Niedermeier, Christian Rev. 1870 - 1905

NIEDERMEIER, NEIDERMEIER, ELKER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:28

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Oct. 3, 1905, FP, C7

Rev. Niedermeier Dead.
The people of Cresco and vicinity were inexpressible shocked, Sunday forenoon, to haer of the death at 8 o’clock that morning of Rev. C. Niedermeier—shocked because of the love and respect in which he was held by all, and because of the general belief that he would soon be restored to health by rest and proper treatment.
Sheriff Campbell, who was at the hospital on Saturday, reports that Mr. Niedermeier had the best of care and three attendants assigned to him, but that the physicians diagnosed his disease as acute mania, the attacks of which soon wore out his physical strength.
The sorrow of the wife and children is shared in by both his congregations, to every member of whom he was a {line missing in a fold} for his flocks, his constant worry lest he should do some wrong, was the incentive for the overwork which resulted in his mental and physical break-down. And this sorrow is universal and extends to the friends and acquaintances who respected and loved him as a genuine Christian gentleman and upright citizen whose constant endeavor was to tend to his flock rightly, do harm to none and good to all.
His remains will be brought to Cresco to-day for burial, in charge of David Baldner, and Revs. Pless and Fuchs.
Tue funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon, probably from the United Lutheran Church, that building having a greater seating capacity than the German Lutheran building.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Oct. 6, 1905, LP, C2,3

OBITUARY.
NIEDERMEIER:
Reverend Christian Niedermeier was born September 10, 1870, in the city of Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany; third child of an artisan.
When about 5 years old, both of parents died. The orphan asylum at Sohnrabach took charge of him and he remained there until after his confirmation. On account of his exceptional abilities, the authorities decided not to apprentice him to some trade but give him a classical education. In 1886, he entered the college at Neuendettelsan, his aim being to become a missionary after his course of studies had been completed. Having passed his examination with honor, he was ordained and sent out by the East Africa Missionary Society. In the month of April, 1890, he landed at Mombasa, and together with a fellow missionary marched with a caravan of Arabian traders 250 miles into the interior. His experiences and work there need not be retold, as in frequent lectures he spoke about the subject. Suffering from malaria fever, much of the time during his stay, he finally had an attack of yellow fever and was transported to the coast and put in a hospital by six friendly blacks and his co-laborer. The doctors saw that the only chance for his recovery was in putting him aboard ship and sending him home. The second day out on the ocean, he became conscious, and in May, 1893, reached his home country in very feeble condition. After a rest of six months, he decided to go to America to see his friend, Rev. Pless, of Alta Vista, Ia. While staying with him, he was called to the pastorate of the Cresco and Paris Township congregations; he accepted and commenced his work January 1, 1894. On July 11, 1894, he was united in marriage to Lydia Elker. This union was blessed with five children, four girls and one boy, the oldest bein{g} 9 years of age and the youngest 3. Though his health was fairly good, considering the circumstances, he often used to say: “When I shall be called away, it will go fast with me;” and suddenly his career ended. Attending the conference at Sumner, Ia., he took a lively part in the debate, Sunday, the 17th of September, he also spoke at a missionary meeting at New Hampton, Ia., and returned Monday, the 18th, in the evening to Cresco, apparently well and hearty, when during the night, beginning with a dream, his intellect became clouded. After waiting a few days it appeared that it would be best for him and his family to take him to the state hospital on September, the 21st, with the lamentation of both of his congregations. Without regaining consciousness, he died in the hospital at Independence at 8:25 o’clock in the morning of Sunday, October 1st, and his richly blessed ministration of almost 12 years at Cresco came to an end. The time of his hard life consumed in the service of Christ, whom he loved with all his strength, was 35 years and 11 days. May be rest in peace and the light of God shine upon him. COM.
The funeral occurred Wednesday from the United Norwegian Lutheran church which was filled to overflowing with the people of Cresco and Davis Corners congregations and with many other friends who joined in paying this tribute of love and respect to their pastor and friend. The funeral services were conducted by Prof. Reu, of Dubuque, Rev. John Pless, of Lavrens, Ia., preaching the funeral sermon, Rev. Engelke of Williamstown making an address in English and Rev. Casselmann, of Charles City, spoke in the name of the conference of which Rev. Neidermeier was a member. That the deceased was held in high esteem by his associates is shown by the attendance of twenty-one of his ministerial brethren at the funeral. Interment was in New Oregon Cemetery.
CARD OF THANKS.
The congregation desires to extend their thanks to all for their sympathetic words and acts on the occasion of the loss of their beloved pastor, and especially do they desire to specially thanks Messrs. G. Meverden, E. O. White and C. F. Stinson for courtesies extended.

Transcriber’s Note: His last name is spelled two different ways.

New Oregon Cemetery
 

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