Edith Marie Zehr

Notes:

Buried:
Ropp Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer, School Teacher, Minister
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Heart Attack
• Ordained: 1931, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: Dec 1952, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr, Harold, son of Jacob E. and Emma (Miller) Zehr, was born at Goodfield, Ill., Oct. 15, 1903; died of a heart attack on Dec. 15, 1975; aged 72 y. In 1926, he was married to Alma Unzicker, who preceded him in death in 1966. In 1967, he was married to Ruth Schertz, who survives. Also surviving are 4 sons (Jay, John, Dean, and Allen Zehr), 4 daughters (Edith, Rachel, Mrs. Hazel Yoder, and Mrs. Lila King), one sister (Mrs. Mildred Good), and 3 brothers (Walter, Ellis, and Chester). He was preceded in death by one sister (Mrs. Mabel Schrock). He was ordained to the ministry in 1931 and served as a pastor in Illinois and Ohio. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, Ill., Dec. 17, in charge of Carl Newswanger and Edwin Stalter.

Ordained:
East Bend Mennonite Church

Residence:
Became Executive Secretary of the Ulrich Foundation and Director of PR for Ulrich Manufacturing Co.

Died:
from March 1978 Mennonite Heritage

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Harold married Alma P. Unzicker on 30 Jun 1926 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. Alma (daughter of Samuel Ernest Unzicker and Sarah L. Steider) was born on 5 Nov 1903 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL; died on 18 Apr 1966 in Normal, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Cancer

Notes:

Obit:
ZEHR, Alma P., daughter of Samuel E. and Sarah (Steider) Unzicker, was born at Roanoke, Ill., Nov. 5, 1903; died of cancer at Normal, Ill., April 18, 1966; aged 62 y. 5 m. 13 d. On June 30, 1926, she was married to Harold Zehr, who survives. Also surviving are 8 children (W. Jay, John, Dean, Allen, Edith, Mrs. Hazel Yoder, Rachel, and Mrs. Lila King), 15 grandchildren, 2 brothers (Roy and Archie), and 2 sisters (Mrs. Katherine Hostetler and Mrs. Edna Teuscher). She was a member of the Bloomington Church, where her husband is pastor. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Church, April 20, with Alton Horst, Roy Bucher, and Richard Yordy officiating.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mennonite
• Naturalization: 5 Oct 1858, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: until 1904, Goodfield, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1904, Near Bloomington, IL
• Residence: 1911, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr. --- Jacob E., son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ehrisman) Zehr, was born near Goodfield in Woodford Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1872; died at his home in Fisher, Ill., Aug. 11, 1950; aged 78 y. 2 d. On Feb. 13, 1902, he was married to Emma Miller, of Carlock, Ill. To this union were born 4 sons (Harold, Rantoul, Ill.; Walter, Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Ellis, Rockville, Ind.; and Chester, Fisher, Ill.), and 2 daughters (Mabel Schrock, Fisher, Ill.; and Mildred Good, Rantoul, Ill.). Early in life he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church. He maintained a keen interest in spiritual things and was a dovoted Bible student throughout life. He lived at the place of his birth until 1904, when he moved to a farm near Bloomington in McLean Co., Ill., and from there in 1911 to a farm west of Fisher. In 1941 he retired and moved into Fisher. He was a loving husband, an understanding father, and a Christian citizen. Surviving are his wife, 6 children, 22 grandchildren, and a large number of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the East Ben Mennonite Church, in charge of A. J. Metzler and J. A. Heiser.

Transcriber's note: The author of the obituary misspelled "devoted."

Residence:
in the home of his parents

Residence:
Attended East White Oak Mennonite Church

Residence:
Purchased the Joseph Yordy farm near Fisher

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Jacob married Emma A. Miller on 13 Feb 1902. Emma (daughter of Christian Miller and Rachel Sharp) was born on 20 Mar 1876 in Carlock, McLean Co., IL; died on 23 Oct 1955 in Rantoul, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XLVIII , Number 46 - November 15, 1955 -- page 1101, 1102.

