Harms, John Z. (1874-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 26 p. 3

Birth date: 1874

text of obituary:

Pioneer in Harvey County Died

Whitewater, Kans. — John Z. Harms, pioneer Harvey county farmer who was brought to this country from Russia by his parents as an infant, passed away at Bethel Deaconess hospital, Newton, on Oct. 18 at the age of 76. Funeral services were conducted at the Gnadenberg Mennonite church on Saturday, Rev. H. E. Miller officiating.

Mr. Harms had lived on the same farm northwest of here ever since he came to this country in 1874. He was active in community affairs and church work, having served as a member of the school board for many years, trustee of Pleasant township and also trustee of the Gnadenberg church.

He leaves his wife Mary, two daughters and one son, two grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Anna Harms, and brother, Jacob D. Harms, both of Whitewater.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Mar 1 p. 6

text of obituary:

JOHN Z. HARMS

John Z. Harms, son of Peter P and Anna Harms, was born in Michalin, Russia on July 23, 1874, and passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital, Newton, Kansas on October 18, 1950, at the age of 76 years, two months and 26 days.

When he was but two months old his parents and several other families came to America in search of a land with religious freedom and opportunities for expansion and advancement.

They arrived in Peabody, Kansas which at that time was the nearest railroad station, in the fall of 1874. They were strangers in a strange and untilled land and with others they shared the hardship of the early pioneers.

Opportunities to acquire an education were few, so he was taught partly in private homes and later also in a community school house. Although educational opportunities were limited, he appreciated and took advantage of those available and gained for himself a good practical Christian education.

At the age of 24 years, he was received into the fellowship of the Gnadenberg church.

On November 14, 1901, he was united in marriage to Mary K. Schmidt. Together they founded a Christian home and became a part of that spiritual structure which has guided and developed the growth of the Gnadenberg community. They took their Christianity seriously with a view of promoting the cause of Christ in both their home and church. In the church, he served as trustee and Sunday schoolteacher; in te [sic] community, as township trustee, school, board member and wherever good sound thinking was needed.

Their union was blessed with three children. Their stewardship was crowned with God’s blessing.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his grief-stricken wife, the three children, Clarence and his wife, Alida of Whitewater, Leona and Elva of Wichita; two granddaughters, Rose Mary and Patricia Ruth; also one brother Jacob D. Harms of Whitewater, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Harms of Whitewater; besides a great number of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, Oct. 21, with Rev. Herbert Miller, pastor of Gnadenberg Mennonite church, officiating at the house service at the home of Clarence Harms. Rev. J. J. Voth and Rev. Ted Roth at the service held later at the Gnadenberg church. Rev. H. B. Schmidt of Tabor church conducted the graveside service in the church cemetery.

Pall bearers were Dan Harms, Fred Klaassen, Nathan Klaassen, Arthur Riesen, and Alfred Harms. Music at the home and church was furnished by a male quartet from the Swiss Mennonite church at the church and at the grave and by a male quartet from the Gnadenberg church.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Nov 7 p. 743