Bishop Isaac W Eby

Mennonite Bishop

Eby.--Bishop Isaac Eby of Kinzer, Pa., was born Jan. 26, 1834; died June 17, 1910; aged 76 y. 4 m. 22 d. He was twice married. His first wife was Mary Mellinger. To this union eleven children were born; two are deceased. His second wife was Elizabeth Leaman (maiden name Kreider) and to this union were born two daughters. There are 27 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Bishop Eby was born in Salisbury township, raised on the homestead farm, and received his early education in the public schools of said township. His characteristics were such that helped to make him the man that he was through life. He had good health, a very active mind, strong will power, and a determination to do the right as he understood the right. In 1860 he and his wife united with the Mennonite Church with the Hershey congregation. >From that time he was a very zelaous* member of the Church, using his influence to have English preaching and Sunday school. He was ordained to the ministry by lot Nov. 9, 1876. From that time he turned his energies to the preaching of the Word of God, and was ordained June 6, 1878, to be bishop of the Hershey, Strasburg and Mellinger districts. Then the most active period of his life began. Believing as he did that God decides the destiny of all things of a God fearing man, his time was all given as God directed and all secular things in life became relative to the work for the Master. Promptness in duty and adhering closely to the cardinal principles of the Gospel soon gained for him many friends. His counsel was often asked for. His preaching was simple and plain, easy to be understood. In the spring of 1887 the Sunday school was started in the Hershey and Paradise districts. The Sunday schools prospered; and from that time on there were no setbacks in the Sunday school work. Soon the Mission spirit began to be active, a number of other Sunday schools were started, and a Sunday school mission was started with the bishop's approval which has grown to be a help along nearly all missionary movements. The Church has prospered and more than doubled itself in numbers. The loss is great in the Church, and he will be much missed in the village he lived and more than all in his home. Funeral services were held Monday, June 20, at Kinzer Church at 12 o'clock, and at 2:30 P.M. at Hershey's Church. Prayer by Bishop Benjamin Zimmerman at the home. Bishop Abram Herr, Bishop Benjamin Weaver and Pre. John Senger preached at Kinzer Church; and at Hershey Church, Bishop Noah Landis, Pre. C. M. Brackbill and Bishop Jacob N. Bruacher. Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining the church. The funeral was very largely attended. Much sorrow was expressed and sympathy for the family and especially for the mother and two daughters remaining at home. C. M. Brackbill. Inscription: Grave Inscription: "In Memory of Bishop Isaac Eby Born Jan. 26, 1834 Died June 17, 1910 Aged 76 years 4 months & 22 days"

Note: H/o (1) Mary Mellinger and (2) Elizabeth Kreider

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 21 2017, 21:43:20 UTC