Eder, Michael George 1830 - 1919

EDER, HEILMAN, WOHLERS, SCHMIDT SCHNEIDER, EPPLE, WENTZEL, OPPERMAN, FETTER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/17/2019 at 08:18:16

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 17 Apr. 1919. Strawberry Point columns.

Thursday evening at 9:15 o'clock occurred the death of one of our oldest and most respected citizens, Michael George Eder, at the age of 89 years.

G. M. Eder, the oldest of twelve children, was born in Baden, Germany, March 21, 1830. At the age of seventeen he came to Freeport, Ill., where on March 25, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Heilman. Here they lived until May, 1857, when they came to Iowa, settling near Strawberry Point, where he was engaged in farming until the past nineteen years when he purchased a piece of land on Elkader Street and built the home where he has since lived. Mr. Eder for a number of years was one of the township trustees, serving faithfully and diligently. Mrs. Eder passed away Sept. 8, 1912.

To this union twelve children were born, two dying in infancy and Mrs. Mary Wohlers died Nov. 5, 1912. The remaining are Michael, John, Henry, Mrs. Louie Schmidt and Mrs. Maggie Schneider of this place, Geo. of Rock Rapids, Mrs. Albert Epple of Dubuque, Mrs. Fred Wetzel of Popular Bluff, Mo., and Mrs. John Opperman of Oelwein.

Mr. Eder was taker sick about ___ weeks ago with lumbago and later kidney trouble developed. During the last days of his sufferings he exhibited the faith of a Christian, strong in hopes of a spiritual victory and a better life beyond this transient abode. It was a pleasure to him to greet his friends and neighbors. His memory will remain precious to all who knew him. He is gone ! Another name to be stricken from the ever lessening roll of our old settlers, but it must be so for it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgement. These tender human ties cannot be severed without a pang, yet in such a death there is really no cause for grief. His life's work was done and done well, and weary of waiting he lay down to rest, to awake in the morning light of a fairer day.

Sunday afternoon a large concourse of friends and neighbors assembled at the German Lutheran church to pay their respects to the bereaved mourners and have a last farewell view of an old citizen who they admired for his quiet conservative habits. The services were conducted by Rev. Fritschel and Mr. Eder's four sons acted as pallbearers. He leaves to mourn his death nine children, fifty grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, one brother Jake Eder of Freeport, Ill., and one sister Mrs. Dorothy Fetter of Chicago. Burial took place in our beautiful cemetery and may he rest in peace and enjoy the promised inheritance of the children of God.

(Note: Michael George Eder and G. M. Eder are presented in the article as they appear here.)