Like not wanting a good novel to finish, I wish Jim Hartlines
transcriptions didnt have to wrap up. A couple weeks ago I found the
following obituary for Catherine Mock Fashbaugh, the mother/mother-in-law
mentioned so often in the letters.
From the Gospel Messenger, Jan. 5, 1901, p. 14:
FASHBAUG.--At
the home of her daughter, in the Bethel church, Milford,
Kosciusko Co., Ind., Dec. 7, 1900, of old age, Sister Catherine Fashbaug,
aged 88 years, 4 months and 18 days. She was born in Bedford County, Pa.,
August 20, 1811. When six years old she with her parents, moved to
Tuscarawas County, Ohio. She was married to Jacob Fashbaug in 1830. Four
sons and six daughters were born to them. Her husband, two sons and four
daughters preceded her. She united with the German Baptist church about
forty years ago, and has lived a faithful member until death. Services by
Bro. Daniel Rothenberger.
Chauncey I. Weybright.
The Gospel Messenger is a good source of obituaries for individuals who
were connected with the Brethren Church (German Baptist, Tunkers,
"Dunkards"), which had (and has) several large congregations in Kosciusko
County. Published beginning 1883, the Gospel Messenger described itself as
"the recognized organ of the German Baptist or Brethrens church."
Unfortunately it does not seem to be readily available in major libraries.
The Brethren Archives in Eligin, IL. has copies or mircofilms of all issues
(as well as of an earlier but less comprehensive publication, the Gospel
Visitor). They have also produced an index of all the obituaries which is
over 3700 pages long and contains cross listings by all surnames mentioned
in each obituary. There are plans to eventually make the index available
on CD ROM, but for now it may only be available in Elgin (or perhaps at
some of the Brethren colleges like Manchester College in North Manchester,
IN). See the website at
http://www.cob-net.org/fobg/library.htm for
further information about the Brethren archives.
Phil