View source for Unruh, Tobias A. (1851-1947)

Tobias A. Unruh: a minister of the [[Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (CGC)|Church of God in Christ, Mennonite]]; was born on 18 June 1851 at [[Karolswalde (Rivne Oblast, Ukraine)|Karolswalde]], Poland, son of Abraham Unruh (ca. 1828, Volhynia - 1887, USA) and Eva (Schmidt) Unruh (b. ca. 1832). He married Elisabeth Jantz (9 September 1850, Karolswalde, Volhynia - 18 May 1940, Galva, Kansas, USA) on 27 September 1870 in Karolswalde, Volhynia. She was the daughter of Johann Jantz (6 October 1825, Ostrog, Volhynia - 20 September 1908, Ringwood, Oklahoma, USA) and Anna (Ruediger) Jantz (28 September 1829, Ostrog, Volhynia - 1 July 1909, Ringwood, Oklahoma, USA). Tobias and Elisabeth were the parents of eight children: Heinrich, Anna, Peter, Nettie, Helena, Susie, Abraham, and John. On 6 September 1947, at the age of 96 years, he was laid to rest in the [[Lone Tree Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (Galva, Kansas, USA)|Lone Tree]] cemetery, near his home church, the place of his [[Baptism|baptism]], [[Ordination|ordination]], and most of his work.

In 1876, with several young children, Tobias and Elizabeth immigrated to America, settling in [[McPherson County (Kansas, USA)|McPherson County]], Kansas. The severe trials of pioneer life in America caused him to search the Scriptures for comfort, and because of his added knowledge of the Word he was chosen for the ministry. Nevertheless his severe spiritual struggles found no release until he acknowledged Christ and experienced the new birth. He was baptized in 1881 by Benjamin Schmidt and became a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. In 1882, a year later, he was ordained to the ministry by [[Holdeman, John (1832-1900)|John Holdeman]], thus becoming one of the early ministers of the denomination. The glow and fervor of his new experience remained with him throughout his life and ministry. Much of his time was spent in itinerant preaching and intensive evangelism. For many years he served as an elder, and often officiated at ordinations.
= Bibliography =
GRANDMA (The <strong>G</strong>enealogical <strong>R</strong>egistry <strong>an</strong>d <strong>D</strong>atabase of <strong>M</strong>ennonite <strong>A</strong>ncestry) Database, 5.00 ed. Fresno, CA: [http://calmenno.org/index.htm California Mennonite Historical Society], 2006: #282857.
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[[Category:Persons]]
[[Category:Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Ministers]]