Manassas Sarff (1832 - abt. 1923)

Born 16 Oct 1832 in Polk County, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Ann (Shelley) Sarff — married about 1854 in Randolph County, Indiana

Descendants

Died about Dec 1923 at about age 91 in North Dakota, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Judy Schuur [send private message] and Dale Sarff [send private message]

Biography

Sources

• "Minnesota, State Census, 1875," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKNB-HF6 : accessed 18 May 2015), Manassas Sarff, Hartford, Todd, Minnesota; citing p. 82, line 29, volume T - W, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 0565729.
• Bob Schoonover (RBobJim@aol.com)

I have in my possession the newspaper obituary for Manasses Sarff that was published in the Eagle Bend paper: (No date)

Death of Manasses Sarff

Manasses Sarff, one of the oldest pioneers of Todd County, passed away at the home of his daughter at Fargo, N.D. last Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the ripe old age of 91 years. He was the last of a family of 11 children, 10 brothers and 1 sister. Since the death of his wife five years ago he has made his home with his children. A few weeks ago he went to Fargo for a visit with his daughter, and there he died from an attack of pneumonia and complicated by the infirmities of age.

Deceased was born in Polk County, Penn., Oct 16, 1832. When a small lad he moved with his parents to the state of Ohio and at the age of six years came with his parents to Indiana where he grew to young manhood and was married Oct. 16, 1853 to Miss Sarah Shelly. To this union fourteen children were born of whom ten survive him. Mr. Sarff lived in Indiana until the year 1870. That year accompanied by the Joseph Sutton and Johnson Sutton families they moved by team from Indiana to Todd County, settling on a homestead in Ward township, 3 miles north of Browerville. He left there in 1881 coming to Eagle Bend and bought a farm where the village of Eagle Bend now stands. In this community he has lived for the past 42 years.

Mr. Sarff was a man of sterling character. His word was his bond. He took an active part in all local matters in the early days, holding many public offices, including town clerk and school clerk. He served eight years as County Commissioner and was a justice of the peace for 24 years. He also served as assessor for the entire county, covering the territory by foot. To him was accorded the honor of naming this village and he chose its present name from the bend in Eagle Creek which at that time was a much larger body of water. Always an active and conscientious Christian the first church services and Sunday school in this community were held at his home. A typical pioneer and woodsman he contributed much for the good of this community and the community owes much to these rugged and sturdy men who entered the then wilderness and commenced the present prosperous communities.

He leaves besides hosts of friends, ten children: Jacob Sarff of Browerville; Will J. Sarff of Bemidji; John W., Ezra, Ellsworth, Erwin Sarff and Mrs. Walter Osborn of this place; Mrs. E. D. Allee of Bovey, Minn; and Mrs. R. T. Wood of Fargo, N.D., and Peter Sarff of Waskish, Minn., to mourn his death.

The funeral was held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the M. E. Church, Rev. A. W. Rosness conducting the last sad rites. The throng that packed the church and followed the remains to their last resting place was evidence of the esteem in which he was held. Interment was in the Odd Fellows cemetery beside his wife. Another old pioneer has been laid away, but his memory shall long remain in this community. The sorrowing children are extended sincere sympathy in their bereavement.