Wirkler, Lydia 1812 - 1888

WIRKLER, KOHLER, KAISER, MAURER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/20/2023 at 08:13:58

Elkader Register, Thur., 06 Dec. 1888. Garnavillo column.

Died at the home of J. D. Maurer, on Friday evening, Nov. 30th, Mrs. Lydia Wirkler, at the ripe old age of 76 years, 5 months. Thus another eventful career has been suddenly ended by death, another of the pioneers of Clayton County has gone to join the innumerable throng, in Silent tomb, while her spirit has been waited to the land of eternal bliss, where the weary shall find rest. Mrs. Lydia Wirkler was born in Wachseldorn, Canton Bern, Switzerland, June 26th, 1812. She was married to Christian Wirkler, April 3, 1838. Thirteen years of their married life were spent among the romantic mountains of their native land. In one of those delightful valleys near the city of Basel they owned a farm. Their family increasing, they disposed of their property, and emigrated to this country, where they landed on July 4, 1851. They purchased a farm between the bluffs of Cedar Creek and Jefferson township. The land was heavily wooded, and required hard work to be made tillable. These early years were years of toil and hardships. Only by the strictest economy and by the hardest kind of labor was the wolf kept from the door. But she never swerved from the path of duty, with firm reliance in God she toiled early and late to provide for the needs of her family. She swung the axe and hoe to clear the land, while her family constantly increased. In a few years the children having grown up, they removed to a larger farm near Garnavillo. Here we find her again toiling early and late. Her husband being of delicate health, died here Dec. 12, 1870. Of her children three died in the old country, while four sons and four daughters are living in Clayton County, except Christian who resides on a farm in Kansas. John, Joseph and Edward are some of our most successful farmers, and are men of wealth and influence. The daughters are Mrs. Maria Kohler, of Monona, Mrs. H. H. Kaiser, of National, Mrs. J. D. Maurer, of Garnavillo, and Rosalia, who remains unmarried. Twenty-nine grandchildren mourn the loss of their grandma, who found her greatest joy in caring for them. Her remains were buried in the new cemetery in Garnavillo, on Monday, followed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends. Rev. T. Sommerlad conducted the ceremony, and preached a very eloquent and appropriate sermon. Numerous floral offerings, the tributes of friends, were placed upon the coffin. Peace to her ashes.