The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-08-04
PASTOR GOES
TOH|SREWARD
Life of Rev. Fahs Ends
After Long Service
to the Church.

The venerable Rev. Joseph 8. Fahs
probably the Oldest minister of Stark
county and the eastern part of Ohio,
died at his late home at Col High
street on Sunday evening ati9:15. The
direct cause of death, according to the
attending physician, was peritonitis,
but his demise was hastened by his
extreme old age. The aged man had
been steadily falling in health for
some time, but his condition took
sudden turn for the worse on lSatur-
day. He had q remarkable constitu-
tion and remained conscious until Sum-
day afternoon. He had passed the 49,
year mark, and, Notwithstanding his
age until recently had been attending
to his duties as chaplain for the coun-
ty infirmary and workhouse. He was
a man of charitable disposition as
was shown during the agitation for
the building Of new woman's cot
labored earnestly for the passing Of a
bond issue for the erection of such
building.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. EN-
ma Fahs, and three daughters, Glenn
entine, Katie, and Lillian. Miss Katie
Fahs is at present at home on fur
Tough of year from India where she
has spent number of years as a mis-
sionary.
Rev. Fahs' parents were Moravians
and it was their desire that Rev. Fahs
should go to Jamaica. as a missionary
Rev. Fahs was of the opinion that
this was not his field so he accepted
the pastorate of small Lutheran
church at Hancock Maryland. Here
he worked so hard that his health
broke down after three months and he
was compelled to take prolonged va
cation. While at Hancock he frequent
ly rode as high as 40 miles day
preaching four sermons He was next
called to Stevensburg, Virginia, where
he was able to serve for eight months,
when his health again failed. After
recuperating he accepted call to a
church in the mountains o. Lycoming
county, Pennsylvania, and remained
in charge there for three months. His
next charge was at Williamsport, Pa.
where he built UP church which had
but So members to one of the largest
in the city. He next assumed the pas
torate of st. Johns church at Allen
town, Pa, where, according to his
own statements, he did the greatest
work of his life. The membership Of
the congregation was increased from
so to 400 members and about 100000
was spent in church improvements.
Rev. Fahs afterward became pastor of
the Trinity Lutheran church in Ak
ron, In 1872, and in the ten years OF
his administration, increased the
membership from so to 300. After
that he took up a country charge COM
posed of a circuit of Uniontown, Cairo
and the Wearstler churches, where he
worked faithfully for fourteen years.
In 1896 the Stark county commission
ers established a chaplaincy at the
workhouse and infirmary and Rev.
Fahs was induced to accept it. Rev.
Fahs for years conducted services at
the workhouse every Sunday morning
and at the infirmry every alternate
Sunday afternoon.
On October rs Of last year Rev.
Fahs celebrated the fiftieth anniver-
sary of his ordination as a preacher
He was born in York, Pa, where two
brothers and one sister now reside.
The funeral services will be held
at Trinity Lutheran church on We'd
nesday at 3:lo p. I'm. Rev. DR.. Hall
the pastor will be assisted by Rev. q
C.. Smith of Canton and Revs. Nelfer
of Dayton, and Meekling, ,of Lancas-
ter, o. The remains will be taken to
York, Pa on Wednesday night for in
terment. There will be no services al
the late residence OF the deceased. BY
special request and according to the
wishes Of Rev Fahs, friends are re-
Quested to omit flowers.