LOUCKS. ­ On the 13th of April, 1895, in Harrison Twp., Elkhart Co., Ind., Bro. Peter Loucks, aged 89 years, 6 months and 29 days. He was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., on the 21st of September 1805. He was united in marriage to Anna Berkey on the 1st of Feb., 1827, and with her united with the Mennonite church in their earlier years. Unto them were born twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. One son and three daughters preceded him to the spirit world. He leaves six sons and two daughters to mourn the death of a beloved father. His companion died April 1st, 1890, at the age of 81 years and 6 months. Since Aug. 15, 1890, our aged brother was mostly confined to his bed. Some ten weeks after he took to his bed, he fell, dislocating his hip and fracturing his limb, since which time he has been unable even to lift his head while eating or drinking. He was a remarkable example of patience, enduring all his sufferings without a murmur or complaint. When death came to his relief, he passed away without a struggle, "as one who lieth down to pleasant dreams." Through all his life he manifested a devoted Christian spirit and was a faithful member of the church unto the end. He was buried on the 17th of April at the Yellow Creek M. H., followed to his last resting-place by a very large concourse of relatives and friends. The funeral services were conducted by Noah Metzler, J. Christophel, David Burkholder and John F. Funk, from Job. 5: 26.

PETER LOUCKS, who is one of the oldest pioneers of Elkhart county, Ind, has attained to the advanced age of four-score years and seven, for his birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Penn, September 21, 1805.

He was married there February 1, 1827, to Miss Anna Berkey, who was also a Pennsylvanian, born September 1, 1808. Soon after their marriage they removed to Ohio, and after residing successively in Holmes, Medina and Wayne counties of that State. In 1851 they came to this State and county and settled on the farm where their youngest son, Jonas, is living. They purchased 160 acres of woodland, on which a small log cabin had been erected, and on that farm Peter Loucks has resided ever since. He followed the calling of a shoemaker in Ohio, but since his residence in this county the most of his attention has been given to farming.

He has been a life-long member of the Mennonite Church, is deeply interested in Christian work, and in the various affairs of the county he is very public spirited. He is now the oldest pioneer of Harrison township and as he has always endeavored to do what is fair and right, he has made numerous friends and few, if any, enemies. He is a man of strong convictions, and has ever been a stanch Republican in politics. For the past quarter of a century he has been retired from the active duties of life, and well deserves this rest after so faithfully and ably bearing the burden and heat of the day.

His wife was called from life April 1, 1890, at the age of eighty-two years. She had been a life-long member of the Mennonite Church, was an exemplary Christian, a noble, kind and faithful wife and mother. She bore her husband seven sons and five daughters, of which family nine are living: Susanna, born April 28, 1828, died when four years old; Anna, born August 23, 1829, married David Swope, after his death John Buzzard, and died in 1890; Jacob, born September 9, 1831, is living in Olive township; William, born August 20, 1833, is living in St Joseph county, Ind; John, born September 18, 1835. is living in Olive township; Sarah, born November 29, 1837, is the wife of Tobias Myers; Martin, born March 11 ,1840; is a resident of Olive township; Isaac, born June 19, 1842, is living in southeast Nebraska; Catherine, born July 4, 1844, died after her marriage to Henry J Culp, Peter, born January 22, 1847, is living in Kansas; Mary, born April 24, 1850, is the wife of William Holdeman and is living in Concord township, and Jonas, who was born January 3, 1853, lives on the old home place.

This worthy old couple spent many years of hard work on their pioneer farm, but their work gradually told and they at last subdued the forces of nature and were in possession of a magnificent and valuable farm.

Jonas Loucks, their youngest son, has resided on the old home farm in Elkhart county all his life and in his youth not only obtained a thorough education in the common schools near his home, but also learned lessons of industry, thrift and economy that have made him the well-to-do man that he is. He took the management of the home farm on his shoulders when about twenty-four years of age, and in 1890 bought the place of his father, who still makes his home with him. The place contains 160 acres, and although it is one of the oldest farms in the county, it has been so carefully managed that it is one of the most fertile of farms.

Jonas Loucks is a sturdy young farmer of good business ability and devotes his farm to the raising of stock and grain. In 1876 he was married to Miss Anna Ramer, a native of this county, born March 9, 1854, a daughter of Tobias and Esther (Hoover) Ramer, the former of whom came to this section from Pennsylvania, married here, and here reared a family of five children: Fannie, Annie, Samuel, Martin and Susan. Mr and Mrs Loucks have four children: Susanna, born November 27, 1878; Martin, born March 25, 1881; Emma, born December 21, 1884, and Esther, born August 23, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks are members of the Mennonite Church, and he has been a preacher of that denomination for the past six years. He is a well-informed and intelligent man and the principles of the Republican party have always commended themselves to his judgment. The good of his section is of paramount interest with him, and he has done his full share in making it the desirable place of residence that it is.

"Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead"
Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago
1893
John Morris Co. Printers and Binders