Butler County, Kansas
Butler County, Kansas
Son of Justina Claassen Bergmann Penner; brother
of Justine Bergmann Harder; husband of Justine Fast Bergmann; father of Justine Bergmann Harder.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Wife of Jacob Bergmann; mother of Justine Bergmann
Harder.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Son of Bernhard Harder, Sr., and Justine Bergmann
Harder.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
OBITUARY OF BERNHARD HARDER 1811-1900
(As written in Bundesbote. September 20, 1900)
The following are selected thoughts out of the life of our beloved Bernhard Harder, who has gone to his heavenly
home. In behalf of those who are left behind, mourning, his son Gustav Harder has compiled the following.
Our dear departed husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend was born on March 12, 1811, in Marienau,
West Prussia. His father was Hans Harder and his mother Helene, nee Reimer. Very early in his life, he had to experience
what grips most deeply the soul of a child – the homegoing of his dear mother; and later, when he was four years
old, the death of his father. There he stood, with his only sister, on whom he depended with deep love; without
father or mother – alone in the world. At the same time, he threw himself on the truth and trustworthiness of God’s
Word, and was permitted to experience the precious promise: “When father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take
me up.” After the death of his parents, he came to the motherly side of his grandmother and his step-grandfather
Entz in Sandhof. It is here that he lived out his youth. It is of this grandmother that he often said that she
preferred him to her own children. The impressions of this time were so vivid that he recalled them clearly up
to his last days. He would often recall those happy experiences to us—along with some that were not so happy. During
this time it was characteristic of him to praise the grace of his God, which had continued to become more and more
real to him.
When he was 17 years old, he came to his Uncle Abraham Harder in Heubuden. This change, which he made with much
prayer to the Lord, was for him a turning point to both his inner and outer life. It is noteworthy with what exactness
the individual events that preceded this change impressed themselves on his soul and heart. He could remember them
to the last days of his life and recount them vividly, and always with the statement, “all of what happened was
the Lord’s doing, and was a wonder before my eyes.” There was also a definite commitment of his inner life at the
time he received holy baptism in the year 1828 on the second day of the Pentecost holiday; at which time he also
entered the membership of the Heubuden congregation.
On October 9, 1832, our father married the widow Anna Regier, nee Peters. At that time he became the step-father
of four partially grown children; Uncle Bernhard Regier of Newton; Aunt E. Claassen of Siemonsdorf, West Prussia;
Aunt P. Dyck of Elbing, and Uncle Abraham Regier of Elbing. All four have preceded him in death. A close, love-filled
friendship always existed between him and these children and grandchildren to which many can attest. Their presence
here today, and their loving sympathy are signs of their loving devotion. After twenty years of marriage, the Father
reached down and broke this union. In August 1852 his first wife died.
On March 8, 1853, our loving father was married the second time to our unforgettable mother, Agathe, born Regier.
To this marriage, six children were born. Of these, four died in tender infancy. Two stand here today at the coffin
mourning their loving father. After nine years of marriage, the Father also broke this bond. On November 4, 1861
his second wife and our loving mother died. The manner and way in which she departed from us children and from
her husband, has left an unforgettable impression on him and on us.
At this time, when our loving father had to experience the loneliness of being a widower for the second time, he
worked through it with much dependence on his Heavenly Father. He often took us with him into the prayer room (editor’s
note: a room planned into the architecture of the homes at that time for the express purpose of prayer) and taught
us how to live for God. Very early, we learned that in all hours we should cast our burdens on the Lord. At this
time, especially, he found his strength in the rich Word of God, which had become so dear to him: “Casting all
your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” And the Lord was faithful and did it.
On July 16, 1864 our father was married for the third time to the wife who now mourns him so deeply. She, who for
37 years shared with him both joy and sorrow. She, who shared life’s burdens with him. Especially, in the last
years as she cared so lovingly for him until their parting. To this marriage, two sons were born. The older one
is here with us today as we mourn our loving father, whereas the younger was soon called home.
Many important and enduring aspects of his life and work stand out. Such as when our beloved father endured great
hardship due to the floods, especially in the years 1839, 1845, and 1855. Such times were very difficult. Besides
temporal loss, there were many life risking trips which followed. He always, however, experienced the enduring
help of his heavenly Father. Yes, he experienced the reality of the wonderful presence of his Father.
Our dearly beloved father had a great love for people, particularly fond of children and a special friend to them.
