Unruh, Jacob H. (1864-1956)

Revision as of 17:10, 21 February 2017

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 17 p. 8

Birth date: 1864 Nov 4

text of obituary:

Jacob H. Unruh, son of Heinrich and Anna Penner Unruh, was born at Pordenau village, Molotschna, South Russia on Nov. 4, 1864. His father was a teacher in the village church school and later also taught in South Dakota. When he was ten years old the family migrated and settled near Freeman, S.D. where he grew to manhood.

On March 29, 1889, he was married to Anna Teske, who shared with him life's joys and sorrows for more than 62 years. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1951. To this union seven sons and four daughters were born, two of whom preceded him in death, one son in infancy, and one daughter Elizabeth who died in 1929.

In his earlier years he taught in the Christian German Day School in South Dakota, following in the footsteps of his father. Later he became interested in the retail lumber business, and for a number of years was manager of the J. H. Queal Lumber Company of Freeman. At different times his adventurous spirit led him and his family to locate in different sections of the country. They lived in the course of years at Corn, Okla., Ernfold, Sask., Yellow Pine, Ala., and the last 30 years in Pennsylvania, everywhere being loved and respected. For twenty years he worked for D. S. Warfel in construction work in Lancaster, Penna.

The last six years he lived at the Mennonite Home at Frederick, Penna. There he took great pride in cultivating flowers and friendships. Here also he corresponded with nieces and nephews, with children and grandchildren and a number of missionaries.

He maintained a close walk with God, always associating himself with the Lord's people. In early manhood he was baptized by Elder Christian Kauffman and became a member of the Salem-Zion church near Freeman.

The Mennonite obituary: 1957 Jan 29 p. 78