Bontrager, Eli A. (1861-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1861 Dec 16

text of obituary:

Pioneer Minister Died At Age 94

SERVICES FOR ELI A. BONTRAGER OF FAIRVIEW, MICH. WIDELY ATTENDED

Fairview, Mich. — Friends from many parts of Michigan and from Indiana gathered here Sunday, Jan. 22, to attend funeral services for Eli A. Bontrager, 94, pioneer minister of the Fairview Mennonite Church. An estimated 600 persons were present.

Bro. Bontrager passed away at his home here Jan. 19 after several weeks of failing health.

Born in Lagrange County, Ind. on Dec. 16, 1861, he was ordained to the ministry at the North Main Street Mennonite Church, Nappanee, Ind. in 1900. Three years later the family moved to this community where he farmed and also preached to the small group of Mennonites. The church grew rapidly in the following years as new families moved in from other states.

Bro. Bontrager also traveled extensively in evangelistic work, and in 1915 took charge of the small congregation at Midland, Mich.

(A more complete story of Bro. Bontrager's life will appear in a future issue of the Review.)

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 9 p. 7, 10

text of obituary:

SEATED in his favorite chair, Eli A. Bontrager is shown in the midst of familiar surroundings at his home in Fairview, Mich. The photo was taken Dec. 15, 1955, the day before his 94th birthday. Soon after this his health began to fail rapidly and he passed away Jan. 19, 1956.

Hard Work, Unusual Experiences Marked Life of Pioneer Minister