He was also a great naturalist and gardener. Three times his beautiful plants were destroyed because of the floods
and each time he had, with the help of his heavenly Father, been able to restore his beautiful garden again. Little
wonder that his beautiful property in his old home became very dear to his heart. And yet, there came a time where
all this must be left behind to follow the name and the will of the Lord Jesus.
Then in the 1860’s when our freedom of conscience, in regard to military service, was being threatened, our father
finally seriously considered the thought of leaving his homeland. In 1869, he took a long trip into East Russia
in order to search for a new homeland. However, in the years following 1870, every hope of finding a foreign place
to live was taken from us. Russia, too, was no longer our desire. Therefore father decided, and he was one of the
first, along with others, to immigrate to America. This, at his advanced age of 65 was not easy. The property was
dear to him since he had spent 44 of his best years managing it.
In 1876, our beloved father committed himself to accompany some of the first immigrants to America. During this
entire move, our beloved father was allowed to experience the fact that the Spirit of God can make a man free from
everything that has become so dear to him, and give him the power to say, “As long as I have you”, and “all things
work together for those who love God.” It was our father’s deep conviction that the Spirit of God strengthens our
belief and also gives us the strength to recognize the name of God. He will do it for those who wait upon Him.
Our father was privileged to experience the truth of the Word of God, “He who forsakes houses, or brothers, or
lands for My sake, he will inherit 100 fold and have eternal life.”
Our dear father never felt he merited this; his point of view was and always remained, “here comes a poor sinner,
who desires righteousness through the great ransom price.”
The first stopping point in America for our parents was offered in such a loving way by their friends the Peter
Wiebes of Halstead. From here, our father spent the summer of 1876 looking into the different areas of land in
Kansas and Nebraska, until he, with others, decided on Butler County, Kansas. In September of the same year, he
bought and began the process of settling. The fact that untiring activity was characteristic of our dear father,
is attested to by the energy by which he managed to start anew on the prairies of Kansas, and with God’s help found
a new and pleasant home.
In like manner, our dear father also was a co-founder of our present congregation, and also, in this connection
the thought of him remains a blessing. If I may yet mention the fact that our dear father always was true in exercising
the spiritual gifts and fulfilling his communal and societal responsibilities. I must also touch on the fact that
in the year 1836 he was named song leader of the Heubuden congregation. For 40 years, he exercised this office
with much talent, love, and loyalty. Many a song he sang in the old homeland, and also in the new, to the honor
of his God and for the strengthening of his own belief and that of others. In memory of a many a dear departed,
he sang the song, “Everything Hurries to Eternity.” He often called us to repentance with his favorite song, “My
Savior Takes the Sinner Up,” or “Respond as Soon as God’s Grace Beckons.” When we had our first church service
here in the new country in the then newly created church, in his own special way, he sang the beautiful song of
morning, “Rise up, O Song in Highest Praise,” and as the service came to an end, he was touched to the heart when
we sang, “Once gatherest thou in sheaves in, one day will be the last on which we appear here. Oh, Jesus, then
do not leave us, then wilt thou gather us all into heaven’s light as one.”
He has fought to the finish. His longing is stilled. He is now able to sing for the honor of his God before the
throne of the Lamb.
The poet Mathias Claudinus states on the grave of his father, “O, they have buried a good man, yet to me he was
more.” “To me he was more”, that is also the testimony of our dear mother, who was fellow pilgrim with him for
so long, and who lovingly and loyally cared for him. “To me he was more”, that is the confession of each and every
one of his three sons whom he held in his heart with so much love, and to whom he was father, friend, and advisor
in every situation of their lives. “To me he was more”, is the voiced agreement of the daughters-in-law as they
look back at the love that he bestowed on them. “To me he was more”, so says every single grandchild, who with
tearful eyes, looks on and remembers all the love they experienced. “To me he was more”, is spoken today by many
true friends from his former homeland who recall his memory to this day – how unobtrusively he helped carry and
alleviate grief and sorrow, binding the wounds of others.
“To me he was more”, many a friend among us, as well, thinks back and remembers the friendly fellowship with him
as he would tell of the happenings of his long and varied life – many times telling stories in a humorous way,
especially in the closer circle of his family, praising the grace and loyalty of his God – how it was given him
every day and every hour.
Though the dear Lord spared our father serious illness in his long life, still he had to experience a number of
misfortunes that brought him to the edge of the grave.
