Hist Mss 1-144
Daniel B. Swartzendruber, 1875-1950
Papers, 1857-1923, including
Collected and hand-copied items, 1568-1861
4 Boxes (2 Long Green, 2 Green)
Introduction
The first two boxes of these
papers were deposited into the Archives by Jacob F. Swartzendruber,
Goshen, Indiana, from 1945-54, at the request of D. B. Swartzendruber,
Kalona, Iowa. Several smaller deposits were made into the collection
through the years, 1958-79 , by Jacob F. Swartzendruber, Goshen,
Indiana; Ralph Gingerich, Wellman, Iowa; and David Luthy, Aylmer,
Ontario. Five folders of materials in box #3 and box #4 were deposited
into the Archives by Sanford Swartzendruber, Goshen, Indiana, in 1979.
A detailed description and
explanation of the many documents in this collection was made by Joe
Springer, Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College, in April 1978.
This description has been integrated into this inventory listing, into
the "Scope and Content" and "Annotated Listing' below. A good
introduction to this collection is also found in the article entitled
"Documents Relating to Bishop Jacob Schwarzendruber (1800-1868): First
Minister and Bishop of the Amish Mennonite Church in Johnson County,
Iowa", Mennonite Quarterly Review (July 1946).
Biographical Sketch
D. B. Swartzendruber was a
teacher, farmer and Amish Mennonite historian from Kalona, Iowa.
Scope and Content
The Daniel B. Swartzendruber
Collection (Hist. Mss. 1-144) contains numerous documents, which shed
light on 19th-century Amish life in America, particularly the Johnson
County, Iowa and Somerset County, Pennsylvania communities. Thanks to
the interest in the church and its history of at least five generations
of Swartzendrubers the Archives has this sizable collection. Other
material of the Swartzendruber family can be found at the archives of
the Iowa Mennonite Historical Society. In an attempt to aid the
researcher working with this collection, this description of the
collection has been prepared.
A brief genealogical chart
{Attachment 1} affords an overview of the relationships of the various
people who wrote or whom are written about, in the collection. (The
names of the collection's significant writers are in red). Many of the
dates on the chart come directly from the collection and so there may
be some minor discrepancies in the dates, particularly those of the
earlier generations. It is not completely clear that the Abner Yoder
who is named on the chart is the same man whom Jacob Swartzendruber
visited in Somerset County (the Glades) in 1860, and whom later moved
to Iowa. It seems likely that he is the one so therefore without
verifying the information fully he was placed on the chart. This chart
is not included in this inventory, but is available upon request.
The chart hosts different name
spellings from what they are normally in the documents. The spellings
for the same person do vary in the documents so consistency was kept by
using the spellings found in the Mennonite Quarterly Review and
the Mennonite Bibliography. This helped also in allowing for
only one spelling in a particular generation. In order to save space
only initials in this paper will be used when referring to Jacob
Schwarzendruber {JS} (1800-1868), Friedrich Schwartzendruber
{FS}(1825-1895), Jacob Friedrich Swarzendruber {JFS} (1851-1924),
Daniel B. Swartzendruber {DBS} (1875-1950), and Elmer G. Swartzendruber
{EGS} (1890-19??).
The collection has a somewhat
arbitrary organization but one should be able to locate any item
without much difficulty by using the folder listing {Attachment II}.
Basically, the organization follows JFS's copy book {Folder 2} and then
the additional materials in EGS's transcriptions {Folder 3} and JFS's
"Register der alten Schriften" {Folder 4}. Then there are additional
documents, family history materials, and some of DBS's personal
material.
In order to identify the documents
which have been copied or identified in JFS's or EGS's transcriptions
or the "Register der alten Schriften" those materials have been listed
with numbers {Attachment III} and will refer to those numbers in the
folder descriptions. (For scanning purposes it is much easier to use
the typewritten EGS transcript than the
original document therefore it was decided to include the reference to
a document's location in the transcriptions when describing the
contents of individual folders).
The collection consists of four
boxes. The first two are long boxes (legal size-15 1/2") and the last
two are regular boxes (12 1/2"). Herewith a folder-by-folder
description of the collection:
Inventory Listing
Box 1 (Long Green)
1/1 Accession Records &
Collection Description
This folder contains the accession records and an annotated description
of this collection, including a genealogical chart, as done by Joe
Springer, Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College, April 1978.
1/2 J. F. Swartzendruber Copy
Book
In 1897, JFS copied many of the documents in his possession in this
book. The handwriting is a neat, German script. JFS not only
transcribed the documents, he expounded on certain topics the writings
brought to mind and also often told where the original document came
from, who had copied it, etc. From his notes, one can see what is
important to JFS by his conversation with earlier resolutions.
From reading the copy book, one
gets the impression that JFS did letter-for-letter transcriptions of
the documents. By comparing Elizabeth Horsch Bender's carefully done,
letter-for-letter transcriptions (hereafter: "EHB transcription") of
the documents which JFS apparently used as sources, one sees that he
did not always make letter-to-letter, and in a few cases perhaps not
even quite word-for-word transcriptions. For a table of contents of
this copybook:
1. "Dieses Buch gehoert…." {1}
2. Register {2} {3 & 4 missing}
3. Strasbourg Resolutions, 1568 & 1607 {5-9}
4. Hoffingen, 1630 {10-11}
5. Essingen, 1779 {12-17}
6. Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809 {17-19}
7. Reber, Kletzner, & Kannemacher {20-28}
Diener Versammlung, 1837
8. Nafziger Manual, 1781 {29-52}
9. Unzicker Manual, n.d. {53-71} {72 blank}
10. "Von der Liturgie u. Kultus…" {73-77 & 80-86}
11. David Beiler Letter, 1861 {78-79 & 87-91} {92-93 blank}
12. Letters about Water Baptism, Mifflin Co. {94-102} {103-107 blank}
13. Formularies with more Scriptural References {108-109} {110-115
blank}
14. Uli Amman Letter, 1703 {116-121} {122-179 blank}
15. J. F. Swartzendruber Letter, May 19, 1901 {180-181} {182-197 blank}
16. Misc. general information 1726, 1758, 1790, 1829 {198} {199-200
blank}
1/3 E. G. Swartzendruber
Transcriptions
Between 1925 and 1927, EGS made a typewritten copy of JFS's copy book,
adding a few more notes of his own, and copying other documents not in
JFS's copy book. He presented the copy which is in this folder to the
Mennonite Historical Society and John Umble prepared a table of
contents for it and also wrote a descriptive article on it, published
in the MQR, July 1946, 230-39. (A copy of the table of contents
and a typescript of the article are in this folder also). A shorter
table of contents for EGS's transcriptions:
1. "Dieses Buch gehoert…' {1}
2. Strasbourg Resolutions, 1568 &1607 {1-5}
3. Hoffingen, 1630 {6-7}
4. Esingen, 1779 {8-12}
5. Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809 {13-15}
6. Reber/Kletzer/Kannemacher Diener Versammlung, 1837 {15-22}
7. Nafziger Manual, 1781 {23-46}
8. Unzicker Manual, n.d. {46-61}
9. "Von der Liturgie u. Kultus…" {61-71}
10. David Beiler Letter, 1861 {71-77}
11. Letters about Water Baptism, Mifflin Co. {77-84}
12. Formularies with more Scriptural references {84-85}
13. "Unsere Voreltern in…der Reformation" {86-93}
14. "Our Home in…Iowa in Pioneer Times" {94-100}
15. Bundling, 1863 {101-108}
16. Draft of Letter to Diener Versammlung, 1865 {108-111}
17. Letter to Diener Versammlung, Pentecost, 1865 {112-115}
18. Scriptural Support for Weddings {116-117}
19. Conduct of the Sisters {in the Church} {117-118}
20. Notes on the Book of Job {119-120}
21. Letter to Fellow Ministers, 1863 {120-122}
22. Several Articles from C. Yoder "der Alte" {122-125}
23. Several Points from C. Yoder about Baptism, 1865 {126-133}
24. Account of Dream, December 29/30, 1857 {133-134}
25. Extract from Mengeringhausen Church Record Book {134}
26. Church Letter from Germany, 1833 {134-135}
27. Clinton Gemein, August 5, 1864 (31 Diener) {135}
28. Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809 {136-137}
29. Letter to J. Jodder, A. & C. Rup, & Others, 1866 {138-140}
1/4 "Register der alten
Schriften" (JFS)
JFS wrote a letter (undated) to the person (evidently a sibling of his
or possibly a cousin) naming some "old writings" which he was sending
for transcription. Most of the items on the list in this letter (see
Attachment III) are found in this collection with the exception of the
1693 letter from Jacob Amman and the 1861 Augsberger Glaubensbekenntnis
and the possible exception of the 1568 Abred at Strassburg and the 1630
Abred at Hoffingen.
