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Graber, Jacob (1857-1943)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Apr 15 p. 1
Birth date: 1857 Aug 7
text of obituary:
. . .
— Jacob Graber, 86 year old pioneer of Freeman, S. D., passed away recently at the home of his son, Alfred in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held at the North church at Freeman and were attended by large concourse of relative and friends. Grandfather Graber experienced many hardships of pioneer life together with other founders of the freeman settlement.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 May 6 p. 6
text of obituary:
JACOB GRABER
Jacob Graber, son of John and Christina Graber was born August 7, 1857, in Horodish Russia. In 1874 he came to America with his parents. Landing in New York without any money, Mennonites in Pennsylvania loaned them money to go to Yankton, S. D. Upon arriving in Yankton they had no place to go. A man came along and motioned to Jacob to come along. They could not understand each other by speaking. It was Governor Pennington for whom Mr. Graber worked several years and later gave him a mail route from Yankton to Childstown. Oct 30, 1879 he was united in marriage to Frenie Graber. Ten children were born to this union. Two boys died in infancy. Lena died at the age of 23 years and Mother Graber departed August 1, 1938. Father assisted in building the first church in the community, now Salem Zion Church, was choir leader for many years and active in Sunday School and church work.
He was sick a year ago but the Lord extended his time one year. Two weeks ago he took ill with the flu. On Tuesday, April 6, hemorrhage set in and he died at 3:20 peacefully and without a struggle. Several time [sic] during the day he prayed "Lord take me home." He reached the age of 86 years 3 months.
He leaves to mourn 6 sons and 1 daughter: Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Graber, Marion; Mr. and Mrs. Julius Graber, Marion; Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Kaufman, Freeman; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Graber, Bridgewater; Mr. and Mrs. John Graber, Parker; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Graber, Sioux Falls; Christ Graber, Lodi, California; 25 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.