Zehr, -- Emma, daughter of Christian and Rachel (Sharp) Miller, was born on March 20, 1876 near Carlock, Ill.; passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joe Good, near Rantoul, Ill., on Oct. 23, 1955, as she was listening to the strains of the hymn, "Lord, I Am Coming Home." She was married to Jacob E. Zehr on Feb. 13, 1902, and they made their home near Goodfield, Ill. Later they moved Yukon, Ill., and in Feb., 1911, they moved to a farm near Fisher, Ill., where they lived until retirement in 1941, when they moved to Fisher. She had been in failing health for the past several months. She is survived by one daughter (Mildred Good), 4 sons (Harold, Roanoke, Ill.; Walter, Albuquerque, N. Mex.; Ellis, Rockville, Ind., and Chester, Fisher, Ill), 28 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters and two brothers (Elizabeth-Mrs. Frank Irons, Congerville, Ill., Mrs. Mary Basting, Bertha and Rufus of Bloomington-Normal area, and Clarence, Stanford, Ill.). She was preceded in death by her husband in 1950; one daughter Mabel Schrock, and one sister who died in her youth. Early in life she accepted Christ as Saviour and had an active interest in the work of her church until her death. Funeral services were held at the Eat Bend Mennonite Church, of which she was a member, by Howard J. Zehr and Ivan Birkey, on Oct. 26. Interment was made in the East Bend Mennonite Church.

Birth:
(8 Aug? FAG)

Died:
at home of her daughter Mrs. Joe Good

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite (Lynn Township Congregation) Served As Deason For Over Thirty Years.

Notes:

Obit:
Unzicker, Samuel Ernest., son of August and Elizabeth (Birkey) Unzicker, was born near Morton, Ill., March 17, 1876; died at the Eureka (Ill.) Hospital, Nov. 21, 1963; aged 87 y. 8 m. 4 d. On Dec. 23, 1902, he was married to Sarah Streider, who died April 28, 1959. Also preceding him in death were one daughter, one grandson, 4 brothers, and 3 sisters. Surviving are 2 sons (Roy and Archie), 3 daughters (Alma - Mrs. Harold Zehr, Katherine - Mrs. Amos Hostetler, and Edna - Mrs. Daniel Teuscher), 30 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, one brother (Julius), and 3 sisters (Mrs. V.W. Springer, Mrs. Andrew Ulrich, and Mrs. Prosper Heppard). He was one of the first members of the Linn Township Amish Mennonite congregation, and served there as a deacon for over 30 years. Funeral services were held at the Linn Township Amish Mennonite Church, Nov. 23, in charge of John Hostetler, assisted by Dan Hostetler and Harold Hostetler; burial in Harmony Cemetery, Metamora, Ill.

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery

Samuel married Sarah L. Steider on 23 Dec 1902. Sarah (daughter of Peter Steider and Katherine Garber) was born on 19 Feb 1878 in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL; died on 28 Apr 1959 in Tampico, IL; was buried in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume LII, Number 23 - June 9, 1959
Unzicker, Sarah L., daughter of Peter and Catherine (Garber) Steider; born Feb. 19, 1878, near Metamora., Ill:; died suddenly at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Amos Hostetler, near Tampico, Ill., April 28, 1959; aged 81 y. 2 m. 9 d. On Dec. 23, 1902, she married Samuel E. Unzicker, who survives. To this union were born 2 sons and 4 daughters. One daughter preceded her in death two years ago. Surviving are 3 daughters and 2 sons (Alma- Mrs. Harold Zehr, Roanoke, Ill.; Catherine- Mrs. Amos Hostetler, Tampico, Ill.; Edna- Mrs. Dan Teuscher, Fisher. Ill.; Roy, Roanoke; and Archie, Eureka), 30 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers (Sam, Washington, Ill.; and Henry, Metamora), and a sister (Mrs. Barbara Springer, Longmont, Colo.). Three sisters and 4 brothers also preceded her in death. She was a member of the Linn Township Amish Mennonite congregation since its organization. She was especially known for her service to others, opening her home to several other relatives in time of special need. Services were held at the Linn A.M. Church, in charge of John E. Hostetler and Harold Hostetler; interment in Harmony Cemetery.

