Herald of Truth - Volume XVIII, Number 7 - July, 1881

On the 2nd of May, near Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Va., of pneumonia, after four weeks illness, Bro. David Hartman aged 69 years and 20 days. He was buried at Weaver's church. Funeral services were held by Bros. Abraham Shank, Daniel S. Heatwole, and W. T. Price, from 1 Thess. 4: 14­18. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Bishop Burkholder. They lived together nearly forty-six years, their children numbering twelve, four sons and eight daughters, five of whom were called to try the realities of the unknown world before their father and seven are still remaining, soon to follow him to the grave. Bro. Hartman was a strong advocate of the faith of the Mennonite church, of which he was a member from his youth. He was a regular attendant at church, for he loved to assemble with those who meet to worship God. He also manifested much interest in building and repairing churches, and attending to church business. He had a desire to see all his children unite with the same branch of Christ's church of which he was a member, which desire was granted him.
"Dearest father, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel,
But 'tis God that has bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.

Yet again we hope to meet thee,
when the day of life has fled,
Then in heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tear is shed."
Harrisonburg, Va. Susanna.

Fatal Accident.­On Wednesday, May 11th, as Mrs Michael Strickler, accompanied by Mrs. Milton Ferry and a child, were driving to York, York Co., Pa., another party driving in the opposite direction, collided with them, overturning their vehicle and so seriously injuring Mrs. Strickler in the spine that she died in two weeks afterwards. The accident occurred in front of Henry Hiestand's, on the Wrightstown pike. The funeral took place on Sunday, May 29th, from her late residence in Hellam township. She was buried at the Spring Garden Mennonite burying ground, where a very large concourse of people assembled (it is said the largest ever gathered there). Mrs Strickler was a daughter of Pre. Jacob Lehman. Her age was 45 years, 8 months and 14 days. Services by Frederick Stauffer and David Witmer. She bore her afflictions with Christian fortitude, in the hope of a better life beyond this vale of sorrow and tears. The circumstances connected with her death are indeed sad. She was beloved and respected by all who knew her.

Baker.­February 19th, near Mount Joy, Lancaster County, Pa., Walter E., only child of Amos and Harriet Baker, aged 7 months and 22 days. Funeral on the 20th. Text: Isa. 55 : 6-7. Buried at Strickler's Meeting house.

Harnish.­February 22nd, near Sener's toll gate, Lancaster Co., Pa., Urbar H., son of Bro. and Sister Abraham Harnish, aged 1 year, 10 months and 17 days. Funeral on the 25th. Text: Psalm 25: 1. Buried at Landisville Meeting-house.

Snavely.­March 2nd, near Junction, Lancaster Co., Pa., of dropsy, Fannie H. daughter of Jonas and Lizzie Snavely, aged 5 years, 7 months and 8 days. Funeral on the 5th. Text: Psalm 50: 1. Buried in the family grave yard.

Hagy.­April 1st, near Schoeneck, Lancaster Co., Pa., Salinda, wife of John H. Hagy, aged 37 years, 6 months and 20 days. Funeral on the 4th. Text: 2 Kings 20: 1. Buried at Schoeneck Meeting house.

Rutt.­April 8th, in Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., Pa., Bro. Samuel Rutt, aged 84 years, 6 months and 17 days. Funeral on the 11th. Text: Amos 4: 12. Buried in the family grave yard.

Kurtz.­April 9th, in Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of diphtheria, David S., son of Jacob Kurtz, aged 3 years, 3 months and 17 days. Funeral on the 12th. Text: Matt. 18: 10. Buried at Landisville Meeting house.

Fry.­April 17th, in Salunga, Lancaster Co., Pa., Sarah Amanda, wife of Andrew G. Fry, of Lancaster City, aged 29 years, 7 months and 9 days. Funeral on the 20th. Text : Psalm 90:12. Buried at Landisville Meeting house. A large concourse of friends and neighbors assembled to pay a tribute of respect to the deceased.

Herr.­April 27th, near Quarryville, Lancaster Co., Pa., Lizzie Frances, daughter of Benjamin Herr, aged 15 years, 1 month and 4 days. Funeral on the 30th. Text: Rom. 6: 23. Buried at Landisville Meeting house.

