Hildebrand, John P. (1860-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Sep 13 p. 3

Birth date: 1860 Oct 13

Text of obituary:

PIONEER OF INMAN COMMUNITY DIED AT AGE OF NINETY

Inman, Kansas. — John P. Hildebrand, who came to this community from South Russia in 1874, died Sept. 3 at the home of a daughter, Mrs. P. W. Kroeker of Fowler, where he had lived for the past ten years. Funeral services were held at the Zoar K. M.B. church here on Friday, with Rev. D. C. Pauls officiating. Mr. Hildebrand had reached his 90th year, having come to this country at the age of 14. He formerly lived southwest of Inman.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Sep 27 p. 8-9

Text of obituary:

JOHN P. HILDEBRAND

(The first part was written by Bro. Hildebrand as his autobiography in the German language and was translated by the family.)

I, John P. Hildebrand, was born October 13, 1860, in the village Shonau of South Russia. Then my parents moved to the village of Landkron where I went to school one year. Then we moved to Fuerstenau; here I received my education.

Then in 1876 I moved with my parents to America, settling in McPherson county, Kansas near Inman where I helped in the early years of hard pioneer work. When the brethren from the Gnadenau K.M.B. church near Hillsboro came to our community and preached repentance from sin, many were saved. I, too, went to their meetings and I also was convinced about my lost condition and that if I wanted to be saved I had to repent and come to Jesus. First two of my sisters went, then the Lord also gave me grace to repent and confess my sins and I found forgiveness and peace and joy in the blood of Jesus. In 1884 I, with several others, was baptized in the river by immersion according to Jesus’ example by Elder Jacob Klassen, and was received into the membership of the Zoar church of which I remained a member to my end.

In 1886 I was married to Katharina Kroeker. For forty-two years we together shared sorrows and joys in life's journey. On June 26, 1928, the Lord took my dear companion through death from my side into the heavenly home. With deep sorrow and tears we looked after her, but with hope of meeting again in heaven. She was a loving and praying companion and mother. The Lord blest our union with four sons and three daughters. Three sons died in infancy. In 1929 my oldest daughter Katharina went to be with Jesus. In 1939 my son Jacob went to his heavenly home. (Thus far written by Bro. Hildebrand.)

Bro. Hildebrand was a dear, loving Christian father and grandfather. He was a Sunday school teacher for many years and always tried to help the needy. When his youngest daughter was married to P. W. Kroeker in 1940 he remained alone in Inman for one year, then went to make his home with them near Fowler, Kans.

In 1945 his health began to fail; kidney trouble set in, and later other complications set in from which he never fully recovered. However, he remained very active for his advanced age. On Sunday, Sept. 2, about 6:00 p.m. he suddenly became very ill. He suffered severely for 26 hours but remained conscious until the end. He passed away Sept. 3 at 8:00 p.m. He reached the age of 90 years, 10 months and 21 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure two daughters, Marie and husband George Ensz of Inman and Sarah and husband P. V Kroeker of Fowler, Kans.; the John Kroeker family and Mrs. J. J. Hildebrand and family; 25 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren and many relatives and friends.