OBIT: Harry Milton GELNET, 1930, Springs, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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HARRY MILTON GELNET

Assessor Gelnet's Books Are Closed
Passing of Popular Citizen and Beloved Minister of Springs Mennonite Church

  SPRINGS, Dec. 23 - A gloom was cast over this community on Saturday morning 
about 7 o'clock when it was learned that Harry Milton Gelnet passed away in the 
Hazel McGilvery Hospital in Meyersdale, after having been operated on for 
appendicitis the Tuesday previous.
  Harry M. Gelnet, son of Samuel J. and Mary Ann Gelnet, both deceased, was born 
at Rockton, Clearfield County, Pa., July 1, 1865. He was, therefore, 65 years, 5 
months and 19 days old at his death.  On Oct. 19, 1892, he married Mary 
Elizabeth Otto, who, with two daughters, Elva Grace (Mrs. Ed Kolb) and Twila 
Edith, at home, survive; also five grandchildren, one brother, Austin, in 
Scottdale, and two sisters, of this notable family of twelve - six sisters and 
six brothers, only three are left.
  At the age of 20 years Harry Gelnet was baptized and became a member of the 
Mennonite Church.  Dec. 28, 1887, he was ordained as a minister in the Rockton 
Mennonite Church.  He was admitted to Casselman Valley district in 1893.  Thus 
for 43 years he faithfully discharged his duty as minister.
  G. D. Miller, M. B. Miller, Roy Otto, Chester Helmick, Robert Dayton and 
Charles Walls, all ministers of like faith, served as pall-bearers at brother 
Gelnet's funeral.  S. G. Shetler, of Davidsville, and J. A. Ressler, of 
Scottdale, conducted the funeral services.  Mr. Gelnet was held in high esteem 
as evidenced by the presence of more than 500 people at the funeral services.  
He followed the carpenter trade until the autumn of 1907 when he had the 
misfortune of losing his right arm.  He later got an artifical arm and did more 
and better work than many with two good hands.  For several years he served Elk 
Lick Township as assessor, with ability, and on Friday, Dec. 12 last, he 
finished his last assessment and turned his papers over to the proper 
authorities in Somerset.  He was by virtue of his office probably better known 
throughout the township than any other citizen of the township.
  At the close of church services his was the hearty handshake, always waiting 
at the door for you.  His place will be hard to fill.
  Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were his brother, A. B. 
Gelnet, and daughter, from Scottdale; Mr. and Mrs. William and Norman Taylor, Du 
Bois, a nephew and niece; Lawrence Gelnet, Nanty-Glo, and Sherman Booth, 
Brownsville, nephews; Mrs. Ed Wilson, a sister, Du Bois;  W. O. Gnagey, 
Morgantown, W.Va., Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Zigler, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Gardner and 
daughter, Margaret, Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd Otto and son and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin 
Otto, all of Somerset.

Meyersdale Republican, December 25, 1930