Helena Baumhover, 1909

BAUMHOVER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 9/7/2004 at 22:37:07

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, 19 March 1909. I have not changed the name or place spellings. Any information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Helena Baumhover

Mrs. Helena Baumhover died Saturday at her home in Kniest Township from pneumonia, which she contracted a few a few days before her death.

The deceased was born in Germany, and as a 16-year-old girl she came with her parents to New York, where her parents died. At that time, she dedicated herself to nursing and worked for many years as a nurse in a New York hospital. She still could recall vividly the days when wounded Civil War soldiers were assigned to her hospital. She later came to Dubuque, where she kept house for Rev. Heimbucher. When the latter was transferred to Mt. Carmel, she also moved there in the same capacity. In approximately 1876, she married Mr. Heinrich Baumhover in Kniest Township, who predeceased her in July 1904. Likewise, her son Joseph died in June 1906. The deceased is survived by five children, three sons and two daughters.

The funeral took place on Thursday at St. Mary’s church in Mt. Carmel, and her earthly remains were laid to their final rest at the side of her deceased husband in the Catholic cemetery.

NOTES: I am reasonably certain that Helena Baumhover was the second wife of Heinrich Baumhover, one of the founders of Kniest Township.