Voth, Peter D. (1876-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Jul 8 p. 6

Birth date: 1876 Mar 31

text of obituary:

— Funeral services were held at the Alexanderwohl church Saturday forenoon for Peter D. Voth, 78, who was fatally injured in a harvest accident at his farm west of Goessel on Tuesday, June 29. Rev. H. B. Schmidt officiated. According to reports received here, the accident occurred in the driveway of the granary where Mr. Voth had driven his tractor and wagon loaded with wheat. Wanting to move forward a little more, he cranked the tractor but it was in reverse gear and started backward. In attempting to stop the machine, he was pinned against the wall of the granary, the tractor breaking loose and running in circles for a time. He was found by his son, Victor, who was combining for him, and taken to the Bethesda hospital where he died the following day, June 30. In addition to the son, he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Frieda Oehrke of Kansas City, a brother, C. R. Voth of Newton, a sister, Mrs. John Banman of Fresno, Calif. and three grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Aug 19 p. 9

PETER D. VOTH

Peter D. Voth was born March 31, 1876, in Marion county, Kansas in the Hochfeld village. He was baptized by Elder Peter Baltzer and joined the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church June 6, 1897.

He attended the grade school, and German and Bible School. Later he also attended Bethel academy for a short time.

He was married to Katherine Banman Nov. 10, 1903. This union was blessed with one son and one daughter. After nine years his life mate passed away, on Dec. 4, 1912, leaving him with the care of the two young children. On Nov. 28, 1914, he married Katharine Balzer. This marriage was broken by her death Oct. 16, 1931.

Father lived on the farm all his life. For six years he also practiced blacksmithing and helped his brother Cornelius in the threshing business. In 1920 he lost his left eye by accident. This caused him great difficulty from time to time. However, in spite of his handicap he managed quite well in most all of his undertakings.

In the latter part of July, 1950, he became severely ill and for six weeks was completely helpless. He recovered and slowly regained his health so that the following summer he was again able to resume his farming; he continued this work up to the end. He especially enjoyed his garden.

He was an active church worker. He led a prayer life and expected the family to do the same. His spiritual interest and concern is a great comfort to those he leaves behind. We know he was ready to go to the Lord for he himself expressed the desire to go.

His reward came unexpectedly when he met with a tractor accident on June 29, 1954, while harvesting with his son. He was taken to the Goessel hospital and passed to the beyond quietly the next morning due to the injuries he received. He reached the age of 78 years three months.

His sudden departure is mourned by one son, Victor Voth and wife Martha of Canton, one daughter, Frieda and her husband Reinhart Oehrke of Chicago, Ill.; three grandchildren, Donald Jerry Voth of Canton, Kansas, David Daniel and John Reinhart Oehrke of Chicago, and many relatives and friends [sic two lines exchanged in original]