Adler, Christiana (Hoffmann) 1823 - 1910

ADLER, HOFFMANN, PETMILLER, FUCHS, BROWN, DONATH

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/9/2020 at 09:19:00

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 06 Oct. 1910. Elkport and Vicinity column.

Mrs. Adler, or "Grandma Adler" as she was familiarly called, was born Feb. 8, 1823, in Pommern, Prussia, Germany. Her maiden name was Christiana Hoffmann. In 1843 she was united in marriage to Friedrich Wm. Adler. Theirs was a truly happy life. Their honey-moon lasted for fifty-seven years. In 1870 they emigrated to America. Theirs was a home where childish laughter and mirthful glee were enjoyed, for to them eleven children were born, six of whom had preceded the parents to the heavenly home, so that now, but five of the children remain. Down life's vale they sailed together. God, in his Almighty power and bounteous love, allowed them to sail on together in their canoe of love, until the time was silvered, for then they had been wed twenty-five years. Being earnest, steadfast Christians, they looked to Him "who doeth all things well," as leader and guide. They had a goal in view, toward which they would sail - Jerusalem, the golden city, where all the good on earth may gather to be united forever.

When the Lutheran congregation was first started in Elkport, they spared neither time nor money, toward building up and assisting in combining every effort toward erecting a "House of prayer." Their efforts were blessed and their prayers answered. And now, as more and more were added to the little flock, out of a few, there is at present a beautiful edifice, which is not so large as some, yet can compare favorably with many a place of worship in much larger cities than Elkport. When pastors need some help, at any time, in any way, they knew they could obtain same in Mr. and Mrs. Adler. On and on sailed their canoe, for from silver, the years turned ever more golden, and in 1893 they stood before the alter in the Lutheran church, where Rev. Fuchs thanked God for the blessings of the past years and asked Him to lead them still, as down life's stream they sailed. A golden gleam now shone in all its radiance and sunshine, for between tears of sorrow for the storms and smiles of joy for the glorious and wonderful blessings of happiness, peace and love, the day was spent, surrounded by those of the family whose privilege it was to be present. As the eve of life drew nearer and the eyes grew more dim, oft times on one of those quiet, peaceful evenings, when the day's work was over, the aged gentleman might be heard playing on his beloved guitar, and the wife sat beside him, singing the songs they used to sing in the dear old Fatherland.

The leaves turned from golden to brown, for life's path was growing nearer the end, ad the father grew sick and bid farewell to earth. Grandma Adler then only hoped and prayed that she too, might go. The hands, which had bathed a fevered brow, and lightened so many burdens for others, besides those of her own family, were never still until death came to call her home. While visiting her daughter, Mrs. Martha Petmiller, she closed her eyes in this world, after really less than half an hour's struggle, and the soul passed on to where it would unite with the loved ones gone before.

As the loved ones tried to do everything according to her wishes, after death they brought the remains from Spencer, S.D., where she died, to Elkport, Iowa, where a resting place had been reserved for her beside the grave of her husband.

It had always been her desire to have Rev. Fuchs, whose wife is a granddaughter of hers, preach the funeral sermon. He did so, giving a beautiful eulogy over the bier. Rev. Linnenbuerger, the regular pastor, conducted the services at the house of John Bals, and thence the coffin was taken to the church and to the cemetery, where all that was mortal of our dear friend was laid to rest until the judgement day.

The songs were sweetly rendered. A solo, sung by Miss Esther Helbig, and several funeral selections by the choir, consisting of Miss Helbig, the Misses Nary and Lena Bahr, Mrs. C. Dietrich Beck and the Messrs. Linnenbuerger, Reuschel and Bushkofsky were rendered in a solemn manner. The floral offerings were beautiful.

Those present of the family were Mrs. Pauline Brown, of Guttenberg, Iowa; Mrs. Martha Petmiller and husband, of Spencer, S.D.; Rev. Fuchs, of Janesville, Wis.; Aug. Adler, the only living son, lives in Canada and could not come in time for the burial. Another daughter, Mrs. Anna Donath, of Sedalia, Mo., could not reach here in time.

Besides the above named children, one son and four daughters, there are left to mourn her loss, 28 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

The pall bearers were Henry Plagman, Wm. Koehn, John Ortman, G. Hoffman, Andrew Reuschel and Chas. Brandtman.

Weep not for me, my loved ones,
We are where we would be.
But come ye all, be faithful
And we'll united be.
Here in the land where parting
And sorrow ne'er can come' We shall await your coming, And welcome you all "Home.