MARTIN LUTHER LEFFLER

LEFFLER, BLEDSOE, WARD, FULLER, SAYLOR, LANTZ, MAHRENHOLZ, PRICE, MCCONNELL

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 2/11/2002 at 23:36:28

Decatur County Journal
January 28, l9l5

MARTIN LUTHER LEFFLER, son of JOHN and
BARBARA LEFFLER, was born
September l7, l843, in Washington County,
Pennsylvania, and died at his
home in Van Wert, Iowa, January l9, l9l5,
aged 7l years, 3 months and 3
days. His parents moved to Decatur County,
Iowa, when the deceased was
but a small boy and settled near the town of
Grand River. Here he grew
to young manhood, strong and robust. In
February, l862, when the
government was calling for volunteers, this
young man, a little past l8
years of age, responded to the call,
enlisting in Co. A. l7th Iowa
Infantry. His term of service covered a
period of three years and two
months. He was wounded in a battle at
Tilton, Georgia, by a bomb shell
striking him on the head, causing him great
pain and much suffering.

In February, l865 he was united in marriage
to MISS ALICE BLEDSOE. They
were the proud parents of three children, two
daughters and one son, the
latter died in infancy. The mother died in
l875, leaving the father to
care for the little girls. He was afterward
married to MISS LAURA
WARD. They have always made their home in
Van Wert. Their children
are: MRS. GRACE FULLER, MRS. MAMIE SAYLOR,
MRS. ALICE LANTZ, MRS. ENA
MAHRENHOLZ, and BENNIE LEFFLER, all living in
or near Van Wert. All of
his children, except one daughter, MRS. KATE
PRICE, were present to help
care for him in his last sickness. MRS. LOU
MCCONNELL came from York,
Nebraska, to see and assist in caring for her
father in the last days.

It was about six weeks after he gave up his
work when the end came.
During this time every care that love and
medical science could bestow
was given him. His devoted wife, entirely
forgetful of self, was ever
at his side to answer his every need or call.
The children and their
companions were ever ready to render any
possible service that would add
to his comfort or relieve him in his
suffering, but was of no permanent
avail. He knew for days that he could not
get well, but calmly
sustained by a trustful faith in God whom he
had loyally served, he
approached the end peacefully, saying again
and again "it is all right."

MR. LEFFLER united with the Church of Christ
in Van Wert in February
l897, and remained in that fellowship till
his death, a faithful and
honored member. The funeral service was held
in the new church on the
20th of January. The house was filled with
friends of the deceased.
The school came in a body with their
teachers. They dismissed in honor
of the deceased. They had learned to honor
and respect the man, and no
wonder, for 23 years, excepting one year, he
had been the janitor of the
school house. His every effort was made to
keep the house in such
condition as would insure the comfort of
teacher and pupils. Another
good
man has been taken away. He will be greatly
missed by the community,
the church, the school, but how much more by
the widow and their
children. They sorrow but look forward in
hope of meeting beyond the
sorrows of earth. Tis not "Farewell," but
there it will be "Good
Morning" (can't read last line..)

In the bright celestial dome,

When sweet angel voices singing,

Gladly bid us welcome home,

To the land of ancient story,

When the spirit knows no care,

In that land of light and glory,

Shall we know each other
there?

When the holy angels meet us,

As we go to join their band,

Shall we know the friends that
greet us,

In the glorious spirit land?

Shall we see the same eyes
shining

On us as in days of yore?

Shall we feel their dear arms
twining

Fondly round us as before?

Yes, my earth-worn soul
rejoices,

And my weary heart grows
light;

For the sweet and cheerful
voices,

And the forms so pure and
bright,

That shall welcome us in Heaven,

Are the loved of long ago;

And to them 'tis kindly given,

Thus their mortal friends to
know.

O, ye weary, sad and tossed
ones,

Droop not, faint not by the
way;

Ye shall join the loved and just
ones,

In the land of perfect day.

Harp strings touched by angel
fingers

Murmured in by raptured ear,

Ever more their sweet song
lingers,

We shall know each other
there.

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Copied February ll, 2002