1. Strasbourg Resolutions, 1568
2. Hoffingen, 1630
3. Jacob Amman Letter, 1693
4. Peter Geiger Letter, 1697
5. Essingen, 1779
6. Nafziger Manual, 1781
7. Nafziger Addition, 1781
8. Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809
9. Christian Yoder, Concerning Baptism, 1832
10. Reber/Kletzer/Kannemacher Diener Versammlung, 1837
11. David Beiler Letter, 1861
12. Augsburg Confession of Faith (1861 copy)
1/5 Strasbourg Resolutions 1568
& 1607 (& Hoffingen 1630) (FS)
In this folder there are two copies of the Strasbourg Resolutions of
1568 & 1607. The first one also contains the resolutions of the
1630 conference at Hoffingen. FS made the first copy from the one
copied by JS (see next folder) and JFS apparently used this copy for
JFS 3 & 4. The second copy, which lacks the Hoffingen conference,
may have been copied from JS's copy also and never finished. It has the
same little note about Menno Simons which is however corrected
according to information from "Funk's Kalender."
1/6 Nafziger (8 pp) Manual,
1781: Strasbourg & Hoffingen Resolutions 1568 1608, Hoffingen 1630
(JS, with short addendum by FS)
This booklet contains the Hans Nafziger manual of March 26, 1781
(including the part added December 14, 1781 by Nafziger); it is
apparently the source for JFS 8. It also contains the Strasbourg
Resolution of 1568 & 1607 and the conference at Hoffingen 1630,
from which the first item and possibly the second item in the previous
folder were copied. JS borrowed the manual from which he copied this on
a trip he made in 1860, which took him to Canada, Pennsylvania, and
Ohio. He later returned the copy borrowed from Friedrich Hagi from
Martin's Creek, Ohio, to Hagi's son in Iowa.
The transcriptions often give
histories of when they were copied. It is interesting to conjecture
about the relationships of several different manuals. In another
collection, VIII-1-1, is an 1865 copy from Staak County, Ohio which
follows the history of this one closely. Both stem from an 1820 copy
copied from an 1800 copy, etc., going back to 1733. (One wonders how a
manual written in 1781 could have been copied in 1733. Likely the
Strasbourg resolutions and the Hoffingen conference were copied then
the Nafziger Manual was added to a "parent" copy of the two copies I am
talking about).
The Stark County manual was copied
from a copy made in 1860. Is it possible that Hagi made another copy of
the manual before letting JS take it to Iowa and that this second copy
was then copied in Stark County in 1865? Or did the person who copied
the Stark County manual happen to travel through Iowa and copy JS's
1860 copy?
The Strasbourg Resolutions and Hoffingen conference found in this
booklet appeared in German transcription and English translation in the
MQR, Jan. 1927, 58-66.
1/7 Essingen, 1779 (JS)
This is a 16- point Ordungsbrief signed by 39 ministers from 19
European congregations in 1789 at Essingen. JS made this transcription
in 1837 (when he still lived in Somerset County, Pa.) from a copy made
in 1809 by Christian Guengerich (possibly a brother or son of Peter
Guengerich whose third wife, Barbara Oesch, became JS's wife) who had
been at the meeting. JS's copy was used for JGS 5.
1/8 Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809
(Original?)
JFS considers the first item in this folder to have been the original
"Artikel der Einigkeit" of Oct. 17, 1809; 23 people signed it. He has
many notes on the document itself and believes that Christian Yoder
("der Alte") wrote it. JS made a copy of this in 1860, which is also in
this folder. There are also three typescripts of this, two probably
done by EGS or DBS and the third possibly by John Coffman or John
Umble. There is a photographic reproduction of the first item which was
published in the MQR, July 1966, 240-41. The "original" was
used for JFS 6.
I do not know enough to enter my
opinion concerning the meaning of "im Land oben und unten" which
appears at the head of this document. The "logical" interpretation for
many is evidently Upper and Lower Pequea. JFS suggests however that
Somerset ("oben") and Lancaster ("unten") are meant. See also Box 2,
Folder 4.
1/9 Reber, Kletzer, &
Kannemacher Diener Versammlung, 1837
This is a typescript of a minister's meeting in 1837 of the Reber
(River), Kletzer (Glades), and Kannemacher (Conemaugh) congregations.
Perhaps JS's original copy made at Abner Yoder's on his 1860 trip is in
the possession of the Iowa Mennonite Historical Society as it is not in
this collection.
1/10 Nafziger Manual, 1781
(unfinished)
This is a partial handwritten transcript of the Nafziger manual. The
addition to the letter (see folder 6 above) was started but never
finished. The copy looks older that the one in folder 6 but it is not
identified in anyway.
1/11 Unzicker Manual (J. P.
Guengerich Copy)
The Joseph Unzicker manual (no date) in this folder was copied by Jacob
P. Guengerich in 1852. JFS added some notes to the copy itself and more
as usual, when he copied it in his book, JFS 9. VIII-1-1 also contains
at least one other copy of this manual.
