Schrag, Jonathan J. (1875-1930)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Jun 25 p. 1

Birth date: 1875 Jul 20

THOUSANDS THRONG TO PAY LAST TRIBUTE TO BELOVED MISSIONARY

Freeman, So. Dak., June 19. — Sunday was the day when the Missionary J. J. Schrag funeral took place at the North church in East Freeman. It is hard to count a gathering like that but people who made an effort claim about 4000 people attended coming in about 1000 automobiles. The services were in charge of Rev. Alfred Waltner. After singing the old song "Dort ueber jenen Sternen Meer dort ist shoenes Land" Rev. J. J. Balzer of Mountain Lake, Minn., spoke. Rev. Balzer was his teacher and knew him from the time he was a young man. The second speaker was Rev. John J. A. Schrag who grew up with him in the same neighborhood and knew him as a neighbor and a friend. He was followed by Rev. P. E. Penner, a teacher of his when he attended school in Cleveland, Ohio, he knew him as a scholar. Prof D. E. Harder spoke next and being secretary of the mission board he can recall many pleasant associations with him. Paul Bartel was the last one to speak and having worked together in China for years he touched on his kind way of doing things and his angelic disposition and love for the poor people of China. Rev. Waltner made the closing remarks. He was very brief and emphasized what an inspiration it was to come in contact with him. The people who had charge of the arrangements for the funeral deserve great credit and their efforts to accommodate are very much appreciated. By the installation of amplifiers brought from Soo [sic Sioux] Falls they made it possible for everyone to hear the speakers. Everyone present was able to hear the speaking and the singing whether he was in the basement or a block away from the building. People were here from Beadle, Avon and the neighboring towns. The fact that he was so well known here brought the crowd. His brothers and sisters all live here. His brothers are John M. Schrag, Elias J. Schrag, Joe A. Schrag. The sisters are Mrs. Jac. Jos. Waltner, Mrs. John Graber, Freeman; Mrs. Peter J. P. Graber, Mrs. Peter Goertz, Mrs. John D. Kaufman, Mrs. Ben C. Graber, Mrs. Dan Boese. His parents died years ago. Paul Bartel met Mrs. Schrag and Miss Garber at New York and accompanied them to South Dakota. Mrs. Schrag's mother was here from the cast for the funeral and so was a sister. — Freeman Courier.