Sebastian, Margaret (Meyer) 1855-1938

MEYER, SEBASTIAN, LETCHFORD, SCHARA

Posted By: Phyllis Peterson
Date: 11/5/2003 at 14:15:57

Margaret Meyer Sebastian (1855-1938)

From a June 1938 Postville Herald

Mrs. M. Sebastian Rites Held Saturday

Mrs. Maggie Sebastian, aged 83 years, one of the pioneer mothers of this community passed away at the home of her son, Frank D. Sebastian, northwest of Postville last Wednesday (15 Jun 1938) evening, following a period of failing health extending over the past two years.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. L. Meyer, at 1:30 o'clock, and from the Community Presbyterian Church at two o'clock, the Rev. J. Ian Fraser officiating. Six grandsons acted as pallbearers and the granddaughters acted as flower girls.

Interment was made in Postville cemetery.

Mrs. Sebastian was born as Maggie Meyer, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Meyer, near Garnavillo, May 12, 1855. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church at Ceres, later moving with her parents to a farm near Postville.

She was married to Frank Sebastian October 20, 1879, and they lived on farms near Postville until coming to town in 1907. For the past few years she has made her home with her children. Mr. Sebastian passed away in November 1930.

Eight children were born to them, of whom, all but one son, Christ, who passed away many years ago, survive and are residents in this community. They are: John, Frank, Henry, William, and George Sebastian, Mrs. Mathilda Meyer and Mrs. Carolyn Letchford. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers, David Meyer of Postville and John O. Meyer of Ossian, one sister, Mrs. Fred Schara of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.

She was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church and also was affiliated with the Ladies' Aid Society of that congregation.

Out-of-town people here Saturday for the Mrs. Maggie Sebastian funeral included: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Moen and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martinson of Waukon; Mr. and Mrs. John Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Hanneman, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bigalk and Lucille, and Clifford Stevens, Cresco; Mr. and Mrs. John 0. Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Meyer, Ossian; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Schultz, Monona; Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Rounds, Calmar; Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Schutte and daughter, Luana; Mrs. Chas. Christ, Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Louise Christ, Dubuque; Leo Sebastian, Iowa, City; Mrs. Bertha Ihde, Mrs. Fred Ihde and Mrs. Fred Ihlenfeldt, Elkader. The latter three will be remembered here as the "Center" Meyers girls, who with their parents were neighbors of the Sebastians when these people lived west of Postville.

Posted by Phyllis Peterson