Kliewer, John J. (1859-1937)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1937 Mar 30 p. 14

Birth date: 1859 Jul 21

Text of obituary:

John J. Kliewer, geboren den 21. Juli, 1859, im Dorfe Franztal, Südrußland. In 1874 kam er mit seinen Eltern in der großen Auswanderung von Rußland nach Amerika, wo seine Eltern sich nahe bei Buhler, Kansas, ansiedelten. Nach einem Jahre starb sein Vater und da galt es dann mit seinem jüngern Bruder in den ärmlichen Pionierjahren die kleine Wirtschaft der Mutter zu versorgen. In seinem 18. Lebensjahr empfing er die heilige Taufe von dem Aeltesten Dietrich Gäddert. Ein innerer Drang trieb ihn sich mehr Schulkenntnis zu erwerben, und Gott führte es so, daß er drei Jahre in der Vorbereitungsschule des lieben Aeltesten Peter Balzer studieren durfte. Dieses Vorrecht war ihm immer ein süßes Andenken. Hiernach lehrte er kurze Zeit. Es war sein steter Vorsatz sein Leben dem Reiche Jesu Christi zu weihen und also nach gebetsvoller Erwägung meldete er sich für den Missionsdienst und wurde zu seiner Freude von der Missionsbehörde angenommen und trat im Jahre 1884 als Lehrer in die Indianer Missionsschule zu Cantonment, Oklahoma in den Dienst. Im Jahre 1885 vereinigte er sich mit Helena Schmidt im heiligen Ehestand. Vier Jahre später, 1889, führte ihn sein Lebensweg von Cantonment an den Washita Fluß bei Shelly, Oklahoma in die Mission unter den Indianern. Als nach einigen Jahren diese Missionsstation einging, widmete er den Rest seines Lebens dem Predigtamt und Aeltestenamt in den verschiedendn Gemeinden wo er wohnhaft war. Nachdem er mit seiner Familie von Shelly, Oklahoma weg zog ist er wohnhaft gewesen bei Gotebo, Okla., Carlsbad, New Mexico, Reedley, Calif., Burrton, Kansas und Newport, Wash. Am letztverflossenen Neujahrstag bat er die Gemeinde bei Newport, Washington ihn vom Dienst der Kanzel gesundheit- und altershalber frei zu lassen,, welches die Gemeinde auch tat. — Am 22. Februar 1937 reiste er als ziemlich kranker Mann von Newport, Washington in Begleitung seines ältesten Sohnes zu seinen Kindern bei Bethel College, wo er seine letzten Leidenstagen verlebte. Am 16. März, 1937, kurz vor zwöf Uhr mittags starb er im Bethel Hospital. — "O, daß alle Welt es höre: / 'Christi Kreuz,' das ist mein Ruhm!" / — Sein Alter hat er gebracht auf 77 J. 7 M. 23 T. Dicht an drei Jahren, ist ihm seine teure Gattin in die Ewigkeit vorangegangen. Dieses war ein harter Schlag für ihn. Entsprossen aus dieser Ehe sind sechs Söhne und drei Töchter von denen vier Söhnlein in frühre Kindheit ihm in die Ewigkeit vorangegangen sind. Der Verstorbene hinterläßt zwei Söhne, Herman und Peter, und drei T&oum;chter: Frau Roy Paulson, Frau B. Bargen und Frau Hugo Wall. Großvater ist er geworden über vierzehn Großkinder, die alle am Leben sind.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Mar 24 p. 5

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LOCAL

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— Rev. J. J. Kliewer, formerly of Newport, Wash., father of Mrs. B. Bargen of Bethel College, died at the Bethel Hospital Tuesday morning, March 16. Funeral services were held at the Goessel Mennonite church Friday afternoon and were attended by friends and relatives from far and near. Rev. Kliewer was only recently brought her [sic] from Newport by his oldest son, Herman S. of Great Bend. After a short stay with his daughter, Mrs. Bargen, he was taken to the hospital where he soon succumbed to this illness. He reached the age of 77 years.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Mar 31 p. 2

Text of obituary:

Rev. J. J. Kliewer

John J. Kliewer was born in southern Russia on July 21, 1859. At fifteen years of age, in the large immigration of Mennonites of 1874, he came with his parents and settled near Buhler, Kansas. His parents took an 80-acre piece of land, on which they built a sod house. One year after they arrived in Kansas, he lost his father. Then it was up to him and a three-year younger brother to run the little farm of his mother and help support three younger sisters. Those were hard pioneer years.

