Paul, Elizabeth Marion (Ehrlich) 1857 - 1937

PAUL, EHRLICH, WILKE, PATTERSON, PHELPS, GATES

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/6/2023 at 09:55:09

Clayton County Register, 04 Aug. 1937.

Mrs. Elizabeth M. Paul died at her home here Sunday afternoon at one-forty from a heart ailment after an illness of five weeks.

Elizabeth Marion Ehrlich was born September 12, 1857 at Niles, Ohio, the daughter of Frederich and Catherine Ehrlich. At the age of seven, with her parents, she came west in a covered wagon settling first in this county in Giard township. Later the family settled here in Elkader and it was here in Elkader that Mrs. Paul received most of her education.

Before completing the school course she dropped from school to teach music in the vicinity of Giard and it was while at this task that she met the young man who, on January 01, 1876, became her husband - Edward M. Paul. They were married here in Elkader and at first lived on a farm near Froelich. In 1882 Mr. Paul was made agent for the railroad company at St. Olaf and Mrs. Paul immediately set in to help him with his work.

About this same time a telegraph line was built on the branch road and Mrs. Paul learned the code and became its first operator. Nine years later, to give their only daughter, Anna, a better opportunity for an education, they came to Elkader where Mr. Paul became station agent. While he was agent in name Mrs. Paul shared the work and responsibilities until 1906 when she was made agent - one of the few women agents on the entire Milwaukee system. Mr. Paul died in 1916.

Mrs. Paul had had no previous experience as a station agent and what she learned about the work she learned entirely by experience. It was only natural, therefore, that she should make some errors but as she herself once said, "One thing I was always careful of and that was not to make it cost the company anything for my blunders." Telegrams received by the family since the death of Mrs. Paul from prominent officials of the Milwaukee road attest to the high esteem in which she was held in railroad circles.

Before the introduction of the eight-hour law for railroad employees Mrs. Paul frequently put in sixteen to eighteen hours daily but with her wonderful disposition she had a pleasant word for anyone with whom she had dealings, either in her capacity as station agent or as private individual and in spite of long hours she also had time for home, church and social activities.

She was a charter member of the reorganized Congregational church and its clerk at the time of her death and active in the Sunday school, first as a teacher and later as a member of the Adult Bible class. She was an active member of the Ladies Guild, a charter member and first chaplain of the Order of Eastern Star as well as a Past Matron, as member and chaplain of the Service Star Legion and member of the P.E.O. sisterhood.

In railroad circles she was a member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers and of the Veteran Employees association. She was one of the few employees to have the right to wear a 50-year button and she took a great deal of pride in this honor which she so rightly deserved.

Surviving besides the daughter, Mrs. G. H. Wilke, are three grandchildren, Mrs. Phyllis Patterson and Mrs. H. Phelps Gates, both of Hollywood, and Paul Wilke of Fergus Falls, Minn., together with two grandsons, Paul, Jr., and Peter Wilke.

Her home, her church and her work she cherished almost to a fault and yet, as she sacrificed for one or the other or all three, she seemed to obtain joy out of that very sacrifice. Her's has truly been a life of happiness in service. No task of love or helpfulness has ever been to arduous, no sacrifice too great for her loving heart, no undertaking too difficult for her patience and no good deed for others left undone.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at the late home and in the Congregational church, the Rev. A. S. Kilbourne of Eagle Grove officiating. The latter was a former pastor of the local church and a close friend and neighbor of the Paul family. Burial was made in the East Side cemetery, services being attended in a body by the Eastern Star.

Casket bearers were J. G. Hempel, Dr. J. P. Donlon, L. C. Lenth, Roy Froelich, Albert Allen and F. L. McCreary.

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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