Kliewer, Henry J. (1871-1943)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1943 Feb 9 p. 83

Birth date: 1871 Apr 9

text of obituary:

Missionar H. J. Kliewer ist entschlafen.

Einer unserer ältesten Missionare, H. J. Kliewer, ein Bruder von Dr. J. W. Kliewer, der vor einigen Jahren starb, ist in den Morgenstunden des 3. Februar sanft entschlafen. Sein Ende kam, während er schlief. Er hatte noch am Tage vorher wie gewöhnlich seine Uebersetzungsarbeit getan, und war wie gewöhnlich zu Bett gegangen am Abend vor seinem Tode. Der Arzt aber hatte solche Möglichkeit schon vorausgesagt. Er ist 71 Jahre alt geworden, und war der erste unserer Missionare, der auf die Pensionsliste kam, weil er 40 Jahre auf dem Missionsfeld gedient hatte. Schwester Kliewer ist getrost, und hält das schmerzlose Ende für eine besondere Gnade Gottes, wofür sie dankbar ist. Doch wird es einsam sein für sie, und wir wollen ihrer fürbittend gedenken. — P. H. Richert, Sekr.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Feb 4 p. 1

text of obituary:

Rev. H. J. Kliewer Unexpectedly Called Away Through Death

HEART ATTACK THOUGHT CAUSE OF DEATH; FOUND DEAD IN BED BY HIS WIFE

The many friends of Rev. H. J. Kliewer, retired missionary, were shocked when the news spread Wednesday morning that Rev. Kliewer had unexpectedly passed away at his home at 510 Southeast Second street during the preceding night. Mrs. Kliewer found him dead in his bed after she got up in the morning. It is thought that heart attack was the cause of death.

Born in South Russia in 1871, Rev. Kliewer would have been 72 years of age next April. He was widely known as teacher and for his more than 30 years of mission work among the Oklahoma Indians.

His wife, nee Christina Horsch, to whom he was joined in marriage in 1899, survives him, together with several children.

Funeral arrangements were not yet announced at the time the Review went to press.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Feb 11 p. 3

text of obituary:

Former Missionary Laid To Rest Here Saturday Afternoon

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MISSIONARY H. J. KLIEWER AT FIRST MENN. CHURCH

Funeral services for Rev. H. J. Kliewer, retired missionary to the Indians who died in his sleep at his home Wednesday morning, Feb. 3, were held here last Saturday afternoon at the First Mennonite church.

The following is a brief review of Rev. Kliewer's life and work:

Henry J. Kliewer, son of John P. and Aganetha (Foth) Kliewer, was born in Russia on April 9, 1871. At the age of three his parents with the entire family migrated to America. They located about ten miles east of Newton. It was in this vicinity that he spent his childhood and youth. When but a lad of eight years his mother's death brought a change in his life. At her grave a friend said to him, "Your mother has gone to be with Jesus. If you trust Him, and do as she has taught you, He will take care of you till you meet her in heaven." Thus began a life of devotion and service.

In spite of many difficulties he secured his education in the public schools, and later at the Halstead Seminary and Academy. He was baptized on May 26, 1890 and became a member of the Gnadenberg Mennonite church.

It was his early desire to become a missionary. A few days after graduating from Halstead Seminary, he was on his way to Oklahoma to fill the position of a teacher in the mission school at Darlington and Cantonment. After a few years in that capacity he went to Canada where he also taught. Ill health necessitated his return to a warmer climate so he continued teaching in Kansas. After these experiences he felt prepared to enter active mission work, and was ordained as a missionary by the Rev. R. Petter May 15, 1898. He answered the call of the Foreign Mission Board to start a new station among the Red Moon Indians near Hammon, Oklahoma.

On August 31, 1899 he was united in marriage to Christina Horsch and they founded their first home at the Red Moon Mission station. Of the five children born into the home four are still living.

He was ordained as elder April 13, 1902. He has seen forty years of active missionary service among the Indians of Oklahoma. All those who are acquainted with Mission history will know that such an undertaking is connected with much prayer and full consecration to the work. He must have had discouragements, but among his papers we read, "The Lord has guided and blessed us during these forty years with the Indians."

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Who's Who among the Mennonites 1937 entry, p. 84:

KLIEWER, Henry J., Missionary to Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, Thomas, Okla.; b. Apr. 9, 1871, So. Russia (Berdjitsceff); s. of John Kliewer and Agnes Foth-Kliewer; marr. Christina Horsh, Aug. 31, 1899, Giebelstadt, Germany; children: Martha Marie, b. July 2, 1900; Linda Elizabeth, b. May 18, 1902; Ruth Christina, b. July 25, 1903; Adolf-Henry, b. Jan. 16, 1905, d. Dec. 12, 1905; John Milton, b. May 5, 1908.

Educ.: Pub. Sch., Harvey Co., Kans.; Halstead Sem., 1890-93.

Pos.: Teach., Miss. Sch., Cantonment, Okla., 1893-95; Teach., Dist. Sch., Man., Canada, 1895-96; Teach., Dist. and Ch. Sch., near Elbing and Moundridge, Kans.; 1896-98; Missionary to Okla. Indians, 1898-1936; Hammon, 1898-1928; Thomas 1929-36.

Memb.: Gen. Conf. of Menn. Ch.

Address: Newton, Kansas.

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Who's Who among the Mennonites 1943 entry, p.142:

KLIEWER, Henry J., Missionary to Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, Thomas, Okla; b. Apr. 9, 1871, S. Russia (Berdjitsceff) passed on to his reward, Feb. 3, 1943.