Jacob K. Yoder

The Gospel Herald - Volume XIX, Number 3 - 15 Apr 1926 - page 63.

YODER - Jacob K. Yoder, known as JK, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, April 4, 1852; died at his home near Wellman, Iowa, March 26, 1926; aged 73 y. 11 m. 22 d. At the age of 16 years he came to Iowa with his parents, locating near Kalona. Later he moved to Greene township, Iowa county, where he lived about 45 years. In the year 1877 he accepted Christ and united with the Amish Mennonite church, being baptized and received into church fellowship by Bishop Abner Yoder of Johnson county. From among the number of young men who were baptized with him, three were ordained as bishops and one as deacon. Of these four, Brother Yoder is the first to go to his reward. On December 20, 1877, he was united in marriage to Catharine Swartzendruber. Together they trod life's journey 48 years. To this union were born ten children, 6 sons and 4 daughters, 2 daughters having died in infancy. The remaining children are: Joseph, Eli, Chris, and Juston of Wellman, Nicholas, and Sadie, wife of Vernon Marner of Iowa City; Edith, wife of William Y. Yoder of Parnell, and David of Port Angeles, Washington, who, with their mother, thirty grandchildren and many other relatives and friends, mourn his sudden and unexpected departure. He also leaves two brothers and one sister, George Yoder and Mrs. David Miller of Kalona, and Henry Yoder of Phillips, Wyoming. Brother Yoder was ordained to the office of deacon of the West Union congregation in the spring of 1902, Bishops Christian Warye and Sebastian Gerig officiating. On May 7, 1905, Brother Warye, with the counsel of the congregation, also commissioned him to preach the Gospel, and on May 2, 1909, he was ordained Bishop, Bishop Wayre and Bishop Andrew Schrock of Illinois, officiating. In this capacity he faithfully served the church until he was bidden to come up higher. He was always much burdened for the welfare of the church, and a few years ago, when he began to feel the effect of declining years, in answer to his own request he was given permission by his conference and congregation, to ake provision for the future oversight of the church. He had been in about his usual health; he had been to church in the evening, enjoying the service as usual. During the night he complained slightly, and in the morning while the rest of the family were eating breakfast, he peacefully fell asleep, apparently without a struggle, being found dead in bed. The doctor pronounced his death as due to heart failure. Our brother's going leaves a large place vacant. In the home he will be missed as a kind husband and father, in the community as a good neighbor and friend, in the church as a leader and counsellor. His gain is our loss. We will meet again in Paradise, The quick and dead shall all arise. Immortal life shall win the prize, There will be no tears in Paradise. The funeral was held at the West Union church on Monday, March 29, and was attended by about 800 people, among them being 19 bishops, ministers and deacons. Services were conducted by Bro. Abner G. Yoder and Bro. B. B. King, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Scripture lesson: Josh. 24:14-31. Sermon text: II Tim. 4:7,8. His body was laid to rest in the nearby cemetery.

• Residence: 1860 - Salt Creek Township, Holmes, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1880 - Sharon, Johnson, Iowa, United States
• Residence: 1900 - Greene Township, Iowa, Iowa, United States
• Residence: 1910 - Greene, Iowa, Iowa, United States
• Residence: 1920 - Greene, Iowa, Iowa, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: May 29 2019, 14:04:33 UTC