Neumann, Bernhard B. (1872-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 20 p. 5

Birth date: 1872 Nov 19

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church for B. B. Neuman [sic Neumann] of Marion, who passed away at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel, on Saturday. He is survived by his wife, the former Anna Schmidt, and a daughter, Mrs. Jacob Voth of the Goessel community. A brother-in-law, Herman Schmidt, resides in Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Dec 4 p. 3

text of obituary:

BERNARD B. NEUMANN

Bernhard B. Neumann, son of Bernhard and Helena Enns Neumann, was born Nov. 19, 1872, at Altonau, South Russia. The family moved to Sagrodovka in the year 1878, where he received his elementary education. After emigrating to the U. S., he also attended school and thus acquired the necessary training for useful citizenship.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer on May 25, 1892, by elder Abraham Goertz at Ohrloff, South Russia.

He came to America with his parents, two brothers, and one sister, arriving in the U. S. April 6, 1893. He was then 21 years of age. The family made their home in Marion [sic text missing in original] Neumann joined the Alexanderwohl wohl [sic fragment repeated in original] church. Here many hardships of pioneer life had to be overcome.

Upon arriving in the U. S., Mr. Neumann oinedj [sic] the Alexanderwohl church. However, when the Tabor church was organized, he transferred his membership, in 1908.

He was joined in holy wedlock with Helena Voth on Dec. 15, 1895, and after 40 years of happiness, death came and took away his wife on March 24, 1935. He was united in marriage with Anna Schmidt on Aug. 12, 1936, with whom he shared life’s joys and sorrows for over 11 years.

The life of Mr. Neumann reached out into many avenues of service. He farmed until 1922. At the same time he was township assessor for 16 years, township trustee for a number of years, and also held a number of county offices. He finished the unexpired term of a former Marion county treasurer for about a year, and was elected Marion county treasurer for two successive terms. He was greatly admired by the public when he served in these responsible political offices. He also was a carpenter and cabinet maker and had much joy in preparing nice articles of wood until sickness prevented him from doing this.

One of his greatest services to the Mennonite cause was his work in the Mennonite Hilfs-plan, in which he served untiringly for 31 years, 25 years as treasurer and six years as secretary of this insurance organization. He was also greatly interested in his church and made much sacrifice for the cause of missions, relief, and church work. He contributed much to the local hospital and home for aged.

The departed enjoyed good health all his life with the exception of the last year. His health began to fail when he received a fractured hip through a fall. On Oct. 8 a heart ailment coupled with pneumonia which brought about other complications weakened his condition to the extent that, in spite of the best medical care, he passed to his reward on Nov. 15, 1947. He reached the age of 74 years, 11 months, and 26 days. His funeral day was his birthday.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his sorrowing wife, Anna, his foster daughter, Susie and her husband Jacob F. Voth; two grandchildren, Arthur A. Voth, who is now occupied in relief work in Europe, and Helen Voth of the home; two brothers, John Neumann of Mt. View, Okla., Peter Neumann of Whitewater, Kansas; one sister, Mrs. Julius Doerksen of Bessie, Oklahoma; nine brothers-in-law, ten sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the home of the departed in Marion on Nov. 15 in charge of Rev. Good, assisted by Rev. J. Wiebe and Rev. P. A. Wedel, and at the Alexanderwohl church in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. Good.