Ruegnitz, George Charles Sr. 1851 - 1923

RUEGNITZ, BLANCHAINE, BEHRENS, ORTMAN, OATHOUT, HENRY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/31/2015 at 00:27:36

Clayton County Messenger, Wed., 21 March 1923.

It is with deep regret that we record the passing of another of Clayton county's pioneer settlers in the person of George Ruegnitz, Sr., who passed away at his home in Volga township Tuesday evening, March 13, 1923, at the age of 72 years and one day, his birthday occurring one day before his death.

Mr. Ruegnitz's health began to fail about a year ago, but up until two months ago was able to be about his duties. Death was due to heart failure and death came without any warning. Mr. Ruegnitz was held in high esteem by his friends and neighbors, was a very industrious man and honest in all his dealings with his fellow man.

George Charles Ruegnitz was born March 12th, 1851 in W_ren, Mecklenburg, Germany, and immigrated to this country with his parents in 1864, the family locating at Clayton, Iowa. Here his boyhood days were spent working at various jobs, such as were available, but most of the time on a farm. On Dec. 10th, 1876, he was united in marriage with Augusta Blanchaine. To this union four children were born, G. C. Ruegnitz, now residing on the home farm in Volga township; Mrs. Martha Behrens, Littleport; Mrs. Clara Ortman, Hopkinton, and Bertha, who died in infancy. Immediately after Mr. Ruegnitz's marriage, he and his young wife located on a farm known as the Aug. Benschneider farm in Volga township, this farm adjoining his father-in-law's farm, and here they spent four years then moving to the John Becker farm in Boardman township, living four years after which they moved back to Volga township on his father-in-law's farm where all these years he has lived and toiled. Mr. Ruegnitz was one of a family of 11 children, 3 brothers and one sister dying on the trip across the ocean. Those left are August of Dubuque, Albert of Evanstan, Ill., Max and Louis of Pueblo, Colo., Mrs. Mary Oathout, and Mrs. Eliza Henry of Pasadena, Calif. Those with his faithful wife and children are left to mourn the passing of a loving husband and kind father.

Funeral services were held at his home Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., Rev. Franke of Elkader conducting same and speaking words of comfort to the bereaved ones, after which the remains were tenderly borne to their last resting place in the cemetery adjoining his home. The bearers of the casket were: Louis and Charles Benschneider, Wm. Behrens, Wm. Peihl, August and Eddie Lundt. A large concourse of friends were in attendance at the funeral to pay a last mark of respect to the memory of an old friend. Many were prevented from attending on account of the terrible weather, which prevailed at the time.