Steiner, Ulrich (1806-1877)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Dec 29 p. 5

Birth date: 1806 Sep 6

text of obituary:

LETTER FROM SWITZERLAND

Dan J. Steiner of Silverton, Oregon, who is compiling a Steiner family history going back seven generations, received the following letter from Walter Steiner of Eggiwil, Switzerland giving the life story of his great grandfather, a minister. Walter Steiner is a teacher in the Junior high school at Eggiwil.

Ulrich Steiner was born Sept. 6, 1806. His cradle stood in the Haemlismalt at Trachselwald . . . .

Already his ancestors in Emmenthal (Emme Valley) at the time of the persecution, belonged to a small group of baptist-minded, new baptists, later called anabaptists.

As a young man of 19 years he decided to unite with the Baptist persuasion. Five years later he was chosen by lot to become their minister, which caused him much concern until he was spiritually strengthened and encouraged through a trance or ecstacy.

He was united in marriage to a faith companion, Elizabeth Wuetrich, in 1834. The following year he was ordained as an elder or bishop. He wrote a booklet entitled, “Enjoyable Hours in Zion.” He was imprisoned several days for his unfaltering Christian faith or belief. Another time he was sentenced to give an expression of repentance. He handed the “Board of Justice” a written complaint or grievance, whereupon he was released.

His services to the church were richly blessed. His messages were heart-searching, winning, comforting, edifying, serious, forcible, and impressive; yet kindness and tenderness prevailed. His friendly and congenial disposition and his personality won many souls for Christ. “Steiner, Uli” (familiarly so called, was respected and loved beyond the borders of his own fellowship. After a lingering illness he departed this life in peace in 1877.