Ewert, Jacob (1870-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Dec 17 p. 7

Birth date: 1870 Jan 4

text of obituary:

Death Claims Pioneer Settler at Hillsboro

Hillsboro, Kan. — Memorial services were conducted Dec. 8 at the Johannestal Mennonite Church near here for Jacob Ewert, 94, oldest resident of the Johannestal community and a pioneer immigrant here from Polish Russia. Rev. Henry Goossen, the pastor, and Rev. Esko Loewen of North Newton officiated.

Mr. Ewert died at Salem Hospital Dec. 4, nine days after suffering a fractured hip in a fall at his farm home where he had resided since 1916.

Mr. Ewert came to America with his parents in 1875. The family settled first in Illinois for eight months, and then moved here. He had been a member of the Johannestal Church since 1885, and was formerly a choir member and Sunday school teacher.

He and his wife, the former Minnie Goertz, observed their 65th wedding anniversary last February. She survives with their eight children.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Dec 24 p. 11

text of obituary:

JACOB EWERT

Jacob Ewert, son of Peter and Eva (Bartel) Ewert, was born in Russian Poland Jan. 4, 1879, and was taken to his eternal reward Dec. 4, 1964, at the age of 94 years and 11 months. In 1875, at the age of five, he migrated to the United States with his parents, arriving in Illinois where they lived for eight months and then moved to Kansas, settling on a farm in Marion County.

He was baptized upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ in 1885 by Elder John S. Hirschler, and joined the Johannestal Mennonite Church where he remained a faithful member until his death. He was among the first group of 22 young people that were baptized after the Johannestal Church was organized. In his younger years he enjoyed directing the choir. He also taught Sunday school as long as his health permitted.

On Feb. 23, 1899, he was united in marriage with Minnie Goertz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Goertz. This union was blessed with nine children. Their first child, a son William, died at the age of 17 months. The other eight children are all living in the Hillsboro community. Last February they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Father was a farmer all his life and because acquainted with the hardships of the early pioneer days, but also learned how the first settlers were sustained by the grace of the Lord. In 1916 he purchased and improved a farm six miles northwest of Hillsboro. With the help of his two youngest children, they were able to make their livelihood on the farm until he died.

On Nov. 25 he fell in his home and suffered a broken hip. He was hospitalized 10 days, and died quite unexpectedly but peacefully.

His loyalty and devotion to his home, his family and the church will leave a testimony which will live long in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his widow, and eight children, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Brandt (Anna), Mr. and Mrs. Ben Plenert (Edna), Mr. and Mrs. Menno Plett (Marie), Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bartel (Dora), Ben Ewert and wife Clara, Earl Ewert and wife Deltha, Arpa and Albert Ewert,; 27 grandchildren; one sister, Anna, Mrs. J. J. Miller of Reedley, Calif.; one brother, George of Lorraine, Kan., and a host of relatives and friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1964 Dec 22 p. 802