1/12 David Beiler Letter, 1861
David Beiler, Bird-in-Hand, Pa., wrote this letter a sort of minister's
manual, on his 75th birthday, July 3,1861, apparently at the request of
JS. John Umble refers to this manuscript briefly in his article on
Beiler, "Memoirs of an Amish Bishop" in MQR, April 1948, 97-98.
JFS 11.
1/13 Uli Amman Letter, 1703
This is a copy of a letter Uli Amman wrote dated 1703. The MHB
published it in translation in October 1977, pp. 2-3. This folder also
contains a photocopy of the manuscript and a typewritten transcription
and English translation. A copy of the MHB is also there. MHB
painted "ca. 1720" at the end of the letter.
1/14 "Unsere Voreltern in den
Tagen der Reformation"
EGS found this portion of an article about Anabaptist history in JFS
papers. There is no clue as to why, when, or by whom it was written,
although JFS himself may have been the writer. EGS 13.
1/15 "Our Home in the Backwoods
of Iowa in Pioneer Times"
JFS wrote this account (EGS 14) which may have according to EGS, been
written at the request of the Christian Monitor.
1/16 Bundling & Weddings,
1863
A JS letter concerning bundling and weddings written August 5, 1863.
EGS believed it was written for a minister's meeting in Pa., which JS
was unable to attend. This was published in the MHB, October
1977, pp. 4-5. EGS 15.
1/17 Draft of Letter to Diener
Versammlung, May 23, 1865 (JS)
These are EGS 16 & 22 and are probably rough drafts of EGS 17 &
23 (see next folder). JS wrote this version of the letter on May 23,
1865. In it he deals with nonresistance and weddings. I do not quite
understand why EGS separated these things like he does as in both cases
both items are on one sheet of paper and seem to belong together
somewhat. Parts of these documents (in translation) were combined with
parts of the apparent final draft (see next folder) by Leonard Gross
and published in the MHB, October 1977, pp. 3-4. A
transcription is in the folder.
1/18 Letter to Diener
Versammlung, Pentecost 1865 (JS)
JS letter written at Pentecost 1865 and addressed to the Diener
Versammlung concerning the draft, weddings, etc. and some points from
Christian Yoder ("der Alte"). These are EGS 17 & 23 and were
published in the MQR, July 1946, 222-229 in translation. The
paper was also published in the MHB, October 1997.
p. 3-4 with additions from another draft (see preceding folder). There
are two different transcriptions and one English translation in the
folder.
1/19 Scriptural Support for
Wedding Ceremonies & Customs
A writing perhaps by JFS, against the current type of weddings (EGS
18). It may possibly have been used in a magazine such as the Herold
der Wahrheit.
1/20 Conduct of the Sisters (in
the church)
A collection of Bible verses which speak of "the woman's place" (EGS
19). The handwriting is possibly that of JFS.
1/21 Notes on the Book of Job
(JFS)
Another JFS admonishment about the 'eat, drink, and be merry" of the
Old Testament and today (ca. 1890s) (EGS 20). He used Job as an example
and entitles the short article (Herald der Wahrheit?) "Of What
Use Is the Book of Job to Us?"
1/22 Letter to Fellow
Ministers, 1863 (JS)
JS letter to Ministers Jones and Joel Bitsche (and all co-ministers)
dated 22. XII. 1863. Evidently the people he was writing to had just
resolved a congregational conflict and JS referred to how troubles in
his group had
been solved by two ministers from Canada, one from Holmes County, and
one from Elkhart. Transcribed (EGS 21).
Box 2 (Long Green)
2/1 Accounts of Dreams, 1857-60
(JS)
Several of JS's dreams as written down by JS. The one from December
29/30, 1857 is EGS 24. The others, some evidently not complete are on
another piece of paper and are dated June 4/5, 1858; April 27, 1858;
and January 21/22, 1860. Both pieces of paper are transcribed.
2/2 Extract from
Mengeringhausen Church Record Book
An extract from the Mengeringhausen (Evangelical) church record book
dated May 9, 1833, giving the names and birth dates of the five living
children of JS and his wife Barbara Oesch Guengerich. (The twin sisters
of two of the boys who died at early ages are not listed at all). A
translation of this (EGS 25) was published in A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
GEORGE SWARTZENDRUBER FAMILY by Kathryn Miller Snyder, Advance Print,
Wellman, IA., 1938. In addition to the original the folder contains 2
different transcriptions, a translation, and a photographic copy.
