Maehl, John Christian Theodor 1858 - 1933

MAEHL, WILKER, JUNGBLUT, DAHL, HEIDEN, KLUTH, KOEHN, BOEGE, GANGLER, EGGERT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Clayton County Register, Thur., 28 Dec. 1933.

Mr. John Maehl, Sr., died at is home in Read township last Thursday, December 21st, at 5:20 a.m. For the last four years he had not been in the best of health and on Nov. 7th he suffered a stroke.

John Christian Thodor Maehl was born February 3, 1858, At Boltenhagen, Province of Pommerania, Germany, where until twelve years old he attended the public school. In the year 1870 he emigrated with his parents to the United States and settled first in Clayton Center. In the old stone church he was confirmed in 1872 by Rev. Seifert. For eleven years Mr. Maehl worked for different farmers, Feb. 10, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Katharina Wilker. This union was blessed with eight children, six girls and two boys. One boy died in infancy, having been only seven days old. In 1885 Mr. Maehl bought the farm where he finally died. In former years he had been an active member of the Zion's church. For many years he was president and secretary of the church. Eight years he was clerk of Read township, and for some time treasurer of the Communia Fire Insurance company; furthermore for 28 years he was director of the two creamery companies and for 30 years secretary of the school district.

Hiss whole lifetime was 75 years, ten months and 18 days. This obituary may be concluded with the own words of the departed: "The great God has graciously led me throughout my long life. To him be honor and promise in all eternity."

He leaves to mourn, his widow, Mrs. Katherine Maehl, nee Wilker, and the children, Mrs. Louise Jungblut, Elkader; Mrs. Emma Dahl, Delavan, Minn.; Mrs. Alma Heiden, Hartford, S.D.; Mrs. Elfriede Kluth, Strawberry Point; John H. Maehl, St. Olaf; Mrs. Elsie Koehn, Elkader; Mrs. Lora Boege, Elkader; two bothers, William and Charley; ad two sisters, Mrs. Riecke Gangler and Mrs. Lena Eggert, all living in South Dakota, besides 18 grandchildren and one adopted grandchild, as follows: Lawrence and Verni Dahl, Lucelle, Evelyn, Lorna, Elmer, Chester and Willard Heiden, Leroy and Orville Kluth, Inez, Marion and John Maehl, Jr., Vern, Reta, Violet, Berniece and Henry Koehn, ad Mildred Boege.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 25th, and burial was made in the old cemetery at Clayton Center, the Rev. B. F. Korte officiating. The following men were the casket bearers: Charles Russow, Henry Glawe, Herman Glawe, Wm. Gottschalk, August Wilke and Arthur Ihde.

Those from a distance attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. George Dahl of Delevan, Minn.; Mrs. Alma Heiden, Elmer, Lorna and Chester, of Hartford, S. Dak.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Maehl, of Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; Mr. ad Mrs. William Maehl of Rutland, S. Dak.; Mrs. Sophia Gransow of George, Iowa.