Horsch, John (1867-1941)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Oct 15 p. 1

Birth date: 1867

text of obituary:

John Horsch, Author & Mennonite Historian, Died Last Week

Writings Cover Many Phases of Mennonite History and Doctrine

Scottdale, Pa. — John Horsch, 74, nationally known Mennonite author, editor and librarian, died at his home here Tuesday, Oct. 7, after an illness covering a period of more than a year.

Most of his writing, which covered many phases of Mennonite history and doctrine, was done during the years of his connection with the Mennonite Publishing House, which he continued as long as his health permitted.

Born at Giebelstadt, Bavaria, Germany in 1867, the son of Jacob and Barbara Landis Horsch, he came to America in his younger years and here continued his education at Valparaiso Normal School, Valparaiso, Ind., and at Wallace College, Berea, Ohio.

Perhaps his best known work is “Menno Simmons, His Life, Labors and Teachings,” published in 1916. Among his other most widely distributed books are “The Mennonites, Their History, Faith, and Practice,” “Modern Religious Liberalism,” “The Failure of Modernism,” and “Principles of Nonresistance as Held by the Mennonite Church.”

In 1893 he married Christine Funck, who now together with four children survives to mourn his death. The children are, Mrs. Harold (Elisabeth) Bender, Goshen, Ind.; Walter Horsch, Wheaton, Ill.; Menno Horsch, Pittsburg, Pa., and Paul Horsch, Indianapolis, Ind.

Funeral services were held at the Mennonite church in Scottdale, where he was a member, Thursday afternoon, Oct. 9.