Andrew J. Neuenschwander (1888–1972)

Rev. Andrew J. Neuenschwander

4 Nov 1888 – 19 Apr 1972, born at Berne (Indiana), died at Fort Wayne

Christopher’s great-grandfather · ancestor no. 14 · generation 4
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

• Parents: Jacob C. Neuenschwander (1848–1921) and Elizabeth Stauffer (1855–1919)
• Spouse: Bessie Sprunger (1889–1964)
• Family notes: Andrew J. Neuenschwander + Bessie Sprunger (m. 1917)
• Children in this vault: Ruth S. Neuenschwander (1922–2017)

Life and evidence

Born in Berne, Indiana, ‘a son of Jacob C. and Elizabeth Stauffer-Neuenschwander’; listed in 1907 as ‘Andrew, who is at home’. Married Bessie Sprunger 2 Sept 1917. Bluffton College and Witmarsum Seminary. Pastorates: Apostolic Mennonite (Trenton, Ohio), First Mennonite (Philadelphia), First Mennonite (Upland, Calif.), Swamp Mennonite (Quakertown, Pa.), Hope Mennonite (Columbiana, Ohio). Lived many years at Wadsworth, Ohio. General Conference vice-president; field secretary of the Young People’s committee and Publication Board. Died at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Where they lived

• 1888 — Berne (Indiana)
• 1922 — Philadelphia
• 1961 — Columbiana

In their lifetime

• 1940 — 1940 MCC relief in Vichy France
• 1941 — 1941 Civilian Public Service begins

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n43760171["Catharina Fuhrimann (1782–1853)"]
  n76406417["Anna Fuhrimann (b. 1788)"]
  n55158319["Andrew J. Neuenschwander (1888–1972)"]
  n55383694["Elizabeth Stauffer (1855–1919)"]
  n40303151["Christian Stauffer (1802–1892)"]
  n65809041["Verena Habegger (1822–1894)"]
  n65348362["Christian P. Neuenschwander (1812–1884)"]
  n29539368["Anna Maria Lehman (1825–1886)"]
  n93744326["Jacob C. Neuenschwander (1848–1921)"]
  n20060805["Peter Lehman (1782–1861)"]
  n36423068["Johannes Neuenschwander (1776–1838)"]
  n55158319 --> n93744326
  n93744326 --> n65348362
  n65348362 --> n36423068
  n65348362 --> n43760171
  n93744326 --> n29539368
  n29539368 --> n20060805
  n29539368 --> n76406417
  n55158319 --> n55383694
  n55383694 --> n40303151
  n55383694 --> n65809041
  class n43760171,n76406417,n55158319,n55383694,n40303151,n65809041,n65348362,n29539368,n93744326,n20060805,n36423068 internal-link;

Conflicts

• Birth 4 Nov 1888 (newspaper, Find a Grave, SSDI) vs 4 Dec (The Mennonite) — prefer 4 Nov
• Death Wed 19 Apr 1972 (MWR, Find a Grave) vs 20 Apr (The Mennonite)

Sources

• Find a Grave
• MLA Biograph Wiki
• Snow - History of Adams County Indiana (1907)
• Sprunger Genealogy (1973)
• Decatur Daily Democrat, Apr 21, 1972, via Find a Grave 54926939
• MLA obituary

Mennonite Life, October 1947

Minister of West Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown, Pa., from 1934, and secretary of the General Conference Home Mission Board. Source: Internet Archive full-text sweep (2026-10-31).

Narratives and research

• History: 1940 MCC relief in Vichy France, 1941 Civilian Public Service begins, Faith traditions
• Governments: United States
• Sources: Find a Grave, MLA Biograph Wiki, Snow - History of Adams County Indiana (1907), Sprunger Genealogy (1973)

Open questions

• Birth 4 Nov 1888 (newspaper, Find a Grave, SSDI) vs 4 Dec (The Mennonite) — prefer 4 Nov
• Death Wed 19 Apr 1972 (MWR, Find a Grave) vs 20 Apr (The Mennonite)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.