Henry Holtzman,
Father of J.L. Holtzman
Henry Holtzman Obituary
"Our dear brother Holtzman was born July 12, 1818 in Niedersebach, Alsace of Germany. In 1838, as a youth, he emigrated to America, where he arrived in Buffalo, settled a few miles from there, and became an apprentice black-smith. He continued to carry on this trade until he became a preacher of the gospel. From Buffalo he traveled to Canada in Wilmot Township. At the age of 23 he joined in holy matrimony with Christina Linhard, living with her for forty years of happy marriage. This union was blessed with seven sons and five daughters. One son preceded him in death. When in 1846 he was on a return trip to the old homeland, his conscience was for the first time truly stirred during the course of a severe storm on the ocean. I should at this point rehearse his own words as I have them before me in his diary: "I was standing on the upper deck, having nothing in my hands except the main mast. That is when I realized my sin, and, oh, what a terror seized me! My conscience condemned me to the lowest hell. These passages of the Bible which I could still recall put me in terror and the fear of hell; there I was standing; I could not escape. I thought ahead and I thought back; I wept; I prayed and the terror of death brought me to the point of making a covenant with my god that, should he bring me back to land, I would improve my way of life and serve Him." But this covenant was broken after my happy reunion with my mother and brothers and sisters (father had already died). I returned to America.
Subsequent to this experience the Spirit of God continued to work on his spirit, until at last in 1851 he made a living conversion to God. His conversion was sound and brilliant. Soon after he was moved to preach the gospel to his fellow men. After much prayer and serious consideration, he dedicated himself to the Lord entirely, and offered unquestioned obedience to His call. He obtained a certificate of permission to preach the word. In 1856 at the time of the conference in Clinton, Canada, he was accepted into the plan of travel and preached the Gospel with success for 25 years.
The following fields were served by brother Holtzman during the time of his service: In 1856 New Hamburg circuit; thereupon Waterton circuit; after that Saugeen mission, which presently comprises the districts of Carrick, Normandy and Hanover and the missions of Port Elgin and Mildmay: all of them in Ontario, which at that time included Hay District, Crediton Station and Matiland Mission, also Elgin, Mission, part of the Grove New York District. Further Rainham, Morrison, Carrick, St. Jacob, Smith Creek, Alboro, Logan. At the lage location he concluded his labor in the Lord. The sermons of brother Holtzman were marked by unction, by being evangelical, plain and powerful. At times they were sprinkled with a bit of humor. But never did he forget the sacred seriousness which marks a true servant of Christ. He was not given to be facetious. Rather it was his determination to impress his people with the practical side and application of of the evangelical doctrine. In this his own practical experience stood him in good stead. His praying and singing sere serious. Once could notice that it was not a matter of being some thing artistic or simply acquired.
His labor in the Lord was usually crowned with success and many sinners were roused and converted. Though he has not passed on, his memory is warm and blessed with many.
On Sunday September 4, brother Holtzman once more preached three sermons. His texts were 1Chronicles 29:9 and Isaiah 43:2. According to the reports of many, these sermons made an especially deep impression on his hearers.
On Tuesday, September 6, he was taken ill with "Cholera Morbus" which caused his death after 5 days of suffering. The majority of his children no longer found him alive. But theirs is the joyous hope of reunion. Brother Holtzman reached the age of 63 years, 1 month and 28 days.
On the way to one of my appointments I stopped in to see him and found him unexpectedly ill. He was in great pain, and yet he was comforted by being submissive to the will of his God. When compelled to leave him on Saturday morning, I said to him: "Brother Holtzman, the Lord will soon deliver you and take you home." "Yes, I hope so," he replied.
"The funeral took place on September 13, 1881. Brother Schwandt was in charge of the ceremony at the house. Brother Theo Hauch opened the service at the church. After that I addressed a large gathering, basing my remarks on Rev.14:13 and Dan.12:3. Following that, Brother S.N. Meyer spoke to the assembly in English. After the service the body was taken to the Carrick Cemetery, accompanied by a large procession. Later that afternoon another service was conducted at the church at 10 Con. Carrick where a large gathering had assembled. Brother F. Meyer, S. Weber and W. Schwandt ovviciated there, while Brother H.G.G. Schmidt took care of the rites at the graveside. In him the Canada Conference has lost a faithful laborer. Our sister had suffered the loss of a faithful and tender husband. His children are bereaved of a loving father. (biography by C A Spies)
A story was told to me by Henry's great granddaughter Edwina Pross. Edwina's grandmother, Rebecca Holtzman Winer told her, while walking to church with the family, she had stopped to pick a flower. Looking up at her father she asked if she could put the flower in her hair. He said, "No, if you put the flower in your hair, I won't be able to preach."