Ponsar, Elizabeth Floretta (Coleman) 1829 - 1910

PONSAR, COLEMAN, HORKESHEIMER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/14/2020 at 11:07:50

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 17 Feb. 1910. Garnavillo News column.

Elizabeth Floretta Ponsar, nee Coleman, was born on Jan. 23, 1829, in Minden, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, and died on Feb. 2, 1910. In 1846, when seventeen years of age, Elizabeth Coleman journeyed to America, soon after her arrival she went to St. Louis to make her home with her grandmother. While here she met Jakob Ponsar and on the 6th day of Jan. 1847, they were united in marriage. The following year they moved to the Colony, where they toiled for eight years. In 1870 a farm was purchased in Cox Creek township and upon this farm they remained until 1889, when they moved to the mill on Buck Creek, which was being operated by their sons, Julius and William. Here, on Aug. 16th, 1894, occurred the death of Mr. Ponsar. Mrs. Ponsar remained here until 1904, when she she and her daughter Louisa moved to town. Mrs. Ponsar always enjoyed the best of health until a short time prior to her death, when she suffered a paralytic stroke, which was followed by two more, the last but shortly before her death. The end came at about 4 o'clock Wednesday evening. She was faithfully cared for by her daughter Louise and Laura Horkesheimer, a relative of the deceased. She leaves to mourn her death, nine children, three of which preceded their mother in death. Those living are Robert, of Maynard, Ia.; Julius and William, of Lewiston, Mich.; Theodore, of Omaha, and Louise, at home, besides fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

(Note: The obit says she had nine children and three preceded her in death, leaving six surviving, but it appears one of the living children was omitted from the list of survivors in this obit. The submitter has no explanation.)