Christen, Ernest Jacob 1870 - 1917

CHRISTEN, ZIEL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/2/2021 at 12:31:27

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 19 July 1917. Monona column.

Ernest Jacob Christen was born on February 29, 1870, near Berne, Switzerland. His mother died when he was nine years old, and being the oldest of nine children, he helped bear the family responsibility. He learned the trade of stone mason and cement worker. When he was nineteen years of age he came to America settling in Ohio, then going to Monroe, Wisconsin, and to Dubuque. Later, he located in McGregor, where he married Miss Clara Ziel, of Prairie du Chien, December 14, 1897. Three years later they moved to Monona, where they lived until November 5, 1915. Leaving Monona, they went to North McGregor. Here he followed his trade until symptoms of Cancer became evident. He worked persistently on, however, the meanwhile suffering intense pain. His physician pronounced his malady cancer of the throat. Last fall a trip was made to Rochester, but the surgeons were unable to give any relief. He returned home unable to work because the disease sapped his strength and vitality, and he suffered patiently for a year and three months, passing away on Wednesday evening, at a quarter past ten o'clock, July 11, 1917.

The funeral service was held in the M.E. church of North McGregor, on Friday, July 13, conducted by Rev. H. Briscoe Hall, pastor of the Monona Congregational church. The remains were interred in the McGregor cemetery, the service at the grave being conducted by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Monona and McGregor.

Mr. Christen is survived by his wife, eight daughters and one son.

Those out of town attending the funeral service were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Ziel and son, Mr. John Ziel, of Prairie du Chien; Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Briar, Florence and Marguerite Briar, Rev. and Mrs. H. B. _all and daughter, Mrs. Griffin, Lou Humphrey, Humphrey Leslie, F. H. Howard, Florence Murphy, G. Hel__ Fonda, Flora Davis, Miss M___hell, E. L. Rice, and Theo. Sherma_, all from Monona.

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