Collection 00/MS.159 - John S. Hirschler Papers

obituary from Mennonite Year Book and Almanac, 1916, p. 31 “John S. Hirschler was born July 4, 1847, at Maxweiler, Bavaria. In his ninth year he came to America with his parents, and with his grandfather, Johannes Schmidt, pastor and elder of the Maxweiler congregation. They found a new home in Summerfield, Ill. Until his twenty-first year he worked on the farm of his parents. When the Mennonite school at Wadsworth, O., was opened, in 1868, he and two other young men from the Summerfield congregation were among the first students. In the summer of 1871 he completed his studies in company with five other brethren, who all became active for the Kingdom of God in the Mennonite Church. He was the third to be promoted from the smaller field to the larger above. Immediately after the completion of his course in Wadsworth he accepted a call to the small Mennonite congregation at Franklin, Iowa. On April 1, 1872, he was ordained elder of this congregation, and about a week later was united in marriage with Sister Christina Schmidt. He served this congregation at great personal sacrifice and consecration as pastor and teacher for thirteen years. In 1884 he moved with his family to Hillsboro, Kan., to be active in home missions. Here he gathered and founded a congregation, which he served twenty-three years, until by reason of ill health he was compelled to give up his labors in 1907 and settle in California. He moved to Upland and with his family joined the congregation there. In California he regained his health to a considerable degree, so that he was able to make two extended journeys into the Northern, Western and Middle Conference Districts in the interests of a sanatarium for tubercular patients to be erected in Upland. He consecrated his whole time in laboring for the foundation and support of this institution. At its dedication, somewhat over a year before his departure, he took a prominent part. Up to his death his heart was bound up with the prosperity and welfare of this cause. He left eight children and nine grandchildren. One child preceded him into eternity. One brother and six sisters survive, all being younger than himself. About six months before his death he was suddenly seized with great pain and it seemd as though his old disease of gall-stones had returned. But it developed that his trouble was incurable, it being inflammation of the kidneys. As he had in his healthy days lived for his Lord and Master and served Him, so during the days of his suffering he clung submissively to Him in trust and resignation, with great patience, until he drew his last breath on the 17th of May, 1915. His age was 68 years, 10 months and 13 days. His burial took place May 20th. Rev. H. J. Krehbiel of Reedley, Cal., conducted the services, preaching in German on the text Luke 2:29, followed by Rev. J. C. Mehl in English from Matthew 5:9. The body was interred in the Ontario cemetery. For three years, 1902-1905, Rev. Hirschler was president of the General Conference, later a trustee and a member of the Program Committee.”