Aeschliman, Paul R. (1862-1938)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 10 May 1938 p. 13

Birth Date: 1862

text of obituary:

Aeltester Paul R. Aeschliman, Sohn von Christian P. und Julia Roulet Aeschliman, wurde am 25. Oktober, 1862, nahe Brenets, Canton de Neuchatel, Schweiz geboren und starb am 19. März, 1938, zu Colfax, Washington nach drei-wöchiger Krankheit an Lungenentzündung im Alter von 75 J. 4 M. und 22 T. Er kam in 1884 nach Pulaski, Iowa, und ward dort von Pred. P. Roulet in die Mennonitengemeinde aufgenommen. Im November 1886 reiste er mit einigen andern nach Washington Territory um ein Heim zu suchen. Seine Elementarschulbildung erhielt er in der Schweiz, meist in Französisch. In 1891-1893 besuchte er die Fortbildungsschule zu Halstead, Kansas. Am 25. Aug. 1892 verehelichte er sich mit Phoebe E. Dieffenbach von Pulaski, Iowa und sie kamen nach Washington um hier in Whitman Co. als Farmer sich heimisch zu machen. Es hatten sich schon einige Mennoniten dort angesammelt und am 1. Juli, 1893 wurde unter der Leitung vom Feld-Sekretär der Allgemeinen Konferenz, Pred. J. B. Bär, in einer Privatwohnung eine Gemeinde organisiert und man wählte den nun Verschiedenen als Prediger und er wurde am folgenden Tage ordiniert im dortigen primitiven Schulhaus. Seine Dienste erstreckten sich weit über seine Gemeinde hinaus. Er war Glied der Innern Missionsbehörde und verschiedener Komitees der Allgemeinen Konferenz; und der Pacific Distrikt-Konferenz, in welcher man ihn den "Vater der Distrikt-Konferenz" nennen könnte, diente er als erster Vorsitzer und in verschiedenen andern Aemtern, zuletzt noch als Glied des Evangelisations- und Kirchenerweiterungskomitees. Auf diesem Gebiet war er ganz besonders tätig in der Gründung neuer Gemeinden, da ihn der Herr bei der Gründung fast jeder Gemeinde des Distrikts brauchen konnte. Er durfte wenigstens zwölf Jünglinge ins Predigtamt einführen, hat wenigstens 50 Ehen einsegnen und bei vielen Begräbnissen Trostworte sprechen dürfen. Der Ersten Mennonitengemeinde zu Colfax, Wash. (manchmal "Onecho" genannt) durfte er 43 Jahre als Aeltester dienen und war seit 1936 emeritus derselben. Er war ein weiser, gesuchter Ratgeber und freute sich im Dienste des Herrn. Es betrauern sein Scheiden seine treue Gattin, eine Tochter, Frau Beulah Wright, LaGrand, Oregon, ein Sohn Rupert zu Colfax, Wash., 4 Großkinder, 2 Brüder, Fred und Ernst zu Colfax, 1 Schwester, Frau Rose Rubin, Pullman, Wash. und viele Freunde. Vier Brüder und 4 Schwestern sind ihm vorangegangen. Die Begräbnisfeier fand am 22. März statt. Pred. W. Harley King sprach über Apg. 20,24 und 2. Tim. 4,6; Pred. M. J. Galle aus Odessa sprach über Ps. 116,15 und Lk. 2,29. Die Leiche ruht im Colfax Friedhof.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 Apr 6 p. 3

Rev. Paul R. Aeschliman

Rev. Paul R. Aeschliman, son of Christ P. and Julia Roulet Aeschliman, was born near Brenets, in Canton de Neuchatel, Switzerland, on October 25, 1862, and passed away at St. Ignatius Hospital Colfax, Washington, on March 19, 1938, after an illness of nearly three weeks, of pneumonia and complications, at the age of 75 years, 4 months and 22 days.

He came to America in April, 1884, with several of his brothers and located at Pulaski, Davis county, Iowa, and was received into membership of the Mennonite church by Rev. P. Roulet. In November, 1886, in company with others he came to Washington territory to seek for a new location.

His education he received in Switzerland, largely in French. He attended Halstead Seminary, at Halstead, Kansas, from 1891 to 1893.

On August 25, 1892, he was united in marriage with Phoebe E. Dieffenbach at Pulaski, Iowa, and together they came to the state of Washington to make their future home in 1893, where they engaged in farming in the southern part of Whitman county.

By this time a group of Mennonite people had located in Whitman county, and July 1, 1893, they met in a private home for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. J. B. Baer, Field Secy. of the General Conference of Mennonites of North America presided at the meeting. At this meeting they elected Paul R. Aeschliman to serve them as their pastor, and on the following day July 2, 1893, he was ordained to the Gospel ministry and eldership in the congregation, the service being held in a primitive school house.

His ministry extended far beyond the bounds of this congregation. He served as a member of the Home Mission Board of the General Conference of the Mennonite church as well as on various committees from time to time. In the Pacific District he was the first conference president and thus well deserves the title of "the father of the Pacific District Conference." He served in executive capacities throughout his ministry, his latest activity being in the evangelization and church extension committee. In this field he was singularly used of God in the establishment of new congregations. He was directly or indirectly instrumental in the organization of nearly every one of the Pacific coast Mennonite churches. At least 12 young men were ordained to the Gospel Ministry by him. He officiated at, at least 50 marriages and served at a large number of funerals, speaking words of comfort to many.

He served the First Mennonite church near Colfax, Washington, as pastor for over 43 years, and upon his retirement from the active pastorate in October, 1936, he was made Pastor Emeritus in recognition of his many years of faithful services. He was a wise and cherished counselor and found great joy in the service of his Master.

Now his work is ended, he has entered into well deserved rest.

He leaves to mourn his departure: his bereaved life companion, one daughter Mrs. Beulah Wright, LaGrand, Oregon; one son Rupert Aeschliman, Colfax, Washington; four grandchildren, two brothers Fred and Earnest Aeschliman, Colfax, Washington, and one sister Mrs. Rose Rubin, Pullman, Washington, beside a host of other relatives, friends and neighbors. Four brothers and four sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held at the church where he had served so long on March 22, 1938, conducted by Rev. M. J. Galle, Odessa, Washington, using Psa. 116:15 and Lk. 2:29 and Rev. W. Harley King using Acts 20:24 and II Tim 4:6. Present in a body were six other ministers of the Gospel, fellow laborers, from Whitman county, and from Newport, Washington. The unusually large assembly and the many floral offerings were indicative of the high esteem in which this faithful servant of God was held. His body was laid to rest in the Colfax Cemetery.