Rahn, Rev. Frederick

Reverend Frederick Rahn
Nov. 7, 1847-June 9, 1926

Death ends long service career for Rev. Rahn
Former Pastor had served St. John’s 29 years.
Came to Niles back in 1888
Had retired from Ministry since 1917.

Rev. Frederick Rahn for 29 years pastor of St. John’s Evangelical church, died Thursday afternoon at the family home at 604 Sycamore Street, the immediate cause of death having been a stroke of apoplexy which he suffered early Thursday morning.

Long a sufferer form heart trouble, Mr. Rahn had many severe attacks within the last few years, and on Wednesday morning at 4:30 o’clock he suffered such an attack. On Thursday morning after the stroke of apoplexy, about 7 o’clock, he lapsed late, unconsciousness and died at 3:45 without regaining consciousness.

Frederick Rahn was born on November 7, 1847 in Biedenkof state of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, having been the youngest son of J.C. and Anna Marie Rahn. He attended his father’s school up to 1870 when the family emigrated, and located in Chicago. In January 1875, he entered Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill, and five years later after successfully passing the theological examinations was ordained a minister of the gospel in July 1880. After substituting for the sick pastor, Rev. Paul Von Schbeiths of Portsmouth, Ohio, for three months he entered his first regular field taking charge of the Evangelical Peach Church in Pomery, Ohio.In the following year she was married to Miss Mary Durat of that place. Six children were born to them, of whom one died in infancy.In 1883, Rev. Rahn answered the call of the First Evangelical church of Portsmouth, Ohio. A few weeks prior to his moving there the church edifice had been destroyed by fire. The restoration of the edifice was immediately begun and soon the congregation occupied a new church home. A severe attack of neuralgia forced him to terminate his work, there in 1885, and he located again at his former field in Pomeroy. Until 1888 he continued his work there when he accepted a call from St. John’s Evangelical Church, Niles.

When he entered upon his duties in Niles, he found his church still indebted to a former pastor to the amount of $500. Within a short time this indebtedness was paid, and immediately the erection of a new and more adequate edifice was decided upon. On December 17, 1899, the new building was appropriately dedicated. Five years later the last dollar of indebtedness was paid. Immediately steps were taken to replace the old organ with its seven stops by a more suitable instrument. In a few months even this had been accomplished when the new organ with 20 stops and 1018 pipes was installed and a few months later the final check was forwarded to the Barckhoff Organ Company of Pomery, Ohio.

The membership of the church increased rapidly, so that when in 1908 the church issued its first manual and year book the statistics revealed a membership of 190 families and 57 individual member, The Ladies Aid society numbered 117, the Circle of mutual Help, 32, the Sunday School and an enrollment of 185, the young peoples society numbered 90, and The Brotherhood, 42, and the choir had 17 members.

In 1917, Rev. Rahn resigned on account of ill health and moved into his home opposite the church, where the family has since resided. By his own testimony he gladly did what he was able to do and he unreservedly submitted to the master’s call which came yesterday.Rev. Rahn is survived by  a widow, five children and one brother. The children are, Ernst J. Rahn, Las Animas, Colo., Fred W. Rahn of Indianapolis, and Miss Amanda, Albert and Miss Claudine, all of Niles. The brother is Rev. Ernst Rahn, of Chicago.

While during his residence in Niles, Rev. Rahn’s time was mostly occupied with church activities never less he was deeply interred in civic affairs. He was a member of the Niles Library board from the time of its organization until two years ago when he resigned on account of ill health, and was a member of the board when the present public library was built.

A man so closely associated with the life of the community for some many years in the relationship of pastor and congregation of citizen and community, and friends and neighbor, to such a degree as Rev. Rahn need no eulogy his life and work begin its own eulogy but the many friends and acquaintances which he had made through these associations, deeply sympathize with the family in their loss. Although he had retired on account of ill health, he was active until he was stricken with his last illness, and he continued to interest himself in the affairs of the city, and visit the sick and sorrowing among those who he and formerly served as pastor for so many years.

The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the home, and will be private. Rev. L. J. Kling of Three Oaks, will officiate, and Rev. G. W. Webbink and Rev. H.T. Scherer will assist in the services. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery. In accordance with an expressed which of Rev. Rahn, friends are requested to omit flowers. The body may be viewed at home on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4 o’clock.