Yoder, Noah J. (1861-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jan 15 p. 1

Birth date: 1861 May 12

text of obituary:

Pioneer in Amish Community of Kansas Taken by Death

NOAH J. YODER, 86, HAD LIVED IN RENO COUNTY SINCE 1885

Hutchinson, Kansas. — One of the early settlers in the Old Order Amish community at Partridge, Noah J. Yoder, passed away at his home there on Jan. 6 following a brief illness. Funeral services were held at the Yoder home on Friday, Jan. 9.

Bro. Yoder was the last of the original Amish settlers who came to Reno county in the 1880's. As a child he moved with his parents from Ohio to Johnson county, Iowa, and later the family moved to Illinois. he came to Kansas in 1885. the first Amish settlers, including the Christian E. Bontrager, Abraham Nisley, and Christian Miller families, had arrived in 1883.

The deceased was a farmer, carpenter, and a cabinet-maker, and had been active until a short time before his death. Survivors include his wife and eight children: Mrs. Herb Schrock and Tobe Yoder of Oregon; Manass Yoder of Yoder, Kansas; Mose Yoder and Mrs. Jake Miller of Holmes county, Ohio; Mrs. David Schrock of Goshen, Ind.; Jacob Yoder of California; and John at home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jan 22 p. 3

text of obituary:

NOAH J. YODER

Noah J. Yoder was born May 12, 1861, in Johnston county, Iowa, and passed away at his home near Partridge, Kansas on Jan. 6, 1948, aged 86 years 7 months and 24 days.

In his youth he confessed Christ as his Saviour and joined the Old Order Amish church.

He was with the first group of Amish pioneers that came to Reno county, Kansas in 1883. On Jan. 20, 1884, he was united in marriage to Barbara Bontrager. Their marriage, the first Amish wedding in Kansas, took place in the house still occupied by their son, John. To this union God gave nine children, eight of whom survive; one son, Criss, passed away in April 1937.

Both of the parents and all of the children were unusually robust and healthy, and up to the last 10 days of his life Noah hardly ever knew what sickness was. But when laid upon his sick bed with kidney trouble, he resigned his all to his Lord and Saviour, and was conscious of his condition. His last request was for one more Scripture reading and prayer, and about four hours later he peacefully passed away.

He is survived by his ailing widow, 83 years old, and the following children: Jake, Tobe and Susan of Oregon; Mose and Anna of Ohio: Mattie of Indiana; Manasses of Haven, Kansts[sic]; and John of the home.

Funeral services were held at the home Friday, Jan. 9, conducted by Pre. N. D. Mast and Bishop J. H. Miller, and directly across the road at John C. Yoders, conducted by Pre. W. W, Wagler and Bish. John D. Yoder, where many relatives and friends assembled to pay their last respects.