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: In Europe, A Dienstknecht (Farm Hand), In US, A Minister/Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1848, Slabtown, Woodford Co., IL
• Immigration: May 1848, Le Havre to New York
• Census: 1850, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Montgomery Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth - March 15, 1898 - page 93, 94.
PRE. JACOB ZEHR
Montgomery Township, Woodford County, Ill., lost one of its oldest and most respected citizens on Tuesday morning of Feb. 22nd, 1898 by the death of Pre. Jacob Zehr, at his home in Mackinaw valley, near Zimmerman's Ford. Deceased was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 17, 1825 and emigrated to America in the spring of 1848. On April 21st, 1850, he was married to Elizabeth Ehresman and settled on the farm upon which he died. This farm he entered from the government and by hard labor succeeded in making it a comfortable home, leaving his family well provided for. His family consisted of four sons and five daughters of whom one son and two daughters preceded him to the grave; his wife, six children and eighteen grandchildren survive him. Bro. Zehr united with the Amish Mennonite Church in early youth and remained a faithful member to the time of his death. On the 12th of June 1859, he was chosen by the above named church as minister of the Gospel, and on May 17th, 1863 ordained as bishop. It was ever his highest aim to fill this charge according to God's ordinances as long as He gave him power and health to do so. He was a sufferer from nervousness or sick-headache more or less for nearly forty years, which wore on him so that for the last four or five years his health has been so poor that he was unable to preach. This seemed to be his greatest sorrow in his declining years; yet by his patience in his sufferings and his trust in his Master he was ever setting a good example to others who visited him, and to his family. About four months ago he was partly paralyzed and from that time was confined to his bed and as helpless as a child, patiently awaiting his Master's call to come up higher. His life on earth was an exemplary, upright, humble one, highly respected by all who knew him. While the sorrow of his death is general, yet it is mitigated by the knowledge that after a long and useful life a good man has gone to the home he so longed for.

What a blessed assurance that
"If we so live as to meet him,
In heaven his bright face we shall see."

The funeral services were held in the village of Deer Creek. Thursday at 1 o'clock P. M. Feb., 24th, a very large congregation of friends and relatives came to pay their last tribute of respect to their beloved friend whose kindness and generosity brightened the lives of many. Elder John Schmitt of Metamora spoke in German, and Val. Strubhar of Washington, in English. The remains were laid to rest in the Mt. Zion cemetery, two miles north of Deer Creek.

"Yonder in the graveyard gently
Rests the form we loved so well;
But we look to heaven and glory
Where there will be no farewell.
Farewell father, till we meet thee,
In thy heavenly home above;
There to sing God's praises with thee,
In the land of joy and love."


Settled near Slabtown near his brothers. After marriage he farmed near Mackinaw River's Zimmerman Ford at the southern edge of Woodford County's Montgomery Township.

“Jacob and Elizabeth’s two oldest children, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. These two children, we were told, were buried in a little plot under the apple tree in the southeast corner of their garden.”

He was ordained as a minister on June 12, 1859, and as an elder (bishop) on May 20, 1863, for the Mackinaw Meeting. After 1873 he primarily served the Goodfield congregation. He attended the May 16-19, 1875, Amish ministers conference held in the Sutter barn.

“For Jacob Zehr there was a “throne in the flesh” in the form of very painful headaches from which he suffered for 35 years. These finally wore him down so that the last few years of his life he was no longer able to minister to the people. Once he could no longer fulfill this service his desire was to be called out of this life to be with his Lord.

“The last four months of life he was partially parliized. On a Tuesday morning, Feb 22 1898, death came to release him form further suffering. His funeral was held in the Deer Creek Baptist church in order to accommodate the large crowd of people who came to the services. The services were in charge of Rev. Peter Zehr, Rev. John Smith, and Rev. John Strubhar. His body was laid to rest in the Mt. Zion cemetery north of Deer Creek, IL.”

“Jacob., Jr. is at the well; in the background are Phoebe (Zehr) Wolber and her daughter [given her apparent age, probably Mary Magdalena “Lena”, b. 1895] and Mrs. (Zehr) Warner. It was recorded that “Mrs. Wolber’s small son [Alvin] fled to the safety of the house” because he was camera-shy!” ,


According to Auswanderung, Jakob Zehr, a serving farmhand at Hanfeld, emigrated from Bavaria in 1848 bound for Illinois with 400 florins in hand.

Birth:
in the Hofmark at Hilgertshausen

Residence:
Purchased land in row Zimmerman Ford area of Mackinaw River.

