Toews, Abraham K. (1874-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Apr 12 p. 6

Birth date: 1874 Feb 13

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Apr 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM TOEWS

Abraham Toews was born in Neustadt, Russia on Feb. 13, 1874, and passed away in a Riverside, Calif. hospital on April 3 at the age of 82.

When a child he came to the United States with his parents and they lived on a farm near Lehigh, Kan. For a number of years after he grew to manhood he was employed by the Warkentine Milling Co., Newton. From there he was transferred to the El Reno, Okla. Milling Co.

In 1901 he was married to Anna Isaac of Newton. The wedding took place in the Bethel College Chapel and was performed by the bride’s uncle, Rev. David Goerz. The young couple resided in El Reno the first winter and in the spring they moved onto their farm seven miles west of Hinton. Here they pioneered in a new country for seven years. He helped to build the Bethel Mennonite Church south of Hydro and they became charter members. On account of Mrs. Toews’ health they sold their farm and moved to California. During their stay in Oklahoma three of their four children were born.

In California they bought a citrus grove and vineyard north of Upland. Here the family resided for 35 years. Then they sold their holdings, bought a house in town and retired. In 1950 this marriage was severed by the death of his wife. His health began to fail also, due to a heart lesion and other complications. As a last resort an emergency operation was performed in which his left leg was amputated but the shock was too great for his weakened condition and a week later he quietly and peacefully fell asleep.

Surviving are two daughters and two sons, Irene, wife of T. R. Mourer of Bellflower, Calif., Frieda, wife of E. C. Weyhgandt of Westlake, Ohio, Emil of Santa Monica and John of Riverside, Calif.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson; one brother, Isaac Toews of Fairview, Okla., and many other relatives who mourn his passing.

Mr. Toews was a kindly man who had it in his heart to help others. He did not think it right to live in luxury when the need to help others was so great. He gave freely of his substance to missions and to various institutions. He will be greatly missed because of his generosity.

Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Paul Goering, in the First Mennonite Church of Upland on Friday, April 6. A male quartet sang his favorite songs. Interment was made in the Bellevue cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1956 May 29 p. 360