2/3 Church Letter from Germany,
1833
The church letter for JS, wife Barbara, and stepsons Jacob P. and
Daniel P. Guengerich. It is dated April 10, 1833 and signed by Eltester
Diener Daniel Schlabach and Diener zum Buch Johannes Guengerich
(possibly a half-brother to Jacob P. and Daniel P.). A transcription
and translation of this (EGS 26) were published in the MHB,
January 1949, p.2. Translations have also been published in the Gospel
Herald (January 24, 1935, p. 927) and The Fred and Sarah
(Yoder) Swartzendruber History… (Amos Gingerich, {1958}). In
addition to the original, the folder contains 2 different
transcriptions, a translation, and a photographic copy.
2/4 Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809
Another copy of Artikel der Einigkeit, 1809. When EGS transcribed this
(EGS 28) he thought it was dated October 7 instead of October 17, as
are the copies in Box 1, Folder 8. John Umble discusses this difference
in date in a footnote of his July 1946 MQR article (referred to
above). Actually this copy is dated October 17 also but the page is
torn right at the spot where the faint "1" is and a grease spot adds to
the obscurity of the numeral, so Umble's conjectures regarding the
difference turn out to be meaningless as far as shedding any light on
the meanings of "oben" and "unten" in the documents. JFS wrote a note
on this document concerning the signature which are on the other copies
of the document and not on this one.
2/5 Letter to J. Jodder, A.
& C. Rup, & Others, 1866 (JS)
JS wrote this letter to Jonathan Jodder, Andreas & Christian Rup,
and others complaining of the troubled lot of ministers. Written
October 18, 1866, the {German} letter stated "…if I would not be a
minister, I would be able to be at peace with almost all people…." The
letter (EGS 29) is transcribed.
2/6 Letters of the Amish
Division
This booklet (Register d. alten Schriften 4) contains letters of the
Amish division: Peter Geiger 1696, Markirch 1697 to Hans Reist from
Christian ?, Rudi Huser, Peter Lehmann, Christ Stoffel, and two items
from 1700, either both by Hans Gut or the first by the "Dienern &
Aeltesten im Elsas und im Schweizerland" and the second by Hans Gut. FS
had gotten the booklet from JS but it was not completed. ES got a copy
of the rest from Christian Krehbiel in 1873 and finished the letters.
The whole thing is transcribed except for 11 verses, which precede FS's
note and follow the last item by Hans Gut.
2/7 Baptismal & Marriage
Formularies
Several formularies, all transcribed: The first "baptismal confession"
is somewhat confusing because it also contains a seemingly misplaced
paragraph on removing a preacher or elder from office and a few
questions for marriage. The second has the baptismal and marriage
ceremonies right beside each other too and is very short. The third
item is a booklet containing what seems to be more of a complete
wedding sermon rather than simply a formulary. On the cover, "Peter
Litwiller, Wilmot, 1850" is written. Litwiller immigrated from Alsace
to Ontario in 1829 at the age of 20 and later became a bishop in the
Wilmot Amish Mennonite Church.
2/8 Ordination Formularies
The first item in this folder is for the ordination of a "Voellicher
Diener oder Bischoff" and is transcribed. On the reverse side of the
same sheet is something "Fuer den Armen" which is not
transcribed. The second item is for the office of a "Aeltesten Lehrer"
and is transcribed. The third item is a typescript of five different
formularies for the ordination of "Armendiener." The first one, from
Abner Joder's writings is in the book in the next folder. The one from
Joseph Miller's (Indiana) writings does not appear elsewhere in the
collection. The last three are from the Unziger (JFS 9) and Nafziger
(JFS 8) manuals and from David Beiler's writings (JFS 11). These may
possibly have been typed on JFS's typewriter; they resemble other older
typewritten things in the collection.
2/9 Johnson County, Iowa Church
Records, 1863-65, 78-97
First is an EGS typescript of the services (when, who, were) from
November 8, 1863 to April 10, 1864 (weekly meetings), the people who
took part in communion on Easter (April 16, 1865) at the Kempe Gemein
(66) and those who did not go (60) and those who took communion at
Peter Brennemans Gemein on April 23 (38) and those who did not go (48),
giving a total of 206 members.
Next is a book which is also
transcribed. The book contains several different things: marriages JFS
performed from 1896-1898, baptisms he performed from 1888-1897,
information on when and by whom he was ordained as minister (1878) and
bishop (1887), material like a minister's manual from Abner Yoder's
writings, and several important dates 1878-1892. (Some of the
formularies are transcribed another time also).
2/10 Amish Service Manuals
(Liturgies)
First, a list of texts and songs (before and after the sermon) used on
particular occasions. The page numbers for the songs on this are for Eine
Unparteiische Lieder-Sammlung…. Next is another list of texts used
on particular occasions. Neither of these is transcribed. Last, two
typewritten copies of "Ein Verzeichnis der Schriften so wie sie bei uns
des Jahres hindurch gelesen werden" by JFS with an English translation.
