Friesen, Jacob J. (1870-1960)

Revision as of 14:01, 9 October 2018

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:1960 Sep 1 p. 3

Birth date: 1870 May 27

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:1960 Sep 8 p. 8

text of obituary:

Jacob J. Friesen was born May 27, 1870 in the village of Morgenau, South Russia. In 1874 he emigrated with his parents, Jacob and Anna Friesen, to America as a member of the first group of Mennonites to settle in York County, Nebr.

They arrived at the immigrant house one mile east of the present site of Henderson on Oct. 14, 1874. Here they were sheltered until the heads of the 35 families built their new homes on the raw prairies of Nebraska. The Jacob Friesen family completed their home one-half mile north of the present village of Henderson before the winter storms arrived. Here our husband and father grew to manhood enduring the hardships and sacrifices generally associated with pioneer life.

In June, 1894 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ by Elder Peter J. Friesen and received into the membership of the Bethesda Mennonite Church.

On Aug. 25, 1898 he was joined in holy wedlock with Katharina Janzen. To this union six children were born. Two, Theadore and Levi, preceded him in death.

Father's departure came one day prior to his and mother's 62nd wedding anniversary.

Beginning with the first school he attended, which was taught in the home, he always had an intense interest in education. When the district school was established he attended it, and later he attended private schools taught in the German language.

He had a desire for learning beyond that provided in the local community. Although he felt he had waited a long time for this opportunity, he enrolled in the Halstead, Kan. seminary at the age of 22. After eight months the seminary was moved from Halstead to Newton, Kan. and became known as Bethel College. After two years at Bethel College, he returned home to teach in the district school for 12 months and then enrolled at Fremont, Nebr. Normal School for 10 weeks to continue his education. Following this he spent approximately 25 years teaching in the schools of the community and in the Bethesda Preparatory School. He regarded his teaching in the latter, and that in the Henderson schools, among the greatest joys of his teaching profession.

Early pioneer experiences were reflected in his first teaching positions in the district schools. As a beginning teacher he taught for $20 per month. He traveled to school by horseback, cart, or buggy, braving the stormy blasts of winter.

Close to his heart were his experiences as a Sunday School teacher and Sunday School superintendent. He relinquished this field of service with reluctance and regret after having served faithfully for 38 years.

Early after his retirement from the teaching profession he expressed an intense interest in the historical development of the Henderson community. As a result he wrote numerous articles for local and Mennonite publications. An event of great personal satisfaction to him was the dedication of the historical marker located one mile east of Henderson, which is not only a memorial to the early Mennonite settlers, but also symbolic of the hardships of their pioneer life. Through his telling, writing, and reliving of the early days of the Henderson settlement, he contributed significantly to its historical record.

In the latter years of his life he recognized the deterioration of his health. In an effort to overcome this he would often struggle with activities requiring physical effort so that he might "keep going," as he would put it.

He was admitted to the Henderson Hospital Monday, Aug. 22. Two days later, Aug. 24, 1960, he departed from the cares of this world to join his Master.

Mourning his departure are his beloved wife, a daughter, Maria, of Portales, N. M., three sons, Emil, Central City, Neb., Orlando, Denver, Colo., and Edwin of Wichita, Kan., two daughters-in-law, three grandsons, a sister, Mrs. John Pankratz, two brothers, P. C. Friesen and I. J. Friesen, and a host of relatives and friends.—Mrs. Jacob J. Friesen and Family.