ELL, Sebastian (1821-1905)

ELL, GRIEWE, WEIDMANN, TIMM, KLUCKHOHN, NISSEN, MERRILL

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 6/1/2023 at 14:33:34

Sebastian Ell
one of the pioneers of Hancock Comity who died July 16th.

Old Settler Passes Away

Sebastian Ell died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Henry Griewe in German township on Sunday evening July 16 just as the sun was sinking behind the western horizon. He was only sick five days, from Wednesday the 12th.

Deceased was born in Market Elbach, Bavaria, Baiern, Germany on January 23, 1821. When he was 16 years old he came to America and settled in Ohio. There he was married in the year 1841, on October 12th, to Catherine Weidmann, Nine children were born to them, three boys and six girls all of whom grew up and all except one daughter are living. They are John of Bennett, Nebraska, Phillip Ell of Klemme, George Ell of Belmond, Mrs. Timm of Minnesota, Mrs. Geo. W. Kluckhohn, Mrs. Henry Griewe, Mrs. Nissen of this county and Mrs. Merrill who died a few years ago.

About fifty years age the family moved to White Rock, Illinois and resided there about fifteen years. Thirty five years ago they move to Hancock county and settled in what is now known as Ell township which was named after deceased. The country was sparsely settled at that time, the nearest neighbor being a couple of miles distant and for many years they underwent the inconveniences and varied experiences of frontier life. Here children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grew into one great family that today numbers over 100 living members who mourn the loss of their father and grandfather.

Deceased grew up in the Lutheran church and was a faithful member of it until he moved to Illinois where he and his wife joined the Evangelical association. When the family moved to Iowa, the Methodist church interested itself in them and they became members of the carne.

Father Ell was a pleasant and well meaning man by nature and would rather suffer wrong than do wrong. As a christian and churchman led a quiet and peaceful life. His pleasant and cheerful manner won many friends for him. He read a great deal and in his old age especially he was a constant reader of the bible.

As a father he was loved and honored by his children and childrens children. He was always welcomed and all were glad to see him. He preserved his youthful disposition and jovial spirit to the last.

He was blessed with a strong constitution and he was in moderate health until a few days before the and came. It seemed that all his members lost their functions and the end drew rapidly near. His children and grandchildren did all that loving hands could do to make his last hours on earth as pleasant as possible. He himself felt that the evening of life was drawing near and said repeatedly "I am ready when the Lord comes". Just as the sun was sinking behind the western hills and was sending its last rays on the earth his soul peacefully passed over to the other shore to which his wife had passed just fourteen years previous to a day.

He was 84 years 5 months and 24 days old.

It is well with him who can die thus. He leaves 3 sons, 5 daughters, 47 grand children, and 50 great grandchildren.

The funeral services were held in the German M.E. church at Klemme conducted by Rev. Wessel. Six of his grandsons acted as pall bearers. It was his request that his grandchildren should sing the song entitled "One by One," which they did.

source: Signal, Garner, Iowa, 26 Jul 1905, page 1, column 2