He was admitted into the Mennonite Church at the age of eighteen, through baptism upon confession of his faith. Through industrious struggle he managed to acquire some education, attended the high school in Newton, Kansas. He passed the teachers' examinations and taught rural school.

In 1884 he entered into the Mennonite Missionary service, amongst the Indians in Oklahoma. He was united in wedlock to Miss Helena Schmidt in 1885. When, after some years the mission station ceased because the United States Government took in hand the education of the Indian children and the adult Indians moved to other localities, he devoted his life to the ministry in the various churches where he happened to reside. In adult years he has lived at Cantonment, Oklahoma, Shelly, Oklahoma, Gotebo, Oklahoma, Carlsbad, New Mexico, Reedley, California, Burrton, Kansas, and Newport, Washington.

He was keenly interest in schools and higher education, and helped his children to attain a college education. Four sons in infancy preceded him in death, and his beloved wife three years ago. On the 22nd of February last he left his home at Newport, Washington, an ill man, in company of his eldest son, to his daughter's home at Bethel College. After eleven days' stay there he entered Bethel Hospital, in Newton, Kansas, where he passed away on march 16, 1937, at the age of 77 years, 7 months, and 23 days. Funeral services were conducted at the Mennonite church, of Goessel, Kansas, north of Newton, Kansas, where Mrs. Kliewer's relatives live, as well as many of his intimate friends.

He is survived by two sons, Herman S., Route 1, Great Bend, Kansas, and Peter S., Escondido, California, and by three daughters, Mrs. Roy Paulson, Healdsburg, California, Mrs. B. Bargen, Bethel College, Kansas, and Mrs. Hugo Wall, 1620 North Holyoke, Wichita, Kansas — all of whom were present at the funeral. he has fourteen grandchildren, all living. He is also survived by one brother, at Newport, Washington, and by two sisters, at Burrton, Kansas.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1937 Apr 20 p. 13

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Rev. John J. Kliewer was born in southern Russia July 21, 1859. At fifteen years of age in 1874, he migrated with his parents to Buhler, Kansas, where they settled on a farm. One year after they arrived there he lost his father, and it became his duty to run the family farm and help support three younger sisters. At the age of eighteen he was baptized and joined the Mennonite Church. Through industrious struggle he managed to acquire a fair education and taught rural school for several years. In 1884 he entered the Mennonite missionary service among the Indians in Oklahoma. A year later he married Miss Helene Schmidt. After the United States government took over the education of the Indian children and the Mennonite mission school was discontinued, he devoted his life to the ministry in the various churches where he resided: Cantonment, Shelly, and Gotebo, Oklahoma; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Reedley, California; Burrton, Kansas; and Newport, Washington. He was keenly interested in schools and education and helped his children to obtain a college education. Four sons and his beloved wife preceded him in death. The latter part of February his eldest son brought him to the home of his daughter Esther on the Bethel College campus, a sick man. Later he was removed to the Bethel Hospital, at Newton, where he passed away on March 16, 1937, aged 77 years, 7 months, and 23 days. Funeral services were conducted at the Mennonite Church of Goessel, Kansas. Rev. P. P. Buller and Rev. J. M. Suderman officiated.

Rev. Kliewer is survived by two sons, Herman S. and Peter S.; three daughters, Mrs. Roy Paulson, Mrs. B. Bargen, and Mrs. Hugo Wall—all of whom were present at the funeral. He also leaves four grandchildren, one brother, and two sisters.