The German English versions were printed in MQR January 1941,
p.27. The use of texts does not vary greatly in any of these as well as
in printed service manuals in the Historical Library.
2/11 On Mennonites Joining the
Amish without Being Re-baptized (1820-1830)
A lengthy exposition on why Mennonites should be baptized by the Amish
before joining the Amish church. Probably written ca. 1826-1830 and
copied in 1839 by Christian Yoder ("der Junge"). This copy was written
by JS and JFS added a note in 1895 and said that he did not know
anywhere where this was still practiced. The booklet also (in the hand
of JS) begins a report of the 1831 Wayne County, OH Diener Versammlung.
There are 3 transcriptions of this.
2/12 Letters on the Ban and
Shunning, 1887
FS evidently wrote to people in the East to find out their positions on
the ban and shunning and there are four letters here. First, a FS copy
(handwritten, EHB transcription) of a letter to Christian Bietschie
(Belleville) of July 6, 1887. Second, a July 27, 1887 letter telling
the stance of the Diener in Mifflin Co., Pa. (not transcribed). Third,
a typescript of a July 1887 letter telling the stance of the people in
Grantsville, Md. Fourth, a letter (with EHB transcription) of October
11, 1887 telling the stance of the people in Ronk Post, Lancaster Co.,
Pa.
2/13 Diener Versammlung:
Partridge, KS, 1912
A handwritten copy of the resolutions of the Diener in Kansas and a
note of a disagreement following the Diener Versammlung there. Both are
transcribed.
2/14 Lower Deer Creek
Meetinghouse
In this folder are several interesting documents about the Lower Deer
Creek Meetinghouse. There are two (undated) signed agreements to build
a Meetinghouse. There is a translation of the petition, which then
combined the names found on both lists. Then several typed copies
(German and English) of a resolution (June 18, 1913) by the Lower Deer
Creek church council following a split in the congregation. The council
stated that the group, which split off, has no right to any part of the
church building. Finally, an unsigned contract drawn up on October 14,
1914 whereby one group agrees to buy out the other group's interest in
the church building, grounds, and other property.
2/15 Jacob (?) Guengerich Diary
of 1833 Trip Across Atlantic
This is a typescript (English and German) of Jacob (?) P. Guengerich's
account of his voyage (with JS and family) to America in 1833. Jacob F.
Swartzendruber (1909-) printed copies of this in Kalona on a printing
press, which belonged to S. D. Guengerich, Daniel's son. It was
published (in English) in The Fred and Sarah (Yoder) Swartzendruber
History… (Amos Gingerich, {1958}).
2/16 New Year's Wish for
Christian Jutzi
This probably dates from the 1840's or 50's. According to a handwritten
note on the back of the document (which was transcribed by EHB), it may
have been written by George Jutzi, some of whose poems are collected in
the 1853 book Ermahnung an seine Hinterbliebenen. The book does include
a New Year's Wish for his children for 1843 but not this poem. Abner
Yoder wrote the introduction for the book and it could be through Yoder
that this poem got into the Swartzendruber family papers.
2/17 Gascho Letter About 1874
Russia Mennonite Immigration
A typescript of a letter from Johannes Gascho, Baden, Ontario, dated
January 22, 1874. Sort of a form letter concerning the Russian
Mennonite immigration.
2/18 Home Remedies
Two home remedies, both transcribed. One to cure "die Schweining" and
the other a salve for "Weise Geschwulst" ("Weitschwelling").
2/19 Scraps & Miscellany
Many misc. pieces of paper: a. Unidentified quarter-pare with JS
writing. Possibly something to do with marriage. b. A little note from
Chr. J. Schw., saying today is July 20. c. Misc. sermon (?) notes.
These have been transcribed. d. A penmanship exercise: "SJM January 2,
1895." One side with a fancy pen and the saying "Patience &
Perseverance Succeeds" was published in the October 1977 MHB.
The other side is a fancy bird. There is a photocopy of the bird. e. A
strange little letter (typescript) in Pennsylvania Dutch, which
possibly does not belong in the collection as the German elsewhere in
the collection, is much better. f. Two copies of a typed article for
the Herold der Wahrheit: "Wollt Ihr auch weg gehen? Christus
des Gesetzes Ende." g. Typescript of a resolution of the "geforderten
Diener" in Holmes County, OH in 1913 (four ministers who were called to
Holmes County to settle differences). h. Two copies of a typescript of
a letter of admonition to Christian Guengerich (n.d.) from JS. In a P.
