STAADT, Anton 1821-1902

STAADT, VERVER, VERWER, VERMER, WEBB

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 11/17/2015 at 22:14:46

Note: The first couple of paragraphs & other portions of the obit were very blurry, making it difficult to accurately transcribe the words.
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Obituary
Anton Staadt was born at Bittburg, Prussia, Jan. 7, 1821, and died at his home in Postville, Iowa, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1902, aged 81 years and 11 months.

He was [illegible] of a family of twelve children (11 boys and 1 girl) who with their parents moved to Trier, Prussia, when still in his youth, and in which [?place] he received a common school education, afterward being sent to one of the leading colleges of Paris where he attained a higher education and took a several years course in chemistry.

Becoming informed of the opportunities offered in the new world, he bade the Fatherland farewell and sailed for America, landing in New York City, March [?10], 1851, where on Sept. 15, 1851 he was united in marriage with Pauline Verver [?Verwer or Vermer]. In June 1852 they located on a farm near Sheboygan, Wis., where they remained until March of 1854, when they came to Iowa, settling on a farm a few miles northeast of Postville, where they resided for a number of years, after which Mr. Staadt engaged in the drug business at Conover. This venture not proving satisfactory he disposed of his interests there and returned to Postville, where in 1865 he opened in the drug business and has been continuously so engaged here since, taking an active part in the management and conduct of the same up to the day preceding his death.

His wife died Jan. 3, 1890.

Mr. Staadt was the father of two sons, Anton and Godfrey. The former died in Milwaukee many years ago, and the remains were removed from there last spring and reinterred in the family lot in the Postville cemetery. The later has always resided in Postville and for a number of years past has been associated with his father in business.

To Anton Staadt the summons came as he had often expressed the wish they might - suddenly and without a note of warning. Arising as usual last Sunday morning, he repaired to the toilet room to prepare for breakfast, and just as he was about to wash, he was heard to fall and cry for help. Hastily responding the family found him trying in vain to rise to his feet, but a stroke of paralysis had rendered his left side helpless and [illegible] he was never again to rise. He was assisted to bed and medical aid summoned but he was past all earthly help and at four o'clock in the afternoon the soul of this grand old man was wafted home to God.

After having passed more than the [?allowed] three score years and ten he has gone to his reward, mourned by all who knew him. His life throughout has been honorable, upright and honest. His acts of kindness have made smoother [illegible] pathway for many. His splendid selflessness has been a staff of strength [illegible] few. His life's pathway was [illegible] by many a thorn, yet he faced all bravely and silently, and the world his sufferings never knew.

Mr. Staadt served on the town council for a number of terms during the earlier years of the town's incorporation, and for many years was treasurer of the Masonic lodge, of which fraternity he has long been an honored and respected member.

For more than 35 years Anton Staadt had been a business man of Postville, the pioneer in a business way, and during all those years none ever knew him to be otherwise than honest in highest degree. And while he loved his mother country, he was an American of the highest degree. As a member of his family for a number of years we knew his sterling worth, and shall never forget the many acts of kindness he has shown to us. And with a heavy heart we say good bye, dear friend, and hope we may meet him at the Great White Throne.

The funeral was held from the German Lutheran church in this city on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 10th, conducted by Rev. E. Bockelman, Rev. T.M. Higginbotham and the Masonic fraternity. Interment in the Postville German cemetery.

The large attendance of sorrowing friends present at the funeral speaks plainly of the high esteem in which he was held. The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful.

Card of Thanks
We hereby wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many friends for their acts of kindness and words of sympathy during the illness and after the death of our beloved father, Anton Staadt.
G. Staadt & family

~Postville Review, December 12, 1902, page 4

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Mr. and Mrs. John F. Staadt and children and Fred Staadt arrived from Pomona, Kansas, Tuesday noon, being called here on the sorrowful mission of laying to rest their aged uncle, Anton Staadt. They will remain here for several days yet, visiting at the home of Mrs. Staadt's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Webb, and greeting their many former friends.
~Postville Review, December 12, 1902, page 1

Note: His gravestone in the Postville cemetery has the year 1903 instead of 1902. It is clearly incorrect, since the obituary & related articles appeared in this 1902 newspaper. The obit was also published in other county newspapers in 1902.

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Added by Joy Moore 1/30/2020:

Source: Decorah Republican Dec. 18, 1902 Page 3 Col 1

DIED —On the 17th inst. Anton Staadt, a resident of Postville since early in the fifties, died, aged 82 years. For thirty years he had been in the drug trade.