Schmidt, Jacob J. (1866-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 23 p. 7

Birth date: 1866 Jun 12

text of obituary:

AGED RESIDENT OF DOLTON, S. D. DIED

Marion, S. D. —- Funeral services for Jacob J. Schmidt, aged resident of the Dolton community, were held at the Silver Lake M. B. church there Oct. 17. He passed away at his home near Dolton at the age of 86.

Mr. Schmidt was the oldest child in the family of Deacon Johann P. Schmidt and Elizabeth Schartner Schmidt. The youngest in the family, Mrs. John B. (Nettie) Deckert, died Sept. 30 of this year.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 30 p. 9

text of obituary:

JACOB J. SCHMIDT

Jacob J. Schmidt, loved and honored as husband and father, was the first of 13 children born to Deacon Johann and Elizabeth Schartner Schmidt. He was born in Karlswalde, Russia June 12, 1866.

In 1874 at eight years of age, he migrated with his parents to America, making their home in Kansas for four months, then moving to Turner county, Marion, South Dakota. He grew to manhood on his parent’s homestead near Dolton, South Dakota. As a young man he experienced the disappointments and hardships of pioneer life.

Opportunities for an education in his day were limited. In spite of such limitations, he had the gift of foresight and application, making his life influential and a blessing. He, with six other pupils in school, experienced that great snow storm of Jan. 12, 1888, walking one half mile facing the storm. That their lives were spared, has always attributed to God’s grace.

In 1885 he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and on March 29 of the same year, was baptized by Elder Frederich Schartner and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite church.

On April 13, 1888, he was united in holy wedlock to Caroline Buller, daughter of the late Heinrich Buller. To this union were born ten children, six sons and four daughters. Having entered upon married life, he at once took to his life's vocation, namely farming. He settled on his father-in-law’s place and never moved until called by death. He spoke freely of his early meager farming facilities and financial means as compared to that of our modern day.

On the whole he enjoyed a life of good health. He was however seriously sick in the fall of 1920, with a case of erysipelas, and again on December 26, 1951, he became seriously sick, and was rushed to the Sioux Valley hospital in Sioux Falls. The doctors diagnosed his ailment as kidney poisoning and hemorrhage of the brain, pronouncing it fatal, not expecting him to see the light of another day. However, in answer to prayer, we believe, he rallied, and after 13 days was taken home.

On October 11, 1952, he complained somewhat of a cold. The greater part of October 12 was spent in bed, spending a very sleepless and painful night. The following day, October 13, he rallied, conversing freely with visitors even into the evening. Closing the day, as was the custom, with prayer asking God to receive his soul if he should die tonight, he retired, not realizing that within an hour his prayer would be answered. Suddenly, at 9:20 o'clock in the evening he was transferred from that which is but temporal to the eternal. The doctor pronounced as the cause of his sudden death heart attack.

Thus ended our wedded life of 64 years and six months. Father reached the ripe age of 86 years, four months and one day. He surpassed the time mentioned in Psalm 90:10 “seventy years, or by reason of strength eight years.”

Father took great pride in livestock, and buildings well kept, and in work which was done thoroughly. He was looked upon as a prominent industrious and thrifty farmer. God granted him a liberal share of wealth. From this, liberal donations were made for various worthy causes. Father always enjoyed a life of activity, even to the extent of still driving his own car the Saturday preceding his death.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure his bereaved wife, five sons, Peter, Samuel, Abraham, Herbert and Erwin, three daughters, Susie, Mrs. Peter B. Decker, Emma, Mrs. Tobias J. Koehn, Esther, Mrs. Jacob J. Schartner, all living in the immediate community, five daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, 28 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, two brothers, Henry of Bridgewater, So. Dak. and John of Marion, So. Dak., and a host of relatives and friends.

One son, Fred, one daughter, Nettie, one daughter-in-law, Lena Berg Schmidt, his father and mother, three brothers, seven sisters, one grandchild, three great-grandchildren preceded him in death.

Though our heart is, in heaviness, yet we “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 17, 1932. In the home comforting words were spoken by Rev. C. A. Classen, and a solo, “Near to the Heart of God” was sung by Eldon Smith.

In the M. B. church a German message was given by Rev. J. J. Adrian, and a solo "Wo Findet Die Seele De Heimat Der Ruh," was sung by Eldon Smith. Rev. M. A. Kroeker brought a message, challenging all to make preparation to move from our earthly tabernacle.

A quartet in charge of Ben Ratzlaff sang “Rock of Ages.” Rev. T. A. van der Smitten spoke at the grave side, and the same quartet sang “Halt Mich Fest” — The Family.