Brillhart, J. Wesley (1853-1937)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Feb 3 p. 3

Birth date: 1853 Dec 29

text of obituary:

J. Wesley Brillhart

J. Wesley Brillhart was born at Orville, Ohio, December 29, 1853. After a short illness from heartfailure he passed away very peacefully at the home of Mrs. Martha Steiner of Upland, California, January 2, 1937, at the age of 83 years and 22 days.

His early life was spent on his father's farm near Orville, Ohio., At the age of sixteen he went to Morrison, Illinois, where he had employment as a farm hand. On February 12, 1876, he was married to Regina Schomaker [sic Schumacher]. To this union were born nine children, seven of whom survive. They are: Adam J. Brillhart, Alvia Brillhart, Mrs. Mary Howl, and Mrs. Martha Eicher, all of Hobart, Oklahoma; Oliver Brillhart of Oakland, California, and Mrs. Clara Deshon of Akron, Ohio. Mrs. Brillhart passed away April 27, 1932. they had celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1926.

Practically his entire life was spent on the farm. The family lived several years at Wichita, Kansas, and Bluffton, Ohio. In 1893 they took up a homestead at O'Karche, Oklahoma, where they lived for 10 years. Since 1908 they made their home at Hobart, Oklahoma. During the past five years, since the death of his life companion, Mr. Brillhart spent the winters in California. This was his third winter in Upland. Since the middle of September he had roomed at the home of Mrs. Martha Steiner on First Avenue.

At an early age, he united with the Mennonite Church at Morrison, Illinois. Coming to Hobart, Oklahoma, he immediately identified himself with the religious life of the community, uniting with the Mennonite church of that place. He was a regular Bible student, a man of prayer, and regularly attended the services of the First Mennonite church. His friendly and pleasant disposition will be greatly missed among us.

Funeral services were conducted at the Stone Funeral Home in Upland, Sunday, January 24, at 3 p.m., Rev. Lester Hostetler officiating. The sermon was based on Psalm 90.

The body, accompanied by a son, Noah Brillhart, was sent to Hobart, Oklahoma, for interment.