The Payette Independent
Friday, June 10, 1904
John C. Franz, who lived about one-half mile north of Payette, died suddenly last Saturday of heart failure. He was apparently in his usual health Saturday morning and had been attending to his customary work. He was carrying water to extinguish a fire in a nearby building when he was overcome and in about 10 minutes breathed his last.
Obituary
Elder John C. Franz was born in Germany April 7, 1848. He departed this life June 4, 1904, aged 56 years, 1 month and 27 days. He came to America when about four years of age and grew to manhood in Grant Co., W. Va., where he was married to Mary Ellen Corner. He united with the German Baptist Brethren church (Dunkard) in October 1870, and was an honored member, having been elected to the ministry about 30 years ago, and to the office of elder five or six years later.
He brought his family to Payette in June of last year, and while he seemed to enjoy his residence here, his heart often yearned for his childhood's home.
During all the years of his ministry he was unceasing in his effort to call sinners to repentance, and to feed the lambs and sheep of the flock, to the best of his opportunity and ability, and when the sad messenger came it found him with a partly prepared sermon he intended to deliver the next day. He was called from his study to help extinguish a fire when he suddenly felt he must go to the house and lie down, as he felt a chill coming on, and in less than ten minutes the living, gentle spirit had taken its flight to God who gave it. He leaves a sorrowing wife, a son and daughter, who have the comforting thought, that he was a faithful husband and a loving father, ever anxious to add to the childrens' comfort, and willing to sacrifice all pleasure to lead his family to a higher life.
His life is done and his works do follow him.
The funeral discourse was by Eld. J. U. G. Stiverson of Weiser, from Job 14:10-1? And John 5:28.The remains were then laid to rest in Riverside cemetery, to await the final call.
Mrs. Rose Snowberger.
New Plymouth Outlook
June 10, 1904
Brother John C. Franz was born in Germany, April 7, 1848, came to America when about four years of age, and grew to manhood in Grant county, West Virginia, where he was married, and united with the German Baptist Brethren church in October, 1870. He was elected to the ministry about thirty years ago, and to the Elder's office some five or six years later. Since then he has not ceased to warn the sinner to be prepared, and to feed the lambs and sheep of the flock to the best of his opportunity and ability, often going ten to fifteen miles on horseback, of a cold winter morning, to fill his appointment. He was a faithful husband and loving father, ever anxious to add to the children's happiness, and willing to sacrifice all pleasure to lead his family to a higher life. His life is done and his works do follow him. He departed this life June 4, 1904, aged 56 years, 1 month and 27 days.
About one year ago this Brother Frantz moved from West Virginia to Idaho, locating in the Payette Valley on the Toole ranch, north of Payette, but sold that again to Mr. Toole, and bought nearer to town. On last Saturday, after having worked all day, he sat down to prepare a sermon for the coming day, but did not prepare it. He died there suddenly. The shock seemed to be heart-rending to the family. He was an able counselor in the church, loved by all, and much respected by those outside of the church who knew him. In conversation with some of the best business men in Payette, we find that his record here was for good. One said, while passing the church door just one week before he died, he heard the Elder say, "We must rely upon the word of God." That was the last word he heard Bro. Frantz say. The impression made was one for good. I remarked to another business man that "He was taken with no warning." His reply was, "I know but few who needed it less." He said he had been in close touch with Bros. Frantz since he came to Idaho, in a business way, and found him as much disposed to do as he would wish to be done by as any man he ever saw, or could call to mind, and therefore, he thought Bros. Frantz needed as little warning of death to be ready for it, as any whom he knew.
While we feel and much regret the loss of Bros. Frantz, we are glad to know that his good works do follow him, while possibly to live to us would be Christ as a church, to die will be gain to him.
Monday at 10 a.m., Elder J.U.C. Stiverson, our Missionary of Weiser, Idaho, preached the funeral, and then our beloved Brother Frantz was conveyed to the "City of the dead," of Payette, and there given a habitation. He followed and "compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses." C. A. Williams
