1820 Christian Christophel was born on February 16 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
1823 Anna Hoover was born on June 14 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
1835 Christian Christophel moved to Ohio.
1843 Anna Hoover was baptized on October 14 in Columbiana County, Ohio, by Abraham Rohrer.
1847 Christian Christophel and Anna Hoover were married April 17 in Mahoning County, Ohio.
1848 Christian Christophel, perhaps this Christian or his father, arrived with his family in Elkhart County, Indiana from Columbiana County, Ohio and bought a farm in Jackson Twp. [1]
1860 Christian Christophel (age 40) and Anna Christophel (age 37) lived in Harrison Township, Elkhart County, Indiana with David (age 10), Susanna (age 7), and Francis (age 4), all children born in Ohio. [2]
c 1872 Christian Christophel was ordained into the ministry.
1883 Christian Christophel died on October 12 at age age 63 years, 7 months, 26 days. [3] An obituary reported [4]:
On the 12th of October, in Elkhart county, Ind., of palsy, Pre. Christian Christophel, aged 63 years, 7 months and 26 days. Bro. Christophel was born on the 16th of Feb. 1820, in Westmoreland county, Pa. He came to Ohio in 1835 and was married to Anna Hoover, in Mahoning county, on the 17th of April 1845. He removed from the last named place to Harrison township, Elkhart county, Ind., in 1848, where he resided to the time of his death. He united with the Mennonite Church in early life and about 11 years ago was ordained to the ministry and was a faithful laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. His earnest admonitions and his devoted zeal in the cause of Christ and his Church, will be longed remembered. He will be greatly missed not only in his home but also in his neighborhood and in the Church. On Saturday afternoon, the 6th of October, though somewhat indisposed, he attended the examination meeting at his Church, about a mile from his residence. After his return home he sat down with his family to the supper table to take the customary evening meal, lifting his heart in prayer and thanksgiving to God for the tender mercies of His hands, after which when about to partake of the bounties which a heavenly Father had bestowed, his hand suddenly lost its strength, his tongue became speechless, his mind unconscious and his whole right side was palsied, and in this condition, without being able to speak or recognize any one, he lay for six days, when death relieved him of all his sufferings; but we need not mourn as those who have not hope, believing that our loss was his eternal gain. He was buried on the 15th. An immense concourse of people followed the remains to their last resting place at Yellow Creek Meeting-house, where services were held by Jacob A. Beutler from Luke 2:29, and John F. Funk and Martin Hoover from Numbers 23:10 last clause; a kind husband and father, a good neighbor, a faithful minister and sincere Christian has been called from the toils of this sinful world, and our prayer is that He may comfort the sorrowing household, and raise up another laborer to fill the vacant place in the Church.
1888 Anna Christophel died on May 11, at age 64 years, 10 months, 27 days, and was buried at Old Yellow Creek cemetery, Elkhart County, Indiana. [5] [6] Her obituary reported [7]:
On the 11th of May, in Elkhart county, Ind., of apoplexy, Anna, Widow of the late Pre. Christian Christophel, of the yellow Creek church, aged 64 years, 10 months 27 days. She was a daughter of David and Esther Huber, and was born in Franklin Co., Pa., on the 14th of June 1823. She was baptized in the Mennonite church, by Abraham Rohrer, in Columbiana County, Ohio, on the 14th of October 1843. She was married to her late husband, in April 1845, with whom she removed to Elkhart Co., Ind., in 1847. She was the mother of seven children, six of whom survive her. She was taken with apoplexy on the morning of the 10th and died the following day. She was buried on the 15th. Services by Henry Shaum from Phil. 1:21-23 and John F. Funk from 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Sister Christophel was a longing to depart and be with Christ which is far better. When her sister said to her, "Do you not think you are near your dying hour? She replied: It would be well if I were." Peace to her ashes.
[1] Daniel K. Cassel, History of the Mennonites (1888), 159, [InternetArchive].
[2] United States Federal Census, 1860, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[3] Elkhart County Genealogical Society, Cemeteries of Elkhart County, Indiana, Vol. 2 (1990), 103, [GoogleBooks].
[4] Mennonite Obituary Archives, Herald of Truth - Volume XX, Number 21 - November 1, 1883, pages 332, 333, [MennObits].
[5] Find A Grave Memorial 27756088, [FindAGrave].
[6] Elkhart County Genealogical Society, Cemeteries of Elkhart County, Indiana, Vol. 2 (1990), 103, [GoogleBooks].
[7] Mennonite Obituary Archives, Herald of Truth, Vol. XXV, Number 11, June 1, 1888, Page 173, [MennObits].