Philip John (Private) Schrock

Family/Spouse: Janice (Private) Bellah. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Douglas (Private) Schrock
2. Jennifer Christine (Private) Schrock

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Fisher High School, Teacher Training
• Occupation: Teacher, Feed Milling, Pioneer Seed Corn, Glass Specialty
• Religion: Mennonite/Bible Church/Presbyterian
• Residence: Abt 1932-1970s, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• USR1: Cancer
• Baptism: 19 Mar 1922, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 28 Apr 1930, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 4 Apr 1940, Fisher, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1970s - 1980, Bloomington, McLean Co., IL
• Residence: 1981, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL

Notes:

Urbana Daily Courier, 2 July 1932 Issue PDF (13.70 MB)

http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=d&d=TUC19320702.2.62&srpos=22&e=-------en-20--21--txt-txIN-schrock-------

Fisher School Teacher * Wed
Fisher, Ill., July 2 . —(Special to The Courier.)—Miss Mabel Zehr and Elmer Schrock were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents, Tuesday, June 28. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. A. Heiser, pastor of the Mennonite church, Mrs. Schrock is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Zehr and is a graduate of Fisher high school with the class of 1926. She has been teaching the Walker and the Center schools since her graduation. Mr. Schrock is the son of Mrs. Josephine Schrock, and is also a graduate of Fisher high school in 1927. He taught the Sangamon school the past year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schrock will teach in the vicinity next year. The couple left Tuesday for a trip to Yellowstone National park and thru Colorado. They expect to be gone about a month.

The Fisher, IL Centennial Book gives the information that Elmer R. Schrock taught at Sangamon (Helmick) school from 1931-1933. The Brown Township school was about one mile west and a mile north of the Sangamon River off Rt. 47, north and west of Fisher. One of the years there were only three students; three Helmick sisters.

In 1936, Elmer and Samuel M. Zehr started the annual summer Bible School at East Bend Mennonite Church. He was also on the first publication committee for the East Bend Trumpet in 1945.

Residence:
Corner Franklin and 2nd Streets

Baptism:
East Bend Mennonite Church, by J.A. Heiser nd C.F. Derstine

Census:
Listed with Josephine (general farming) and Eunice age 12. Elmer was a teacher at a country school.

Census:
E. D. 10-4, Sheet No. 2-A, by Daisy Nelson. Elmer as head, wife Mabel, (both age 31), Albert E. age 3, Harley J. age 1. Owned property valued at $2000. Elmer was listed as the owner of a grocery business that realized no income during 1939, but he declared that he made other income of more than $50 through other work. Both he and Mabel had received a high school education as the highest level of education.

Residence:
to work for Glass Specialty

Died:
At home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Elmer married Mabel Louise Zehr on 29 Jun 1932 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Mabel (daughter of Jacob E. Zehr and Emma A. Miller) was born on 21 May 1908 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; died on 13 Apr 1951 in Champaign, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in 1951 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: High School, Teacher Training
• Occupation: Teacher
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Cancer

Notes:

Moved to the Fisher community in 1911. For eight years she taught school at the Walker, Center and Allison schools. Died at age 42. Mable was bedfast most of the time during the 28 months before death from cancer.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
By J.A. Heiser

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Brown School. Beyond That, He Was Self Taught.
• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 11
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Pulmonary Hemorrhage, Tuberculosis
• Census: Jun 1900, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Baptism: 25 Oct 1903, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Census: Apr 1910, Newcomb Twp., Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obituary: Jan 25, 1917 Gospel Herald

Schrock. - Albert E. Schrock was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Jan. 13, 1886; died at his home near Fisher, Ill., Jan. 9, 1917; aged 30 y. 11 m. 27 d.
He united with the Amish Mennonite Church at the age of 17 years and remained faithful unto the end. He united in marriage with Josephine Yordy Dec. 18, 1907. To this union were born 2 sons, Elmer and Orval who with his loving wife, are left to mourn his early departure, also father and mother, 1 sister, an aged grandmother, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was a very devoted Christian, living true to his convictions. He was elected superintendent of the Sunday school where he served faithfully until his health failed, when he was attacked with the dreaded disease, tuberculosis, of which he was a sufferer for four years. Much of this time he spent in reading good books and studying God,s Word. He bore his afflictions patiently and fought the disease hard, and died with a hemorrhage. He was a deep thinker, very conservative, choosing rather to be right than popular.
Even with his afflictions he always took an active part in church work, being in Sunday school two days before his death.
Funeral services were conducted Jan. 11 at the East Bend A. M. Church by Bro. Samuel Gerber of Pekin, Ill., assisted by the home ministers. Buried at the Mennonite cemetery.

