Oswald, Jacob W. (1881-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Dec 4 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1881 Jul 13

text of obituary:

JACOB W. OSWALD

Jacob W. Oswald was born in Bavaria, Germany on July 13,1881. In 1883, when he was two years old, he came with his parents to Tazewell County, Ill. Two years later they moved to Cuming County, Neb., where he grew up.

In 1897 he was received as a member of the Mennonite Church by rite of water baptism, administered by Bishop Joseph Schlegel of Milford, Neb.

On Dec. 18, 1907, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Erb of O'Niell [sic O'Neill], Neb., sharing life with her for almost 51 years. To this union were born 10 children, two of whom died at birth. Bro. and Sister Oswald observed their golden anniversary just a year before his death.

On Oct. 29, 1915, he was ordained to the ministry at O'Niell [sic O'Neill], Neb. by Jacob D. Birky, where he served for about five years. Following this he served churches at Beemer and Beaver Crossing, Neb.

In 1940 he moved to Crawford County, Pa. where he assisted with the ministerial work and preaching at the Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Conneaut Lake. Although he had not been well for several months his death came suddenly and unexpectedly. On the afternoon of the Sunday preceding his death he attended a special missionary meeting at the church. He quietly passed away at his home at Hartztown, Pa. on the morning of Nov. 12, 1958, at the age of 77 years and four months.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth; eight children, Helen (Mrs. Harold Steider) of Conneaut Lake, Pa., Ruth (Mrs. Ray Steider) of Conneautville, Pa., Esther (Mrs. Chris Hjorth) of Clarkson, Nebr., Harry of Nampa, Idaho, John of Hartstown, Pa., Paul of Manson, Iowa, Delmar of Oil City, Pa., and Donald of Triangle, Va.; two sisters, Mrs. John Erb of Frazee, Minn. and Mrs Chris Schantz of Bancroft, Neb.; seven brothers, Peter of Wisner, Nebr., Joseph and Samuel of Beemer, Nebr., Rueben [sic Reuben], Benjamin, and Amos of Frazee, Minn., Daniel of West Point, Nebr.; 36 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bro. Oswald was noted for his love for children and his warm greeting and friendly handshake for everyone. Although he will be greatly missed in the home and in the church, yet we realize that he has at last entered into that eternal rest for which he was longingly waiting.

Funeral services were held at the Sunnyside Mennonite Church on Nov. 15, in charge of Harvey Schrock, assisted by Daniel Johns. Interment was made in the adjoining church cemetery.