Dahling, William 1848 - 1936

DAHLING, SCHULDT, NIELAND, BENTE, RICKERT, BATHEL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/23/2023 at 01:13:08

Clayton County Register, 06 May, 1936.

The deceased, William Dahling, son of William Dahling and his wife Elizabeth, nee Schuldt, was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, on the 11th of July in the year 1848, and died April 13, 1936, at Lenth's hospital, Elkader, Iowa. The deceased reached the age of 87 years, nine months and 19 days.

Mr. Dahling came to America with his parents in the year 1854, at the age of six years. His parents settled in Guttenberg, Iowa, and the deceased lived in Clayton county ever since, with the exception of two years spent in Minnesota. He was truly acquainted with the pioneer life of this county, having lived here for 81 years. He had many stories to tell of the days when life was not surrounded by the many conveniences of today, and therefore progress was slow and faced on every side by many hardships. He used the oxen to break and till the soil, and the indians still lived and roamed through this territory. The severe winter that we have just passed through brought to his mind many memories of the early days. Last September he went to live with his son Henry on the old homestead. On the first day of March he became ill, and, on account of the roads being drifted high with snow, he was forced again to be brought to town in the mode of conveyance (the bob sled) used extensively 50 years ago.

On the 11th day of July, 1869, at Littleport, Iowa, he was united in marriage to Marie Nieland. Six children were born to this union. Two, Minnie and Frank, preceded him in death. His wife was called to her reward just ten years ago on the same day and hour of his death. The four surviving children are: Mrs. Louis Bente of Elkader; Mrs. Wm. Rickert of Owatonna, Minn.; Henry Dahling of Littleport, Iowa; and Mrs. Geo. Bathel of Owatonna, Minn.

After his marriage the deceased lived on the farm near Littleport until 1904, when he moved to the three corners three miles south of Elkader. After residing there for a number of years, he and his wife went to Minnesota to live with their daughters there. In the spring of 1914 they returned to Elkader. Fourteen years ago he had the rare privilege of celebrating his golden wedding anniversary. After the death of his wife, he continued to run his home with the help of his daughter, Mrs. Louis Bente.

Besides the above named children, his departure is mourned by 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and friends.

Services were held from his daughter's home, Mrs. Louis Bente, Sunday afternoon at 1:30, and Friedens Evangelical church at two o'clock. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery.