Koth, Joachim 1824-1896

KOTH, BUCKMAN, SEBASTIAN, LEONARD, TANNER, WEISZ

Posted By: Gary Sheffert (email)
Date: 3/10/2006 at 19:51:01

Died

At McGregor, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Buckman, May 11th 1896, JOACHIN KOTH, aged 71 years, 11 months and 19 days.

Mr. Koth was born in Schwerin, Mecklenberg, Germany, June 4th 1824. He was united in marriage to Miss Wilhemina Weisz Sept. 20th 1852. Mrs. Koth did on the 22d of last August and her remains lie buried in the Monona cemetery. Their companionship covered a period of 43 years, the pioneer period in this northern portion of the state, fraught with many changes, and amid scenes which only the early settlers were acquainted with.

In 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Koth came to America, landing at Galveston, Texas, thence to New Orleans, where they remained until the following spring when they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining in that city one year when they came to Iowa, which has since been their home. Nine children were born to this union, all of whom mourn the loss of devoted parents:-Mary, Mrs. H Buckman, of McGregor; William, Minnie B., Mrs. C.E. Sebastian, and Herman, of Monona; Ema L., Mrs G. E. Leonard and Bertha L. Mrs F. Tanner of Winnepeg, Manitoba; Henry F., of Ricevile, Iowa; Fred H., and Tillie M., of Garner, Iowa.

Mr. Koth early became a member of the German Lutheran church, in which faith he was a devoted member and an exemplary Christian. As a man among men, and as a citizen, he was true to every obligation and faithful to every duty. Those who best knew him speak only in words of praise of his life and character.

Last week he visited Monona returning to McGregor on Friday. Though not feeling rugged and strong no thought was entertained that his end was so near. On Monday morning he was obliged to take to his bed, and at 12 o'clock, noon, he breathed a last farewell, a short spell, in which the inner thermometer was rapidly beating its last and final stokes, the end a calm peaceful passage into eternity.

The funeral services were held yesterday. A short service at McGregor by Rev. Urbach pastor of the German Presbyterian Church of McGregor. Following this impressive service the Walter Family Band rendered in beautiful strains of music, "Nearer My God To Thee." The remains were then conveyed to Monona, where public services were held in the M.E. church, Rev. S. S. Smith and Rev. Urbach delivered the funeral addressess the latter in German and the former in English. The singing was by the M. E. choir.

There were many elegant and richly laden floral gifts from friends and from the sons and daughters: Easter Lilies and Carnations from Winnepeg, Canada; a Pillow of Clotilde and Superb Roses from Dubuque; Wreaths, Anchors, Boquets, Harps of Roses, Lilies and Snow-Balls from McGregor.

The service concluded the funeral cortege wended its way to the Monona Cemetery where the remains were deposited in the grave by the side of her with whom he had gone hand in hand for forty-three years.

The poet aptly illustrates:
Husband and wife! no converse now ye hold,
As once ye did in your young days of love,
On its alarms, its anxious hours, delays,
Its silent meditations and glad hopes,
Its fears, impatience, quiet sympathies;
Nor do ye speak of joy assured, and bliss
Full, certain and possessed. Domestic cares
Call you not now together. Earnest talk
On what your children may be moves you not.
Ye lie in silence, and an awful silence;
Not like to that in which ye rested once
Most happy-Silence eloquent, when heart
With heart held speech, and your mysterious frames,
Harmonious, sensitive, at every beat.
Touched the soft notes of love.
A stillness deep, insensible, unheeding, folds you round,
And darkness, as a stone, has sealed you in;
Away from all the living, here ye rest,
In all the nearness of the narrow tomb
Yet (remainder of article cut off)