LUITJENS, Luitjen 1803-1899

LUITJENS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Had Seen Much Of Life

"Life's Fitful Fever Ended." Lutjen Leutjens Sleeps Well--Died at 96

Born at Near the Dawn of the Century; Career Closed With Approach of its Ending

Leutjen Leutjens lived to a ripe old age, one that very few mortals are privileged to attain.

He first saw the light of day in a humble little cot "beyond the sea," and throughout the course of his career his memory oft reverted to the "little German home." Like many another who has left the fatherland in his early youth, he felt the desire to again set foot upon the native sod, but delayed, hoping for a more advantageous time. It did not come; for desire, long cherished, was never realized. He gave up the battle of life at his country home, nine miles southeast of town Sunday, and the interment of his mortal remains was made Monday afternoon.

Mr. Leutjens was born September 10, 1803, at Stapelmoor, Ostfriesland, where he lived until his 51st year, or in 1854, when he was caught up with the tide of immigration of his fellow countrymen to establish themselves in the "land of the free; the home of the brave." With others he settled at Silver Creek, Illinois, where he lived a number of years, and seeing the "star of empire" still farther west, came to Iowa twenty-five years ago. He had been a resident of this community continuously since that time. Honored and esteemed by all who knew him. He was a man strikingly devout and carried the early religious training characteristic of that people, through the course of his life. Being in the ninety-sixth year of his age at the time of his death, he was the oldest man in this section.

Mrs. Leutjens preceded him in death by twenty-five years. A son and a daughter survive; they are Leutjen Leutjens--with whom the parent has made his home a number of years--and Mrs. Riebkes. One child died at the age of 20 years. Twenty-three grandchildren are living.

Funeral services were held from the German Presbyterian church in German township, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Schmidt officiating.

--The Ackley World (Ackley, Iowa), 8 November 1899, pg 1