Burkholder, Eli (1863-1933)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Apr 5 p. 1

Birth date: 1863

Amish Bishop Leaves Remarkable Record.

Angola, Ind., March 31. — Bishop Amos Burkholder, the 94year-old Amish preacher from whose funeral several relatives were returning when they had an automobile accident near here several days ago, left a rather remarkable record.

Surviving are 555 direct descendants, many of whom attended the funeral. This number includes 15 children, 131 grandchildren, 291 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren. One son, Eli, aged 70, died from injuries received in the accident.

For 20 years Moses Burkholder was minister in the Amish Church, and for 54 years he was a preaching deacon. This ministerial record of 74 years is claimed to be the longest in the history of this country.

He was born and spent his entire 94 years on the farm near Nappanee, where he died. — From Berne Witness.