Rentschler, John Michael 1841 - 1913

RENTSCHLER, SCHWEIKERT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 17 Apr. 1913. Elkport and Vicinity column.

John Michael Rentschler was born in Germany Aug. 12th, 1841, the son of J. M. Rentschler and wife and was given into the arms of the Saviour through the Sacraments of the Lutheran church. When he had reached young manhood he was happily wed and five children came to gladden the hearts of these parents and brighten their home, but sorrow came to their hearts when two of their children were taken from them.

The family finally decided to try their luck in the new world, our great America, and consequently they dared the waves of the great Atlantic and thence by rail to Littleport, where the father rented a farm. Later on, they moved to a farm in Elk township, Clayton County, Iowa, and to this home the "Silent Reaper" came and took the mother and also the only remaining son, who was 23 years of age at the time of his death. Now there were but two daughters left, Anna, now Mrs. Christian Schweikert, of Bellvue, and Marie, who cared for the home which was desolate but would have been more so, but for the presence of her, who was a dutiful daughter and who did what she could to give comfort and solace to the parent. In February of 1912 Mr. Rentschler, with the daughters, his son-in-law and two grandsons moved to Bellvue, Iowa. Last October he was taken ill and though he rallied at different times, yet slowly but surely his strength failed and the six weeks prior to his death, which occurred on Thursday, April 10th, 1913, at 7:15 p.m., his suffering was intense.

He was a faithful member of the Lutheran church at this place and also later on at Bellvue. The body arrived on the train on Monday, the 14th inst., accompanied by his loved ones and was met and escorted to the Lutheran church and thence to the Lutheran cemetery, where many sympathizing friends had met to extend their friendly sympathy toward those who mourned the loss of the departed one, whose life extended over a period of 71 years, 7 months and 23 days.

Rev. Foelsch conducted the last sad rites at the church and cemetery.

The pall bearers were: H. Plagman, C. Zittergreen, Wm. Koehn, S. Smith, J. Rentschler, and D. Smith.