His powers began to decrease quite slowly until in his last years could no longer leave his room. As more and more
weakness in his body made itself known, still the Lord granted him the grace (good fortune) that his hearing and
sight should remain. We are particularly thankful to the Lord, that He allowed him, right up to the last hour,
to retain the powers of his mind and soul. Many times, we celebrated Holy Communion in the small circle of the
family with elder Leonard Sudermann who is equally unforgettable and has already gone home. It was his words, which
he left with us, “It won’t be long, hold on for just a bit longer; It won’t be long and we’ll be home.”
Those were the words with which he strengthened himself and his own in his last days of life. Often he prayed,
“Lord, the tabernacle of my body will soon sink into the grave, grant my wish and put it away quietly, give me
a quiet end. The eye’s dull shine and the folded hands let them softly loose their soul.”
And the Lord heard his prayer. On Tuesday, the 7th of August, he caught the fever that soon robbed him of his weakened
powers. On Saturday, the 11th of August, 9:00 p.m. his last hour struck in which the Lord called him out of this
life. His departure was soft and blessed. “He has fought a good fight, he has run the race, he has kept the faith,
henceforth is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will give him on that
day.” Those are the words of confidence for us who mourn at his coffin. We have lost much because the Lord gave
us much in him, but though our eyes run with tears we still thank the Lord that He left him with us for so long.
We thank God for all the grace and love, loyalty and warm-heartedness that he showed us to the end. Our dear father
reached the very advanced age of 89 years and 5 months. Those who mourn him are his dear wife, his three sons,
and three daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and many, many friends, both near and far.
“Finally He comes softly,
Takes us by the hand
Leads us on the journey
Home to the Fatherland.
When the hour has run out,
Oh, then we’re there
Where to Him is sung,
A great Hallelujah.”
POSTSCRIPT
On Wednesday afternoon, the 15th of August, we carried our dear father to his final rest, with a great crowd from
far and near, to our family cemetery. In the house of mourning or even in the shade of the trees that he planted,
dear brothers admonished us with words of encouragement and trust. The first to speak was Brother Johannes Andres
on 11 Cor. 5:1-10; then Brother Ed Claassen spoke on Gen. 24:56; Uncle Pete Claassen from Newton from John 14:4;
Brother C.H. Regier on Psalm 4:9; and finally Christian Krehbiel from Halstead on Rev. 22:1-5. After Jacob Toews
pronounced the blessing at the cemetery we lowered the beloved body (shell) of the one who had fallen asleep into
the grave to the sounds of song, “Where Does the Soul Find its Homeland, its Rest,” and “Do Well, Farewell, I Wish
You Well, I Have Trusted Long,” after which Brother J.R. Toews of Newton closed the unforgettable occasion with
prayer. Indeed, we often sing in remembrance of him, “Blessed is he who falls asleep in the Lord, who can sing
through Jesus Christ, we all rest in the belief, O death, where is they sting now?”
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, now and forever more. Yes, the Spirit says that they rest from their
labors, for their works follow after them.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
HARDER,
BERNHARD P.
The son of Rev. Gustav Harder and Helene Kroeker.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
HARDER,
REV. GUSTAV
Son of Bernhard Harder, Sr., and Agatha Regier
Harder; Pastor of the Emmaus Mennonite Church.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Wife of Bernhard Harder, Jr.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Wife of Gustav; mother of Bernhard P. Harder
and Helene Harder Regier.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Wife of Bernhard; Mother of Bernhard; Step-Mother
of Gustav. Immigrated to America with her family in 1876.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
First wife of Bernhard Harder, Jr.; She was
also his first cousin, being the daughter of his mother's brother. Marriage to first cousins was illegal in Kansas
so they took the train to Beatrice, Nebraska, and were married there since cousin marriages were legal in Nebraska
at that time.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
The infant son of Bernhard Harder, Jr., and
Justine Bergmann Harder. His grave has no marker, but has a concrete border and lies between the graves of his
parents.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
PENNER,
JUSTINA CLAASSEN BERGMANN
The mother of Justine Bergmann Harder and Jacob
Bergmann. She came to America with her daughter's family in 1876. She was worried about having a proper burial
place at her new home so her son-in-law, Bernhard Harder, Sr., set aside a portion of his homestead to be used
as a family cemetery. She was the first person buried in the Harder Cemetery. It was a private family cemetery
for many years, but is now owned by the Emmaus Mennonite Church.?
