Schmidt, Cornelius J. (1886-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jul 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1886 Aug 21

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS J. SCHMIDT

My husband and our father, Cornelius J. Schmidt, the son of John D. and Marie (nee Reimer) Schmidt, was born in Russia on August 21, 1886, and departed this life to be with Christ his Saviour on June 26, 1955, attaining the age of 68 years 10 months, and five days.

He came to America with his parents in 1890 and they made their home near Buhler, Kansas. In 1893 his father homesteaded land in Washita county, Oklahoma, and moved his family there soon after that.

Here our father shared the many hardships of the pioneer days and received but meager schooling. From boyhood on he had to work hard to help make a living.

In 1909, as a young man, he realized his lost condition and received Christ as his personal Savior. He was baptized the same year and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren church of Corn, Okla.

He entered into holy matrimony with Susie Dick on Feb. 2, 1909. This union was blessed with three sons and three daughters. One son died at the early age of one year and four months, and one daughter, Marie, died after a long illness in 1937 at the age of 19.

He was a farmer all his life and enjoyed his work. The Lord blessed his efforts and he was able to provide well for his family.

In 1920 he bought a farm in the Bessie-Clinton community and affiliated wih the Mennonite Brethren church of Bessie, Okla. in this community we as a family enjoyed many happy years.

in 1947 he became seriously ill and had to submit to a major operation. He never fully recovered from this illness, and so we decided to retire and moved to Reedley, Calif. We joined the Mennonite Brethren fellowship there and have enjoyed many blessings. In 1954 he became ill again; the doctors diagnosed this ailment as cancer. Medical aid was sought at various places, but he became steadily weaker. He did not need to suffer much pain but complained often about his extreme tiredness. He was patient and at peace in his soul, trusting his Savior that he would be led aright. The last month or so, he pled with his heavenly Father