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Stauffer, Jacob (1860-1939)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1939 Jan 24 p. 15
Birth date: 1860 Mar 15
text of obituary:
Jacob Stauffer, Sohn von Peter und Kath. Stauffer, ward am 15 März 1860 zu St. Louis, Elsaß-Lothringen geboren und starb am 3. Jan 1939 zu Salem, Oregon im Alter von 78 Jahren. Früh im Leben nahm er den Herrn an, ward von Pred. Jakob Zimmermann getauft und Glied der Mennonitengemeinde in Basel, Schweiz. In 1880 kam er nach Wayne Co., Ohio und in 1890 siedelte er Ost von Salem, Oregon an, wo er seither als progessiver Farmer wirkte. In 1892 schloß er sich der Emmanuel Mennonitengemeinde, Pratum, Oregon an und war ein treues, hingebendes Glied. Viele Jahre diente er als Vorstandsmitglied und auch als S. S. Lehrer. Auch in 1938 als seine Gesundheit schon abnahm fehlte er nur 4 Sonntage. In 1892 heiratete er Josephine Gerig und es wurden ihnen 7 Kinder geschenkt. Es betrauern sein Scheiden seine treue Gattin, 3 Söhne, Joseph, Albany, Oregon; Daniel, Salem, Oregon; Jakob, Chicago; 4 Töchter, Frau Adam Hofstetter, Frau Gilbert Haury, Frau Fred Hersch und Frl. Alma Stauffer, alle von Salem, Oregon; 10 Enkel und viele Freunde. Pred. J. M. Franz von der Emmanuel Gemeinde und Pred. O. Whitman dienten bei der Begräbnisfeier und er ward begraben im Gemeindekirchhof Ost von Pratum.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Feb 1 p. 5
text of obituary:
Jacob Stauffer died at his residence near Salem Ore., Jan 3, 1939. He was born in Alsace Lorraine March 15, 1960 [sic 1860]. He came to the U. S. at the age of twenty. For several years he lived in Ohio, and Illinois, coming to Oregon in 1892. He was then married to Josephine Gerig and settled in this community.
At the time of his marriage he joined the Pratum Mennonite church of which he was an active member until the time of his death. For several years he served as deacon of the church board. He was also a faithful Sunday School teacher until his failing health required him to retire.
Bro. Stauffer had not been in good health for several years yet always strove to attend church services whenever possible. The past year he has missed only four Sundays.
On December 21 he became ill with a more severe heart attack than he ever suffered before which required him to remain in bed. He was a patient sufferer and wholly resigned to the Lord's will. The Lord saw fit to relieve him of his suffering and called him home on Tuesday January 3, at 2 p.m.
The funeral services were held on Friday, January 6, at the Ridgon [sic] Mortuary in Salem. Rev. J. M. Franz and Rev. Orval Whitman officiated. His favorite song "No Night There" was brought by the Homer Leisy family. The funeral was largely attended. Interment was in the Pratum cemetery.
Those whom he leaves to deeply mourn his departure are his wife, Josephine; three sons Joseph of Albany, Daniel of Salem, Jacob of Chicago; and four daughters, Mrs. Lydia Hofstetter, Mrs. Caroline Haury, Mrs. Emma Hersch, and Miss Alma Sauffer [sic] all of Salem, besides many other relatives and a host of friends.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 [sic 1939] Feb 8 p. 5
text of obituary:
Jacob Stauffer was born in Switzerland in March, 1860, and, having grown up to manhood, came to Ohio where he worked several years for Rev. Dave Amstutz near Orrville. Later he came to the Pratum, Oregon, community. He was marrried to Josephine Gerig in 1892. A farmer by occupation, he experienced the usual hardships of pioneers. But being industrious and economical he became well-to-do.
He retired several years ago due to a weak heart. Mrs. and Mrs. Stauffer raised a nice family of children: Joe of Albany, Jake of Chicago, and Lydia, Caroline, Emma, Alma and Dan, all of Salem. He attended services the last time Sunday morning, December 18. (Missed only four Sundays during the year.) He was of a sunny, congenial disposition. His smiles will be remembered in years to come — they were catching and had the effect of cheering those whom he contacted. Bro. Stauffer was a faithful Bible reader — enjoyed it — 'twas his guide throughout his entire life. He was a tireless Sunday School worker and teacher for many years. He was also a member of the church board a long while. He died in the Lord Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, January 3, 1939.
The funeral was held at the Rigdon Mortuary in Salem on Friday at 1:30 p.m. It was largely attended by friends and neighbors from far and near. Revs. Orval Whitman and John M. Franz officiated. The pallbearers were: Will C. Rutschman, Claude Ransden, Will Nafziger, Otto Walter and Albert Beutler. Homer Leisy and Homer Welty and their wives sang two ofhis favorite hymns. The remains were placed beneath the sod in the Pratum cemetery, awaiting the resurrection. His loving, shining countenance will be missed but certainly not forgotten. Au8f Wiedersehn! — D. J. Steiner.
The Mennonite obituary: 1939 Jan 31 p. 13