Fare thee well, our brother,
Yes, a last and sad farewell,
But in heaven, we'll try to meet thee,
And with thee forever dwell.
——————
A local newspaper account of his death reads as follows:

Well Known Resident of Fisher Vicinity Past (sic) Away Tuesday.
Fisher, Jan. 9--(Special.)--Albert Schrock, well known resident of this community, died this morning at his home, two miles north of the village, after an illness of four years, due to tuberculosis. He had been unusually well of late and arose this morning and kindled a fire and shortly afterward was seized with a hemorrhage and died a short time afterwards. The deceased was a son of John and Mary Schrock and was born on January 13, 1886. He was married about eight years ago to Miss Josephine Yordy, who, with two sons, Elmer and Oliver (Orval), survive, as do also his parents. A sister also survives. He was a prominent member of the Amish church. The funeral will be held on Thursday from the Amish church, Rev. Samuel Gerber, of Morton, conducting the services. Burial will be made in the family lot in the Amish cemetery.

Census:
Listed with his parents and sister. Albert was 14.

Baptism:
East Bend Mennonite by Peter Zehr

Census:
Listed with Josephine his wife, and Elmer his son

Died:
At 6:00 a.m., after six years of fighting tuberculosis

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Albert married Josephine L. Yordy on 18 Dec 1907 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Josephine (daughter of Joseph P. Yordy and Elizabeth A. Roeschley) was born on 14 Aug 1886 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; died on 3 Jan 1977 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried on 6 Jan 1977 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Nursing Aid
• Reference Number: 10
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Old Age
• Baptism: 13 Oct 1901, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 28 Apr 1930, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1933, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1949, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1971, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock.- Josephine, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Roeschley) Yordy, was born in Flanagan, Ill., Aug. 14, 1886; died at Maple Lawn Homes, Eureka, Ill., Jan. 3, 1977; aged 90 y. On Dec. 17, 1907, she was married to Albert Schrock, who preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1917. Surviving are 2 sons (Elmer and Orval), one daughter (Eunice-Mrs. Olen Kandel), 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 brothers (Ezra, Jonas, and Alvin). She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Jan. 5, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum; interment in the East Bend Cemetery.

Baptism:
East Bend Church by John C. Birky

Census:
Head of household, general farming, age 45; with son Elmer, 21, teaching in a country school, and daughter Eunice age 12. Parents are listed as born in Germany, but that is incorrect.

Residence:
Josephine and Eunice left Fisher and East Bend Mennonite Church and moved to Eureka to become part of the Roanoke Mennonite Church.

Residence:
Living with daughter, Eunice and family

Residence:
Resident at Maple Lawn Retirement Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Both bride and groom were 21 years of age at the time of their marriage by Bishop Peter Zehr, Minister of the Gospel (East Bend Amish Mennonite Church), at the home of the bride’s parents.
Witnesses were Andrew Birky (b.19 Jun 1864) cousin of the groom, and Jacob Heiser.

Peter Zehr’s church records give the marriage date as 18 Dec 1907.

Married:
By Peter Zehr, at the home of the bride’s parents in Fisher, IL .

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:

• Education: Railroad School?
• Occupation: Farmer In 1885, Later Carpenter And Painter
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Old age-died in his sleep
• Residence: 19 Feb 1885, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1891, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Schrock, -- John Schrock, was born near Delavan, Ill., May 28, 1862; died near Fisher, Ill., July 28, 1951; aged 89 y. 2 m. He accepted Christ in his youth and was a member of the Mennonite Church from then until his death. He was a charter member of the Eat Bend congregation at Fisher. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Mary Birkey, of Morton, Ill. To this union two children were born. Albert, preceded him in death thirty-four years ago and his daughter (Fannie-Mrs. J.A. Heiser, Dec. 17, 1950). Surviving are his wife, 8 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. His 3 brothers and 4 sisters preceded him in death. N. N. Roeschley conducted the funeral services at the East Bend Church.

