Adam Jaeger, 1868 Obituary

JAEGER

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/10/2008 at 00:16:12

I translated the following obituary from the Dubuque National Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Dubuque, Iowa between about 1856 and 1932. The obituary was originally published on 16 April 1868.

Death of Adam Jaeger

Another old German citizen has departed from our midst, one who had settled in Dubuque when it was just an insignificant little speck and saw it grow to a large town. Mr. Adam Jaeger, father of our current alderman, which office he himself had filled in 1856 and ’57, passed away last Friday following a long illness at the age of 57 years. He was born in 1811 in Jugesheim, Hesse-Darmstadt. He came to America in 1839 and in 1840 settled in Dubuque, where he mainly operated a mercantile business. In May of last year he visited his old home, which he had left half a lifetime earlier. However, he returned home ill, and since that time he rarely left his sickbed. His funeral took place last Sunday at the German-Catholic churchyard, after which the body was brought to St. Martin’s Church where, following the ceremony, Rev. Father Mais delivered a moving eulogy. The vast size of the procession following the earthly remains was the best testament to his popularity.

Mr. Jaeger leaves behind a large, widely branched family, whose members are counted among our most respected citizens and who will always remember him with love. Peace to his ashes.