Schwartz, Walburga (Meyer) 1828-1919

SCHWARTZ, SCHWARZ, MEYER, FARRELL, FARREL, DRESDEN, LAPIERE, MEYERS, MILLER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/20/2021 at 17:18:38

George Rothemeyer and family and Miss Ella Rothemeyer went to Littleport today to attend the funeral of Mrs. Joseph Schwartz, who died Monday.

~Elkader Register, Thursday, June 12, 1919; pg 6

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Several from here attended the funeral of Mrs. Jas. Schwarz at Littleport Thursday.

~Edgewood Journal, Thursday, June 19, 1919; pg 5 (Elkport column)

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Walburga Schwarz - In Memoriam
Born Feb. 17, 1829 - Died June 9, 1919.

Walburga Schwartz was born in Giettwing, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. She was the daughter of Martin and Walburga Meyer, her father being a Bavarian fisherman. She had six sisters and one brother. The family was very poor during her childhood, many times not having enough to eat, as the country had been ground down by royal aristocracy until the revolution of 1848.

She was baptized at the Cathedral of Regensburg, where she received her religious training. She received her first communion and was confirmed at this cathedral.

At the age of nine years she was compelled to work away from home but she remained a devout Christian. This characteristic remained with her till her dying day, an inheritance from that Christian country Bavaria, where people often walk many miles to attend divine worship.

Divine Providence had granted her a long life, such as few will be permitted to live in this world.

She became acquainted with Joseph Schwartz at the Regensburg Cathedral. With him and a large number of friends and relatives, she sailed for America, via Havre, France on the ship 'Erzang', leaving there on March 23, 1857. After encountering a stormy voyage, and running short of provisions, they arrived in New York at the end of 35 days. From there they journeyed westward, stopping at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago, arriving at Dunleith, Ill., in June 1857.

Dubuque at that time was but a village. They sailed up the Mississippi to the village of Clayton, where they were met by her brother Joseph Meyer, who had immigrated to America several years before, and accompanied them to Elkader.

She remained at Elkader until March 25, 1859, when she was married to Joseph Schwartz by the Rev. Father McGuinnes. That year they rented the Patrick Uriel farm in Read township. Their son Joseph was born to them there.

In the spring of 1860 they moved to Volga township, east of Littleport, where they purchased a farm of Alex Stephens of La Salle, Ill. They remained here for fifty years, moving to Littleport on Feb. 1st, 1910.

Her husband passed to that eternal shore on Jan. 26, 1917.

Thus at the time of her death, Mrs. Schwartz had lived sixty years in Volga township - in the pioneer days in Read township Indians were their neighbors - they endured all the hardships of the early pioneers.

Thirty-five years ago she had a serious attack of rheumatism which at times partially disabled her. She was a hard working woman - a great friend of gardening and often assisting in the hay and harvest fields, but her household duties were never neglected and meals were always ready on time.

She had been an invalid for seven years prior to her death which she bore with patience and Christian fortitude.

On the 6th day of May before her last agony she made the last conscious and most touching statement - it was a most solemn moment - she said, "Charles, I will live only a short time, I am battling between life and death. I want a good burial and I ask you to pray for me - and in Heaven I will pray that you shall all follow me and meet me in Eternity." She also stated that when one is young one can live in luxury, but this will finally end with each and every one of us. Many do not think of the day of that terrible [illegible word].

Individuals of these noble traits of character have sent examples for generations to follow - no more Christian, no more generous mother of Eden's daughters ever breathed the atmosphere of this world. She had been a mother of three generations - she often uttered these words on her deathbed. "divine Providence come and reign."

Her married life was blessed with one son and one daughter - Joseph, who died at Indianola, Neb., on Jan. 28, 1898, and Mrs. Bertha Farrel, who resided with her at Littleport.

She also leaves to mourn her departure two grand daughters, Mrs. Lottie Dresden of Windham, Montana; Mrs. Chas. Lapiere of Littleport; three grandsons, Frank Farrell, who has just returned from overseas service in France; John Farrell, of Maquoketa, Joseph Farrell is still in the army at Lemans, France. Three great grand children, Linus, Wilford and Albertha Lapiere; nephews, Frank J. Meyers and Edward F. Meyers of Alameda, California, and J.C. Miller, Littleport, Iowa. No trace of her relatives in Germany is known at this time.

All that was mortal of Walburga Schwartz was laid to rest in the tomb in Sacred Heart cemetery on June 12, there to remain until Gabriel calls forth the nations from the farthermost parts of the earth on the resurrection morn.

~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Sunday, June 22, 1919; pg 7

Transcription notes:
-Following the obituary was a long, religious tribute to "the memory of the departed". Not transcribed
-All surname spellings are typed as printed