Bartel, Jacob P. (1875-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1875 Sep 5

text of obituary:

JACOB P. BARTEL

The following account was written by Mr. Bartel. It has been edited to some extent but the main part was written by him.

"I, Jacob P. Bartel, son of Peter and Helena Bartel, was born in Russia, Poland on Sept. 5, 1875. Because of the belief and faith of the Mennonite Church quite a number of relatives and friends at that time were starting to emigrate to North America in about 1874. Reports sent back from America were favorable and more and more decided to take the journey west. In 1877 my parents and their children decided to make the change. The trip was long and slow. We eventually landed in Peabody,Kansas on June 11, 1877. The establishment of a home took much hard work and it seemed impossible at times. Most of the settlers made their homes north of Hillsboro.

"In March of 1892, my parents found it desirable to look for a new home. a farm was located east of Newton in the neighborhood of the Gnadenberg church. Here they found friendly Christian fellowship with the people living there.

"In 1893 I joined the catechism class and found Jesus as my Savior. I was baptized on Pentecost Sunday of that year by Elder John Schroeder and was received as a member of the Gnadenberg church.

"In 1898 I moved with my parents to Oklahoma. I became a member of the Herold church at Bessie, Okla. and enjoyed working in the church in various ways.

"In 1906 my brother Gerhard and I went to Idaho, where we settled close to Aberdeen. In 1907 a group of Mennonites joined together and the First Mennonite Church of Aberdeen was organized with Rev. Jacob Hege as the leader. After five years in Idaho, I returned to Oklahoma in 1911.

"nO [sic On] February 17, 1911, I was united in marriage to Emelia Kliewer, daughter of David P. and Marie (Schroeder) Kliewer, by Rev. Jacob Dirks pastor of the Friedensfeld church at Turpin, Okla. Following our marriage we made our home at Boyd for six years. On Aug. 13, 1912, a son Ernest, was born and was a joy in our home.

"In 1917 we moved to a farm east of Turpin, Okla. We joined in the fellowship of the Friedensfeld church and transferred our membership there in 1913.

"Because of failing health and upon the advice of the doctors we retired from the farm and made our home in Hillsboro since 1945.

"Mother was called to her heavenly reward in January of 1920 and father passed away on April 15, 1923. One sister, Mary, Mrs. J. H. Friesen died in 1940. Brother Gerhard, who was the oldest, died on Nov. 23, 1941, at Aberdeen, Idaho, and brother David passed away at Clinton, Okla. on June 9, 1942. Two sisters died in those early days in Hillsboro, and one brother and two sisters died in Poland before the parents came to America, in 1877."

Mr. Bartel passed away in Hillsboro on Aug. 3, 1957. He remained a member of the Friedensfeld Church until the time of his death.

Mr. Bartel leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife, Emelia, his son, Ernest, and his daughter-in-law, Edna, of Turpin, Okla.; two brothers, P. W. Bartel, Aberdeen, Idaho, J. H. Bartel, Hillsboro; three sisters, Mrs. J. H. Nickel, Clinton, Okla., Mrs. C. H. Nickel, Cordell, Okla., and Mrs. J. A. Harms, Clinton, Okla., and three grandchildren, Fred, Betty, and Dean Bartel.

He will be missed in his home and by his loved ones, but he is now past the cares of this world and is in the new land where parting is unknown. We therefore give him back to his Creator and trust him into His care and keeping. — The Family.