Augsburger, Eli (1875-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Aug 7 p. 1

Birth date: 1875 Jun 18

text of obituary:

Prominent Retired Farmer of Bluffton, Ohio, Fatally Injured

ELI AUGSBURGER, 72, VICTIM OF ACCIDENT ALONG HIGHWAY

Bluffton, Ohio. — A well-known retired farmer of this community, Eli Augsburger, was laid to rest on July 24 with final services at the Ebenezer Mennonite church, of which he had been an active member.

Mr. Augsburger passed away at Bluffton Community hospital late Monday night, July 21, from injuries sustained several hours earlier in and unusual accident along highway 696 about one mile north of Beaverdam. He and his two sons, Paul and Alvin, were pulling a four-wheel wagon with their car when it broke loose and went into the ditch. Mr. Augsburger was attempting to adjust the wagon tongue when an approaching car struck the wagon, throwing it on him. The two sons saw the car in time to escape.

The deceased, who was 72 years of age, was formerly president of the Richland Insurance company. he is survived by 11 children, one stepchild, three sisters and two brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Aug 14 p.3

text of obituary:

ELI AUGSBURGER

Eli Augsburger, son of Henry and Barbara Moser Augsburger, was born June 14, 1875. He died at the Bluffton, o., Community hospital June 21, 1947, from injuries received in an automobile-wagon accident near Beaverdam, O., three hours earlier. His age was 72 years, one month, seven days.

On Nov. 14, 1896 he was married to Dina J Amstutz of Sonnenberg. To this union nine children were born. One son, John, died in infancy in 1912, when the family was stricken with typhoid fever. His wife was also called to the great beyond at that time.

In October, 1916, he was married to Fanny Steffen, also of Sonnenberg. To this union four sons were born, James died in his childhood, form injuries received by falling from the stairway. His second wife died in Aug., 1934, of spinal meningitis.

On April 19, 1936, he was married to Mrs. Lydia Kindle of Bluffton. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Ella Steffen of Dalton, Mrs. J. J. Esau, Mrs. Martha Burkholder, Mrs. Helen Steiner of Bluffton, Mrs. Dina Herr of Pandora; six sons, Hiram of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Alvin and Paul of Bluffton, Victor, a minister at Boston, Mass., William, a minister at Wheaton, ill., Jr. Eli Ray of New York, N. Y.; 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild,; two brothers, Menno and Walter of Bluffton; three sisters, Mrs. Jacob Haas and Mrs. Jesse Steiner of Pandora, and Mrs. Jesse Welty of Bluffton. Herbert Kindle a step-son, also survives.

Funeral services were held at the Ebenezer Mennonite church on July 26, by the pastor, Rev. Howard Landes, assisted by Rev. Frank harder of the St. John church.

In his youth he accepted Christ as his Savior, and was received into the Ebenezer church. he remained a faithful member, being an officer and Sunday School teacher for many years.

He was always diligent in whatever he undertook. He was a prominent farmer for many years. in 1936 he retired and moved to Bluffton. For some time he was president of the Richland Insurance Co. of Bluffton.

He will be missed in the home, in the church and by many friends.