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Page, William B. (1871-1945)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jun 28 p. 1, 5
Birth date: 1871 Jan 5
text of obituary:
Doctor, Missionary, Called Away In Death
DR. W. B. PAGE, PIONEER MISSIONARY, FOUND DEAD IN BED BY HIS WIFE AT HOME IN GOSHEN, IND.
At Goshen, Ind., Dr. William B. Page, 74, practiving [sic] physician there for the past 35 years and former Mennonite missionary in India, was found dead in bed at 7:30 A. M., Thursday, June 14, by his wife at their home, 214 East Lincoln avenue. Although he was at his office and the local hospital on the previous day, he complained of not feeling well and went home after setting a man's broken shoulder.
His death was probably caused by heart attack.
Always interested in the progress and activities of the church and in missions, Dr. Page had yet attended the annual business meeting of the Eighth Street Mennonite church on Tuesdat evebing.
Giving a brief history of his life, the Goshen News-Democrat reported as follows:
Born in Juniata county, Pa., Jan. 5, 1871, Dr. Page was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Page. He graduated from Valparaiso university in 1887, from Ada College, Ada, Ohio, in 1890, and from the Chicago medical College in 1896. His marriage to the former Alice Thut took place July 3, 1895.
Dr. Page was the first medical missionary sent to India by the Mennonite church, serving from 1899 to 1901. He and Bishop J. A. Ressler founded the mission at Dhamtari, Central Providence [sic], India, for the Mennonite church while serving as missionary. He also served at the Home Mission in Chicago. he practiced at Middlebury from 1902 until he came to Goshen in 1910.
One of the doctor's hobbies was the keeping of the exact count of the number of babies he had delivered since coming to Goshen. Less than two weeks ago he remarked at Goshen hospital, after delivering a baby, "that was my 2,393rd". Arrangements were made at that time for an interview and the writing of a newspaper feature story when Dr. Page delivered his 2,400th child.
Surviving in addition to Mrs. Page are a son, Ralph Page, dean of men at Bucknell university, Lewisbury [sic Lewisburg], Pa.; a daughter, Mrs. Karl (Marian) Stoll, of Pekin, Ill.; and four grandchildren.
The following further details of Dr. Page's work and missionary activities are given by Mrs. Mary Y. Burkhard, also a missionary in India for a number of years. Mrs. Burkhard and her husband began their service at Dhamtari station in India, Oct. 26, 1900, at the time Dr. Page and his wife went home on furlough:
Dr. Page became a volunteer for foreign missionary work while a student and was accepted by the Mission Board of the (Old) Mennonite Church Nov. 4, 1898, together with Bishop J. A. Ressler of Scotdale [sic Scottdale], Pa. In 1899 Dr. Page and wife and little son William and J. A. Ressler sailed for India, arriving in March of that year after several months of travel and investigation they located at Dhamtari, C. P., in November, 1899, just when the famine of 1900 was at its' worst.
They built huts of bamboo to live in, proceeding soon to building bungalows, a hospital and an orphanage. The government was doing relief work at Dhamtari and officials were very grateful for the half of the missionaries. Dr. Page was given charge of the government poor house and kitchen and he undertook the construction of numerous wells in Dhamtari. He at one time had 17 wells in operation.
In March, 1900, cholera broke out, which raged for four months. he attended every call that came to him from those stricken with the dread disease besides keeping his hospital and dispensary going. Poor-house patients numbered between 30 and 50 each day. Fifteen hundred men, women and children were fed in the kitchen. He became ill of cholera himself. By July 2, not having completely recovered, it was thought advisable he get away for a little change so he accompanied David Goerz of Newton, Kansas, who had come to India for relief with 8000 bushels of American corn, to several mission stations and on to Calcutta. there he was taken with a severe attack of dysentery. he was removed to the General hospital in Calcutta July 15. Mrs. Page and baby were sent for. With great difficulty they went from Dhamtari to Raipur, 48 miles away to the railway. Wife, nurses and friends watched and prayed by his beside. On August 10 he was allowed to leave the hospital, weighing only 110 lbs.; and told to remember one foot was still deep down in the grave; that to return to the mission station in less than six months would result in a recurrence of the dread malady; that he should take a sea voyage to a cooler climate. So it was decided best for them to return to America. After a long voyage they reached New york in October, 1900.
They settled in Middlebury, Indiana, in 1902, where he practiced medicine until coming to Goshen in 1910.
In Goshen he was the prime organizer of the Eight Street Mennonite church, beginning in a private dwelling on Fifth Street until the new church was built in 1920. Until the last, Dr. Page remained a pillar in the church. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 17, in the Eighth Street church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. E. Kreider, assisted by President E. E. Miller of Goshen College and former India missionary.
The Pages were planning to celebrate their 50th Wedding anniversary July 3.
