Ummel, Daniel (1855-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jan 25 p. 3

Birth date: 1855 Jun 27

text of obituary:

DANIEL UMMEL

Daniel Ummel, son of Rev. John and Lydia Muller Ummel was born Locle, Switzerland, on June 27, 1885 [sic 1855], and departed this life at Ransom, Kansas, on January 2, 1945.

In 1872 he came to America with his father, three brothers, and two sisters. The family settled in Davis county, Iowa, and later moved to Gentry county, Missouri. He left this home in 1891 to become a coal miner in Indiana and Illinois. His Christian concern for the miners who worked under him resulted in efforts to improve their working conditions. In this he was joined by a socially minded youth of 18 by the name of John L. Lewis, and together they organized the first Miner's Union. Mining conditions improved so markedly that the union principle quickly spread to neighboring mines.

At the age of 65 Mr. Ummel left the mine fields to make his home with his brother David of Ramson [sic Ransom]. Four years later he was united in marriage to Esther Ummel, his brother Christian's widow, and became a beloved father to the children.

Early in life he gave his heart to Christ. He united with the Mennonite church in 1871 and has always been zealous in furthering the cause of His Lord on earth. He had a wide knowledge of the Bible and loved to expound its truths to his Sunday School class which he taught for his last 22 years.

Surviving "Uncle Dan" as he was affectionately called, are his wife Esther, four step-sons, five step-daughters, a sister, Mary Baumgarter [sic Baumgartner], and a host of other relatives and friends.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

Officiating at the funeral were Rev. J. W. Boehr, his pastor, Rev. Meade, pastor to several of the children, and Orlando Andres, a friend of the family. The funeral was held at the Methodist church of Ransom of which Rev. Samuel Paulding is pastor.