Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for Jacob W Christophel --- Go to Genealogy Page for Anna Hoover

Notes for Jacob W Christophel and Anna Hoover

1856 Jacob W. Christophel was born on July 23. [1]

Jacob Christophel married Anna Hoover. [2]

1893 Jacob Christophel was ordained as a deacon in the Mennonite church on July 23. [3]

1929 A platt map of Harrison Twp, Elkhart County, Indiana shows a farm in section 32 owned by Jacob W Christophel. [4]

1936 An obituary for Anna (Hoover) Christophel reported [5]:

Christophel.-Anna, wife of Bishop J. W. Christophel, was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, Oct. 15, 1859; died Aug. 25, 1936; aged 76 y. 10 m. 10 d. On Jan. 18, 1885 she was united in marriage to Jacob W. Christophel. To this union were born 3 children: Elizabeth (Mrs. Leander Weldy of Goshen, Indiana), Elmer, living at home; and Allen B., who preceded her in death four years ago. She also leaves 3 grandchildren (Mrs. Frances Christophel Stauffer and Warren Christophel, at the home, and Verna Mae Weldy of Goshen). One granddaughter (Mildred Weldy) preceded her in death. She leaves 1 sister (Mrs. B. L. Weaver of Salem, Ohio) and 3 brothers (Michael S. Hoover of Nappanee, Indiana; David M. Hoover of Elkhart, Indiana; and Ezra M. Hoover of New Paris, Indiana). She lived all her life in the vicinity of her birth and for 45 years lived in the home where she died. She united with the Yellow Creek Mennonite Church about 55 years ago and for 43 years shared with her husband the duties of a minister and the last 18 years the additional duties which fall to the bishop's wife. She had been ill for about eight weeks but was bedfast only ten days. During these days of distress she was patient in her suffering, very considerate of those who cared for her, and was fully resigned to the course that lay before her. She was a loving wife, a kind mother, and will be missed by her many friends and acquaintances. To those who knew her best she was an unselfish friend who was more interested in the welfare of others than of her own, truly exemplifying the truth expressed in the motto "Others." Funeral services were conducted at the home by Jonas Loucks and at the Church by A. L. Buzzard, S. C. Yoder, and D. A. Yoder. Burial in the cemetery near by.

1937 Jacob W Christophel, widowed, son of John N Christophel and Elizabeth Christophel, spouse of Anna Christophel, died, at age 80, on January 11, 1937, in Harrison Twp, Elkhart County, Indiana. Jacob W Christophel was born, on July 23, 1865, in Elkhart County, Indiana. [6]

1937 An obituary for Jacob W Christophel reported [7]:

Christophel-Jacob W., son of John and Elizabeth (Reed) Christophel, was born July 23, 1856, near Wakarusa, Indiana. About 53 years ago he was converted, united with the Mennonite Church, and became a member of the Yellow Creek Congregation. On Jan. 18, 1885 he was united in marriage to Anna Hoover of Elkhart County, Indiana. To this union 8 children were born: Elizabeth (Mrs. Leander Weldy) of Goshen, Elmer H. (living at home) and Allen B., who preceded him in death. On Jan. 11, 1893, he was called to the ministry by his home congregation which he served until called home. In 1918 he was called to the office of bishop, and was given the oversight of the Nappanee, Salem, and Yellow Creek congregations. As a minister and as a bishop he always endeavored to render the best possible service to the brotherhood under his care. His constant desire was to labor as a servant rather than as one exercising authority, with the thought that obedience should be rendered because of faithful teaching and understanding of the Word rather than because of harsh discipline, desiring that the Church might prosper and become more God-like. It was often said of Bro. Christophel. that when some one came to him for advice the person always was given something helpful and worth while. His chief concern and burden was the welfare of the churches in his charge, and he labored to the end that they might prosper and live in peace. He was a kind and loving father and will be greatly missed by his many friends and acquaintances. Only those who knew him best could understand his burdens and sorrows, as he devotedly and unselfishly labored for the unity and welfare of the church and community. After an illness of but a few days duration he peacefully fell to sleep Jan. 11, 1937; aged 80 y. 5 m. 19 d. His companion preceded him Aug. 25, 1936. He leaves his daughter (Elizabeth), a son (Elmer), 3 grandchildren and 3 sisters (Mrs. Hanna Smith, Mrs. Harriet Blosser, and Sarah Christophel), all of near Wakarusa. One granddaughter preceded him. The church, the community comprising a host of friends unite with the family sharing their --- part missing. Transcribed by Don Kauffman, Alberta.

They were buried at Yellow Creek Brick Cemetery, Southwest, Elkhart County, Indiana. [8]


Footnotes:

[1] Jonas G. Wenger, Martin D. Wenger, and Joseph H. Wenger, History of the Descendants of Christian Wenger (1903), 186, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[2] Jonas G. Wenger, Martin D. Wenger, and Joseph H. Wenger, History of the Descendants of Christian Wenger (1903), 187, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[3] Jonas G. Wenger, Martin D. Wenger, and Joseph H. Wenger, History of the Descendants of Christian Wenger (1903), 187, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[4] Atlas and plat book of Elkhart County, Indiana (Thrift Press, 1929), [LibraryOfCongress Map], [LibraryOfCongress].

[5] Mennonite Obituary Archives, Gospel Herald, Sept. 17, 1936, Vol. XXIX, No. 25, pg. 543, [MennObits].

[6] Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].

[7] Mennonite Obituary Archives, Gospel Herald, Jan. 28, 1937, Vol. XXIX, No. 44, [MennObits].

[8] Find A Grave Memorial 27755166, [FindAGrave].