Birth:
Another source says Delavan

Residence:
At time of marriage

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Mary Birky on 19 Feb 1885 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Andrew (Andréas) S. Birky and Veronica (Fannie) Sutter) was born on 19 Sep 1862 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 24 Mar 1954 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 26 Mar 1954 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 19 Feb 1885, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1914, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald
Schrock, Mary (Birky), was born near Morton, Ill., Sept. 19, 1862; passed away at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Alta Detweiler, Fisher, Ill., March 24, 1954; aged 91 y. 6 m. 5 d. She was bedfast for 18 months. On Feb. 19, 1885, she was married to John Schrock. He preceded her in death in July 1951. They were the parents of 2 children (Albert E., and Fannie-Mrs. J. A. Heiser). Albert preceded her in death in February, 1917, and Fannie in December, 1950. Surviving are her daughter-in-law (Mrs. Josephine Schrock, Eureka, Ill.), son-in-law (J. A. Heiser, Fisher, Ill.), 8 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She accepted Christ in her youth and bore testimony of her love for her Saviour. She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Church in charge of Ezra Yordy. Burial was made in the adjoining cemetery.


John and Mary lost both of their adult children before their own deaths.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married at the home of the bride’s parents by Andrew Ropp. Peter Schrock was a witness.
Both were 23 years of age at the time of their marriage.

Married:
By Andrew Ropp, minister of the gospel. (MR #153)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1867, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1900, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1903-1904, CA
• Residence: 1898-1911, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1911, Secor, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1922/3, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1925/6, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: The Metamora Herald, Feb. 1925
Yordy. - Joseph, son of Peter and Mary Yordy, was born near Pekin, Ill., Nov. 7, 1857; died at his home in Eureka, Ill., Feb. 19, 1925; aged 67 y. 3 m. 12 d. In boyhood he moved with his parents to Roanoke, Ill. On Jan 1, 1882, he was married to Elizabeth Roeschley. To this union were born three daughters (Ella, Anna, and Mrs. Josephine Schrock), and six sons (Aaron, Ezra, Walter, Jonas, Alvin, and Lewis). After his marriage he lived one year near Roanoke, fifteen years near Flanagan, twelve years near Fisher, and the remaining years in Woodford county. In his early manhood he united with the Mennonite Church and had a ringing Christian testimony to the end. He served the Church as a faithful deacon since 1920. Singing always found a great place in his life, and he always took an active part in worshiping God in song. Although never very strong physically, yet he had a strong faith in the living God and lived a stable consistent Christian life. Since Christmas he suffered much. Often during the last few months he longed for eternal rest. He was conscious to the last, although unable to speak, and showed great calmness the last hours of his life on earth. His desire is fulfilled now, for he has gone where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, not crying, neither shall there be any more pain." He leaves his wife, nine children, nine grandchildren, one brother (Jacob, of Flanagan), two sisters (Barbara, of Eureka, and Mrs. Chris. Bachman of Cazenovia), many relatives and friends. Funeral services at the Roanoke Mennonite Church Feb 22, 1925, conducted by Brothers A.A. Schrock and H.R. Schertz. Text John 11:25. Interment in cemetery nearby.

———————————————————————
Joseph and Elizabeth, according to best estimates, lived on a farm for one year in the vicinity of Roanoke. In 1883 they moved to a farm northeast of Flanagan and lived there until 1899. The thirteen years at Flanagan in Livingston Co. preceded a move to Fisher in Champaign Co. There they settled on a farm which was located approximately two miles west on what is now Rt.136. (While in the Fisher area, daughter Ella was sent several times to the Kankakee mental hospital--see notes for Ella. (db) In 1911 [after selling their Fisher farm to Jacob Zehr] the family moved back to Woodford Co. to a farm called Plainview, located southwest of Secor, on Meridian Road. The years from 1922 until 1926 were spent in Eureka and from there Elizabeth Yordy moved to the farm south of Eureka after the death of her husband in 1925.

Joseph served as deacon at Roanoke Mennonite Church from about 1920-24. He was known as a “man of good judgement.” Town people considered him to have money and often asked to borrow from him. At one time he lived outside the Mennonite community in Secor, IL, near Panther Creek.

Joseph had a bit of a wanderlust in his blood: in 1903-4 he took the family to California; in 1912 to Texas. He also took a trip to Washington, D.C. to satisfy his curiosity about the seat of government.

