Schrag, Jonathan J. (1875-1930)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Jun 25 p. 1

Birth date: 1875 Jul 20

text of obituary:

THOUSANDS THRONG TO PAY LAST TRIBUTE TO BELOVED MISSIONARY

Freeman, So. Dak., June 19. — Sunday was the day when the Missionary J. J. Schrag funeral took place at the North church in East Freeman. It is hard to count a gathering like that but people who made an effort claim about 4000 people attended coming in about 1000 automobiles. The services were in charge of Rev. Alfred Waltner. After singing the old song "Dort ueber jenen Sternen Meer dort ist shoenes Land" Rev. J. J. Balzer of Mountain Lake, Minn., spoke. Rev. Balzer was his teacher and knew him from the time he was a young man. The second speaker was Rev. John J. A. Schrag who grew up with him in the same neighborhood and knew him as a neighbor and a friend. He was followed by Rev. P. E. Penner, a teacher of his when he attended school in Cleveland, Ohio, he knew him as a scholar. Prof D. E. Harder spoke next and being secretary of the mission board he can recall many pleasant associations with him. Paul Bartel was the last one to speak and having worked together in China for years he touched on his kind way of doing things and his angelic disposition and love for the poor people of China. Rev. Waltner made the closing remarks. He was very brief and emphasized what an inspiration it was to come in contact with him. The people who had charge of the arrangements for the funeral deserve great credit and their efforts to accommodate are very much appreciated. By the installation of amplifiers brought from Soo [sic Sioux] Falls they made it possible for everyone to hear the speakers. Everyone present was able to hear the speaking and the singing whether he was in the basement or a block away from the building. People were here from Beadle, Avon and the neighboring towns. The fact that he was so well known here brought the crowd. His brothers and sisters all live here. His brothers are John M. Schrag, Elias J. Schrag, Joe A. Schrag. The sisters are Mrs. Jac. Jos. Waltner, Mrs. John Graber, Freeman; Mrs. Peter J. P. Graber, Mrs. Peter Goertz, Mrs. John D. Kaufman, Mrs. Ben C. Graber, Mrs. Dan Boese. His parents died years ago. Paul Bartel met Mrs. Schrag and Miss Garber at New York and accompanied them to South Dakota. Mrs. Schrag's mother was here from the cast for the funeral and so was a sister. — Freeman Courier.

Jonathan J. Schrag

Jonathan J. Schrag was born July 20, 1875 near Marin, S. D. He spent his childhood and youth with his parents on the farm. Nevertheless he did his best to educate himself and also was very helpful in church, Sunday school, and young people's work. He was converted in the year 1894 and his strong desire to learn more of the Bible led hm to attend the Bible schools at Cleveland, Ohio; Mt. Lake, Minn., and ft. Wayne, Ind. In 1902 he was baptized by Rev. Sprunger in Cleveland, Ohio. For two years (September 1906 to October 1908) he was active in city mission work and on Aug. 22, 1908 decided to became a foreign missionary. On Sept. 15, 1908 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Stark who was his faithful companion for more that 21 years. He and his wife were ordained as missionaries on Oct. 7, 1908 and on Nov. 10 they began their voyage to China where they joined the Bartels who had already for the several years been active in the province of Shantung. Arriving at their destination on Dec. 8, 1908, the Schrags at once began the study of the language and as soon as possible began to help with the evangelistic work. Since Rev. Schrag was quite familiar with building and construction work he was also kept quite busy erecting necessary buildings.

On July 27, 1916 he and his wife returned to America on furlough and spent much time visiting the churches. returning to China on Jan. 23, 1918 he spent another 12 long years in service before starting back to America for his second furlough. He became quite ill on Dec. 20, 1929 but recovered sufficiently so that he and his wife were able to begin their journey to America on Jan. 18, 1930. Feb. 6 they reached Shanghai where he suffered another attack of his malady. From then on he was never quite well again and suffered considerable pain. While visiting Champa and other stations of the General Conference Mennonite missionfield in India he received medical attention from the Dr. Harvey Bauman. Continuing on to Palestine Rev. Schrag's condition grew worse. On April 6th he and his wife reached Jerusalem where he underwent an operation for abscess of the brain and meningitis. Three days later, on April 11, he passed away in great pain.

After making all necessary arrangements his body was shipped from Jerusalem on May 15 and reached Marion, S. D., on June 14. He reached the age of 54 years, 8 months and 21 days. He leaves to mourn his early departure his wife, brothers and sisters and other relatives and friends, as well as a large host of Chinese Christians.