Heisey.­April 30th, near Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., Walter, infant son of Abm. And Barbara Heisey, aged 4 months and 6 days. Funeral on the 2nd of May. Text: Rom. 8: 17. Buried at Strikler's Meeting house.

Spera.­May 3rd, in Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., Bessie Naomi, infant of William and Lizzie Spera, aged 1 month and 24 days. Funeral on the 5th. Text: Acts 17: 30­31. Buried at Mount Joy cemetery.

Hiestand­May 9th, in Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., after a lingering illness, Bro. Samuel Hiestand, aged 44 years, 1 month and 20 days. Funeral on the 12th. Text: Job 14 : 10. Buried at Landisville Meeting house. Bro. Hiestand was received into the church during his sickness.

Burkhart.­May 23rd, near Newville, Cumberland Co., Pa., of Dropsy, Sister Elizabeth, wife of Pre. Abm. Burkhart, aged 59 years, 11 months and 1 day. Funeral on the 24th. Text; Rom. 14 : 7­9. Buried at Diller's Meeting house. A large number of friends and neighbors assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the beloved Sister. She was a faithful member of the old Mennonite church.

Stauffer.­May 23rd, near Neffsville, Lancaster Co., Pa., of diphtheria, Sister Elizabeth H. Stauffer, wife of Henry M. Stauffer, aged 33 years, 7 months and 14 days. Funeral on the 26th. Text : John 10: 27­30. Buried at Landisville Meeting house. Many people assembled to sympathize with the bereft family.

Sechrist.­Jacob Sechrist was born in Pennsylvania on the 2nd of June, 1802; came to Ohio in 1834 and settled in Congress Tp., Wayne Co., died on the 23rd of March, 1881, aged 78 years, 9 months and 21 days. Funeral services by Isaac Good and Peter Troxel.

Meribal.­April 8th, in Wayne Co., Ohio, of dropsy in the chest, Magdalena Meribal, aged 83 years, 3 months and 11 days. Buried the 10th. Services by Jacob Nusbaum at the house, and by Chr. Schneck at the Sonnenberg Meeting house. Text ; Rom. 8 : 11­18. The deceased sister came from Switzerland in 1879 with her parents. Her father was one of the first settlers in the Sonnenberg church. Her husband and two children died before her. She leaves five grand-children. She looked forward to a heavenly home and died in a living faith.
[This was in the May number under the name of Tschampier, and so it is in the copy. The original is not at hand.]

Miller.­On the 16th of March, near Marshall, Henry County, Iowa, of tumor in the head, David, son of S. T. and Leah Miller, aged 5 years. Funeral services were held by S. Gerig and John V. Gunden.

Conrad.­April the 21st, in Washington Co., Iowa, of consumption, Sister Catharine, wife of Daniel Conrad, aged 37 years and 2 months. Her youngest child died three months before her. She leaves a deeply bereaved husband and seven children to mourn their loss. She was a beloved sister in the Amish church. Her funeral took place the 23rd, at Sommers' burying-ground. Funeral services by S. T. Miller and S. Gerig.

Smith.­April 23rd, in Putnam Co., Ohio, of consumption, Sister Lydia, wife of Amos Smith, aged 36 years, 2 months and 6 days. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn their loss. Services by C. Culp and C. B. Brenneman.

Horning.­May 6th, in Page Co., Iowa, Cora May, only child of John and ---- Horning, of lung and throat disease, aged 15 months and 20 days. Funeral services by Andrew Good from Jeremiah 15 : 9. "Her sun is gone down while it was yet day."

Stauffer.­May 14th, near Locke, Elkhart Co., Ind., Bro. Henry Stauffer, aged 68 years, 9 months and 6 days. Buried the 15th at Yellow Creek burying-ground. Services by Jonathan Smucker and James Culbertson. Text : Hebrews 4 : 9.

Meyers.­On the 7th of May, in Bedminster Tp., Bucks Co., Pa., of consumption, Abm. M. son of J. S. Meyers, aged 29 years, 6 months and 8 days. Buried at Deep Run.

Moyer.­On the 14th of May, in Bucks Co., Pa., Elizabeth Moyer, widow of Joseph Moyer, aged 77 years, 6 months and 29 days. Buried on the 17th at Perkasee.

