Gehring, Jacob 1853-1949

GEHRING, CLARK, SCHNEIDER, BEER, EMBRETSON, SCHROCK, LANTZ, MOSER, FRANK, HEINIGER, FEICHT, MOGLER, KELLER, BRUELLMAN, SCHMIDT, METZGER, STEFFEN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 10/10/2011 at 13:22:06

Jacob Gehring, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Gehring, was born Jan. 20, 1853, in Rudligen, Canton Schaufhausen, Switzerland, and passed away after a two-day illness at his home in Elgin on May 28, at the age of ninety-six years. His three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death. He was the only one of his family who came to America to make a home, one of his sisters visited here but later returned to Switzerland.

Mr. Gehring emigrated to Monroe county, Ohio, at the age of 20, where he spent about three years before coming to Iowa to settle. In 1882 he was married to Mary Clark, and to this union seven children were born, namely, Mrs. Fred J. Schneider, Isaac, Ella, Lawrence and Jacob, of Elgin, Robert of Kenmare, N.D. and Mrs. Wm. Beer, of Roanoke, Ill.

He leaves to mourn, his seven children, thirty-four grandchildren, also one nephew, Emil Gehring, of Portland, Oregon, besides a number of nieces and nephews in Switzerland. His wife preceded him in death 31 years ago.

Mr. Gehring spent seven years teaching rural school in Clayton county, the rest of his active years he spent in the farming pursuit. In 1901 he returned to his native country for a visit with his brothers, sisters and father, his mother having passed away previous to his return.

While a young man he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and preached the gospel of salvation through Christ for many years at the Christian Apostolic church.

He was a lover of his home and his family. Those who knew him could feel the depth of his religious life. For about eighteen years his vision failed, ten of those years being spent in total blindness. He bore this handicap very patiently.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Apostolic church and his body was laid to rest in the cemetery there. Rev. Noah Schruck of Oakville, condicted the services. The pall bearers were six of his grandsons, namely, Uriel, Lawrence, jr., and Gerald Gehring, Arthur, Lavern and Jacob Schneider.

Those who came from a distance to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Beer of Ranoke, Ill., Ruth and Jean Gehring of Kenmare, N.D., Dr. and Mrs. Robert Schneider of Postville, Mrs. Joel Clark and Ole Embretson of Elkader, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Schrock, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lantz, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Moser, Mrs. Lizzie Frank, Mr. and Mrs. John Heiniger, of Oakville, Carl Feicht, Louise Mogler and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mogler of Lester, Paul Banwart, Mrs. Bertha Keller, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bruellman, Emil Bruellman, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Mogler and Mrs. Mike Schmidt of West Bend, Mr. and Mrs. John Metzger, Mrs. Ezra Steffen and daughters, Eleanor and Lorna, of Elgin, Ill, and Betty Schneider, of Rochester, Minn.

~Elgin Echo, June 9, 1949