WERNITCH, Edward

WERNITCH, HOHN, GASAWAY, LAWRENCE, GRAHAM, WRIGHT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/16/2014 at 11:38:17

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 246-47. Chicago. 1915.

EDWARD WERNITCH

Edward Wernitch, deceased, was for a number of years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in New Buda township and was highly esteemed by those who knew him. His birth occurred in Marion county, Iowa, February 25, 1856, and he was a son of John and Katherine (Hohn) Wernitch, natives of Germany who settled in Marion county, Iowa, at an early day in the history of this state. Subsequently they removed just over the line into Missouri. The father worked at the cabinetmaker's trade in Germany and after arriving in this country he followed cabinet and carpenter work and also gave some attention to farming. He passed away February 28, 1906, and his wife died in November, 1909.

Edward Wernitch grew to manhood in Missouri and there received a common-school education. He remained with his parents until he became of age and after his marriage, came to Decatur county, Iowa, buying eighty acres on section 16, New Buda township. He operated that tract for many years, or until ill health compelled him to abandon farm work. He was an invalid for two years before his demise, which occurred on the 14th of November, 1890. He was energetic and planned his work carefully and met with a gratifying measure of success as an agriculturist.

On the 23d of October, 1877, Mr. Wernitch married Miss Clara R. Gasaway, a daughter of Marion and Margaret (Lawrence) Gasaway, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Wernitch was born in the Hoosier state, September 23, 1855, and in the following year was taken by her parents to southern Missouri, where the father engaged in farming. During the Civil war he sold out and went to Kansas, thence to Illinois and still later back to Indiana, where he passed away in October, 1865. He had survived his wife for a number of years, as she died in January, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Wernitch became the parents of four children: Lulu M., the wife of Ed E. Graham, a farmer of this county; Margaret J., who is teaching school at Hanover, Kansas; John F., who died in April [27], 1884, when thirteen months old; and Laura E., the wife of Quintin B. Wright, who is principal of schools at Mineral, Washington. Mrs. Wernitch has seven grandchildren, including the two daughters and three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Ed E. Graham, and a son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quintin B. Wright.

Mr. Wernitch was a republican and was trustee of New Buda township, discharging his duties to the satisfaction of his constituents. He belonged to the Grange and took an active interest in all movements that sought to bring the farmers closer together and to give them a more scientific attitude toward their work. He guided his life by the teachings of the United Brethren church, of which he was a member, and his sterling worth gained him the confidence and respect of all who were associated with him.

Mrs. Wernitch resides in Davis City, where she owns two good residences, one of which she erected and the other of which she remodeled and now rents. She is a member of the Rebekah lodge and has many friends not only in that order but in the community at large as she is a woman of many admirable qualities.

NOTE: John Wernitch was born March 18, 1830, Saxony, Germany, and died February 28, 1905. Catherine (Hohn) Wernitch was born January 12, Germany, and died November 7, 1909.

Clara R. (Gasaway) Wernitch died in 1952. She was interred beside her husband, Edward.

All interments at Andover Cemetery, Harrison County, MO.

Also interred at Andover Cemetery is John F. Wernitch, son of Edward and Clara who died in 1884; J. Henry Wernitch, born 1866 and died 1936; and J. Henry's wife, Jane E. Wernitch, born 1871, and died 1953.

Transcription by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Museum, January of 2014

Note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014