Meyers.­On the 14th of May, in Bucks Co., Pa., of consumption, Andrew Lincoln Meyers, aged 17 years, 7 months and 21 days. Buried at Deep Run.
"We yield him, Savior, to thy love,
Thy love so full and free­
That drew him tenderly away,
To find a home with thee."

Spitnale.­May 13th, on Blanchard River, Putnam Co., Ohio, of consumption, Henry, son of Bro. David Spitnale, aged 24 years, 7 months and 21 days. He never made any profession more than a moral life. Funeral on the 14th. Services by G. Brenneman. This should be a solemn warning to the remainder of the family to watch and be ready. Mother, a daughter, and a son have passed away, and 3 more of the sons appear to be afflicted with the same disease.

Winey.­April 9th, in Snyder Co., Pa., Sarah, daughter of Menno and Alice Winey, aged 5 months and 4 days. Services by John Landis and Thomas Graybill. Text: 2 Samuel 12 : 23.

Herstetter.­May 9th, in Juniata Co., Pa., Barbara Herstetter, aged 83 years and 9 days. Buried the 11th at Arlogast church. Services by Thomas Graybill and John Snyder. Text : Luke 14 : 17.

Lauver.­May 16th, in Juniata Co., Pa., Jacob Lauver, aged 91 years, 4 months and 16 days. Buried the 18th at Neimand church. Services by Elias Landis, Thomas Graybill, and John Swarts. Text: Hebrews 4 : 8.

Shillingford.­May 18th, near McAllisterville, Juniata Co., Pa., Sarah, wife of James Shillingford, aged 60 years. Her maiden name was Shaeffer, formerly from the eastern counties. She bore her sufferings with patience, and was glad to depart and be with Christ. Buried the 20th at Lost Creek. The funeral was largely attended. Impressive remarks were made by William Graybill from Psalm 31 : 5.

Presler.­May 29th, in Snyder Co., Pa., Sister Lydia, wife of Philip Presler, aged 54 years, 4 months and 16 days. Buried June 1st in Richfield. Services by Thomas and Solomon S. Graybill, and Samuel Winey. Text : John 5 : 24.

Burgey.­May 31st, in Juniata Co., Pa., of diphtheria, Samuel, son of William and Catharine Burgey, aged 2 years and 4 days. Buried June 2nd at Shelley's Meeting house. Services by Thomas and Solomon S. Graybill. Text : Psalm 16 : 5­6.

Stemen.­May 19th, in Allen Co., Ohio, Sister Rachel, wife of Bro. Henry Stemen, aged 68 years, 7 months and 3 days. She was a member of the Mennonite church 49 years; the mother of 8 children, 4 have preceded her to eternity. She leaves a husband and 4 children to mourn their loss, but we hope their loss is her gain. She had 31 grand-children and 10 great grand-children. Buried on the 21st. Services by C. B. Brenneman and M. Rohrer.

Garman­May 28th, near Dalton, Wayne Co., Ohio, Bro. Jacob Garman, aged 57 years, 6 months and 1 day. Buried at the Martin meeting house. Leaves a wife and 3 sons to mourn their loss. Services in German by M. Hurst, in English by M. Rohrer.

Schumacher.­May 28th, near Bluffton, Allen Co., Ohio, of heart disease, suddenly, Pre. Peter Schumacher, aged 62 years, 2 months and 12 days. He went to Ottawa, twelve miles off, and on his way home he met some teams laden with stone, something happened to one of the wagons and he stopped to help them. At once his breathing became difficult, and he said he must stop; he sank down and expired after breathing a few times. His decease will be sorely felt­by his family and friends, and especially will the church feel the loss she has sustained. He was a faithful teacher, and labored earnestly in the cause of his Master, both by precept and example. He served in the ministry for the Swiss Mennonite church twenty-five years. He leaves a bereaved wife, with whom he lived over forty-one years, 16 children, and 44 grand children, to mourn their loss. Funeral services were held by Chr. B. Steiner, of Wayne Co., and J. Moser, from James 4 : 14­17.

