Olinger, Englebert D. 1830 - 1923

OLINGER, HANSON, HENRY, MACLSTROM, GRAHAM, BALDRIDGE, HA_KIN, CLOSSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/9/2017 at 10:07:02

Elkader Register, Thur., 3 Jan. 1924.

Englebert D. Olinger was born Mar. 9th, 1830, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, not far from Munich, and died Christmas Day, 1923, at Strawberry Point, Iowa, at an age only a little short of 94 years.

Mr. Olinger lived on a farm in Bavana until the age of 24, at which time he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, in August, 1854. After working a short time in the lumber camps he, in 1857, settled permanently on a farm in Clayton County about six miles north of Strawberry Point.

(First words of this sentence are missing.) Susan Hanson, also of South German extraction, and among the early settlers of these parts. The matrimonial ceremony was solemnized at Holy Cross, Dubuque County, then the nearest out Mission to what is now known as Cox Creek. Twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, were born to this union. The aged father was preceded in death by one son who died in childhood, and two daughters, Mrs. Kate Henry, of Strawberry Point, and Mrs. Allan Maclstrom, of Minneapolis.

The children were all born and raised on the farm in Cox Creek where Mr. and Mrs. Olinger lived until their removal to Volga City in 1899. During the years that followed Mr. Olinger became a very familiar figure in the country round about Volga City, and it was not until after his beloved wife died, July 6, 1917, that he could be induced to leave his old home. In the past six years he has lived with his daughters, Mrs. Emma Graham, of Dubuque, and Mrs. Wm. Baldridge, of Strawberry Point.

Mr. Olinger came from a family of thirteen; his nine brothers and three sisters having all preceded him in death.

During his early life Mr. Olinger was a kind and affectionate husband and father. His Bavarian nature predominated throughout his whole life. His sociability made him most popular with an exceptionally long list of friends and acquaintances. He loved his pipe and stein and fishing rod, and mingled thrift with generosity in true Bavarian fashion.

Up until the last few days of his life his mind remained clear except for the natural changes of advanced age. After a short illness he sank into unconsciousness and the end of his long and productive life came quietly at 10:05 a.m. Dec. 25th, 1923. He leaves four sons, George, of West Phalia, Kans.; John, of Minneapolis; Barney, of Chamberlain, So. Dakota; and Adam, of Strawberry Point; and five daughters, Mrs. Wm. Baldridge, of Strawberry Point; Mrs. Emma Graham, of Dubuque; Mrs. D. A. Ha_kin, of Sheldon; Mrs. Mae Hanson, of Fresno, California; and Mrs. John Closson, of Detroit.

There are 44 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren as well as a correspondingly large number of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Olinger was a valued subscriber to the Elkader Register from almost its beginning.

Requiem mass was said by Father Casey in Sacred Heart church of Cox Creek, the same church for which Mr. Olinger was one of the original trustees and was very instrumental in building over 50 years ago. He was laid at rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cox Creek.

(Note: This obit had missing words, letters and punctuation, the surname Maclstrom appears to be an example. Where possible the submitter inserted an appropriate word or punctuation for readability.)