Michel, Michael 1828 – 1902

MICHEL, KRAMER, BERRINGER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/10/2018 at 10:59:42

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Apr. 15, 1902, FP, C6

A Good Man Gone.
Saturday, April 12th, Mr. Michael Michel passed away at his home in Cresco, aged 73 years, 8 months and 23 days.
Deceased was born in France at a place now German territory, he came to this country 47 years ago. For some ten years he was at Locust Lane, In Winnesheik{sic} county, removing to this county and locating in Albion, a mile south of the village of Florenceville. In 1865, residing there until he came to Cresco to reside. He was a successful business manager and his ability in that line enabled him through the cooperation of his sons, to build up a large property and to provide each with a valuable farm in vicinity. There were eight sons and one daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Michel, all living except the eldest born. The living are Michael, William, John, Mary, wife of Dr. W. J. Berringer, of Lake View, Iowa, Andrew, Charles and George, the sons all living in this immediate vicinity, and all present at the last sad rites over the remains of their venerable parent
The deceased was an intelligent Christian gentleman of the old school, a good citizen, husband and father, universally loved and respected. The funeral will be held from the house this Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, the interment will be in the Lutherin{sic} cemetery at his old home in Albion. The world is made brighter and better because of the example of such men as the deceased.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Apr. 18, 1902, FP, C7

Michael Michel, a well known former resident of Florenceville died at his home in Cresco last Friday of heart trouble, so we are informed. He was buried in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery at Granger last Tuesday. He was about 75 years of age and leaves many friends.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Apr. 18, 1902, LP, C7

In Memoriam.
Michael Michel of Cresco passed away at 1 o’clock, Saturday morning, April 12, 1902, in his seventy-fourth year, after a few days illness from heart failure.
Humanity is indeed a vast procession from whose ranks, as they pass, individuals are continually dropping by the way while the great mass moves onward, ever onward. But, oh, how lonely seems the way as our dearest friends fall by our side and we must go on, even though it be for a little way without their companionship! Such is the experience of the writer as well as of a large circle of relatives and friends in the departure from this busy, throbbing life, of our personal friend, Michael Michel. We cannot say of him in the language of French skepticism, “He is no more,” for, although gone, he still lives, not only in the affections of these who learned to love him, but beyond the vail that hides from our mortal eyes the glories of immortality he waits for our coming and will greet us again in his own personality to share with him the blessings of an existence unalloyed by the sorrow of earth.
Mr. Michel was born October 17, 1828, at Spatzenhum, Alsace, then a province of France; he obtained a good education in the schools of his native country and was confirmed at the age of 14 in the Lutheran church of which he was a faithful member during his whole life.
In the year 1852 he emigrated from his native land to America, after landing at New York he proceeded west to Cincinnati where he was for two years engaged in a shoe house, following his trade as a cobbler. In 1854, following the tide of emigration he came to Winnesheik{sic} county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. Having made the best preparation then practicable for a home, he married Salome Kramer, at Decorah, on the 17th day of Oct. 1855, who survives him. To them were born 9 children, Jacob, Michael, William, John, Mary, A., Andrew, Charles, Theodore and George, all of whom are living, except Jacob, who died in Montana, May 22, 1882. All reside in this vicinity except Mary A., (Mrs. Dr. W. J. Berringer) of Lake View, Iowa. In the winter of 1862 he was striken with typhoid fever when he was for some time near deaths door. In 1865 he moved to Albion township, Howard county, where he engaged in farming and where he owned 1000 acres of land. Six years ago he moved to Cresco, to spend the remainder of his life.
That he was a kind and affectionate husband and father is the testimony of all who knew him during the 47 years of his residence in Howard Co. Coming to the county when there was little here but the undeveloped resources of the soil he has taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to the development and the prosperity of the country. During these 47 years he has lived and labored, not only for his own, but for the general good and the public welfare of county, state and nation. A man of good judgment, clear perception and a kind heart, he was a useful citizen a safe adviser, and a true friend.
In all his relations in life he was the same reliable, faithful man, whom his children and all who knew him best, love and respect, and will ever revere and emulate.
His life has extended through the period of the most wonderful development of the most wonderful nation of all time and he has contributed his share towards that development. Succeeding generations should not forget the pioneers whose very lives are woven into and have become a part of our higher civilization and have made the improved conditions which are now our rich heritage.
In his last sickness he did not suffer severe pain, but sank gradually towards the brink of the dark river. About half an hour before the light of life went out, he, realizing that the end was near, shook hands with his wife and children and friends at his bedside and bade them all good by, expressing a hope that he should soon be in Heaven. He spoke with an audible voice and seemed quite strong and fully conscious and then sank quietly into a peaceful sleep.
“Like one who wraps the drapery of
His couch about him
And lies down to pleasant dreams.”
The funeral was conducted by Rev. Neidemeier of Cresco, at the Granger church, April 15th, and the remains laid to rest in the family lot in the Granger cemetery. Mrs. Michel is in feeble health and was prostrated by the sorrow of her great bereavement. She and the children and other relatives have the sincere sympathy of the entire community. COM
CARD OF THANKS.
For the many expressions of sympathy and sorrow, for the kindly words of comfort and the tender regard of the people in our hour of grief and bereavement we tender unfeigned thanks.
MRS. MICHEL and the Children of the departed.