Miller, Julius Jacob (1879-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Sep 3 p. 9

Birth date: 1879 Jun 28

text of obituary:

JULIUS JACOB MILLER

Julius Jacob Miller was born in East Freeman, South Dakota, on June 28, 1879, to Jacob and Maria Schrag Miller. When he was 13 years of age, his father died and he, with his brother Andrew, had to carry on much of the farm work and help his mother care for the younger children.

He was baptized by Rev, John P. Bahre, October 20, 1895, and received into the membership of the Salem-Zion church where he was an active member and faithful attendant at all church services until his last illness.

On April 12, 1898, he married Lena Miller. To this union were born four children, three sons and one daughter. This devoted couple shared 55 years of happy marriage, celebrating their golden anniversary in 1948. In 1900 they moved to their new farm two miles east of Freeman where they labored together until 1922 when they moved to Freeman and he and his two elder sons established the Miller & Sons Market. In 1937 he retired from business but continued active, particularly in carpentry.

Church affairs were his main interest and he served as deacon, as trustee, as choir director for a time, and as a Sunday School teacher for many years.

He was in exceptionally good health until he suffered a stroke, Sunday, July 26, after coming home from church, and on Monday morning, August 17, 1953, he went to be with the Lord and Saviour whom he loved so dearly. He reached the age of 74 years, one month and 19 days. The funeral took place on Wednesday, August 19, 1953, at the Salem-Zion church, Rev. Russell Mast officiating, Rev. John Schrag assisting at the home.

Surviving him are his wife, Lena; his four children, August of Lyman, Nebraska, Ida (Mrs. Milton Kaufman) of East Freeman, Anthony of Freeman, and Edmund, pastor of the First Mennonite church of Christian, Moundridge, Kansas; one son-in-law, Milton; three daughters-in-law, Clara, Margaret and Christine, and five grandchildren. Two brothers, John M. and Henry J., and four sisters, Anna, Lydia, Katie, and Marie also survive him. Two brothers, Andrew and Jacob, preceded him in death.

His Christian spirit, cheerful disposition, unwavering faith in the face of disappointments and adversity, and his helpful way will always live on in the heart and lives of those who felt his kindly influence. “How blest the righteous when he dies.”

We do not grieve as those who have no hope, for “since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.”

The many generous gifts in his memory were given to missions the Freeman Community hospital, the Salem Home for the Aged, Freeman College, and Bethel College.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Sep 8 p. 560