ULRICH NIFFENEGGER (1825-1913)

NIFFENEGGER, MEISTER, GREEN, SLEICHTER, YODER

Posted By: J Hindman (email)
Date: 8/5/2018 at 09:36:08

Death of U. Niffenegger.

Ulrich Niffenegger was born in Hutvel, Switzerland, October 6, 1825 and died October 25, 1913, on Saturday morning. In the year 1848 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Meister, who preceded him to the heavenly home about ten years ago. To this union were born ten children, seven of whom are still living, two dying in infancy, and one son, Gotlieb, dying at the age of twenty three.

The deceased, with his wife and children, emigrated from their native country in the year 1864. Three years were spent in the state of Ohio, after which the family moved to Iowa and settled in Sharon twp., Johnson county.

The deceased was a man with a good character and was careful in all his habits. While in Switzerland he was a member of the Reformed Lutheran church and in the year 1885 he united with the Evangelical church of Sharon Center, in which he has always been a faithful member. The influence of his christian life was felt in the church, Sunday School and prayer meetings and also in his business relation with the world. He was honest and upright and walked in the ways of integrity.

About two years ago was the last time he attended church services and during these two years of failing health he often expressed a desire to attend. His mind was stayed upon his God. To him the pathway to heaven was "as a light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." John, the Revelator, tells us, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works to follow them." The doors once opened for him cannot be opened again. Another door has been opened, the one into eternal bliss and joy. He was a little like Enoch of old, who had gone for a long journey, weary, faint and tired, sat down to rest. God met him and took him home. "It is a weary way, I am faint, I pant for purer air and fresher springs. Oh Father, take me home. There is a saint, a shadow on earth's purest, brightest things. This world is but a wilderness to me, there is no rest, but God, no peace apart from Thee."

The surviving ones are: a brother, Andrew, from Monroe, Wis., seven children, John of Des Moines, Mrs. Elizabeth Green of Keota, Mary and Mrs. Barbara Sleichter, Ulrich and Fred of Sharon twp., and Mrs. Leah Yoder of Iowa City. Besides these there are a large number of grandchildren and a host of friends.

The services were held in the U. E. church at Sharon. the interment was made in the Albright cemetery. Rev. Adam Schwimley of Iowa City assisted the pastor, Geo. J. Roths.

Source: The Kalona News/Thursday, 30 Oct 1913/page 1.

Transcriber note: Although the obituary states he was buried in Albright cemetery, there is a stone - and it appears he is buried - in the cemetery at Sharon Center.