Roth, Benjamin (1846-1927)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1927 Jan 26 p. 2

Birth date: 1846 Oct 3

text of obituary:

Benjamin Roth

Benjamin Roth, youngest son of Christian and Elizabeth (Freyenberger) Foth [sic Roth] was born in Tavistock, Ontario, Oct. 3, 1846 and went to his reward from his home in Wayland, Iowa, Jan. 7, 1927 at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 4 days.

At the age of 18 he left Ontario and came to Henry County, Iowa, near Trenton, from whence he afterwards went to Washington county where he resided for approximately 40 years. Then he came to Wayland where he was a resident for the last 22 years.

He was married to Fanny Schlatter September 14, 1870, with whom he was privileged to share the joys and sorrows of life for 56 years, celebrating the golden wedding in 1920. this union was also blessed with six children, two of whom died infancy.

He became a member of the Eicher Church soon after the establishment of that congregation by the late Rev. Benjamin Eicher and later transferred his membership to the Wayland church, having now been a consistent member of the Churches for more than fifty years.

Mr. Roth possessed a good character and an optomistic [sic] nature. He always took an interest in community welfare, in schools, Churches, roads and affairs of state and nation. He read widely and was well informed on nearly every phase of life.

He is the last of old pioneers of the Noble locality of whom Andre Rinner, Peter Rich, Martin Nebel, P. P. Miller, Rev. Benjamin Eicher and others formed the group.

Mr. Roth was of a very strong strong constitution and enjoyed nearly perfect health up to December 13, 1922, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis which made him helpless. He remained bedfast ever after but bore his afflictions patiently unto the end which came at 12:30 a.m. on Friday morning, January 7th.

The funeral of Mr. Roth was held Sunday afternoon from the Mennonite church in Wayland, and was in charge of his pastor, Rev. H. J. Schrag, assisted by Rev. J. J. Pritchard of the Methodist Church and Rev. Daniel Graber of the Sugar Creek Church. The music was supplied by an octette of male voices from the Mennonite Church choir.

Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining the Eicher church north of Noble. — Wayland News.

The Mennonite obituary: 1927 Jan 20 p. 7