Gmelin, Rudolph Dr. 1831 - 1909

GMELIN, ALT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/26/2021 at 10:16:14

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 05 Aug. 1909.

Tuesday morning, August 3rd, at half past one the final summons that all must obey came to Dr. Rudolph Gmelin. Having nearly completed four score years, his health and strength had been gradually failing for a number of years. A year ago he had a severe fainting spell and since July first his heart has weakened and he dreaded a possible return of his old enemy, asthma, of which he had apparently been cured some seven years ago. The day before his death, however, he felt unusually well, enjoying his meals and reading the news of the day and also a book. At night, however, he had difficulty in getting to sleep and the final summons came so quickly that all was over before a doctor could be procured.

Rudolph Gmelin was born Oct. 30th, 1831, in Wurtemburg, Germany, and graduated from the Tubingen University April 17th, 1854, after which he went to Vienna, Munich and Prague, spending a year at each place practicing and studying in the hospitals.

The years following were devoted to the practice of his profession, a part of the time with the German army, as he was a volunteer surgeon during the Franco-Prussian war.

August 16th, 1872, he was married to Miss Sophia Alt, and October 29th, 1873, they came to America, and he practiced medicine at a number of different places. During the first seven years he was variously located at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Minn., and Guttenberg, Iowa. About thirty years ago he came to Elkader, but remained only about six months. From here he went to Fountain City, Minn., LaCrosse, Wis., and then to Garnavillo, Iowa, and in January, 1888, returned to Elkader, remaining here the rest of his life.

His faithful wife was always by his side and cared for him most tenderly through all the feebleness of the later years. Three children were born to them: the oldest, Robert, dying at the age of eight years; Max, of Clinton; and Henry, at home, were here to assist and support their mother in the last sad services for the husband and father. Last spring, a little granddaughter coming to the home of Max, gave added pleasure to the last few months of his life.

Dr. Gmelin was of the high type, both as to mind and character. Always a student, he was a lover of nature, of science, of literature, and of music. The flowers were his friends, he loved them, and he knew every wild flower of the woods or fields and what healing or poisonous powers they had. During his later years chess became the recreation of his active mind, the complex problems of that game affording him keen enjoyment.

The funeral was held from the home this, Thursday, morning, at ten o'clock, Rev. Franke officiating, the interment being in the East Side cemetery.