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Inscription reads: Ein Treuer Knecht (Faithful Servant)
Andres worked for the Harder family in Prussia
and came to America with them in 1876. He served the family faithfully until his death.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Son of Jacob J. Regier and Helene Harder Regier.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Wife of Jacob J. Regier; daughter of Rev. Gustav
and Helene Kroeker Harder.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Husband of Helene Harder Regier.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Infant son of a Harder family employee.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
Infant son of a Harder family employee.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
John W. Harder, son of John Harder Jr. and
Marie Claassen Harder was born December 1, 1906, near Whitewater, Kansas, and departed this life early Tuesday
morning, March 3, 1942. He spent the days of his youth in the parental home.
He was baptized upon his confession of faith in 1924 and united with the Emmaus Church near Whitewater, Kansas
of which he was a faithful member until his death.
On May 21, 1931 he was united into the bonds of holy matrimony with his now deeply bereaved wife, Margaret Claassen.
God blessed this union with 4 healthy children who were the joy and hope of the parents.
About 18 months ago it was discovered that he was suffering from cancer. From then on he was growing gradually
weaker. For some time last fall it seemed as if the dread disease was checked, but only for a brief period. After
New Year’s he submitted for the third time to X-ray treatments. These treatments weakened him considerably. He
did not suffer any extreme pain but his appetite was poor and consequently he was failing in strength and vitality,
until the dread discovery was made that the disease has affected the lungs. From then on he was rapidly failing.
In our estimation he left us altogether to soon, but Gods ways are not our ways. We are grateful unto God however
that his sufferings were not so severe toward the end. We are further more grateful for the kind and loving care
he received while in the hospital the last days of his life.
One evening he remarked that at times seemingly his faith and his confidence in his saviour was as weak, but we
rejoice to know that his faith held out to the end. The saviour who redeemed him also kept him safe. He claimed
however that the Bible verses that were quoted to him by the sisters and by kind friends were so strengthening
and uplifting.
The last Sunday of his life, the day before his death he had much company. He told us later in the evening that
he was deeply moved because six of his friends at various times that day quoted the same verse to him, Romans 8:28;
“And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God to them that are the called according
to his purpose.” And the sister who conducted the evening devotion with him had also chosen that verse. Furthermore,
this same verse was their wedding text. What a leading of the spirit of God.
The sufferer then remarked that evening how extremely sad it was for those who have no hope of eternal life.
He leaves to mourn his death his deeply bereaved wife, 2 sons, 2 daughters, the parents on both sides, one brother,
one sister, one sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law, and many relatives and friends. God makes no mistake, we
worshipful submit to his will.
He will be a father to the widow and the fatherless.
The words of the song, "What a friend we have in Jesus" are very appropriate at this time.
Words of comfort were spoken in the home of Rev. B.W. Harder, uncle of the deceased and in the church by Rev. Theodore
Roth and by the pastor Rev. J.C. Kaufman.
(Submitted by Tamara Harder Hogoboom)
DEATH OF GEORGE ELDER
Mr. George Elder, an old and highly respected citizen of Bloomington township, died very suddenly last Thursday evening. He had not been ailing, but to the moment of his death had been in his usual health. He was in his stock corral assisting in the feeding of his cattle; his son Crit had just left him after a conversation with regard to business, and when about fifty feet away saw him fall to the ground and ran to him, but he was dead; a little grandson who was nearby said he groaned as he fell, and once again after he was down.
Mr. Elder came from Kentucky in 1873 and settled upon the farm on which he died. He was an extensive farmer and stock feeder, a public spirited citizen, a good neighbor, a loving husband and an affectionate father. He leaves a widow and five sons to mourn his death. Of the sons Robert A., William, George, and J. S. (Crit), are married while L. T., who has not yet reached his majority lives at home.
Mr. Elder would have been 63 years old had he lived until the 25th of this month.
The funeral services were held last Sunday, in the Christian Chapel near his home, Elder Cain preaching the sermon. The church was crowded almost to suffocation with sorrowing friends and sympathizing neighbors, and as many were standing outside by the doors and windows to catch the words of the eloquent speaker. At the close of the services the the remains were conveyed to the near-by cemetery, followed by more than one hundred vehicles, where they deposited in the grave according to the ritual of the Christian church.
The bereaved wife and children have the sympathy
of all their acquaintances.
(Augusta News ~ April 23, 1896 ~ Submitted by Julie Stevens)
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© 2008 Genealogy Trails
