Jacob Goldsmith 1841 - 1930

GOLDSMITH, SCHANTZ, GERIG

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 4/28/2004 at 23:05:17

Jacob Goldsmith Passes Away Sat. Morning

Had Been Bedfast for Past Four Years and Practically Helpless fo the Last Several Months

Jacob Goldsmith, pioneer resident of the Wayland community, died at his home here Saturday morning at 8 o’clock. Mr. Goldsmith has been confined to his home for the past four years and during the last several months of his life he had been practically helpless.

Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2:00 and were conducted by Rev. Elmer Basinger assisted by J. J. Pritchard., H. E. and Jesse Davies. Clara Wenger and Mrs. Orus Boshart sang a number of songs. A. B. Magdefrau, Frank Magdefrau, Harry Clark, Earl Lyon, William Allen, and Don Hays were the pallbearers. Interment was made in the Wayland Cemetery.

Mr. Goldsmith was one of Henry County’s successful farmers until 31 years ago when he retired from farm life and moved to Wayland.

Obituary:

Jacob Goldsmith, the son of Rev. Joseph and Elizabeth Goldsmith, was born in Butler County, Ohio on April 5, 1841. Late in the fall of 1846, his parents left Ohio to make their home in Iowa. They went by boat down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi as far as Hannibal, Missouri. From there they went by wagon. They first settled near West Point, Lee County, where they resided for about 10 years. In 1857 they moved to Henry County and settled on a farm near Wayland. It was here that he united with the Amish Mennonite Church.

On March 19, 1874 he was united in marriage with Magdalena Schantz with whom he shared life’s joys and sorrows for more than 56 years. To this union were born three children: one daughter who died in infancy and two sons who are still living: For about 25 years they lived on a farm east of Wayland and for the past 30 years they have lived in town. Mr. Goldsmith has had rheumatic troubles for many years and for the past three and one/half years has been bedfast. He gradually became weaker and passed away Saturday, June 21 at the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 16 days. Thus, another pioneer has gone to his eternal reward. He leaves to mourn his departure his bereft widow, two sons, David and Henry both of Wayland, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, one sister, Mrs. Magdalena Gerig of Wayland, and many other relatives and friends.