John Schnellbacher (1886)

MEYER, SCHNELLBACHER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 10/22/2007 at 17:49:26

Winterset Madisonian & Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 17, 1886
Page 1

OBITUARY

Died: May 16, 1886-John Schnellbacher, who was so familiarly known as Uncle John, has passed away. Five weeks before his death he was shocked by a stroke of paralysis. He however rallied some from this stroke and was able to be about and to go out in the yard, though it was necessary for some one to support him. Two days before his death your correspondent paid him a visit when he remarked that the end was near and that he could not live more than two weeks at most. On Sunday, the 16th, he was up as usual, but seemed to be not so well as for several days previous. He insisted on his children going to Sunday school and church, but only one went. None thought the end so near. At 9 o'clock he was once more and for the last time out in the yard walking. He then went into the house, laid down upon his bed and went to sleep, his wife sitting by his bedside. Soon after eleven o'clock he threw up one arm and extended the other from the bed; his arm trembled a moment and dropped, and he was gone. In about 15 minutes many friends had gotten to the house of the diseased, only to find him already sleeping the sleep of death.

The deceased was a native of Germany, born in the year 1821, in the town of Hagsdt and state of Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1842 he with his parents came to America and settled in the state of Ohio. Here the same year he gave his heart to God and his hand to the church, to which he proved faithful until death. In 1845 he was united in holy matrimony with Fredrica D. Meyer. To them were born four sons and six daughters, all living at this time but one, a son which preceded him to the glory world. In 1846 Uncle John was licensed by the Evangelical Association to preach the gospel of Christ, and in 1850 he entered the active ministry. The writer is not prepared to say just how many years he labored in the active ministry, but we do know that he labored a number of years and his work was second to none in that chosen vocation. About 30 years ago he came to this state and soon settled where he spent his declining years. He was a man of pluck and a hard worker in whatever he undertook. This can be seen by now going to the old homestead.

HIs children and brothers were so scattered that only a part could be present at the funeral, one daughter and one brother just arriving as the procession started for the grave.

In Uncle John's death the wife has lost a faithful and true husband, the children a good father, the church one of its old ministers and faithful members, the community one of its good neighbors and oldest citizens. But we mourn not as those who have not hope, for his lamp was trimmed and burning and well filled with the oil of God's love, sad he ready to hear the welcome plaudit: "Come, thou faithful one." On Monday, the 17th, we laid him by the side of his son, where his body may rest until we shall be assembled before the great Judge of all the earth. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wallace of the Evangelical Association.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen