Jantz, Cornelius (1856-1935)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1935 Dec 31 p. 15

Birth date: 1856 Dec 31

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Dec 18 p. 4

text of obituary:

Cornelius Jantz

Cornelius Jantz, a son of Andrew and Anna Jantz, was born Dec. 31, 1856, in Dorf Karlswald, Poland. In April 1873 he was baptized upon his confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and united with the Mennonite church. One year later, in 1874, the family came to America. While on the ship he became sick with smallpox, and upon landing was kept in an isolation ward on an island. The rest of the family and others in the party continued their journey to newton, Kansas.

Upon being released from the isolation ward, he and another little girl seven years of age who also had been isolated, were sent to Newton. Their first stop from New York was at Atchinson, Kansas, where he was to deliver a letter to the agent in the depot. But in the meantime agents had changed, and both he and the little girl being unable to speak English, were almost destitute, since the present agent would not accept the addressed sealed envelope. So both started out to walk thru town. Coming upon a restaurant with a sign in German, Deutsches Gasthaus, they entered. The landlord being very sympathetic asked them to stay until some help could be obtained for them. The landlord, after three days, asked permission to break the seal of the envelope. Reading the contents he took them immediately to the station and they were sent on to join the rest of the family and immigrant party at Newton. The family being very poor and no financial assistance available, the Amish Mennonites from the state of Iowa rendered help, taking them into their locality where they worked for a period of four years.

In the spring of 1878 they started out by team acros [sic] the country to S. Dakota. On this journey an 11 year old brother died, who had to be buried by the road with but only the immediate family present. On the 27th day of April, 1879 he was married to Maria Nickel. They were permitted to share the joys and sorrows of life together for nearly 57 years. Nine sons were born to this union, of which five and the beloved mother preceded him in death, grandmother Jantz passing away in march of this year. Many hardships were met in a joyful spirit during the pioneer days on a homestead in S. Dakota. At one time their home with all of its contents was destroyed by fire.

In the year of 1903 pioneer life was renewed again when the family came to the state of Washington, settling on a farm five miles Northwest of the present site of Ruff. At the time the Mennonite church was built the family united here and though living a distance of 20 miles from the church were regular attendants. This was an outstanding fact of the family. Father Jantz would not omit attending the services on Sabbath day. Immaterial was what might happen, or how hard they may have worked throughout the week. Sunday was a day of rest and worship, and indue time he with his entire family were found in their place in the church. The Bible and prayer were outstanding associations with him. When the church at Ruff was organized he became one of its charter members and for many years was always an outstanding figure in all of its activities. Due to the severe drought which made it necessary that so many leave the locality, and advanced age, father and mother Jantz left their home coming to Odessa and making their future home living with all their children.

Father Jantz is now the last member of the family of 13 children to leave this time. Though he has been ill for a number of years, at times more severe than others, yet during the past few weeks there were signs of marked improvement. He attended Sabbath worship whenever possible. This last thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, he was with us here at Menno very happy to be able to meet so many of his old acquaintances. Sunday night, or rather very early Monday morning, Dec. 2nd, very quietly and without a struggle he left this time for his eternal home. He leaves to mourn his departure his four sons with their families, John and Pete of Odessa, Andrew of Ritzville, Abe near Rocklyn, and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jacob Jantz of Edwal with her family; twenty-three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and many other relatives. He attained an age of 78 years, 11 months and 1 day.

Funeral services were conducted at the Menno Mennonite church, Rev. P. R. Aeschliman, of Colfax, Rev. D. E. Schoenleber of Odessa Baptist church, and Rev. M. J. Galle officiating. Interment in the family lot on the Mennonite cemetery near the church.

The Mennonite obituary: 1936 Jan 2 p. 15