Cornelius H. Jansen

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-147778

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• Interesting: story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-61525
• Residence: 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

CORNELIUS JANSEN OF BEATRICE, NEB.

We may say truly "In the midst of life we are in death. Our aged brother, Cornelius Jansen, of Beatrice, Nebraska, with whom many of our readers have had the privilege of a personal acquaintance, departed this life suddenly on the 14th of December. He was buried on Sunday afternoon Dec. 16th at the Mennonite church, west of Beatrice, where a large concourse of people were gathered to pay to him the last tribute of love and friendship. The funeral sermon was preached by Pre. J. H. Zimmerman, who read on the occasion the following sketch of his life:
The deceased who lies cold in death before us, and whose remains we expect soon to consign to the keeping of mother earth until the resurrection morning, is our dearly beloved brother in the faith Cornelius Jansen, son of brother Daniel and sister Anna Buhler Jansen. He was born in Tiegenhoff, West Prussia, on the 6th of July 1822, where he also received his education.
His mother died when he was 10 years of age. When he arrived at maturer age, he was, at his request baptized, in Tiegenhagen, by bishop Peter Reiger.

During his earlier years he visited Russia, where there were large settlements of Mennonites. On his return to Prussia he married his surviving companion, Helene V. Riesen of Schidlitz, near Dantzic, who, then a youthful maiden, is left to-day a deeply sorrowing widow. The marriage ceremony was likewise performed by Bish. P. Regier.

In January 1850, they in company with two sisters removed to Berdiansk, Russia. The journey as was customary then was made with teams, from whence however on account of the threatening Crimean war, they returned to Prussia in the fall of 1852. They took up their residence for the time being in Schidlitz, but afterwards purchased a farm near Elbing, which they soon afterwards sold to Jos. V. Riesen, and in 1856 again moved to Berdiansk. Sister Anna Riesen accompanied them and continued with them as a faithful member of their household and companion. Bro. Jansen continued in Berdiansk for 17 years, and during this time was engaged in buying and selling grain and farming.

When about the year 1870, the new military law, which made it incumbent on all denominations to do military duty and by which the Mennonites as well as some others, which had hitherto been exempt, were about to lose the privilege of exercising their religious convictions without restrictions, which they had hitherto enjoyed, it also deeply and painfully affected our deceased brother. Convinced of the truth of the Gospel of peace and filled with an earnest devotion to the same, he freely and fearlessly bore testimony to the Word of the Lord on this subject and in accordance with 1 Pet. 3: 15 was always ready to give a reason for the hope within him.

By his earnest activity to this direction he soon drew the attention of the authorities upon himself, to such an extent that in April 1873 an order was issued by the Royal Cabinet ordering him to leave the Russian dominion within a very few days.

This was both for our brother and his family a severe trial, --these were days of sorrow, which put their faith to the severest test; but a kind heavenly Father who permitted the trial to come, gave them also grace and strength sufficient to faithfully endure it. When our dear brother in later years related the scenes and experiences of those times, as he often did, (and loved to do it) he did it with a certain expression of joy and gratitude toward God, that he was permitted, according to Eph. 1: 6, to be made worthy of the praise and the glory of His grace wherein He has made us accepted in the beloved.

In consequence however of a special favor manifested towards him by the authorities a respite of several weeks was granted, during which time he was permitted, on May 4th 1873, to celebrate with his companion the 25th anniversary of their marriage, and the day of their departure from Berdiansk was deferred until sometime in the month of June. Their objective point was North America, but on the way they embraced the opportunity to spend about a month in Prussia, their early home, to visit relatives and friends before the final departure to the place that was destined to be their future home. While there they made their home with Jos. V. Riesens.

They made their journey via England and arrived in Waterloo county, Ont., on the 10th of August 1873. Here he settled his family in the town of Berlin while he made a number of trips through different parts of the West, North-west and South-west, in order to choose a proper place of settlement both for himself and for the brethren who intended to follow him later. After remaining with his family in Berlin a year he removed with them to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he remained for about two years for the purpose of affording his younger children the opportunity of a good school which they could there enjoy.

During this time the Lord sent them severe afflictions, in taking from them by death their eldest daughter, Margaret. He left Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on the 16th of Nov. 1876, and came to Beatrice, Neb., where he since lived. It was with genuine joy that he met here his beloved brethren in the faith and especially the aged brother and bishop, Gerhard Penner, of whose household, he had in his younger years, for a time, been a member. Bro. Penner at this time was already suffering with bodily afflictions.

Here in Beatrice our dear Bro. led a retired, quiet life, consecrated unto the Lord. He took an active interest in every effort for the promotion of Christianity, and the upbuilding of the cause of Christ, and the church of which he was a member.

For some time the evidences of advancing age had manifested themselves. He complained of continued dizziness, especially during the last days of his life. Otherwise he felt reasonably well, so that on the last day that he lived, he in company with his wife took a drive to his son-in-law, Aaron Klaasens. Soon after his return he complained of cold and feeling unwell, and soon after became unconscious, and the signs of death became apparent. The physician could only alleviate the sufferings without being able to give permanent relief. He died at half past one o'clock on the morning of Dec. 14th, aged 72 years, 5 months and 8 days.

