Katherine Krouth 1846-1929

KROUTH, EELCHORN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 2/1/2019 at 09:57:30

21 November 1929 - West Branch Times

Death came unexpectedly to Mrs. Katherine Krouth, a pioneer of Gower township, early Tuesday morning, when she passed away at the home of her son, Joseph W. Krouth, who resides on the old home farm. Mrs. Krouth was apparently in her usual health when the family retired Monday evening, but when they entered her bedroom Tuesday morning, they found her peacefully sleeping for eternity.

Born in Germany, April 6, 1846, Mrs. Krouth was past eighty-three years old. Her husband has been dead many years and she is survived by four sons, Joseph W. Frank, Gordon and Grover Krouth.

Funeral services will be held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Krouth, with burial in the West Branch cemetery.

28 November 1929 - West Branch Times

The death of Mrs. John C. Krouth removes another of the pioneers from the community. For nearly seventy years Mrs. Krouth has been a resident of Johnson and Cedar counties and for most of that time has lived adjacent to West Branch.

Few there are living today who have seen the many changes our sister has seen. From a pioneer county with all its attendant hardships and privations she lived to see earnest and diligent effort result in the achievement of success and comfort.

Born in Alsace Lorrain, France, on April 6, 1842, she was the youngest of three girls in a family of six children. All the other members of this family are now at rest in the quiet of the grave.

Her father and mother, Jacob and Kate Eelchorn, emigrated to America when Catherine was but six years old. The family settled in what is now the city of Philadelphia, and it was while living here that Catherine received her education, and her adjustment to the new life of this Western world. She married at the early age of 16 and became the wife of John C. Krouth, who immediately took his bride with him to the western state of Iowa which was calling many adventurous souls at that time.

Four sons now living of a more numerous family that came to the home of these early settlers, they are Jos. W., at whose home our sister has lived for the past four years, and where she succumbed to the call of old age on Tuesday evening, Nov. 19, at the ripe age of 83 years. The other three children are Frank A., Gordon C., and Grover S.

There are also 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

For a large period of her life, Mrs. Krouth has been a member of the Presbyterian church. She united with this church at West Branch, and when it ceased to exist there, she transferred her membership to the church at Iowa City, where it still remains.

She was a woman of many friends, although the best of them had gone on to the other shore. When one's husband, children and many loved ones and friends has passed, one was sure to be lonely at times for the sound of the voice which was still. We mourn at her death, but realize that life held few charms for her. The good Book says, "He giveth His beloved sleep." We think that our dear sister is just resting until that glad day when she will awake in His likeness.

To the children and loved ones who mourn her going at this time we extend our sympathy and the consolation of the faith in which she lived and in which she died.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Krouth, conducted by the Rev. H. D. Green of the Methodist church. Interment was made in the family plot at West Branch.