Unruh, Benjamin P. (1844-1937)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Jun 16 p. 5

Birth date: 1844 Aug 9

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Ben P. Unruh, 92 year old settler of the Galva community, died at his home there on Saturday, June 12. The funeral services were held at the Emanuel church north of Moundridge on Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff, of Newton in the German language, and Rev. P. H. Unruh of Goessel in the English language. Mr. Unruh is survived by eight children, all of whom found it possible to attend the funeral. Burial took place in the Emanuel cemetery.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Jun 23 p. 2

text of obituary:

Benjamin P. Unruh

Benjamin P. Unruh, son of Peter Unruh, was born August 9, 1844, in South Russia, in the province of Poland in the village of Antonofke. He was baptized in 1864 and become a member to the Mennonite church, to which he has been loyal and true all of his life.

He was joined in holy wedlock with Elisabeth Wedel, daughter of Karl Wedel, in 1871. This union was blessed with 12 children.

In the year 1874 they emigrated to America and settled near Galva, Kansas, where they experienced the hardships of pioneer life as many other families did. They shared together joy and sorrow till death took his companion from his side on March 9, 1908. They had lived together for 37 years.

On November, 25, 1909, he was again married to Mrs. Susanna Schmidt. This union was severed when she died on November 24, 1928. They lived together for 19 years.

He has lived at different places, but always in Kansas, in McPherson, Butler, and Harvey counties. since the death of his second wife he made his home with his children, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Unruh.

He was always in good health and could read his Bible and newspapers without glasses. But since last year, during the intensive heat, he began to fail in health and on Friday morning, June 11, 1937, while he was dressing, he was overcome by a stroke of paralysis, and was unconscious till Saturday evening, about 6 o'clock, when his long life upon earth ended. He went to a better life, as we all believe, for all eternity.

He attained the advanced age of 92 years, 10 months, and 3 days.

Of his 12 children, four preceded him in death; three in their infancy and one daughter, Susie (Mrs. Jacob H. Koehn) after having been married for several years. The following are living: Tobias, Meno, Oklahoma; Cornelius, Andrew and Eva (Mrs. H. M. Jantz) Galva, Kansas; Peter and Jacob, Meno, Oklahoma; Minnie (Mrs. Jacob T. Jantz) Galva, and Lydia (Mrs. Abraham Nightingale) Whitewater, Kansas. All except Andrew are married and have families.

Forty-nine grand-children are living and 7 have died. Thirty-seven great-grandchildren are living and two have died.

Father Unruh was a quiet, peace-loving man and tried to live an honest Christian life, which is well worth to be remembered.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 15, 1937. Rev. Jonathan D. Schmidt, Newton, Kansas, a step-son, served at the house and Rev. P. H. Unruh, Goessel, and Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff, Newton, at the church and cemetery. A quartet sang appropriate hymns, at the home, church and cemetery. He was buried at the Emmanuel cemetery, by the side of his first wife, to await the resurrection of the dead in Christ Jesus.