We believe the Lord called him home from this life of faith to the glorious light of the children of God, from the imperfect life to the glorious perfection of those who see as they are seen.

In many respects he had an eventful life, and as he cast a retrospect over it he ever rejoiced in the grace his divine Master ever permitted him to enjoy.

He leaves a deeply sorrowing companion, three sons, two daughters, one son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, sixteen grand children, and many friends who deeply mourn his death.

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 2 Tim. 4: 18.

After the friends had taken leave of the remains, just as the last rays of the sun were sinking in the west our brother was laid into his last resting place and with kindly hands covered with the clods of the valley.

He was in the full sense of the word, "A noble man." His motto was, "When all men forsake thee, the Lord will keep thee." Let us all honor his memory by faithfully trying to imitate his good and noble example.

The writer was personally acquainted with Bro. Jansen and family, traveled with him many days and enjoyed with him a number of pleasant visits, and a good deal of correspondence. It was with deep regret that we heard of his sudden death and we extend our hearty sympathies to the sorrowing family. May God bless and comfort them in their bereavement, and give them the blessed hope of a happy meeting beyond.

Transcribed by Terri Harper, Utah.
HERALD OF TRUTH , Vol. XXXII, No. 2, January 15, 1895 - p. 29, 30, 31

Cornelius — Helene vonRiesen. Helene was born 1 Dec 1822; died 1 Dec 1897, Beatrice, Gage, Nebraska, United States; was buried , 1st Mennonite Church Cemetery, Beatrice, Gage, Nebraska, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Helene Jansen
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-73392
• Residence: 1873, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Janzen, Helene. - Helene Janzen, geb. von Riesen, am 1. Dezember, den Morgen ihres 75. Jahrestages, in Beatrice, Nebr., Witwe des verstorbenen Br. Cornelius Jansen, früher in Berdiansk, Rußland, nach kurzem Leiden an Unterleibkrankheit. Die liebe Verstorbene hatte einen großen Kreis Freunde und Bekannte auch unter den Andersgläubigen in Beatrice und stand in hocher Achtung unter denselben; sie war eine rege und thätige Magd in Weinberge des Herrn, wo sie sich zu schaffen machte, wenn es galt dem Nächsten Liebesdienste zu erweisen. Ihr Zeugnis von der Welt beschränkte sich nicht nur auf Thätigkeit in unserer äußeren Mission, wo sie gar manche Stunde unseres Missions-Nähvereins beiwohnte, sondern sie war auch bestrebt mit Wort und Werk, wo es galt die schädlichen Einflüsse von Saloon und Tabak zu bekämpfen. Die "Woman's Christian Temperance Union", sandte eine Delegation, welche sich der Begräbnisfeier im Sterbehause anschloß, woselbst Rev. C. S. Dudley eine englische Leichenrede hielt, die von zahlreichen Freunden und Bekannten, der Verstorbenen angehört wurde, trotzdem ein empfindlich kalter Schneesturm draußen wehte. Br. J. H. Zimmermann hielt die Leichenrede in unserm Gotteshause, 3 Meilen West, in deutscher Sprache über den Text: Offenb. 14, 13: Die Beerdigung fand auf unserem Friedhofe statt, der unserer Kirche angrenzt, woselbst die Verstorbene zur Seite ihres vor kurzen Jahren vorangegangenen Gatten in dem Schoße der kühlen Erde gebettet wurde, dort zu schlummern dem großen Tage entgegen, wenn der Herr einst wieder Kommen wird beim Schalle der letzten Posaune, zu richten die Lebendigen und die Toten.
(CBB 16 Dec 1897 p. 8)

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Janzen, Helene. - Helene Janzen, b. by Giant, December 1, the morning of her 75th anniversary, in Beatrice, Nebr., widow of the late Br. Cornelius Jansen, formerly in Berdiansk, Russia, after a short suffering from abdominal disease. The dear deceased had a large circle of friends and acquaintances, even among those of other faiths in Beatrice, and stood in great esteem among them; she was an active and active maidservant in the vineyards of the Lord, where she was tormented when it was necessary to render love to the neighbor. Her testimony of the world was not limited to activity in our outer mission, where she attended for many hours of our missionary sewing society, but she also endeavored with word and work to combat the harmful influences of saloon and tobacco. The "Woman's Christian Temperance Union" sent a delegation who joined the funeral service at the Death House, where Rev. C. S. Dudley delivered an English funeral oration that was greeted by numerous friends and acquaintances to whom the deceased was being heard, despite a cold, blizzard blowing outside. Br. J. H. Zimmermann delivered the funeral oration in our house of God, 3 miles west, in German over the text: Offenb. 14, 13: The funeral took place in our cemetery adjoining our church, where the deceased was laid in the lap of the cool earth beside her husband, who had passed shortly before, sleeping there to face the great day when the Lord once again The sound of the last trumpet comes to judge the living and the dead.
(CBB 16 Dec 1897 p.8)