Marring, Henry L. 1837-1913

MARRING, MAHRING, FUEHRING, MARING

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/8/2019 at 17:20:40

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 13 Mar. 1913. Littleport column.

H. Mahring*, an old resident here, died at his home Monday morning, due to old age and the insufficient comforts of life, for one of his age. Mr. Mahring lived alone since his wife died years ago, and, being of a hermit disposition, he failed to provide for his own comfort those things which are necessary for the sustenance of life, with the result that he had been gradually declining until death came to relieve him after a few days illness. Much might be written of this old gentleman but those of his acquaintance know the details of his life pretty well and it would be nothing new or interesting to repeat them, in relating his death. He was a man of splendid learning and highly educated in German and music, was a teacher for years in both branches and was a pen artist of considerable worth. He was about 78 years old, we are told, although no one knows exactly his age. He has a sister in Germany, his only relative. He lived in poverty and privation since his wife left him, although he is known to have possessed several thousand dollars. His funeral will be held here, we are told, and burial is to take place beside his wife at Guttenberg, Iowa.

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Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 20 Mar. 1913. Littleport column.

The subject of this sketch was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the province of Hanover, Nov. 29th, 1837, and died at Littleport, Iowa, March 11th, 1913.

He was educated at the University of Hamburg, where he graduated with high honors, being master of Latin, German, Greek, Hebrew, English, and he ranked high in Mathematics and Literature. For a time he entered a seminary at Duderstadt, and studied for awhile for the Priesthood, but later discontinued and studied music, in which art he was very efficient. His classmate, Bishop Koppes, of the province of Hanover, still survives him.

In 1862 he immigrated to the United States, resided at New York City, and taught school there for a time, later moving to St. Louis, teaching music there and then went by steamboat up the Mississippi, and settled at Guttenberg, Iowa. He started a German newspaper at Guttenberg, called the Wachter Amm Mississippi, under the firm name of Shramm & Maring. He taught school for a number of years in that city, both public and parochial, also music.

He was married to Mathilde Fuehring in 1868. She succeeded him to the grave on June 24th, 1894. He moved from Guttenberg to Jordan, Minn., where he taught sacred music at the Monastery at that place, also taught school at Jordan and Shakopee, Minn., where he took up American Literature, left later for South Dakota and taught school and music there for some time and later moved to Carroll, Iowa, where he again taught music and parochial school. From there he went to Dyersville, Iowa, instructing church choirs at Luxemburg, New Vienna, Petersburg and Dyersville, also taught school at Petersburg and moved from there to Mederville, Iowa. where he resided a few years and then took up music again, soon moving to Littleport, where he taught a choir at the Catholic church and also was organist at the church at that place for a number of years, where he was widely known as instructor in music and taught many persons. In 1890 he left for Kewaunee, Wis., where he became editor again of the Kewaunee County Banner, a German newspaper published at that place, where he remained several years. Later he severed his editorial relations and moved back to Guttenberg, for a year or two and then moved back to Littleport, where he made his home until his death.

He was failing for the past three or four years, at one time being thrown from his saddle while riding horseback, having several ribs broken, which disabled him severely. He was highly educated in the Catholic faith, and told the writer at different intervals that if a man can not be saved in this faith then there was no salvation whatever.

The writer of these lines knew him for a period of thirty years. He was one of the best learned and informed men in this community. He was also a life long Democrat.

The funeral services were held at the Catholic church at Littleport. The only near relatives we know of is his sister, Mrs. Anna K________off of D________, Hanover, Germany, and several nephews.

Mr. Maring has been correspondent for the Elkader Herald for about a quarter century.

The remains were taken on the evening train to Guttenberg for burial and laid beside his wife. He had been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America for a number of years, and members of Littleport Camp No. 1723 accompanied the remains and performed the last solemn rites at the grave, according to the Woodmen rituals.

Note: This obit had several blurry sections and only those parts that could be reasonably interpreted are presented here.

*Note: the Guttenberg City cemetery plat book includes the names of Henry (1837-1913) & Mathilde (1852-1894) MARRING.