Harms, Julius Andrew (1882-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Sep 23 p. 5

Birth date: 1882 Mar 3

text of obituary:

83-Year-Old Pioneer Dies at Corn, Okla.

Corn, Okla. — Funeral services for Julius Harms, 83, a pioneer settler of this community, were held Sept. 13 at the Herold Mennonite Church. He died Sept. 10 at the farm home northwest of Corn where he had resided since 1908.

A native of Harvey County, Kan., Mr. Harms came to this area with his parents in 1896. The family settled on a farm five miles east of Cordell. In 1908 he was married to Eva Bartel, who survives with their three daughters, three sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Harms was active in the Sichar and Herold churches, serving on the board of deacons for 26 years. He was a member of the Bear Creek school board for some 30 years.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Nov 11 p. 11

text of obituary:

JULIUS A. HARMS

Julius Andrew Harms, son of Andrew and Anna (Schroeder) Harms, was born March 3, 1882, in the Grace Hill community in Harvey County, Kansas, where he spent his childhood years. He attended the Grace Hill Mennonite Church and the Candy District School.

In 1896, at the age of 14, father moved with his parents to Washita County, Oklahoma, settling on a farm five miles east of Cordell which his father had homesteaded. Here he continued his schooling at the Shelly District School and attended church services at the Shelly Mission Station. As a young man he with his older brother broke sod, walking barefoot behind the plow. For making the land tillable and planting it, they received the first two kaffir corn crops.

It was during these years that father realized his lost estate and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Upon his confession of faith, he was baptized by the late Elder Michael Klaassen on May 19, 1902, and was received as a member of the Herold Mennonite Church. He remained a faithful and active member to the end of his life.

In 1907 father purchased a farm ten and one-half miles southeast of Clinton. Since the farm had no buildings on it, he lived with his uncle just across the road until he could build a house.

On Nov. 12, 1908, he was united in holy matrimony with Eva Bartel. Eight children came to bless this home. He was always kind and appreciative.

In 1922 he was elected deacon of his church. In this office he faithfully served for25 years. He also served as Sunday school teacher for many years.

It was our parents' privilege to celebrate their silver wedding in 1933, and their golden wedding in 1958. These events were times of blessings to them for which they were humbly grateful.

In 1949 father retired from active farming, remaining in his home on the farm. Our parents were privileged to live their entire married life on the same farm. He enjoyed good health until about a year ago when his strength began to fail. On the morning of Sept. 10, 1965, he quietly passed away in his home. He reached the age of 83 years, six months, and seven days.

Preceding him in death were one son and one daughter who died in infancy, also his parents and two brothers, Frank and David.

Surviving are his wife, Eva, of the home; three sons and three daughters, Leonard and Walter Harms of Rt. 1, Clinton; Anna, Mrs. Louis B. Horn, Rt. 1, Corn; Rosella, Mrs. Orville F. Abrahams, Erna, Mrs. John E. Rempel, and Ernest Harms, all of Clinton; 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law; one brother, Bernhard A. Harms of Cordell; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1965 Oct 19 p. 654