Peter F Zehr

Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXV, No. 4, February 15, 1898 - page 60, 61. OBITUARY PRE. PETER ZEHR The township of South Easthope lost one of its very oldest and most highly respected residents on Sunday morning, January 2, 1898, by the death of Brother Peter Zehr at his home, lot 11, con. 2, aged 89 years and 8 months. He was widely known throughout this entire section, and while the sorrow of his death is general yet it is mitigated by the knowledge that after a long, useful and happy life, a good man has gone home. Deceased was born in the then French province of Lorraine in 1808, and was therefore about seven years old at the time of the battle of Waterloo. He chose medicine as a profession, and underwent a thorough study in his youth. In 1831 he was married to Barbara Roth. He emigrated with his family, landing in Lewis Co., New York, 62 years ago. After remaining there for three years he came to South Easthope, Perth Co., Ontario, in 1836, settling on the farm upon which he died. The township was then a wilderness and he had to make his way through the woods to Goderich to get the title to his land. Being a prudent, hard-working man he accumulated a competency besides placing each of his four sons upon farms and providing for his daughters. His family consisted of four sons and three daughters of whom one son and two daughters preceded him to the grave; four children, 41 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren survive. A year ago the old minister's' rugged health gave way before the encroachments of old age and since that time he has gradually failed until the end came. He was a strong Christian character and for about 67 years he was a preacher in the Amish Mennonite church. His funeral drew out an immense gathering at the East Zorra Amish Mennonite M. H. from far and near who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed friend whose kindness and skill and generosity had brightened the lives of so many in this section. Funeral services by Chr. Litwiller from Mark 12:26, 27 and by Jacob M. Bender from John 17:3.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 15 2016, 8:51:46 UTC