OUR GRANDPARENTS DAVID UNRUHS

Our Grandfather David Unruh was born the 2nd day of February, 1824 in South Russia. Our Grandmother Helena Unruh, was a Voth and was born the 12th day of October, 1828 in South Russia. They were married in 1849. Grandfather was a farmer but he also did some carpenter work. He died at an early age of 38 years, 7 months and 1 day on the 3rd day of August, 1862. Our dear Grandmother, 34 years old, and 6 daughters, of these the oldest was 12 years and the youngest 1 year, were left to mourn his early death. Our dear grandmother married a second time. She married John Unruh. In 1874 they were also in the great exodus of the Mennonites of South Russia to the United States America. They went through the hard experiences of the pioneer years. It was a great shock to them, when on the 28th day of November, 1877 her youngest daughter Eve came to a sudden death. About 6:00 A.M. she got up made fire in the stove and went for a pail of water. It was cold and snow on the ground. The water was drawn up by a rope and the frame was low. Marks at the well proved that she had slipped, lost her balance and had fallen head first into the well. The well was 60 feet deep and her death must have been instant. She was 15 years old when she died. This was very hard for our Grandparents, but hardest for Grandmother, who was much concerned about her daughters salvation. There was at that time in the neighborhood an old lady who died but a short time after this accident. One day when she lay awake on her bed, Eva Unruh appeared at her bedside and told her to tell her mother, that the blows had not hurt very bad. She was in a good place and would have it better later on. This was a great comfort for grandmother. Grandmother died August 17, 1906 at the age of 78 years, 2 months and 9 days.