Unruh, Jacob H. (1864-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 17 p. 8

Birth date: 1864 Nov 4

text of obituary:

JACOB H. UNRUH

Jacob H. Unruh, son of Heinrich and Anna Penner Unruh, was born at Pordenau village, Molotschna, South Russia on Nov. 4, 1864. His father was a teacher in the village church school and later also taught in South Dakota. When he was ten years old the family migrated and settled near Freeman, S.D. where he grew to manhood.

On March 29, 1889, he was married to Anna Teske, who shared with him life's joys and sorrows for more than 62 years. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1951. To this union seven sons and four daughters were born, two of whom preceded him in death, one son in infancy, and one daughter Elizabeth who died in 1929.

In his earlier years he taught in the Christian German Day School in South Dakota, following in the footsteps of his father. Later he became interested in the retail lumber business, and for a number of years was manager of the J. H. Queal Lumber Company of Freeman. At different times his adventurous spirit led him and his family to locate in different sections of the country. They lived in the course of years at Corn, Okla., Ernfold, Sask., Yellow Pine, Ala., and the last 30 years in Pennsylvania, everywhere being loved and respected. For twenty years he worked for D. S. Warfel in construction work in Lancaster, Penna.

The last six years he lived at the Mennonite Home at Frederick, Penna. There he took great pride in cultivating flowers and friendships. Here also he corresponded with nieces and nephews, with children and grandchildren and a number of missionaries.

He maintained a close walk with God, always associating himself with the Lord's people. In early manhood he was baptized by Elder Christian Kauffman and became a member of the Salem-Zion church near Freeman. He remained a member of the Mennonite Church until the time of his death, when he was a member of the Immanuel Mennonite Church, Denver, Penna. He served as Sunday School superintendent and teacher in different Sunday schools, and being a great lover of song, he with his three brothers formed one of the earliest male quartets in the history of the Mennonite community near Freeman.

His children will always remember the informality, yet regularity, with which he conducted family worship, interspersed with spontaneous song with such favorites as "O, mein Jesu du bist's wert," and Wenn ich mich schlafen lege," or "Was kann es schoenres geben."

His influence and his prayers were rewarded in seeing four sons ordained as minsters [sic] of the Gospel, two of his daughters engaged in active missionary work, one of them being married to a minister, and all of his children being members of the family of god and actively interested and promoting the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also a number of the grandchildren are in active Christian service. These he carefully remembered in prayer before the Throne of Grace.

He died Sunday, Dec. 30, 1956, at 4:15 p.m. in full consciousness and firm faith of his Saviour, at the age of 92 years, one month, 26 days.

The following children remain to mourn his departure, yet joyfully anticipating the reunion at the resurrection of the just: Henry and wife Anna, Denver, Pa.; Daniel and wife Hazel, Newton, Kan.; Anna and husband, Allan Morrison, Zalma, Mo.; Hulda and husband John Penner, Altoona, Pa.; John and wife Gladys, Newton, Kan.; Jacob and wife Blanche, Jackson, miss.; Peter and wife Adeline, Holtwood, Pa.; Helen and husband, Wm. Kramer, Moore, Mont.; Abraham and wife Valma, Monroe, Wash.

Also surviving are 27 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was the last member of his and mother's family to depart this life.

"And so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." II Peter 1:11. — The children.

The Mennonite obituary: 1957 Jan 29 p. 78