Arnold Heinrich Schrad and Maria Schrad, 1900 Obituary

SCHRAD, WILMHOF

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/18/2005 at 12:13:25

I translated the following obituary from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on Friday, 27 April 1900. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Arcadia

[Arnold Heinrich and Maria Schrad]

On Wednesday, the 18th of this month, Mr. Arnold Heinrich Schrad, who lived five miles southeast of here, passed away at the age of about 75 years. The deceased first saw the light of the world in Kirchspiel, Steinfeldt, Oldenburg, on the 25th of November 1825. Forty-five years ago he married Miss Maria Wilmhof. This happy marriage produced five children, namely three boys and two girls, although the latter two died in childhood in the old homeland. In 1871, he immigrated with his family to the United States, where he first settled near Petersburg, Delaware County, Iowa. In 1881, they came to Carroll County, and here he acquired a 160-acre farm which he operated until the end with his unmarried son Joseph. Last Saturday, the deceased found his final resting place in the St. John’s Cemetery. He was highly regarded by his neighbors and by all who knew him. He leaves behind a grieving widow and three grown sons who all live in the area, namely: Herman, Heinrich, and Joseph. May he rest in peace.

“Papa Schrad” did not have to remain lying alone in the cemetery for long. After the funeral, his dear life’s companion, who had kept vigil at her husband’s side day and night after he became ill, took to her bed never to leave it again living. She passed away, having received the Last Rights of the Catholic Church, at one o’clock Monday afternoon, and today she was laid to her final rest at the side of her husband. Peace to her ashes. We join the entire community in extending our deepest sympathy to the deeply mourning surviving sons.