View source for Hartzler, John J. (1845-1936)

John J. Hartzler, bishop of the [[Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church (Garden City, Missouri, USA)|Sycamore Grove (Missouri) Mennonite Church]] (Mennonite Church) for more than 40 years, was born 3 May 1845 in [[Mifflin County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Mifflin County]], Pennsylvania, died 11 August 1936, at the age of 91 years, the son of Abraham and Magdalene (Zook) Hartzler. When he was nine years old his parents moved to northern [[Indiana (USA)|Indiana]] and later to [[Michigan (USA)|Michigan]], where he grew to manhood. He was married to Magdalene Mast 25 February 1872 in [[Elkhart County (Indiana, USA)|Elkhart County]], Indiana. Eight years later he with his family of four children moved to [[Cass County (Missouri, USA)|Cass County]], Missouri, near Garden City, where he resided the remaining 56 years of his life.

Hartzler was converted when a young man, and united with the [[Amish Mennonites|Amish Mennonite Church]]. In 1894 he was ordained bishop in Cass County, Missouri. Besides his home congregation he had charge of churches in [[Johnson County (Missouri, USA)|Johnson County]], [[Hickory County (Missouri, USA)|Hickory County]], and Vernon County, Missouri. He also helped to organize churches in [[Arkansas (USA)|Arkansas]], [[Oklahoma (USA)|Oklahoma]], and [[North Dakota (USA)|North Dakota]]. He was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, yet his work took him into many homes. He officiated in 82 marriages, and baptized over 300 persons in his home community and quite a number in other churches, and also officiated at a number of ordination services.

He was a farmer all his life. In [[Missouri (USA)|Missouri]] he purchased a small farm and always supported himself and his family, and was always ready to sacrifice his time and service. In his early ministry his preaching was all in German, but he lived through the transition to English language, and in his later years preached in the English language.

Two of his sons were bishops (Mennonite Church): [[Hartzler, Chancy A. (1876-1947)|Chancy A. Hartzler]] of Tiskilwa, Illinois; Joseph D. Hartzler of Flanagan, Illinois. He is buried in the Clearfork (Missouri) cemetery.
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