Herald Of Truth - Volume XIV, Number 11 - November, 1877, page 181, 182
Died Oct. 12th, in Newbury Tp., LaGrange Co., Ind., Bish. JOSEPH MILLER, aged 68 years, 10 months and 27 days.
He was a beloved brother, a servant of Christ and bishop in the old Amish church. He was born in 1808, in Somerset Co., Pa., and in 1833 was chosen minister. In 1841 with his family and three other families he came to Elkhart Co. These formed the first settlement of the Amish in the county. Several years later he removed to LaGrange Co. In 1848 he was chosen bishop, which office he faithfully filled until his end, in teaching, establishing new congregations, and ordaining ministers in the vineyard of the Lord. He was the first Amish preacher in this section. He always showed a good example to his flock. The last years he could not get around very well, and experienced much trouble. He frequently said that he knew he must soon lay down this tabernacle of clay, and often desired to be with Christ which is far better. Five weeks previous to his death, a though he was quite unwell, he delivered an edifying and effective sermon; and a few days before his end, he exhorted to steadfastness, and said he would not be long with us in this world. His mind remained good to the end, and he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. He leaves a wife and five children, about 30 grand-children, and several great grand-children to mourn their loss, but we hope our loss will be his gain. The burial took place the 14th in the presence of many persons, not less than five hundred. On the funeral occasion earnest remarks were made by the brethren, John C. Yoder and John L. Miller, from 1 Cor. 15: 1--26 and 51--58. Peace to his ashes.
Oct. 7th, in Logan Co., Ohio, JOSEPH FREY, aged 73 years, 5 months and 25 days. He was a minister in the Amish Men. Church 41 years. He was the father of nine children, three of whom preceded him to the eternal world. Buried the 9th, in the presence of a large assemblage of relatives and friends. Services by C. K. Yoder, Moses Stutzman and John P. King, from 2 Tim. 4:6--9.
Sept. 4th, in Manor, Lancaster Co., Pa., ALICE, daughter of Abraham and Maria NEFF, aged 2 years, and 12 days. Services by Christian Herr and Amos Shenk from 1st Peter 1 : 24, 25.
Sept. 23rd, in Putnam Co., Ohio, DANIEL S,, son of Henry and Elizabeth HUBER, age 1 year, 4 months and 5 days. Buried the 24th Services by C. B. and Geo. Brenneman.
Oct. 3rd, in -------- Co., Ill., of consumption, JACOBINA GERBER, aged 27 years, 2 months and 14 days. The 4th her body was deposited in mother earth, in the presence of many relatives and friends. The funeral services were conducted by John Stehly, Joseph Stuckey and John P. Schmidt.
Sept. 24th, in Lower Salford, Montgomery Co., Pa., of nerve fever, HANNAH ALDERFER, aged 68 years, 7 months and 22 days. She lived in peaceful and happy matrimony and had 7 daughters and 3 sons go before her into eternity. A deeply afflicted husband and 9 children are left to mourn her departure. Henry Loux and Josiah Clemmer spoke words of edification to the large assemblage present. Peace to her ashes.
Sept. 16th, in Lancaster Co., Pa., Sister ANNA L., wife of Amos LEMAN and daughter of Peter E. And Anna Hershey, aged 25 years and 16 days. She was buried on the 18th at Hershey's burying-ground, followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends to her last resting place. Services were held by David Buckwalter in German and Isaac Eby in English, from 1 Thess. 4: 13, 14. She was a sister in the Mennonite Church, and we hope that this severe affliction to the bereft family may be her eternal gain.
She's gone; a weeping husband mourns,
And all around in tears I see:
She's gone; the sorrowing parents grieve
As they hear the sad adieu.
I am going to my heavenly Friend,
My Jesus and my all;
He calls me to his blessed arms,
And I'll obey the call.
On the 26th of September, near Elkhart, in Elkhart Co., Ind., of cholera morbus, JOHN A. STIFFLER, aged 63 years, 11 months and 22 days. Buried on the 28th. Services by John F. Funk from 2 Cor. 5 : 1. He leaves a widow and 6 children to mourn their loss.
On the 28th of September, in Cass Co., Mich., infant child of Jacob and Mary BISHOP, age 3 weeks. Services by J. F. Funk from Matt. 18:3. Buried at Adamsville.
In LaGrange Co., Ind., on the 2nd of October, ADA, daughter of Adam P. and Eliza MICCUM, aged 6 years, 6 months and --- days. Services by J. J. Weaver.
In LaGrange Co., Ind., on the 5th of Oct. ----- infant of Jacob and ------ Mills, aged 3 months and 7 days. Services by J. J. Weaver.
Aug. 19th, in Cambria Co., Pa., SALOMA SHAEFFER, aged
5 years and 2 months.
Aug. 30th, at the same place, MARIA SHAEFFER, aged 16 years,
1 month and 20 days.
Sept. 3rd, same place, SARAH AMANDA SHAEFFER, aged 11 years,
6 months and 6 days.
Sept. 29th, same place, JANE SHAEFFER, aged 14 years, 6
months and 4 days.
The last four were daughters of Bro. Hiram Shaeffer, and all died of diphtheria. Bro. Shaeffer can well say with patient Job, "The days of affliction have taken hold upon me;" and with David, "I am desolate and afflicted; the troubles of my heart are enlarged." Services by Samuel Blough.
Aug. 14th, in Fulton Co., Ohio, of a lingering disease, JOSEPH SMITH, aged 68 years and 8 months. Buried the 16th. He was a brother in the Amish Mennonite church. Words of comfort were delivered by C. P. Stuckey and C. Freyinberger.
Sept. 6th, in Fulton Co., Ohio, Bishop PETER NAFZIGER, aged 67 years, 11 months and 10 days. About five years ago he received a stroke of palsy, affecting his speech so as scarcely to be understood. From thence on he weakened in mind and body, making it necessary to be handled like a child. He suffered much. Buried the 8th. Services by J. Wyse and M. King.
Sept. 29th, in Fulton Co., Ohio, very suddenly, SARAH STUCKEY, wife of Joseph Stuckey, aged 37 years, and 6 days. Deposited in mother earth the 30th. She leaves 7 children, and a bereaved husband. Was a member of the Tunker church. Funeral services by Jephtha Wyse and Christian Freyinberger, from Matt. 24 : 42--47.
Sept. 14th, in Scottsdale, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Sister ELIZABETH, wife of David STONER, aged 50 years, 5 months and 5 days. She died of Cancer in the breast. She had a surgical operation performed in Feb., which healed over in a short time, but soon after commenced again to grow, and continued until the day of her death. Sister Stoner was a daughter of Pre. Martin Loucks, and a faithful member of the Mennonite church upwards of 25 years. She was beloved and esteemed by all who knew her. She suffered a great deal of pain, but bore her suffering patiently. She leaves a devoted husband to mourn his loss, but no children. Buried the 16th, at Stonerville, where a large concourse of relatives and friends met to pay their last respects to her. Services by ------ Stevenson and J. Blough, from Rev. 34:13, and by John D. Overholt in German.
On Saturday morning about 8 o'clock, Oct. 13th, Abraham H. Hendricks, father of preacher Jos. H. Hendricks, stepped across the railroad track near Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa., and was caught by the cow-catcher of an engine and thrown over an embankment and so severely injured that he died in a few minutes. He was about 70 years old.
Transcribed by: Cheri Salz, Illinois