S. JS tells Guengerich not to forget what his sister-in-law from
Lancaster had written him. i. A 12-page tract written in Kalona in
February 1923 by JFS on "Die Roheiten unter der heutigen Jugend und ein
Heilmittel dagegen," published by the Amish Mennonite Publishing
Association in Wellman. j. A listing of Swartzendruber papers made by
either John Umble or John Coffman. Not everything mentioned is here.
Perhaps the other materials are in the possession of the Iowa Mennonite
Historical Society.
2/20 On the Death of Barbara
Schwarzendruber
JS wrote a rather long reflection on the sickness and death of his
first wife, Barbara Oesch Guengerich. He wrote at least two versions of
this. The first was written in October 1856, shortly after her death,
and the second after his second marriage in 1860. The first is not
transcribed but the second is, with the exception of a poem at the end.
There is also a poor translation with an introduction done by Elias
Swartzendruber.
2/21 Essays on Millenialism
(Elias Swartzendruber)
Three typewritten articles on millenialism by Elias Swartzendruber (he
opposes it): "How God Revealed His Plan of Redemption," "Some Errors on
Blackstone," "Will Christ Reign On Earth as a Literal King?" The last
article appears to be a rough draft of "Will or Will Not Christ Reign
OVER A Literal Kingdom on Earth?" written by Elias in 1928 and
reprinted in 1959 by John W. Martin, Burnsville, N. C. Elias also had
an article "Is the Teaching of a Millennium a Bible Doctrine?" in the
1936 Yearbook of the Central Conference of Mennonites, pp.
44-46 (devoted to the issue of millenialism) which is similar to these
three articles.
2/22 "Memories of My Home"
(Anna S. Yoder)
Two copies of "Memories of My Home" written by Anna S. Yoder (daughter
of JFS), probably written about 1938. Also, a letter (January 28,1949)
from DBS to Anna concerning the article. This was published in The Fred
and Sarah (Yoder) Swartzendruber History referred to above several
times.
2/23 Biographical Sketch of
Fred Schwartzendruber
Parts of five drafts of a biographical sketch of FS by DBS. Published
in The Fred and Sarah (Yoder) Swartzendruber History.
2/24 Miscellaneous Family
History Material
a. First two pages of a biographical sketch of JS "Hydraulic Engineer"
probably written by DBS. b. A scrap of paper with German script: "Es
waren drei Brueder, Michael Jacob u Christian Swartzendruber," c.
Information copied from the inside cover of the Bible brought from
Germany by JS. d. Information similar to that in "c." above but with
some more information too. e. JFS genealogical account including all
four grandparents, transcribed (the dates in this are not always
correct). f. Family record of JFS and Elizabeth Bender. g. Death dates
of four of JFS's nine children. h. Birth and death dates of Solomon
Swartzendruber (JFS's son) and the songs sung at his funeral. i. "In
Loving Remembrance" announcement of JFS's death. j. Three copies of the
program of the 1933 reunion in Johnston County, IA of the descendants
of JS and his step-sons Daniel and Jacob Guengerich.
2/25 19th Century family
letters; photos
2/26 Record of Communion participants, 1865, 1868, 1923
2/27 The office of deacon
2/28 Gingerich Family History
2/29 Record of Church Services 1863-68
Box 3 (Green)
3/1 "Frederick Schwarzendruber
& His Descendants"
Genealogical information compiled by DBS on the FS family. This later
became the basis for The Fred and Sarah (Yoder) Swartzendruber
History, published in 1958, after DBS's death.
3/2 Family History by Fred
Schwartzendruber, 1893
A photocopy of a family history written by FS, ca. 1893, with an EHB
transcription. Also photocopies of what looks like a "cover letter" for
the above family history. FS wrote it October 13, 1893 to George and
Samuel Guengerich (no transcription). The originals for both these
documents are at the Iowa Mennonite Historical Society.
3/3 Yoder Family Materials
a. Family Register of Christian
Yoder ("der Junge") written by David C. Yoder (probably Christian's
son), September 6, 1885. Transcribed. b. A notebook with information on
the Yoder family going back to "Schweitzer" Christian. Written by JFS.
Not transcribed, script good. c. Eli E. Borntreger (Topeka, IN) letter
to JFS, December 25, 1921, concerning Yoder ancestry. Transcribed. d.
J. F. Yoder (Arthur, IL) letter to JFS, December 29, 1921, concerning
Yoder ancestry. Transcribed.
3/4 Gingerich & Bender
Family Materials
a. Information about Christian & Helena (Gingerich) Bender family
(JFS's parents-in-laws). Transcribed. b. Genealogical information on
Daniel Bender (Langendorf) and the Bender-Schoenbeck families.
(Ancestors of Mrs. JFS). c. Three sheets of information on Benders and
Gingerichs probably collected by DBS.
