Edwin F. Hain (1851-1912)

HAIN, GARDNER, WIEDNER

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 12/25/2003 at 23:03:07

Edwin Frederick Hain was born at Crown Point, Indiana, December 7, 1851. He passed away at the home of his son George, 122 First Street East, Oelwein, on December 5, 1912. Thus these final services were held and he was laid to rest on what would have been his 61st birthday.

He removed with his parents from Indiana to Minnesota in 1853, and bore the privations of pioneer life in St. Lawrence County of that state. As a young man he entered the train service of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha R. R. In 1888 he entered the service of the Chicago Great Western when that company was but three years of age. He has steadfastly and faithfully served his employers since that date until compelied 8 weeks ago to give up work on account of illness. He moved to Oelwein from St. Paul in May, 1899, where he has since been a respected citizen. His home was on Fifth Avenue West, but it was thought best to bring him to his son's home about two weeks ago. He apparently was growing better when an unexpected turn rapidly brought him to the end of his life.

Mr. Hain was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gardner on August 27, 1879. Three children were given to them, all of whom are left with the mother to mourn the loss of this kind father and true husband. The children are F. B. Hain of Chicago, Mrs. Allan Wiedner of Dubuque and George W. Hain of Oelwein.

The deceased was an industrious and conscientious man. He was a man of great sympathy for and with the needy and afflicted. He was generous, sometimes to a fault. It was said that he was often better to others than to himself. He like all of us, had his faults, but he possessed many qualities that endeared him as a friend and help make him a worthy citizen. One incident is characteristic of his spirit. He was at one time in the grain and fuel business in western Minnesota and was in prosperous circumstances. Several lean years came upon that section of the state and many families were in destitute circumstances. To these families Mr. Hain gave credit amounting in the aggregate to many hundreds of dollars. He had little hope of return. It was a personal sacrifice from which he never rallied financially. It was not a mistake of business judgement on his part .... it was simply the outworking of his generous and sypathetic sprit. Such action does not receive it's full reward in this life. It is remembered by Him who says "In as much as ye did it unto on one of the least of these".

Mr. Hain's parents died when he was but a boy. He bore many hardships on this account. He never united with any church but he manifested a faith in God. He was a reader of the bible and prized very much a bible inherited from his father. He was a member of Palm Camp M. W. A. A man beloved by the members of his family, prized by his friends, remembered for his kindness toward the needy, has passed this life to the awards of the life to come.

Funeral services were held at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church Saturday afternoon, December 7 at 2:30 and was conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. P. Van Horn. Interment at Oakdale Cemetery.

Oelwein Register - December, 1912
Note - remains were most likely moved to Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date as many were moved through the early years.