Hagensick, Barbara (Schmidt) 1842 - 1918

HAGENSICK, SCHMIDT, POSSEHL, TEWES, LENTH, KURDELMEIER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/6/2021 at 22:14:53

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 14 Mar. 1918.

Barbara Schmidt was born Dec. 29, 1842, at Weissenstadt, Bavaria, Germany. When four years of age she came with her parents to this country. For about a year the family lived in Ohio when they made up their minds to travel farther west, and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, which remained their home.

When the daughter, Barbara, had grown to womanhood she was united in marriage to Christian Hagensick, a young man her same age, and being born at the same town in the old country. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. Stockfeld of Garnavillo, on March 24th, 1863. The young married couple moved on a farm north of Clayton Centre. After thirty-eight years of combined hard labor and wise economy they were in a position to take life somewhat easier, and decided to move to Elkader, which has been their home for the last seventeen years.

On March 24th, 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Hagensick celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, an event often wished for and looked forward to with great anticipation, and certainly greatly enjoyed by the aged couple and the entire family.

Mrs. Hagensick was very fortunate as concerning her health; seldom has she complained or had reason to, until about a year ago, when she began to ail. She received the best of care from her daughter, Emma, and her other daughters, for which she was always very grateful. At times her condition would improve to such an extent that she herself had great hopes for a complete recovery, and it was indeed a surprise to all how she kept up her spirits. Last summer and late into fall, as long as roads were passable, she would greatly enjoy the auto rides, which her son-in-law, Henry Tewes, would gladly give to her and the family; it always made her feel better, as she would frequently say. Only three days she was confined to her bed. Apparently without pain she peacefully closed her eyes in the last sleep on Saturday, March 9th, 1918, at 9:30 o'clock in the evening, at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 10 days. It was indeed a source of great comfort to the children, that they were all able to be present during these solemn hours and moments of their beloved mother's departure.

Her death is mourned by the aged husband, Christian Hagensick, and the five daughters, Mrs. Franz Possehl, Monona, Iowa; Mrs. Henry Tewes, Elkader, Iowa; Mrs. August Lenth, Monona, Iowa; Mrs. Lenora Kurdelmeier, Monona, Iowa; and Miss Emma Hagensick, at home. Two boys preceded their mother in infancy. She also leaves three grandchildren: Elsie Possehl, Helen and Lovine Kurdelmeier. Four brothers, namely: Henry, Fritz and Christoph Schmidt of Lincoln, Neb., and John Schmidt of Oklahoma.

Two brothers, Wolfgang and Blasius Schmidt, died, the former nineteen, the latter, eighteen years ago; and the only sister, Mrs. Amelia Schoch, has been dead about thirty years.

Besides those nearest and dearest to the departed, there are many relatives, old time friends and neighbors, who will feel the loss keenly. But most of all will she be missed by the children. They realize what they have lost - a good, kindhearted mother in every sense of the word. And especially hard will it be for the husband and life's partner who mourns the loss of a loving wife and faithful helpmate, and for daughter Emma, who has spent her entire life at home, and who has been the constant companion of mother. Of her it can be truly stated what the Master said of Mary at Bethany: "She hath done what she could !" She has been mother's nurse and comfort and has cared for her as only a loving daughter can do.

The departed was a faithful member of the Evangelical church and the Frauen Verein and was loved and respected by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.

Funeral services were held at the Evangelical church in Elkader on Wednesday at 2 p.m., Rev. C. H. Franke being the clergyman in charge. Burial was in the East Side cemetery.