Bothmer, Christopher W. 1863 - 1929

BOTHMER, GLYNN, HINSCH, DETTMAN, PONSAR, SEIPPEL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/14/2020 at 12:06:40

Clayton County Register, Thur., 21 Feb. 1929.

Funeral services were held at Church of Peace, Clayton, last Thursday afternoon for Christopher W. Bothmer, 65, a native of Clayton county and resident of Clayton for 46 years. Mr. Bothmer's death followed a long illness at his home in Dubuque. Interment was made in the Clayton cemetery.

The services were in charge of Rev. Nathiel Matheis, pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church, Dubuque, assisted by the choir composed of Mesdames W. Bahls, W. Pesch, Miss Minnie Pieper, Frank J. Laarveld and Mrs. F. J. Laarveld, accompanist. Pallbearers were James McGuire, Albert Alt, Charles W. Blake, N. A. _rons, Ben Tonnar and G. P. Yohe.

Mr. Bothmer, who was the son of te late Mr. and Mrs. H. F. W. Bothmer, early settlers of Clayton county, was born in Clayton, October 5, 1863. Here he grew to millwright in his father's mill at Buck Creek, later owned by Julius Ponsar, late deceased. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Mary M. Glynn, of Clayton, who survives him. Two children were born to this union, Harry, of Chicago and Marguerite who died in infancy.

For many years Mr. Bothmer occupied the office of Justice of the Peace of Clayton and president of the school board of that place. He was a member of the Garnavillo Lodge No. 90, A.F. & A.M. for nearly 40 years, during earlier life was active in the work of that body. He was also a member of the Woodman of the World and the Milwaukee Railroad Veteran Employee's Association. He numbered among his close friends in Clayton county such sterling and prominent characters as Judge Crosby, Holmes Crosby, James Corlett, D. D. Murphy, C. J. Adam, H. C. Bishop, Sumner Miller, D. G. Griffith, pioneer publisher of the Elkader Register, F. D. Bayless, G. O. Fairfield and others prominent in affairs in Clayton county.

In 1900 Mr. Bothmer moved to Dubuque to enter the employ of the C.M. & St. P. Railroad, where he resided until overtaken by death. During his employment by the Milwaukee, he organized the Railway Equipment Painters Union and was secretary of the Dubuque local of that organization until ill health forced him to retire.

Besides his wife and son, Mr. Bothmer is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Charles Hinsch Sr., of Farmersburg; Mrs. Charles A. Dettman and Mrs. Julius H. Ponsar of Garnavillo. A brother, Henry C. Bothmer, a sister, Mrs. J. M. Seippel and a brother-in-law, J. H. Ponsar, preceded him in death during the year.

He enjoyed a wide circle of friends and acquaintances many of whom called on him during his long illness and suffering and marveled at the calmness and fortitude with which he faced the inevitable, which seems to inspire the words:

"You suffered long and murmured not;
Day by day we saw you fade and pass away;
Yet in our dreams we often prayed that you might longer stay;
If love and care could death prevent;
The days would not so soon be spent;
Life was desired but God could see
eternal rest was best for thee."