Fankhauser, N. G. (1866-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Dec 5 p. 3

Birth date: 1866 Oct 3

N. G. FANKHAUSER

On November 16, N. G. Fankhauser died after a lingering illness at his home near Dalton, Ohio, aged 80 years, one month and 13 days. He was born in Canton, Berne, Switzerland, October 3, 1866.

His father died when he was yet a baby and his mother, when he was 13 years old. At the age of 16 he came to America, to the state of Indiana. There he attended school to learn the English language. He also received training at a normal school at Angola, ind., and at Oberlin college. After this he taught country schools near Berne, Ind. He later became proof reader for the "Berne Witness," which position he held for 16 years.

He took his catechetical instruction in the Reformed church in Switzerland; he later joined the Mennonite church, in which faith he remained loyal until his death.

On December 29, 1900, he was married to Matilda Zuercher at Sonnenberg, Wayne County, Ohio, who survives him. Two daughters were born to this union: Magdalena, Mrs. W. J. Geiger, of Honolulu, Hawaii, who with her husband is teaching school (they intend to come to Ohio next February); and Dorothy, wife of Rev. E. S. Hallam, of Darlington, Md. There are also three grandchildren surviving. Mr. Fankhauser was the last of his family to pass away, but he leaves several nephews and nieces.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 19 at the Salem church, in charge of his pastor, Rev. A. S. Rosenberger. Dorothy and her two children remained with Mrs. Fankhauser for several days, leaving for her home in Delaware on Friday, November 29.