John Nissley, agek (sic) 69 years, 5 months and 25 days. Funeral on the 14th. Text, Psalm__(unreadable):5. Sister Nissley was feeble the last few years. Peace unto her ashes!

August 13th, in Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a lingering illness, Dr. J. M. GROFF, aged 38 years, 10 months and 6 days. Funeral on the 16th. Text, Luke 24:46, 47.

Sept. 4th, near Bowmansville, Lancaster Co., Pa., Bro. DANIEL GOOD, aged 68 years.

August 14th, on Sporting Hill, Lancaster Co., Pa., of spinal disease, which she bore patiently, Sister FANNY HAUENSTEIN, wife of Bro. Daniel Hauenstein, aged 30 years, 1 month and 6 days. A large concourse of friends, relatives and neighbors assembled to sympathize with the bereft husband, children and parents. The lower half of her body was dead 6 weeks before she died, yet she did not suffer very severely. She died trusting in the Savior Jesus. Peace to her ashes. Funeral on the 17th. Text, Job 10:1, 2.

August 20th, in Donegal Tp., Lancaster Co., Pa., suddenly, JOHN HILL, (Fuller) aged 60 yrs. 8 months and 3 days. Mr. Hill was engaged at his work, when he sank down and shortly after expired. A solemn call; we should heed it. Funeral on the 23rd. Text, Heb. 9:27, 28.

August 22nd, near Chestnut Hill, after a short illness, CLARA ELIZABETH, only child of John H. and Elizabeth Clara MOORE, aged 1 year, 3 months and 28 days. Funeral on the 24th. Text,2 Kings 4:26.

August 22nd, near Spring Garden, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a short illness, EMMA, oldest child of Christian L. and Catharine B. NISSLEY, aged 3 years and 3 days. Funeral on the 25th. Text, John 16:16.

August 29th, in Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of appoplexy (sic), JOHN HOFFMAN, aged 65 years, 5 months and 19 days. Funeral on Sept. 1st. Text, Acts 16:30, 31.

Sept. 1st, near Sporting Hill, Lancaster Co., Pa., MARY ANN ROHRER, aged 1 year, 1 month and 19 days. Funeral on the 4th. Text, 1 Sam. 3:18.

Transcriber's note: should this be MARY?

Sept. 2nd, near Rohrerstown, Lancaster Co., Pa., EMMANUEL GIBBLE, aged 73 years, 10 months and 10 days. Funeral on the 5th. Text, Rom. 6:23.

Sept. 5th, near Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a long illness, REBECCA FRY, wife of George Fry, aged 42 years, 11 months and 22 days. Funeral on the 7th. Text, Heb. 9:27, 28.

Sept. 10th, in Salunga, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a short illness, Sister CATHARINE BRUBACHER, (widow), aged 65 years, 9 months and 29 days. Sister Brubacher was a consistent member of our church. Funeral on the 13th. Text, John 11:25, 26.

Sept. 6th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., JOHN F. BERKEY, aged 14 years, 10 months and 4 days. Services by _____Baker and John Metzler.

Sept. 1st, in Hilltown Tp., Bucks Co., Pa., LIZZIE, daughter of Henry and ____ Rickert, aged 5 weeks and 2 days. Funeral services by Isaac Moyer.

Sept. 5th, in Bedminster Tp., Bucks Co., Pa., of paralysis, of which he suffered about two weeks, CHRISTIAN FRETZ, aged 74 years, 6 months and 22 days. He leaves a widow and seven children to mourn their loss. He was buried at the Old Deep Run burying-ground. Services by Isaac Moyer, and other.

Sept. 4th, in Line Lexington, Bucks Co., Pa., of bilious diarrhoea (sic) and old age, by which he was confined to his bed about 16 days, JACOB FUNK, (father of the publishers of the Herald), aged 78 years, 8 months and 19 days. He was buried on Thursday, Sept. 9th, at Line Lexington burying-ground. Funeral services by Isaac Moyer, Abm. Moyer, Isaac Rickert and ___Yerrick. Text, Isa. 57:2.

Sept. 24th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., SUSAN, daughter of Peter and ____MARTIN, aged 2 years, 3 months and 24 days. Buried at Shaun's burying-ground, on Sunday following. Services by ____Baker and J. F. Funk.

Sept. 16th, in Hilltown Tp., Bucks Co., Pa., suddenly, of apoplexy, GERTRUDE, Widow of the late John DETWEILER, of New Britian Tp., aged 69 years, 11 months and 14 days. Her maiden name was Kolp; she was first married to Isaac Means, afterwards to ____Drissel and last to John Detweiler. She was buried on the 18th at Line Lexington. Funeral services by John Allebach and Abel Horning.

Sept. 17th, in Line Lexington, Bucks Co., Pa., ___INFANT CHILD of Isaac O. and Sarah CROUTHAMMEL, aged about two weeks. Buried at Hilltown church. Services by Rev. Yerrick.
Not lost, but gone before.

Sept. 10th, in Franconia Tp., Montgomery Co., Pa., from being gored by a cow, BENJAMIN JANTZ, aged about 2 years. The parents of this little child recently came from Russia. Buried at Franconia. Services by the brethren, Beutler and Funk.

Sept. 17th, in Plumstead Tp., Bucks Co., Pa., AMANDA, daughter of Reuben MEYERS, aged 16 years, 4 months and 12 days. She was buried on the 20th, followed by a large concourse of people to her last resting place.

The young in fairest youth must die
And in their graves be laid,
O come, O come! To Jesus fly
For refuge and be saved.

Sept. 28th, in Elkhart Co., Ind., OLIVER NITTROUER, aged 4 years, 11 months and 13 days. Funeral services by H. Shaum and James Culbertson, from James 4:14.

Transcribed by Donna Schrock Birkey, Illinois