Baer, Samuel J. (1863-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 16 p. 8

Birth date: 1863 Mar 17
Date of Death 1957 December 22

text of obituary:

SAMUEL J. BAER

Samuel J. Baer, a member of the Summerfield, Ill. Mennonite Church for over 78 years, passed from this earth Dec. 22.

He was born in Ridge Prairie, Ill. March 17, 1863, a son of the later Christian and Elizabeth Bergen Baer. As a lad he journeyed to the Summerfield church on Sundays where Rev. Christian Krehbiel was the pastor. He went to the German school as a boy and upon his confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized at the age of 16 on Sept. 9, 1879, by Rev. Christian Krehbiel, just at the close of Bro. Krehbiel's ministry at Summerfield.

After high school, Sam was privileged to attend Bethel College. He came back to serve his community as a school teacher at the Summerfield school. He also served as a court clerk at Springfield, Ill. under Illinois Governor Small.

Sam Baer was a resident of Summerfield for 80 years until he moved to the St. Vincent House in Belleville, Ill. on Feb.14, 1947. Later he lived at the St. Elizabeth's home in Belleville. While there he continued to witness for Christ until his death at the age of 94 years and nine months. He was laid to rest in the Summerfield cemetery with Ernest W. Neufeld officiating.

He is survived by three nephews, Robert Ruth of O'fallon, Ill., Elfred Ruth of Toledo, Ohio and Alfred Ewert of Oxford University, England. He also leaves behind many friends and distant relatives in the Summerfield community.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Feb 4 p. 77

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Ridge Prairie, Illinois
Son of Christian and Katherine (Berger) Baer
Single
Teacher, court clerk

Bethel alumni note:
Obituary above states he went to Bethel College.
Alumni card note: Bethel student 1884-85
Registration lists for Emmatal Fortbildungsschule (1882-83) in Marion County, Kansas, which moved to Halstead, Kansas, and became known as Halstead Seminary (1883-1893) show Samuel J. Baer enrolled 1882-85. This school was a precursor to Bethel College. Classes started at Bethel College in 1893, the same year the Halstead Seminary closed.

Photo holdings:
See Gustav A. Haury Sr. for 1885 group photo

Sources:
AJ Ruth's Baer … Strohm Fam. -Baer 12
Kaufman, GC Menn. Pioneers p. 313 & 316
Alumni card
Registration Lists, Halstead Seminary (included Emmatal 1882-83, Halstead Seminary 1883-85)
GAMEO entry on Emmatal Fortbildnungsschule (Marion County, Kansas) and Halstead Seminary (Halstead, Kansas)
Grandma Profile #781542