Miller, Jacob A. (1865-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Jun 16 p. 3

Birth date: 1865 Nov 15

text of obituary:

JACOB A. MILLER

Jacob A. Miller, a son of the late Rev. J. P. and Magdalena Hubin Miller, was born in Austria, November 15, 1865, and departed this life on Saturday evening April 23, 1949. The end to his life came suddenly and peacefully. He succumbed to a stroke as he was out in the poultry yard. He had reached the age of 83 years, six months and eight days.

He came to the Hanston, Kansas community in 1892 where he took a homestead and had made this his home ever since.

When a young man he was baptized on the confession of his faith in Christ as his personal Savior and was taken into the membership of the Mennonite church of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He had always taken an active part in church and Sunday school work until his hearing failed him.

On October 21, 1894, he was united in marriage to Eugenia Miller daughter of John and Elizabeth Miller. To this union three sons and five daughters were born. Three daughters, Esther, Tillie and Lydia Ann, preceded him in death. Those who are left to mourn his death are his wife Eugenia, Emma, Elsie, Edwin, Marvin and Arthur, all of Hanston; rers[sic] Esther, Tillie, and Lydia Ann, Hirschler, Marilyn and Paul Miller; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Baumgartner of North Newton and Mrs. Mina Ewy of Abilene; two brothers, E. D. Miller of Hanston, and Alfred Miller of Elsinore, California, and a host of relatives and friends.

On October 22, 1944 Mr. and Mrs. Miller were privileged to observe their golden wedding anniversary in their home with their children, relatives and friends.

He was an industrious worker, a successful farmer and manager, a good neighbor, and a substantial Christian citizen. He will be greatly missed in the home, church, and community. Physically he has left us, but the memory of him will linger with us through the years. During the past years it was his wish to be summoned to his heavenly home. He has now said goodbye to earth and his loved ones here. He has gone on and awaits their coming to the other shore. His philosophy of life is summed up in what the poet, Byrant [sic Bryant] said:

“So live that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan which moves to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, thou go not like the quarry slave at night, scourged to his dungeon; but go sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust. Approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.”

The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev Albrecht, assisted by Rev George Fleming of the local Baptist church and Dr. Vernon Reffner on Tuesday, April 26, at 2:00 o’clock in the family home and at 2:30 at the Mennonite church.

A male quartet, Maurice Osborne, Hugo Reimer, Bill Porter, and John Lingenfelder, accompanied by William Schowalter at the piano, sang, "Near to the Heart of God." “That Beautiful Land.” and "Rock of Ages" during the church services and "Trust" at the home services.

He was laid to rest in the Mennonite cemetery, surrounded by many beautiful floral offerings.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 May 31 p. 12