Immigration:
On the ship Admiral. Assets of 400 fl.

Census:
Living next to older brother Christian: Jacob Sears, 25, Germany; and Eliza, 20, Germany.

Census:
Farmer Jacob Zehr, 42, Bavaria; R. Annie Zehr, 36, Ohio; with six children born in Illinois, and Magdalena Zehr, 75, Bavaria

Buried:
Mr. Zion Cemetery (see photo)

Jacob married Elizabeth Ehresman on 21 Apr 1850 in Woodford Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Christian Ehresman (Eyresmann) and Magdalena Barnhardt) was born on 11 Sep 1830 in GR; died on 27 Nov 1902 in Deer Creek Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 1835, OH
• Residence: 1844, IL

Notes:

Elizabeth died a highly respected lady who spent her married life fulfilling duties as mother, minister’s wife and Christian lady.

Buried:
Mt. Zion cemetery

Notes:

Christian + Rachel Sharp. Rachel was born in 1849; died in 1926. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Gospel Herald, Nov 1939
Unzicker.-August, son of Peter and Katherine Unzicker, was born near Morton, Ill., Sept. 25, 1849; died at the home of his son (S. E. Unzicker), Roanoke, Ill., Sept. 27, 1939, after an illness of seven weeks; aged 90 y. 2 d. On Dec. 20, 1870, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Birkey. To this union were born 7 sons and 6 daughters. He was preceded in death by his wife, 3 sons (Daniel, John, and August), also 2 daughters (Emma and Elizabeth). There remain 4 sons (Oscar and Peter of Low Point, Samuel E. of Roanoke, and Julius of Morocco, Ind.), also 4 daughters (Mrs. Val Springer of Foosland, Mrs. Frank Welts of Cazenovia, Mrs. Prosper Heppard of Roanoke, and Mrs. Andrew Ulrich of Shelbyville), 64 grandchildren, 116 great-grandchildren, 1 brother (Julius of Foosland), and a host of other relatives and friends. He received Christ in his youth and for the past eleven years held his membership in the East Bend Mennonite Church of Fisher, Ill. Funeral services were conducted at the Roanoke Mennonite Church with J. A. Heiser of Fisher, Ill., in charge. Text, Psalm 23. Burial in the Roanoke Cemetery.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

August married Elizabeth Birky on 10 Dec 1870 in Tazewell Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Johannes Bircky (Birky) and Elisabeth Bircky (Birky)) was born on 25 Dec 1847; died on 13 Apr 1898; was buried in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Obituary gives marriage date as 20th of Dec.

Married:
Tazewell Co. Records D/19. By Christian Nafziger

Notes:

Obit:
Steider.-Peter Steider was born in Sorbourne, France, June 2, 1839; died Aug. 10, 1914, at his home near Metamora, Ill., after an illness of five weeks. His health had been gradually failing for two years. He came to Illinois at the age of nine years. Was united in marriage to Katharine Garber in 1869.

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery

Peter married Katherine Garber on 2 Mar 1865. Katherine (daughter of Christian Garber and Magdalena Dellenbach) was born on 6 Oct 1846 in Metamora, Woodford Co., IL; died on 8 Aug 1926; was buried in Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Steider.-Katherine Garber was born west of Metamora, Ill., Oct. 6, 1846; died Aug. 8, 1926; aged 79 y. 10 m. 2 d. She was united in marriage to Peter Steider Mar. 2, 1865. To this union were born 11 children, of whom 8 survive (Sam, Lena, wife of Joe Wagner, Joe, Henry, Peter, Sarah, wife of Sam Unzicker, Chris, and Barbara, wife of B. W. Springer). There are 29 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and two sisters (Mrs. Fred Schertz, and Mrs. Aug. Schertz). She made her home with her daughter, Sarah Unzicker, since the death of her husband 12 years ago. About three years ago she was stricken with paralysis and has been an invalid since. She bore her affliction with unusual calmness. She was a patient, devoted mother to her children, who will greatly miss her . Services conducted a the house by Bro. A. A. Schlock; and at the church by Bros. H. R. Schertz and A. A. Schlock. Text, Rev. 2: 10, latter clause.

Buried:
Stewart-Harmony Cemetery