Eunice Schrock Kandel writes, “Grandfather Joseph Yordy died in 1925 during my second year in school. We visited with him at Christmas time, 1924. There is a picture in my mind of him in a long flannel robe, standing over a hot air register at their home in Eureka. The holiday atmosphere was subdued because of his illness. In February of the next year, while I was fighting a persistent cough and fever, we received the news of Grandpa’s imminent death. Mother wrapped me in comforters and made a bed in the back seat of our Model T, and our family of four made the trip to Eureka. As we drove up to the house, Uncle Alvin stood on the porch with tears in his eyes. Mother said, ‘We’re too late.’ Just minutes before our arrival Grandpa had passed away.”

Residence:
Peter Yordy Farm: Joseph Yordy moved to this farm with his parents.

Census:
Listed as a farmer born 1857 (parents born in Germany), with wife Elizabeth born 1861 (parents born in France); children Ellen (Ella), Anna, Josephine, Aaron, Ezra, Walter, Jonas; and servant/farm laborer Carl Studer born in Switzerland.

Residence:
Lived there with his family for about two years.

Residence:
Purchased a farm two miles west of Fisher.

Residence:
Plainview Farm

Residence:
502 West Cruger Avenue. Lived here after leaving Plainview Farm.

Residence:
Two and one-half miles south of Eureka. Elizabeth Yordy moved to this farm after Joseph died.

Died:
At his home

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.

Joseph married Elizabeth A. Roeschley on 1 Jan 1882 in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Johannes (Jean) Roeschley and Elizabeth Saltzman) was born on 20 Jul 1862 in Spring Bay, Woodford Co., IL; died on 3 Feb 1953 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Housewife, Mother
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Gospel Herald Obit:
Yordy, -- Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Saltzman) Roeschley, was born near Spring Bay, Ill., July 20, 1862; passed away Feb.3, 1953; aged 90 y. 6 m. 14 d. On Jan. 1, 1882, at the Roanoke Mennonite Church, she was united in marriage to Joseph Yordy, who preceded her in death in 1925. Surviving are 3 daughters (Ella, Anna, and Mrs. Josephine Schrock, Eureka, Ill.), 5 sons (Aaron, Peoria, Ill.; Ezra, Eureka, Ill.; Walter, Chicago, Ill.; Jonas, Eureka, Ill.; and Alvin, Denver, Colo.), 15 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. One son (Lewis) also preceded her in death. In her youth she united with the Mennonite Church and for many years taught a German Sunday-school class. Funeral services were in charge of John L. Harnish and J. D. Hartzler, with burial in the church cemetery.
—————————
“Elizabeth taught her husband, Joseph, to read. She was quiet, determined, with a good sense of humor. She was frugal, a good gardener, and managed her household well, often smoothing over differences in the family--a leveler. Elizabeth was affected for many years with arthritis, and was an invalid during her later years in life, finally confined to her home because of her helpless condition.

“Grandma Yordy outlived her husband by many years...Grandma must have had severe arthritis. She walked so slowly that she had to be called to dinner at least ten minutes before serving time. Aunt Ella and Uncle Aaron were always there at the farm taking care of ‘Ma.’ Later, when they moved back to Eureka, Uncle Jonas and Aunt Anna appeared on the scene to take care of their aging and bedfast mother....”

A Eureka newspaper article reported Elizabeth being honored at a surprise birthday party dinner at her home three miles south of Eureka, arranged by Mrs. William Kane of Metamora. The article went on to mention her parents, “Mr. and Mrs. Roeschley who lived two miles north of Eureka. She [Elizabeth] remembers how she would walk to Eureka with eggs in a market basket and take groceries home for the week. She attended church services at what was called Black Partrige, across from the Partrige cemetery, west of Washington, and also remembers well the old “grist mill” along the Illinois river [where her father was miller].”

Birth:
Born in her parents’ home two miles north of Eureka

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
At the Amisch Mennonite Church, Roanoke, Woodford Co., by Jacob Zehr, Minister of the Gospel. Witnesses: John J. Roeschley and Joseph Wagner. Joseph was living in rural Roanoke Twp. at the time of marriage and Elizabeth was living in Roanoke. Witnesses to the marriage were John Roeschley and Joseph Wagner (Wagler).

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: