Sylvester Thelen 1841-1910

THELEN, NIELAND

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 6/13/2010 at 14:26:03

The Carroll Times
Carroll, Iowa
8 Dec 1910
Page 12

Pioneer Passes Away

This community was somewhat suprised last Friday morning to learn of the death of one of its pioneers, Sylvester Thelen. He had been sick for some over a week with bowel trouble, but for a time seemed to be recovering, and on last Friday morning at about 4 o'clock he breathed his last. He was one of our early settlers and had endured the struggles of pioneer days and by steady and hard work he acquired the farm north of town, where he passed away.

Sylvester Thelen was born in Germany on January 12, 1841, and passed away December 2, 1910, at the home of his son, Peter, with whom he had made his home for the past seven years since the death of his wife, and was therefore 69 years, 10 months and 2 days old at the time of his death. At the age of 8 years he was bereft of his parents. He was united in marriage in Germany and at the age of 26 years he emigrated to this country and located in Mills county, near Council Bluffs, where he remained for 10 years, and in the spring of 1877 he came to Carroll county, about a mile east of the present homestead, and in 1878 he purchased the farm on which he passed away. He was bereft of his wife on January 23, 1903, who passed away at the age of 72 years.

He leaves to mourn his death, three sons, Peter, of this place; John, of near Mt. Carmel; Anton, of near Auburn, and one daughter, Mrs. Ben Nieland, of Luxemberg, Minnesota, who was the only one not present at the funeral, being unable to attend. Besides his children, he leaves one uncle, John Thelen, of this place.

He was a devout member of the Catholic church and well fortified by the last sacraments to meet his eternal master. The funeral services were held from St. Bernard's church Monday at 9:30 and after a solemn requiem mass the remains of the deceased were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery, beside the remains of his wife. A large crowd of friends followed the remains to the last resting place. Peace to his ashes.

(Contributor Note: Headstone for Sylvester Thelen provides a birth year of 1842.)