Morf, John 1840 – 1894

MORF, OBERLICH, ALBRECHT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/25/2021 at 13:18:16

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 10, 1895 P 3 C 2

Suicide at Waucoma.
Sentinel: -- Our citizens were very much startled Sunday afternoon by the report that John Morf had committed suicide by hanging, in the afternoon. He remarked that he was sleepy and went into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. After some little time his wife concluded to look in and see if he was asleep, but upon trying the door found it was locked and thinking something might be wrong hastily called one of the boys who forced the door open and the sight that met their eyes proved that their fears were not groundless. Partly hanging and partly lying was the lifeless form of the husband and father. He had taken the suspenders off from a pair of "bib” overalls, wound them twice around his neck, hooked them over the bed post and rolled off the bed. The act was done in a fit of mental despondency as he had not been feeling well for several days and had been closely watched by some member of the family. John Morf was born in Switzerland, March 9, 1840, and married Catherine Oberlich{sic} Feb. 13, 1867. He was one of the oldest residents of Waucouma, and a carpenter by trade. In 1891 he joined the M. E. church and made several efforts to break away from the liquor habit, but his temperament was such it seemed an impossibility.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he is buried in the Waucoma Cemetery and that his wife’s maiden name was Albrecht.