Louis Eltgroth, 1893 Obituary

ELTGROTH, GUILLAUME

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 10/21/2004 at 21:21:47

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, 16 August 1895. I have not changed the name or place spellings, and have added some information in brackets and notes at the end. It reads as follows:

Kath. Eltgroth

The Demokrat herewith fulfills its unpleasant and sad duty to report the sudden death of the widow Kath. Eltgroth, the mother of our long-time and loyal co-worker John Eltgroth. Cerebral apoplexy brought her life to a sudden and unexpected end. After the deceased had taken dinner in the company of her sons on Wednesday evening, and had taken care of some house chores, she sat down behind the house and spoke for a time with a neighbor woman. Since it began to get cool, she told the neighbor woman that she wanted to go back into the house with her, but the neighbor woman departed to go home. She had hardly gone through the garden gate when she was called back by the deceased. Remarking that she suddenly did not feel well, she hurried with quick steps to the neighbor woman, fell in a faint into her arms, and her body was overcome with shaking. She was taken immediately to bed, and Dr. Kessler was quickly summoned. He, however, determined that mortal assistance was useless since she had been suddenly afflicted by cerebral apoplexy. The last words that the good woman spoke were, “O Gott! Ich muss sterben. Jesus! Maria! Joseph!”

Mrs. Kath. Eltgroth was born in Luxemburg, Germany. On 9 April 1872, she married Louis Eltgroth, who predeceased her on 26 February 1893. This true Christian marriage produced five sons, one of which died in childhood, and one boy died several years ago due to a fall from a tree. Three sons mourn the painful loss of their dear mother: John, our co-worker for many years at the Demokrat; Nickolaus; and Anton.

The deceased was a true Christian woman, highly esteemed by all her acquaintances, who have the deepest sympathy for the survivors.

The funeral will proceed from the house of mourning on Saturday at 9:00 a.m., and upon arrival at Saints Peter and Paul Church the Rev. Father Nacke will perform the funeral ceremony.

NOTES: The Carroll cemetery record for Katherine Eltgroth states 1850-1895.