Johann Nicolaus Klaus, 1911 Obituary

KLAUS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 10/21/2004 at 20:00:07

I translated the following obituary from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. The exact date of this obituary’s publication is not known, but it appears to be early May 1910. I have not changed the name or place spellings. Any information in brackets or notes at the end is my own explanation. It reads as follows:

Johann Nicolaus Klaus

Grandfather Klaus is no longer. Since the 2nd of May, he has been enclosed by the dark grave, and in sad remembrance this paper is dedicated to our honest fellow-countryman.

Johann Nicolaus Klaus was born on 6 August 1819, and that was in Elscheidt in the Rhine Province of Prussia. Accordingly, he had reached the age of almost 91. In 1839, he entered the Prussian military service with the 31st Rhenish Infantry Regiment. That was at a time when flintlock rifles were yet in use, which he still could recall quite well.

There is no doubt that the deceased was the oldest Prussian soldier in our state. [Johann] Nicolaus Klaus immigrated to America on a sailing ship in 1849 and went to Ohio, where he remained until 1868. He then came to Iowa and was steadily occupied as a farmer. Since 1886, he had lived in Breda with his son Nicolaus, who provided a carefree home to his elderly father until the time of his death.

The deceased was a good and amiable man, and after he had been prepared with the Last Rights of his Catholic Church, he stared his approaching death right in the eye like a brave soldier, and when the Angel of Death drew near to his death bed to demand his soul, the shadowy rustling of his wings did not frighten the brave soldier, because the righteousness of his character banished any fear of death.

His wife predeceased him 1884.

Two sons, Nicolaus and Peter, as well as 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, mourn his death. Although Johann Nicolaus Klaus may be dead, we will not forget him, and will preserve his loving memory.

May he rest in peace.

NOTES: The obituary may refer to Ellscheid, a small town about 30 miles southwest of Koblenz, but it is uncertain.