John Herr (1781 - 1850)

Born 18 Sep 1781 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Groff) Herr — married 7 Apr 1807 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States

Descendants

Died 3 May 1850 at age 68 in Welland County, Canada West

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Biography

Reverend John Herr was the founder and Bishop of the Reformed Mennonite Church.

Genealogical Record of Rev. Hans Herr, by T. W. Herr: #494.

John Herr was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on 18 September 1781. He was the son of Francis Herr and Fanny Barr. ^[1]

On 7 April 1807, John Herr married Elizabeth Groff, daughter of John Groff and Anna Forrer. ^[2]

John Herr died on 3 May 1850 while visiting brethren in Humberstone, Ontario, Canada, 20 miles west of Buffalo, New York. The cause was inflammation of the lungs. ^[3] He was buried in the village cemetery in Williamsville, New York, near Buffalo, after a service at the Reformed Mennonite meeting-house there. In 1856, his body was exhumed and reburied in Longenecker's Reformed Mennonite Cemetery in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ^[4] His gravestone in Lancaster reads, "John Herr, Bishop. Died May 3, 1850, Aged 68 yrs. 7 mos. 15 dys. Faithful and true in the vineyard of God, his life was dedicated to Christ and his Word." ^[5]

A death notice was printed in the Lancaster Intelligencer on 21 May 1850: ^[6]

We learn from the Examiner, that the reported death of the Rev. John Herr, of this county, has been confirmed. It took place in Canada, fourteen miles from Buffalo, on the 3d inst., after an illness of six days from inflammation of the lungs. He was interred in Williamsville, Erie county, N. Y. He was in the 68th year of his age—and was the founder and bishop of the New or Reformed Mennonite Society, to the building up of which he had devoted many years of his life.

John Herr, of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, signed his will on 2 May 1850 in Humberstone, Welland County, Ontario. It was proved in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on 27 May 1850. The main provisions of the will were: ^[7]

• To his son Benjamin G. Herr, two parcels of land in Strasburg Township, one of 50 acres and the other of 40 acres.
• To his son John F. Herr, 110 acres in Strasburg Township.
• 110 acres in Bart Township, Lancaster County, to be sold.
• Support was provided for his wife, Elizabeth Herr, and his daughter, Fanny Herr, during their natural lives.
• He also provided for his other children: Mary, wife of Christian Herr; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Daniel Musser; Ann, wife of Henry Frantz; Martha, wife of Dr. Jacob H. Musser; and Neomy Herr.
• Executors: "My friends Doctor Daniel Musser and Christian Herr of West Lampeter Township" in Lancaster County. They were to be "exempt from all moneys that cannot be collected without the assistance of the Law."
• Witnesses: Abraham Herr and Christian Frantz.

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogical Record of Reverend Hans Herr and His Direct Lineal Descendants, by Theodore W. Herr, 1908, page 29, person #494.
2. ↑ Genealogical Record of Reverend Hans Herr and His Direct Lineal Descendants, by Theodore W. Herr, 1908, page 29, person #494.
3. ↑ 1850 US Census Mortality Schedule, Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, page 387, line 17. FHL film #102889824, image 919 of 1239.
4. ↑ A History of the Reformed Mennonite Church, by Wilmer J. Eshleman, 1969, page 22.
5. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #80378316 for Bishop John Herr, buried at Longeneckers Reformed Mennonite Cemetery, Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA.
6. ↑ The Lancaster Intelligencer (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), 21 May 1850, page 2, column 4. newspapers.com
7. ↑ Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Will Book U, pages 890-892. FHL film #005534209, image 454 of 558.

See also:

• "Herr, John (1782-1850)" Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
• A History of the Reformed Mennonite Church, by Wilmer J. Eshleman, 1969, pages 15-18, 21-22.
• A Biographical History of Lancaster County, by Alexander Harris, 1872, pages 294-306.