Pauls, Jacob J. (1863-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 23 p. 3

Birth date: 1863 Jun 15

text of obituary:

PIONEER IMMIGRANT OF INMAN COMMUNITY DIED AT AGE 90

Inman, Kans. — Funeral services for Jacob J. Pauls, pioneer Kansas settler of the Mennonite immigration of 1874, were held Sunday afternoon, July 20, at the Buhler Mennonite church. The retired minister and farmer died July 16 at the home in Inman. He was a member of the Bethel Mennonite church.

Surviving are his wife Anna; a son Jacob T. of Inman; three daughters, Mrs. George Regehr, Mrs. Dan Ediger and Mrs. J. B. Neufeld, all of Inman; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Aug 20 p. 9

text of obituary:

JACOB J. PAULS

Our beloved husband and father Jacob J. Pauls was born June 15, 1863, the son of Jacob and Anna Rempel Pauls in Klippenfeld, South Russia. In 1874, at the age of 11 years he together with his parents came to America on the ship Teutonia. (This ship caught fire during their voyage.) They settled on a farm four and one half miles south and three and one-half miles east of Inman, Kansas where he shared the pioneer life and grew to manhood. His schooling was limited since help was needed on the farm.

In his own writings we find that the struggle for peace of soul had been great already in his younger years and the latter part of his school years. By neglect he lost the already gained peace until about the 18th year, when he again received peace according to Matt. 5:3, 4. After he accepted the offered peace by faith he was baptized by Elder Heinrich Toews on June 2, 1884, and received as a member into the Bethel church where he remained a member until his death.

On Oct. 10, 1886, he was united in holy matrimony with Sarah Thiessen, with whom he was permitted to share joys and sorrows until Aug. 1, 1937, a period of 50 years, nine months and 22 days. This union was blessed with seven children, three sons and four daughters. Of these a son Abraham died in infancy, Anna died as Mrs. George Regehr, leaving the care of a small child, George E., and Henry died after a few months of marriage, having had a daughter Sara, after his death, who followed him in her earlier years. In 1936 the parents were permitted to celebrate their golden wedding, together with relatives and friends.

In 1888 the parents transferred their membership to the Ebenezer church, which was organized at that time, and located three miles south and one-quarter mile west of Inman. Here he was elected to the ministry in May 1889. He served this church for 18 years until 1907 when they transferred their membership to the Bethel church, where he served till 1919, another 12 years, making a total of 30 years in the ministry. His first sermon was from I Tim. 1:15, 16. His striving was to live a humble life; to be a good example as a leader was his honest desire. As a boy I recall his admonishment while the tears rolled over his cheeks, “Children, the people are looking upon us, how we live!” Travel expenses were always paid out of his own pocket.

After having served in the Bethel church for 12 years, his health failed and he therefore asked to be relieved of ministerial duties, which was granted to him. He said that God relieved him also. In thankfulness for this he promised God to give more for His cause, which he did as long as he could.

His eyesight failed completely, and hearing became difficult and yet he was unwilling to miss church services. He was fortunate to have a helpmate with him. Visitors were always welcome. It was a great help to him that he knew many songs and Scripture passages by heart. These he treasured very much. The heart was so full that it ran over at every opportunity.

After the death of mother, he, together with daughter Sara moved in Inman in 1938. After Sara married his loneliness was increased. He was united in marriage to Anna Neufeld Reimer on May 25, 1941. This union had a duration of 12 years, one month and 21 days.

He loved to drive his auto as Iong as he could. After that the walking to town had to be discontinued due to his failing eyesight. Once he was hit by a car, but that he was not run over and killed is only due to Divine protection. He kept up his strength by sawing wood on the saw horse, even after he could not see.

On July 5 he attended church service for the last time. July 11 at noon he suffered a stroke. His right side was paralyzed and he could no longer speak. At 8:50 p.m. on July 16 he peacefully passed into the Beyond. We are thankful to God that he could go to be with Jesus. He reached the age of 90 years, one month and one day. We will miss the empty rocking chair and the greeting, usually spoken in low German. “Come in, and have a seat. Who is it?"

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, our mother, one son, Jacob T., and three daughters, Mrs. George Regehr, Mrs. D. P. Ediger, Mrs. J. B. Neufeld and their husbands and families; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. J. T. Pauls and Mrs. G. P. Ediger, her husband and family; 24 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; one brother, Henry, and one sister, Mrs. H. P. Neufeld; and other relatives and friends. We mourn not without hope, but rest assured that he is gone to eternal happiness.

The funeral took place on Sunday, July 19. A service was held at the Kim funeral home in Buhler for the family and nearest relatives at 1:30 p.m. Rev. John Thiessen, a brother-in-law of the deceased, spoke on Isaiah 46:4.

At 2:00 p.m. in the Buhler Mennonite church (the Bethel church having burned down), Rev. A. J. Dyck spoke in German on II Cor. 1:10, II Tim. 2:5, 4:7, 8. P. T. Neufeld read the obituary and gave the funeral sermon based on Matt. 6:20, 21 and II Tim. 1:15, 16. An octet sang. He was laid to rest at the South Inman cemetery where Rev. J. H. Ediger spoke on Rev. 21:1-7.

With many others he now is awaiting the resurrection of Saints. —The bereaved family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Aug 11 p. 496