Unruh, Jacob P. (1868-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Jan 9 p. 2

Birth date: 1867

text of obituary:

AGED MINISTER DIED IN KANSAS

Halstead, Kansas. — Min. Jacob P. Unruh, 79, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his farm home southwest of here Sunday afternoon, Dec. 29. He lived on the same farm for 26 years, coming here from Marion, S. D.

Survivors include one son and seven daughters. The deceased was a member of the Grace Mennonite church of Halstead.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Jan 16 p. 3

text of obituary:

MIN. JACOB P. UNRUH

Minister Jacob P. Unruh was born in Gruenthal, Poland, Russia, but emigrated in Kansas with his parents on November 24, 1874, settling near newton. in 1875 they moved to Marion, South Dakota, and he obtained his education in the schools of that locality. In April 19, 1888, he was joined in marriage with Helena Dirks.

In 1893 they became heavily convicted of their lost condition but found peace and salvation in their Saviour Jesus Christ. They were accepted into fellowship of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, and were baptized by Bishop Jon Holdeman on February 14, 1893. Bro. Unruh was also ordained into the office of a minister of the Gospel by the bishop in February, 1893, at the age of 25 years.

During all his labors he proved his talent as a leader of the church constantly exemplifying a loving spirit of peace, and preaching the reconciliation to God’s children and sinners. He strongly believed in and taught the observance of all commands, ever teaching and rigidly observing the solidity of the church. In his ministerial calling his wife was his real supporter. In his many labors he remained faithful to his very last.

The parents endured hardships and shared happiness together in their pioneer days and in his calling for a period of 26 years, when mother was called to her reward on August 25, 1914. She left her dear companion with seven daughters and one son, but also with the blessed consolation of the living hope to meet again in Heaven. One son departed this life in his infancy.

On January 16, 1920, father with his four daughters moved to Halstead, Kansas, purchasing a farm near there. Later the rest of the family also moved to Kansas.

Father became afflicted with an ailment ten years ago but was able to attend church services quite regularly until the very last. On the day of his death, Dec. 29, 1946, he became ill in the afternoon and unexpectedly went to his reward at 6:35 that evening. He reached the age of 79 years, three months and seven days.

As we survey his sincere and peaceful life, seeing he ever asked forgiveness from those he mgiht have offended, ever earnestly observing family worship and maintaining maintaining [sic] Christian standards of Christian standards of [sic] living, we have the firm assurance and hope that he has gone to his eternal reward, wherefrom none of us can wish his return.

Me [sic] now renew our resolve to so follow his life that we might meet him there. He believed that one of the requirements for a Christlike life was to study his Word. This he did by reading the Bible through 103 times and the new Testament through 481 times.

He leaves the following children: Marie and Susan of the home; Jacob J. Unruh, Martha Becker and Hulda Koehn of near Halstead; Mrs. Helena Unruh of Nevada, Mo.; Mrs. Lydia Esau of Livingston, Calif., and Mrs. Esther Spence of Kankakee, Ill.; also 34 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; three brothers and one sister, together with many other relatives. One son, one grandchild, three brothers and four sisters receded him in death.

Memorial services were conducted at the Grace Mennonite church of Halstead on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 2, 1947, at 1:30 o’clock. Ministers conducting the services were: Carl Dirks and Paul Becker of Halstead; F. C. Fricke of Ithaca, Mich., and H. D. Fricke of Archbold, Ohio. The church choir sang some of Min. Unruh’s favorite hymns.

Committal services were delayed till Sunday afternoon, Jan. 5, at 2:30 o’clock. Casket bearers were: D. C. Buller, Jacob T. Koehn, John H. Becker, John B. Becker, John A. Johnson and Simon D. Koehn. he was laid to rest in the family lot in the Halstead cemetery. Kaufman and Dreese were in charge of the funeral arrangements. — The Family.