Mrs. Caroline Bauder, 1852-1920

BAUDER, RUEGG, SKARSHAUG, OLSON, GROTH, GEHRING, WINKLER, WEDEL

Posted By: C. Diamond, IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 8/15/2014 at 09:53:56

The Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette Co., Iowa
Thursday, April 1, 1920
Page 1, column two

A PIONEER GONE.

Monday evening, March 29, 1920, at 9:30 o’clock a noble pioneer woman departed this life, and, when the word was passed that Mrs. Caroline Bauder was dead, each of our citizens felt a pang of sorrow and gave expression to words of regret.

In point of years of residence in this part of the state she was among our oldest. Her whole life of nearly sixty-eight years having been spent in Elgin and vicinity. She was born on the farm now owned by Jacob Gehring and could remember the days when the Indians roamed the hills and valleys of the Turkey. She had lived through two great epochs of our country, the Civil War and the World War, and to the last war she sent one of her sons and she was a happy woman when he returned, safe and sound. Of the early pioneer days she was familiar, of their hardships and pleasures she had been a part. She lived here when the nearest railroad shipping point was McGregor. It was near Elgin that she was born, spent her girlhood, grew to womanhood and married. It was here that her family was reared and it was fitting that when called, could close her eyes in the last long sleep, surrounded by friends and in the shadow of the hills she had known and loved.

As a Christian character her life was an example, as a friend and neighbor she was all that one could ask, and as a wife and mother she was loyal and loving. To her children she was devoted and to them she imparted the great qualities that she had gained in a life of wide experience. She was loving and kin, yet firm and by acts, deeds and precepts she taught that which makes the world better, “Do unto others as you would they should do unto you.”

Mrs. Bauder’s life was one of devotion and love to her husband, her home, her children, her friends and her God. For many years she had been a consistent member of the Baptist church and when the end came her faith was in “Him, who doeth all things well.”

For a number of months she had been in poor health and had frequent attacks of illness, when she suffered great pain. It was after she had been relieved of the pain from one of these attacks that the end came, suddenly and quickly. The immediate cause of her death was angina poctons.

Caroline Ruegg, daughter of Jacob and Maria Ruegg was born September 25, 1852, on the farm now owned by Jacob Gehring. Her girlhood and young womanhood were spent on her father’s farm 2 miles east of Elgin, where Hans Winkler now lives. From this home she was married to Samuel Bauder, who died December 21, 1895. Most of her married life and several years of her widowhood were spent on the farm east of Elgin, now under the supervision of her son, Edward. Seventeen years ago she came to Elgin where she has since resided and her home has been shared with her son Ernest and daughter, Mrs. Mary Skarshaug and granddaughter Frances.

Mrs. Bauder is survived by her six children: A. G. Bauder, of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Mary Skarshaud, of Elgin; Mrs. O.J. Olson, of Clermont; Mrs. T.J. Groth, of Seattle, Washington; Edward E. Bauder and Ernest L. Bauder, of Elgin, together with many relatives and friends, who have the heart felt sympathy of the community in this hour of sorrow.

The funeral will be held this (Thursday) afternoon from the Baptist church at 2:00 o’clock p.m.; her pastor Rev. Wedel officiating. Interment will be in Elgin cemetery.