ZWEYGARDT, Johann
The State Gazette 28 March 1933
From Kansas St. Francis March 16
The deceased was a son of David and Dorothea Zweygardt, née Reule, and was born on October 23, 1856 in Hoffnungstal in southern Russia, where he was baptized on the fifth day after his birth in the village church in the name of the Triune God.
Here in Hoffnungstal he spent his youth years under the care of God-fearing parents and was educated in discipline and admonition to the Lord. After completing his education he was confirmed in April 1870 and on January 27, 1882 he entered into holy matrimony with Katharina Bader, which union was blessed in Nesselrode by Pastor Becker from Hoffnungstal. The marriage text was taken from the words of the 127th Psalm: "Where the Lord does not build the house, those who build it labor in vain; where the Lord does not keep the city, the watchman keeps watch in vain".
Here in Nesselrode he also established his own household, which was blessed with eight children, five boys and three girls. Three boys and one daughter preceded their father into eternity.
In November, 1901, he came to America with his wife and five children and settled here in Cheyenne County, Kansas. Through diligence and thrift and God's gracious help, he acquired a home here also and raised his children as only a Christian father can do.
On March 3, 1912, after a long illness, the Lord took his beloved wife to him. Under the faithful care of his children and daughter-in-law, he was able to spend the last years of his life well cared for.
His treasure was God and His Word. The Salem community, of which he was a co-founder, was very close to his heart.
On Monday, March 13, at 2 o'clock in the morning, the Lord let his weary servant gently and quietly pass away and ushered him in to see what he believed to be here.
He left three brothers and two sisters, namely Gottfried Zweygardt in Zeva, S.D. (?); Ludwig Zweygardt and Jacob Zweygardt, as well as Katharina Raile here in St. Francis, Kansas, and Mrs. Margaretha Schönemann in Los Angeles, California.
Two sons and two daughters, namely Johann and Wilhelm Zweygardt; Mrs. Katharina Raile and Mrs. Elisabetha Walter, together with eleven grandchildren.(To these we extend our heartfelt condolences. - Editor).
Two brothers and sisters were unable to attend the funeral due to distance and certain circumstances.
The funeral text was John 12, 36, about which Pastor D. B. Zeilinger spoke serious and comforting words to us.
The time of his life amounted to 76 years, 4 months and 20 days. It was a large funeral procession, which could be noticed in our spacious church, which was filled to capacity. Six brothers, sons of Ludwig Zweygardt and nephews of the deceased, who are our brothers-in-law, acted as pallbearers.
