Isaac, Jacob (1860-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jul 31 p. 6

Birth date: 1860 Oct 7

text of obituary:

. . .

— Jacob Isaac, pioneer resident at Moundridge, passed away Tuesday morning at the Mercy hospital there at the age of 91. His wife Maria died only seven weeks ago. Funeral services were to be held Thursday forenoon at the West Zion church in Moundridge, Rev. John Graber in charge. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. J. F. Moyer, and a son, Dr. Arnold G. Isaac, both of Newton; five grandsons and one great granddaughter; and one brother, Dr. John P. Isaac of Glendale, Calif.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Aug 7 p. 10

text of obituary:

JACOB ISAAC

Jacob Isaac, son of Gerhard and Agatha Hiebert Isaac, was born in the village of Grossweide, South Russia on October 7, 1860, died in the Mercy hospital in Moundridge, Kansas on the morning of July 29, 1952, having suffered a heart attack on the previous day. He reached the age of 91 years and ten months.

At the age of sixteen he came to America with his parents and settled at Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Here he was baptized by Elder Aaron Wall. He continued his education, especially in learning the English language, and in gaining practical business training.

In 1884 the family moved to Lehigh, Kansas, where they operated a general store. Upon the death of his father in 1886, Jacob as the oldest son, assumed the responsibility of the business and the family, which responsibility he retained for many years.

On November 25, 1886, Mr. Isaac was married to Maria Voth of Alexanderwohl. They established their home in Lehigh, where their three children were born. In 1896 they moved to Moundridge where they have resided over since. It was here that in 1901 a niece Martha Voth was taken into the home after the death of her mother on the Arizona mission field. Martha, who is now Mrs. P. A. Dyck of rural Moundridge, has been a loyal and helpful member of the family, serving Mr. and Mrs. Isaac in many ways, especially in their declining years.

In the earlier years in Moundridge Mr. Isaac was in the lumber business, and later became actively connected with the Bank of Moundridge. He always retained his interest in business and community affairs. He also kept a keen interest in world affairs, and was able to enjoy his newspapers and radio until the very last day.

Soon after coming to Moundridge, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac joined the West Zion Mennonite church, and remained active members the rest of their lives. They loved their church and Mr. Isaac was able to attend services the day before he became ill. Besides his own church he took a deep interest in church conferences and schools. For many years he was a director of Bethel College, and also a director of Bethel Deaconness hospital in Newton.

In his later years, as a retired man, he took an active interest in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and helped care for his sisters. Dr. Susan and Dr. Elizabeth during their long illnesses. His strong faith in God carried him through many trying experiences. His relationship with God was a very intimate one, and his was a religion that worked. His good judgment and practical common sense, coupled with a pleasant humor made him a delightful and helpful friend to all.

In spite of the fact that the general health of both Mr. and Mrs. Isaac was never the best, they learned to regulate their life in such a way that they had the rare fortune of celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. Mr. Isaac's wife Maria preceded him in death by only seven weeks. He was also preceded in death by his older son, Rev. Ferdinand Isaac, who died on the India mission field in 1946.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John F. Moyer, a son, Dr. Arnold G. Isaac, both of Newton; five grandsons, and one great-granddaughter; also one brother, Dr. John P. Isaac of Glendale, California. The wife of the deceased son Ferdinand is at present residing at Mountain Lake, Minnesota.

It might well be said of our father: "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”