Loewen, Jacob (1855-1941)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Jul 9 p. 1

Birth date: 1855 Oct 5

text of obituary:

Mennonite News of General Interest.

. . .

— (Dr.) Jacob Loewen, 85, widely known by patients in Kansas who came to him for treatment of bone injuries, died recently at his home at Hillsboro, Kansas. He and his wife (Justina Leppke) were among the early settlers of the community. Last December they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. They were married December 15, 1878, in a quiet Sunday ceremony held after the regular morning sermon. Funeral services for Grandfather Loewen were held at the Mennonite Brethren church, Hillsboro.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Feb 13 p. 9

text of obituary:

Jacob Loewen, Patriarch of the Prairies

Hillsboro Writer's Sketch of Grandfather Wins First Prize In Pioneer Story Contest

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A 750-word sketch of a Mennonite pioneer written by Mrs. Curt Vogt of Hillsboro was adjudged the best among 597 entries in the annual Factual Factual Pioneer Story Contest sponsored by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, it has been learned here.

For her prize-winning effort, Mrs. Vogt was presented with the Olive Beech Award and $25 in cash at a banquet meeting of the organization held recently in Topeka, attended by a number of Kansas notables. The presentation was made by Mrs. Frank Boyd, chairman of the contest, and Mrs. Olive Ann Beech, president of Beech Aircraft, who was named "Kansan of the Year."

Mrs. Vogt's entry, entitled "Jacob Loewen, Patriarch of the Prairies," gives an account of the colorful life of her grandfather, pioneer immigrant from Russia and early-day settler in Marion County.

Mrs. Vogt, known to Review readers as Esther Loewen Vogt, has written numerous short stories and poems. A number of her poems have appeared in the Review.

Receiving honorable mention in the contest were two other Hillsboro residents, Mrs. A. E. Jenzen and Rev. D. V. Wiebe.

Mrs. Loewen's [sic Mrs. Vogt's] prize-winning entry follows.

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JACOB Loewen was born in Russia on October 5, 1855. When he was 18, Jacob, together with his parents, brothers, and a sister, left the verdant steppes and migrated to America to find religious freedom. They homesteaded in Marion County, south central Kansas, coming to their land via wagon and ox team from the nearest railway. In the midst of the vast, endless prairies, with its tall grasses billowing horse-high, they built a substantial frame home. The oxen, when not used for plowing or hauling lumber, would wander away to the creek for a drink of fresh water.

Despite his 19 years, Jacob enrolled in the little sod school, but after one month, he had his fill of education! He was much more interested in tilling the soil, planting and improving his father's huge orchard, which flourished with the choicest mulberries, cherries and apricots. Friendly Indians occasionally paid a "peeping window" visit to the community, but strictly left the sturdy peace-loving settlers alone.

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ONE Sunday morning, some weeks after Jacob's 23rd birthday, he made public his intention to wed the buxom Dutch beauty, Justina Leppke. After the morning sermon was ended, the minister announced that those who wished to have their marriage ceremony performed, should please come forward. Jacob and Justina arose hesitantly — he from the men's side of the church, and she from the women's side — and stumbled to the altar. She looked elegant in her shiny black sateen (silk was too worldly), and Jacob wore his stiff white shirt. After the ceremony, Jacob strode triumphantly to his seat on the men's side, while Justina slipped back into the bench among the ladies.

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THIS versatile young man began to discover other avenues of service in the new settlement, aside from his farming the rich prairie land. Because he had pulled his mother's loose teeth, word swept about like a prairie fire that Jacob Loewen was a "tooth puller." And people swarmed to him with their infected and aching molars.

"But I have not tongs!" young Jacob protested fiercely, thinking they would leave him alone.

"Then get some!" he was ordered crisply.

On the next trip to town his father bought a pair of tongs at the frontier hardware store, and "Dentist Jacob" was in business. Daughter Anna would hold the patient's head tightly in her strong young arms while the erstwhile dentist would proceed to yank out the decayed dentals, sans anaesthesia. One day while Jacob and his sons were busy with wheat harvest, a man in evident pain stopped his horse and asked to have a tooth extracted. The "dentist," wiping the sweat on his homespun sleeves, reached for the pliers from his tool chest, stepped up to his patient, and relieved him of his misery!

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THE OLD medical journals tell about the efficacy of "blood-letting." By tapping the vein at the elbow, the patient was relieved of the "old, stagnant," blood, and the general listlessness and dissipation was often known to disappear. While in the Old County, Jacob had become adept in this art, and successfully helped the believing back to longer life on the prairies.

One day little Henry fell and fractured his arm. The settlement doctor was away on business, and thus Jacob took on the grim task of setting his small son's arm. He did this so thoroughly that the people began to flock to this colorful patriarch with their broken bones, aches and pains, until they bestowed upon him of their own accord, the title which he bore until his death:: Dr. Jacob Loewen.

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THIS led to further experiments, and he became an apothecary of sorts as well. The fats, herbs, and spirits he brewed into ointments and medicines became locally in demand. He would dry rain worms to obtain their fat for his salves; red ants in spirits for more effective linaments; sulphur and goose grease for other cure-alls.

Since there were few undertakers on the prairies, it was Jacob Loewen who prepared the deceased for burial, by packing ice when it was available, or cold sand, about the bodies to preserve them until the funeral service.

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HIS piety and conscientiousness soon molded of him a pillar in the church. As deacon, he invited the visiting clergy to share his well-stocked larder. Despite his nine growing sons and four plump daughters, they simply crowded closer together around the dining room table to squeeze in the ever-present guests.

This versatile pioneer grew old, for I remember well his flowing white beard and snowy hair. He gallantly led the way for civilization and progress, and his colorful life will always be cherished in this community. Yes, I am proud of Jacob Loewen, Prairie Patriarch, for I am one of his many granddaughters.!"