Horn, Clara 1855-1890

HORN

Posted By: Audrey Haught, volunteer
Date: 9/13/2016 at 18:37:14

Clara Horn, only daughter of Mrs. K. Horn, died at Elkader, Iowa on the morning of July 4, 1890, aged 25 years, six months and one day.

No more painful duty can devolve upon a person, as a parting tribute, than the than the annunciation of the death of a dear friend, and the duty becomes yet more painful when one considers the retiring disposition and unassuming life of the deceased.

A brief sketch of her short life, and the expression of my sincere appreciation of her many virtues which custom has rendered sacred and to which her great mental qualities, and Christian life so well entitled her, may seem appropriate.

Clara, daughter of Ferdinand and Katharine Horn was born in Conover, Miama county, Ohio, January 3d, 1855. The year after her birth the family moved to Elkader, Iowa, where they have since resided. She received as liberal an education as the means of her father and the west afforded; and well did my friend avail herself of these advantages.

In 1879 her future was exceedingly bright; to her natural mental qualities, she added a host of virtues; there was a charm in the cordiality of her manner which endeared her to her friends, and attracted even her ordinary acquaintances. This is the bright side. The reverse presents the afflictions to which, in the dispensation of an all-wise Providence she was subjected.

She had decided to withdraw from the world and make the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience, but all physical affliction delayed the proposed change and for eleven years, till the hour of her death; she has been a patient sufferer; for the last year her suffering have been almost unbearable, although the casual observer would see in her happy face nothing but peace.

Anna Shipton’s verse in “Spirit voices” express themselves.

“O Lord though hast with angel food
my fainting spirit fed,

If ‘tis thy will I linger here, bless thou the path I tread;

And though my soul doth pant to pass within the pearly gates,

Yet teach me for thy summons Lord, in patience still to wait.”

She talked much of her home beyond. A few days before her death she remarked to a friend, “when I get to heaven, I will watch for you, and when I see you coming, I will run as fast as I can to meet you”.

Love for flowers and of the beautiful, of poetry, music and her chosen dear friends, were with her a passion and as a foretaste of the future home.

There was no loud wailing as she was taken to the last resting place, but many a silent tear fell, many a prayer ascended as the broken lily of the valley was gathered home.

Elkader Register: July 10, 1890
Buried: St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Elkader, Boardman Township
Father Ferdinand died in 1888
Mother Katharina died in 1897