Charlie Mettlin (1873-1958)

METTLIN, EVERETT, BLECH, JOHNSON, FRYE, VANDENOVER, SPRAGUE, VERSHUIS, ALLISON

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 11/11/2007 at 16:55:17

Charlie Mettlin, the son of James and Hannah Andre Mettlin, was born on his parents' farm three and a half miles southeast of Oelwein on December 21, 1873. He grew up with Oelwein and never lived more than five miles outside of town.

As a boy he attended country school and then finished his schooling in Oelwein after his family had moved to town. After graduation he hired out for farm work for five or six years.

On August 12, 1897, Mr. Mettlin and Mary Lucy Everett were united in marriage and began farming on the old Mettlin farm where he was born. They continued farming until the spring of 1918 when the moved to Oelwein.

The couple became parents of six children; Earl Mettlin, Little York, Illinois; Floyd Mettlin, Hazleton; Harold Mettlin, who preceded his father in death May 15, 1952, when he was killed in Washington, D. C., in an automobile accident; Mary, Mrs. Fred Blech of Oelwein; Jennie, Mrs. Cecil Johnson of St. Joseph, Mo. and Effie, Mrs. Norman Frye Jr. of Independence.

After farming, Mr. Mettlin worked as a blacksmith's helper for the Chicago Great Western railroad. He retired in 1943.

Mr. Mettlin was in good health until about three years ago when hardening of the arteries set in with the infirmities of age. His son-in-law and daughter, the Blechs, with whom he made his home at 210 Sixth Street, S.W., cared for him until hospitalization became necessary. His death occurred at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, October 1, at the Fayette County Hospital. He was 84 years and nine months of age. His wife Mary, preceded him in death on December 25, 1940.

He is survived by his two sons and three daughters, one sister, Mrs. Nellie Hazlett, Des Moines; 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and son, Harold, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Lawrence Mettlin who was killed in Korea in 1951; two brothers and three sisters.

Mr. Mettlin was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was active until his health failed. He was a member of the Oelwein Daily Register Three Quarter Century club.

Funeral services were held at the Brant Funeral chapel on October 4, at 3 p.m. with Dr. L. W. Hauter, his pastor, in charge. Mrs. William served as organist.

The following were casket bearers; Prentice Mettlin, Harold VanDenover, Ralph Sprague, James Mettlin, Charles Vershuis and George Allison. Burial was at Otsego Cemetery, near the place he was born.

Oelwein Daily Register - October 9, 1958