Steiner.­May 31st, in Wayne Co., Ohio, of lung fever, Christena Steiner, aged 29 years, 4 months and 15 days. She leaves a bereaved husband and two little boys. Her funeral services were held by C. B. Steiner and Chr. Sommer from Rev. 14 : 1­4.

Funk.­May 26th, in Springtown, Bucks Co., Pa., Kauffman Funk, aged 71 years, 4 months and 23 days. Interred in the Springtown cemetery the 29th. Preaching by I. S. Moyer from Rom. 14 : 7­9.

Imhoff.­May 31st, in McLean Co., Ill., of lung fever, Pre. Chr. Imhoff, aged 42 years and 7 months. He bore his affliction with Christian resignation. He leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his death. Fourteen years he served the church in the ministry earnestly and faithfully. Buried the 2nd of June in the presence of a large number, who met to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom they loved. Funeral sermon by C. Rupp from 1 Cor. 15. Further remarks by Pre. Longly in English, and by J. Zehr and M. Kinsinger.

Bender.­Catharine Bender, who was well known in this vicinity, died at her home in Osolo twp., Elkhart Co., Indiana, Sunday morning, May 29th. She was the relict of Henry Bender, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1800, and at the time of her death was 81 years, 2 months and 23 days old. She has been an invalid for the past four months, and her death was not unexpected. She leaves eight children, two sons and six daughters to mourn their loss. Funeral on the 31st at the new Methodist chapel in Osolo township, Rev. J. H. Hutchinson, of Elkhart, conducting the services.

Burcky.­May 31st, in Bureau Co., Ill., Andrew Burcky, aged 72 years, 5 months and 26 days. He leaves an aged widow, 2 children, 9 grand-children, and one great-grand-child. Words of comfort were spoken on the funeral occasion by Jacob Unzicker, Andrew Ropp, and Peter P. Stuckey.

Auker.­June 8th, in Juniata Co,. Pa., George H., son of Daniel and Mary Auker, aged 8 years and 2 months. Buried the 10th at Lost Creek. Services by Jacob S. and William Graybill, from John 14 : 4.

Kauffman.­April 9th, in Juniata Co., Pa., of consumption, Sister Susan M., daughter of A. R. and Harriet Kauffman, aged 21 years, 9 months and 23 days. She was buried at Lost Creek Church. Services by Jacob and William Graybill. Text, 1 Peter 1 : 24.

Rittenhouse.­June 8th, in Lincoln Co., Ont., of the infirmities of old age, gradually sinking till the last, Bro. John Rittenhouse, aged 81 years, and 17 days. He was sick about six weeks, and bore his afflictions with Christian fortitude. He longed for the time of his departure that he might meet Jesus in a better world, and with this hope he fell asleep in peace. He was buried on the 10th. He was a faithful member of the Mennonite Church for many years. He leaves an aged companion and seven children and many relatives to mourn his departure, but they mourn not as those who have no hope. His life was one of the most exemplary piety. May we all imitate his faithfulness and devotion.

Stemen.­June 7th, in Allen Co., Ohio, suddenly of heart disease, Sister Mary Stemen, wife of Peter Stemen, at the ripe age of 74 years and 25 days. Funeral on the 8th, at Sherrick's Meeting-house. Services by C. B. Brenneman and C. Culp. Text, Matth. 25 : 13. She was well when she retired at night, and at one o'clock she became sick, and in half an hour she was a corpse. She leaves a husband and six children to mourn their loss.

Martin.­June 11th, near Clarence Center, Erie Co., N.Y., of consumption, and ulceration of the bowels, Nathaniel M., son of Moses and Hannah Martin, aged 3 months and 22 days. Buried the 13th. Appropriate remarks were made by Jacob Krehbiel, in English and German, from Isaiah 91 : 10.

Kelchner.­May 31st, in Putnam Co., Ohio, of Palsey*, Bro. John Kelchner, aged 70 years, 3 months, and 26 days. Funeral on the 2nd of June, at which time appropriate remarks were made by John Moser and Henry Egli in German, and in English by Chr. Zimmerly and John Detsch, from Luke 2 : 29­32. Our Brother had much to suffer, yet he endured his pain with patience.

* Transcribers note: as written

Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario