Oswald. --- Jacob O. Oswald, was born Oct. 15, 1853, in Sophienhof, Bavaria, Germany; was brought up in and accepted the Christian religion through faith in the atoning work of Christ Jesus, baptized, and received, into the Mennonite Church at the age of 14, to which faith he remained true until the end. He was united in marriage to Margaret Wilford in 1880. On May 3, 1883, they arrived in America, settled near Hopedale, Ill., and united with the Mennonite congregation at that place. In 1895 they with their family moved to Nebraska and settled near Beemer; where they with seven other families established a little church, holding their services in Dist. 7 schoolhouse until 1907, when the Plum Creek church was built. Twelve children were born to them (Jacob W., Peter O., Mrs. C.K. Erb, Joseph R., William, Mrs. John Erb, Mrs. C. H. Shantz, Daniel, Benjamin, Amos, Reuben, and Samuel.). He also leaves 53 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren, besides a host of friends and neighbors to mourn his departure. The children with their mother are all living, and all reside in Cuming Co., except J. W. (who lives at Meadville, Pa., at the present time), and are all members of the Plum Creek Mennonite Church. Deceased was engaged in farming until 20 years ago, when he with his wife retired and moved to Beemer which has since been their home. He died Sunday, June 23, after a lingering illness, aged 87 y. 8 m. 8 d. Thus the family circle, which for so many years had been kept intact by the grace and mercy of God, has been broken. He lived for the Lord and died in the Lord on the Lord's day. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." Funeral services in the home were conducted by Bro. J. E. Zimmerman, reading Psa. 90, and in the church by Bro. Dan Birky, Bro. J. E. Zimmerman and Bro. Will Eicher. The latter preached the funeral sermon. Text, II Tim. 4: 6-8. Interment in the Beemer Cemetery.
(Mennobits)