Joachim Schwemm

SCHWEMM, BUCHHOLZ

Posted By: Jane (Downing) Ernst (email)
Date: 1/21/2012 at 21:56:42

Grandfather Joachim Schwemm

Joachim Schwemm was born on 31 in December 1833 in Sterbitz, Province of Brandenburg, where he was also baptized and confirmed. In August of 1862 he emigrated to America and first came to Barrington, Cook County, Illinois, where he remained for about 5 years. Here he also appeared in that year and that on 7 December in the holy state of marriage to Wilhelmine Buchholz. After a period of five years, he turned to the State of Iowa, Bremer County and made his home (just in the neighborhood of our church here at Siegel), and he has not left since then this place of residence. In 1902 he moved with his wife into the small house opposite the parsonage, which would serve him another 17 years to the home. Here he was allowed to rest himself from the heavy pioneering work of earlier years and a peaceful and quiet retirement was granted here in the vicinity of the church from God. A high point in this period was the golden wedding celebration of the circle of children and grandchildren on 7 December, 1912. The eight children are offspring of a very happy marriage, who all have their homes here in our vicinity with the exception of one son. The assumption was among the founders of this church, the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul community of Siegel, and he is the last of that small number of beginners, all preceded him in death. For about three years it was no longer possible to visit the house of God, because of his frailty. So often, however, the Eucharist was celebrated at his house table. God has granted him a long and lingering illness at his bed of pain, many prayers ascended to the God of all grace. In recent weeks, his strength declined rapidly. He died on 27 September at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, reaching the age of 85 years, 8 months and 27 days. A grieving widow, 8 children, 25 grandchildren and one brother mourn his death, which, although not unexpected, but still too early. The funeral took place on 30 September with a large participation.
Predigtert: Isaiah 26.20. The departed was a devout Christian who sindlichem faith in his Savior and be separated by anything from him. In unwavering loyalty he has held until his death in his God and Savior, and carried his cross with patience. The Lord grant him the blessed rest and let perpetual light shine to him, the grieving survivors ends, the deeply-afflicted widow insonderheit lonely now but he met with the consolation of his Holy Spirit.

(German text - Transcribed from the Waverly Phoenix Newspaper dated 10/8/1919)