3/5 Miscellaneous Obituaries
a. Mrs. Christian (Rebecca Yoder) Gingerich, 1839-1919 (German &
English). b. John P. Guengerich, 1850-1919 (German & English). c.
Mrs. Seth (Elizabeth Kempf) Kauffman, 1832-1912 (German). d. Joseph
Schwartzendruber, 1821-1877 (German). e. JFS, 1851-1924 (English). f.
Amon Rufus Egli, 1896-1933 (English).
3/6 D. B. Swartzendruber
Correspondence
DBS Corr. 1918-1950, mostly genealogical matters. One rather
interesting letter from N. S. Guengerich written to DBS from Camp
Dodge, IA, August 21, 1918 giving a very humdrum account of camp
life/boredom.
3/7 D. B. Swartzendruber,
Miscellaneous
a. Teaching Certificates (DBS) August 13, 1897; March 10, 1898; and
August 15, 1898. b. School Souvenirs (DBS-teacher) 1897 & 1899. c.
Some Award card (mutilated) given by DBS. d. Marriage Certificate for
DBS & Anna Gingerich, December 16, 1900 (two copies). e. Three
versions of "The Name Swartzendruber: A Parable" by DBS. f. CPA
Building Permit, 1946, for DBS. g. Two newspaper clippings: "Olden
Memories, No. 11: A Fallen Hero" & "The Old Barn Made New." (Former
apparently no direct connection, latter is about a barn raising at Sam
B. Miller's). h. List of contributors to the Peter Miller Cemetery
Fund. i. Names and address of donors to the {J. D.?} Graber Ford Fund.
3/8 D. B. Swartzendruber, Guest
Book, 1908-20
3/9 D. B. Swartzendruber papers
3/10 W. H. Swartzendruber papers
3/11a Frederick S.
Swartzendruber, Pers. Corr.
3/11b Ramseyer Letter to Shem
Zook, 1861
(A letter from Ch. Aug. Ramseyer, Bern, Switzerland, to Shem Zook,
Mifflin County, Penn, USA, February 1, 1861, as copied by Jacob
Schwartzendruber. Letter includes comments on baptism and discipline,
as practiced by Mennonites and Amish in Switzerland.
3/12 Jacob F. Swartzendruber,
Pers. Corr.
3/13 Ressler-Gingerich Corr., 1902
Box 4 (Green)
4/1 Herald Readers to JFS, A-B
(1917-1919)
4/2 Heralds Readers to JFS, C-E (1917-1919)
4/3 Herald Readers to JFS, F-H (1917-1919)
4/4 Herald Readers to JFS, J-L (1917-1919)
4/5 Herald Readers to JFS, M-Mi (1917-1919)
4/6 Herald Readers to JFS, Mo-P (1917-1919)
4/7 Herald Readers to JFS, S-T (1917-1919)
4/8 Herald Readers to JFS, W-Z (1917-1919)
4/9 Selected envelopes (1917-1919)
Name and Subject Tracings
(Cross Reference Cards placed in Archives card catalog)
Amish Mennonites - Conferences
Amish Mennonites in Johnson County, Iowa Amish Mennonites in Somerset
County, PA Amish Mennonites (Old Order)
Chronology - 19th Century
Chronology - 1837
Chronology - 1886
Chronology - 1902
Chronology - 1917-1919 Herold der Wahrheit
Herald of Truth
Swartzendruber, Jacob F. 1851-1924
Swartzendruber family
Bundling 1/16
Weddings 1/16, 17, 19
Bender family ¾
Church Discipline 2/12
Formularies - Amish Mennonite 2/7, 8, 10
Gingerich family ¾
Guengerich, S. D. 3/13
India - Missions 3/13
Millennium 2/21
Nonresistance 1/17
Ressler, J.A. 3/13
Swartzendruber, Frederick S. Box 2, 3
Swartzendruber, W. H. 3/10
Women 1/20
Yoder family 3/3
May 3, 2004 / Reformatted by Kathryn
Yoder
October 1, 2001/ Inventory Listing, with annotations, typed into
computer by Krissy Moehling, and posted on Web Page. Introduction and
supervision by Dennis Stoesz
1999 / Name of Collection, and Name and Subject Tracings posted on web
page
1996 / Update on Shem Zook letter, 3/11b, by Dennis Stoesz
March 24, 1980 / Inventory of items #3/9 to #3/13 and Box #4 by Mary L.
Amstutz
June 28, 1978 / Processed and Inventory Listing by Sharon Klingelsmith
April 1978 / Scope and Content, and Annotated Inventory Listing by Joe
Springer, Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College
File "Hm1-144.doc"annotated
Mennonite
Church USA Archives - Goshe, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526 |