Schmidt, Henry H. (1874-1939)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1939 Feb 28 p. 15

Birth date: 1874 Dec 7

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Mar 1 p. 5

text of obituary:

Elder Henry H. Schmidt

Elder Henry H. Schmidt was born December 7, 1874, in Liverpool, England, at the time when our fathers left Russia because of religious freedom. He arrived here as a young child, and lived in Pennsylvania with his parents; later they moved to Kansas. he received very little education.

On December 4, 1892, he was baptized by Elder Johann Ratzlaff and joined the Canton church (now Emmanuel). September 1, 1895 he was united in marriage to Helena Unruh and shared joy and sorrow for a little more than 43 years. God was gracious and gave them two children. One son Frank and one daughter, Adina, who passed away to be with her Lord and Savior August 18, 1938.

In 1902 her moved with his wife and children to Marion Co., one mile west of the Friedenstal church, where he lived to his end. In 1904 he joined the Friedenstal church and was a member until death.

He has served the Friedenstal church in many ways. First as Sunday School teacher for 11 years; then an Sunday School Superintendent for many years; then on December 4, 1910, he was elected to be Evangelist and was ordained on march 31, 1913, by Elder William Ewert. He served as evangelist a little more than three years, then was ordained as minister may 31, 1916, by Elder William Ewert and served about four and one-half years; then he was elected as Elder on October 24, 1920, and ordained by Elder William Ewert and served for about 18 years as Elder. he has served as a minster of the Gospel for about 26 years. He hardly ever missed a sermon.

He was never sick very much, until last spring when his health began to fail through heart trouble. He went to see the doctors, and there was all hope for recovery till a little before New Year, when his heart got very weak, which also caused his death. Other doctors were now consulted but without any results.

On New Year's day he preached his last sermon in church on the text, 1 Samuel 7, 12: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Since then his strength failed day by day. He talked often about his church and how everything would go when he was here no more. He seemed to know from the beginning that this would be his end. He often sang the song "Jesu Heiland, meiner Seele", (Jesus Savior of my Soul), in his illness even a few hours before his death. In his illness he was very patient, always relaying on his Savior of whom he often spoke during his illness. The last day of his life, during the noon meal, of which he still partook, he paused and said "Nobody can now rob me of my faith in Jesus Christ anymore." In this full assurance he passed away to be with his Lord and Master.

On February 6 he took very sick and had to suffer greatly until 4:45 o'clock, on February 7, when he passed away to be with his Lord. He reached the age of 64 years and2 months.

He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, one son, one daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, three brothers, two sisters, the Friedenstal church, and many relatives, friends and acquaintances; not without hope, but full assurance that we all shall meet him in heaven again.

Funeral services were held on February 10. Rev. P. H. Unruh spoke words of comfort based on Luke 2, 26 - 31 at the home. In the Friedenstal church, rev. J. H. Epp spoke in English based on 2 Timothy 4, 7 - 8 and Rev. P. H. Unruh in German on Daniel 12, 13. Rev. C. H. Dirks spoke at the grave yard. An octet sang several comforting songs.