Theodore S. Schnittger 1855-1923

SCHNITTGER, MILLER, DAVIS, STINEHORST, STEINHORST, MCCORMICK, COCKAYME

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/11/2012 at 22:26:47

Heart Failure Causes Death of a Pioneer
Theodore Schnittger of Near Huntington Passes On
A Prominent Farmer
Overcome in Auto When Returning From Taking His Daughter to Hospital

Thursday [November 15, 1923] afternoon as Mr. Theodore Schnittger, prominent farmer of the Huntington neighborhood, was returning home from Estherville where he had been to bring his daughter Miss Mabel to the Birney hospital for a tonsil operation, he was overcome by heart failure and was found in his car by the side of the road by Mrs. Allen Stockdale. He had felt the attack coming on and had driven the car out of the road and stopped it.

This happened close to the H. J. Mester farm. Mr. Schnittger was conscious although very weak when found and told Mrs. Stockdale which doctor to call. As the doctor was unable to come, Mrs. Stockdale drove Mr. Schnittger back to Estherville where he passed away a short time after reaching the hospital.

Mr. Schnittger came to this county in 1893 and settled on the farm east of Huntington on which he was residing at the time of his death. He was born near Burlington on April 14, 1855 and was at the time of his death sixty-eight years, seven months and one day old. He was married in December 1883 to Rosa Miller of Burlington, who was his faithful and loving helpmeet until her death on January 24, 1916. Ten children were born to this union, all of which lived to young man and young womanhood. Three have preceded him in death, Mrs. Lulu Davis, Henry and Lillie. The seven who survive him are Arthur H. who is farming the home place, Clarence T. and Mrs. Frank Stinehorst of near Huntington, Willie F., Theodore Jr., and Mabel who are at home with their brother Art, and Mrs. J. J. McCormick of Curlew, Iowa. There are also thirteen grandchildren.

Mrs. Schnittger united with the German Lutheran Church when a young man. The children, however, were members of the Methodist church and the funeral services were held from that church in this city on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 18. Burial was made in the East Side cemetery. The service was in charge of Rev. Chipperfield. The Woodmen lodge of which the deceased was a member, furnished the pall bearers who were also old time friends. They were J. D. Weir, L. L. Barth, Henry Rosburg, J. H. Sidles, Harry Sidles, and Chas. Logue. The church was filled with the numerous friends of Mr. Schnittger and his family and the funeral cortege was one of the longest seen in this city for many years, bespeaking the popularity of the decease and the great respect in which he was held. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 21, 1923)

Died Suddenly After Taken to Hospital
Theo. E. Schnittger Succumbed to Heart Trouble
Pioneer Resident Here
Resided in County for Thirty Years – Prominent Huntington Farmer – Funeral Sunday

Theodore S. Schnittger, for thirty years a resident of Emmet county and all this time residing on the same farm east of Huntington, died very suddenly at Birney Hospital Thursday afternoon. He had complained of heart trouble for some time. Thursday afternoon he brought his daughter, Mabel, to the Birney Hospital to have her tonsils removed and started home in his car between two and three o’clock. Near the Mester place he felt weak and difficult to breathe. He stopped his car at the side of the road and sat there in a dazed condition when Mrs. Allan Stockdale coming to town from the Foshier farm noticed him. She drove past a few rods and then decided to go back and see what was the matter. She succeeded in arousing him enough that he told her he was having trouble with his heart. She drove his car to the Mester home and called the hospital and was told to bring him there immediately. With the assistance of one of the Mester boys Mrs. Stockdale drove the care to the hospital where his daughter was just being operated on. Mr. Schnittger was carried into the hospital in an unconscious condition and died within a very few moments. Heart trouble was the cause. The news of his death was a shock to his relatives and friends in the neighborhood where he had resided so many years. He was very prominent in the community and one of the most highly respected men in Emmet county. He came to this county in 1893, purchased the farm where he has since resided and raised a large family. Mrs. Schnittger died July 24, 1916, since which time he has been making his home with his son on the farm. He was sixty-eight years of age at the time of his death and had lived a true Christian life, uniting with St. John’s church in Des Moines county at Winfield in 1871. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnittger. Three preceded him in death, and seven are still living. They are Clarence, Arthur, William, Theodore, Jr., Mabel and Mrs. Ellen Steinhorst, all of this county, and two married daughters from out of town. All were present at the funeral which was held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon, Rev. R. T. Chipperfield preaching the funeral service and burial was in East Side Cemetery. The many friends of the Schnittger family have the sympathy of the community in their time of sorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 21, 1923)

An Old Time Settler Dead
Theodore Schnittger Died Suddenly Thursday from Heart Failure
Taken Ill on Road
Started Home in His Automobile, Was Found by Roadside in Car by Mrs. Stockdale
On Thursday last Theodore Schnittger, one of Emmet counties highly respected residents passed away very suddenly. He had brought his daughter to the Birney hospital for throat operation. While in the doctor’s office he complained of not feeling very well. The doctor endeavored to get him to remain in town. However, he started home in his car. This side of the Norwegian Cemetery he drove the car to the side of the road. Mrs. Allen Stockdale, who was coming to town stopped to see what was the matter with him. Another party also stopped and after phoning Dr. Birney, who was then operating on the daughter, they brought him to the hospital where he passed away in a few minutes of heart failure.

Theodore Schnittger was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, on April 14th 1855. He was confirmed in St. James Lutheran Church, Flint River township, Des Moines county, Iowa, on April 2nd, 1871. He was united in marriage to Rosa Miller on December 1, 1883. To this marriage were born ten children, three of whom preceded him in death: Mrs. Lulu Davis, Henry and Lillie. His wife, Rosa, died January 24, 1916. Seven children survive: Clarence, Mrs. Ella Steinhorst, William, Theodore, Jr., and Mabel, all of whom reside in Emmet county; and Mrs. Emma McCormick, of Curlew, Iowa. A sister, Mrs. Caroline Cockayme, and three children of Winfield, Iowa. There are also thirteen grandchildren besides numerous relatives to mourn his loss. He moved to Emmet County in December, 1893, and has resided here continuously ever since. He was a loving husband and father and beloved by all who knew him. He is gone but not forgotten, not only by his relatives but by his numerous friends. He died November 15, 1923, being 68 years, 7 months and 1 day old.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church at Estherville, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon, November 18. He was laid to rest beside his wife in the local cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 21, 1923)