Rev Jacob Dirks

Jacob Dirks was born September 24, 1864 in Oustoge, Poland Russia. He died of old age and complications at his home near Halstead, Kansas November 6, 1945, aged 82 years, 1 month, 13 days.

When ten years of age, he with his parents, emigrated to America, settling in Harvey County, Kansas. Not long after arriving in America he was bereaved of his parents and forced to face the hardships of the settlers of those pioneer days, working wherever he could find work until he moved on the farm which he finally bought and where he lived most of his life.

On October 19, 1890 he was joined in marriage to Eva Koehn. To this union nine children were born of whom one son and one daughter preceded him in death. In December 1933 his life's companion was taken to be with the Lord.

Survivors: four sons and three daughters; Carl, Menno, John and Mrs. I. B. Decker of near Halstead; Henry, Rich Hill, Missouri; Mrs. Abe Decker of Parsons; Mrs. Jake Smith, Fairview, Oklahoma; 37 grandchildren.

Services were held at Grace Mennonite church November 11. Burial was in the Halstead Cemetery.