Voth, Cornelius R. (1873-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Jan 9 p. 8

Birth date: 1873 May 18

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS R. VOTH

Cornelius R. Voth, son of David Voth and Maria Richert, was born May 18, 1873 in South Russia and came with his parents to the United States in the initial Mennonite migration to Kansas in 1874.

He received his elementary education in the rural Marion County schools. He was baptized upon his confession of faith May 17, 1894 by Elder Jacob Buller and became a member of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church where he remained a faithful and active member until his death.

On June 12, 1902 he married Anna Banman with the Elder Peter Balzer officiating. To this union were born two sons, Moses and Waldo. They also received into their home as a foster child, Susie Hiebert. They lived with Mrs. Voth's parents, the Elder Heinrich Banmans, Rt. 2, Canton, for sometime. A few years were also spent in the Rocky Ford, Colo. area. He worked in custom threshing and farming.

Mrs. Voth died Aug. 23, 1947. In the fall of 1952 he became a resident of the Bethel Home for the Aged, Newton, Kan.

In his younger days he was very active in the life of the church. He served as a trustee, on the church building committee, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He also served on the Hochfield school board and as the Menno Township assessor. The school teachers of the district usually stayed at the Voth home.

He had been rather weak during the last months, but on the day of his death, Dec. 10, 1963, he performed the routine activities of the day until 5:40 p.m. when he went to his eternal home, for which he had prepared himself through faith in Jesus Christ. He was 90 years old, being one of the three remaining of the original Alexanderwoh migration party of 1874.

This past June a celebration was arranged by the Bethel Home for the Aged honoring his 90th birthday. Ninety relatives and friends were invited. This was a highlight of his declining years.

Those remaining to cherish the memory of his life are the three children, Moses and wife Buena, Independence, Kan.; Waldo and wife Emma, Goessel, Kan.; and Mrs. Susie (Hiebert) Ratzloff, Newton, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Vionetta Voth and husband Robert L. Schmidt, Burr Oak, Kan.; Marvin E. Voth, Independence; Robert Voth, Goessel; Philip Ratzloff and wife Virgean, Inman; Gloria Ratzloff and husband, Rev. Gary Fowler, Wichita; Geraldine and Donald Ratzloff, Newton; four great-grandchildren and many friends and acquaintances.

The Mennonite obituary: 1964 Jan 21 p. 44