Esmerelda Becker

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-359755
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-141860
• Occupation: 1885, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; tailor
• Occupation: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tailor
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical
• Residence: 1901, Aldborough Twp., Elgin Co., Ontario

Notes:

Large Funeral For Rev. Becker
Many Friends and Ministers From Distant Centres Pay Their Last Respects

Hundreds of friends and relatives and almost 40 ministers from all parts of Ontario attended the funeral service in Elmira on Monday afternoon when final tribute was paid to Rev. E. D. Becker former Evangelical minister here, who died at Arnprior last Thursday. The church was crowded to capacity and an amplifier was placed in the basement of the church to take care of the overflow attendance.

The service was held first at the Dreisinger Funeral Parlor, where the family, near relatives and ministers of the Canada Conference assembled. Rev. G. F. Barthel of Kitchener read the Scripture Lesson, Rev. W. J. Zimmerman of Bridgeport offered prayer and Rev H. A. Kellerman of Waterloo brought words of comfort in behalf of the ministers of the conference.
The body was then taken to Zion Evangelical Church, where the service continued under the direction of Rev. C. H. Cornwell. The congregation sang a favorite hymn of Mr. Becker's, entitled "In the Cross of Christ I Glory." Rev. E. H. Bean of Hanover read the Scripture lesson, after which the choir sang " Asleep in Jesus." Rev. S. R. Knechtel of Kitchener, under whom Mr. Becker began his ministry, led in prayer. The ministers present then sang another favorite hymn in the German language " Freudenfoll, Freudentfoll sille ich Fort."

Rev. Emil Burn of Zurich, a lifelong friend, gave the funeral sermon and preached eloquently. It was indeed a wonderful tribute to his close friend and fellow-worker. "Come Spirit, Lead Me" was a ladies' octette beautifully sung by the Bricker sister. Rev. J. P. Hauch of Stratford read the biography and added words of appreciation and comfort. The congregation then joined in the singing of the hymn, "There's land that is fairer than day."

Rev. Albert Clemens of Hamilton concluded the service at the church with prayer. Interment was in the Elmira Cemetery where Rev. C. H. Cornwell and Rev. H. A. Kellerman officiated.

Emil Dahlman Becker, son of the Reverend Carl August and Helena Becker was born in Naunburg, New York State, October 8, 1865. At an early age he moved with the family to Glasboro, New Jersey, where he began his primary education. From there the family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he continued his education in the grammar school. When 15 years of age the family came to Canada, locating in Preston, where his father ministered to the German Reformed congregation in Preston and New Hamburg. After several years the family returned to the United States, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, but the young man stayed in New Hamburg, Ontario, where he learned the tailering business.

In 1886, he was united in marriage to Sarah Catherine Umbach, daughter of the late Rev. Joseph and Elizabeth Umbach.
During the ministry of the late Rev. Christian Staebler he was converted and united with the Evangelical Church in New Hamburg.
He became very active in the life of the church, becoming a teacher in Sunday School, leader in young people's work and was elected Sunday School Superintendent. The definite call to enter the ministry came under the pastorate of Rev. D. Kreh and during the year 1891 on recommendation of the New Hamburg congregation he was received into the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association and licensed to preach.

He began his ministry in New Hamburg as an assistant to Rev S. R. Knechtel, serving also the congregations at Zorra, Lingelbach's and Wilmot Centre. The following years 1893 and 1894, he assisted at Sebringville and Fullarton. Following this he served at the Colborne circuit serving congregations in Hullet and Colborne townships. During many years his ministry he has served the following churches and congregations, including those mentioned above, Golden Lake, South Algoma, Wilberforce and Killaloe for three years; Rodney and Alboro, three years; Hespeler, one year; Normanby, serving congregation at Alsfeldt, Ayton and Clifford, four years; Port Elgin and Bruce, five years; Crediton, five years; Mildmay and Carrick, five years; Hanover, four years; Elmira, Woolwich and Floradale, five years; Arnprior, over one year.

During hiss entire life he had been remarkably free from sickness, which fact enabled him to labor uninterruptedly with great vigor of body and strength of mind. His voice was one of his great assets. Exceedingly fond of music and singing, he led out with his voice at every service of worship and during numerous evangelistic campaigns he would lead the singing, preach and pray with great power and ferver.

During his ministry he not only conducted his own revival campaign but assisted his brethren in the ministry quite frequently. Some of these services lasted from two to nine weeks, the one on the Normanby circuit continuing during the entire winter. Hundreds upon hundreds of people of all ages were added to the church as a result of these campaigns.

His last illness began more than two years ago but he gave no indication of his trouble to any one. Only when pains became unbearable did he see assistance. He suffered the most intense pain during last summer and was taken to the Civic Hospital in Ottawa during the first week in August and remained there for eight weeks.

Everything was done that could be done to make him comfortable but the nature of the disease brought no relief. Thus through pain and suffering his spirit was being made perfect.

He leaves to mourn his departure; his loving companion in life, Sarah; his one daughter, Mrs. Essie Johnston of Galt; his three sons, Charles Harrison of Morrison, Illinois; Eden M. of Arnprior and Gordon E, of Hanover; four grandchildren, Virginia, Frances, Paul and Kenneth Becker of Morrison, Illinois; one sister, Lydia White of Cincinnati; one step-brother Albert of Jacksonville, Florida, one step-sister, Meta Becker of Florida and many other relatives.

A memorial service was held in Arnprior on Friday evening, the following ministers taking part in the service: Rev. W. O. Hayne of Pembroke, Rev. L. H. Pletch of Golden Lake, Rev. J. S. Burn of Pembroke, Reverends J.J. Rich, David Zimmerman, Thomas McAfee and John MacDonald, all of Arnprior.

A source of great comfort and help during his illness were the great number of messages of cheer which he received from friends all over the province and which gave him courage to fight on.

Thousands of people came under his ministry. A man of remarkable conviction he threw himself into his work and followed his convictions wherever they led him.

In the words of St. Paul it might be said of him "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Among the ministers present were: G. F. Barthel, Kitchener; E. H. Bean, Hanover; W. E. Beese, Tavistock; J. E. Bender, New Hamburg; G. F. Brown, Mildmay; Emil Burn, Zurich; A. Clemens, Hamilton; C.H. Cornwell, Elmira; J. B. Dengis, Kitchener; W. Y. Drier, Milverton; W. A. Durst, Shakespeare; N. R. Ernst, Clifford; J. D. Penner, Port Elgin; J. H. Granzebach, Morriston; G. L. Gross, Auburn; A. G. Hallman, Roseville, Ont.; J. P. Hauch, Stratford; W. S. Henrich, Roseville, Ont.; C. R. Krauth, Gowanstown; H. A. Kellerman, Waterloo; H. H Leibold, Sebringville; A. E. Pletch, New Hamburg; N. H. Reibling, Cambden; W. M. Sippell, Crediton; A. F. Stoltz, Elmwood; A. W. Sauer, Dashwood; L. H. Wagner, Listowel; W. J. Yager, St. Jacobs; W. J. Zimmerman, Bridgeport; E. E. Hallman, Kitchener; S. R. Knechtel, Kitchener; J. G. Litt, Waterloo; W. Meyer, Waterloo; Rev. Caleb Harris, Hamilton; John Long, Louisville, Ky.; Rev. J. A. Schmitt, Kitchener.

Emil married Sarah Umbach Mar 1885. Sarah was born 1866, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-359754
• Residence: 1891, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical