Wilhelm Pietig Obituary, 1908

PIETIG, SPIEKER, BRINCKS, DULTMEIER, POLLMANN, POLLMAN

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/23/2004 at 14:07:59

I translated the following obituary from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. The obituary was originally published on Friday, 25 September 1908. I have not changed the name or place spellings, and any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Wilhelm Pietig

On Thursday the 17th of September, Wilhelm Pietig died at the hospital in Clarinda following a long illness.

The deceased was born in Rolfzen, County of Höxter [Hoexter], Westphalia. He immigrated to America in 1870, and settled at first in Jasper County, Iowa. A few years later, he moved to Carroll County and settled on a farm in Pleasant Valley Township, where he had lived since then. In 1873, he married Miss Elisabeth Spieker. This marriage produced 10 children, namely four sons: Fritz, Joseph, John and Wilhelm; and five [should be six] daughters: Maria (Mrs. Henry Brincks), Elisabeth (Mrs. Henry Dultmeier), Theresia, Anna, Veronika, and Katharina. The last preceded her father in death.

He is also survived by his wife, and two brothers, John Pietig of Carroll Township and Anton Pietig in Germany, and a sister, Mrs. Maria Pollman of Wilmont, Minnestota.

Seven years ago, the deceased suffered a sunstroke, as a result of which his mental abilities became impaired. After careful medical treatment, however, he recovered and for several years was physically and mentally healthy. But a few years ago, the symptoms of his old illness returned, and his condition worsened to the extent that it was necessary to move him to the institute at Clarinda. Last week, his brother Johann and the family of the deceased had made all necessary preparations to bring him home again, since his medical condition seemed hopeless and his death close at hand. However, he died shortly before the trip could be undertaken. The body was brought here on Saturday and, with a great number of people in attendance at the local Saints Peter and Paul Church, he was laid to his final rest on Monday.

May he rest in peace.