Michael Saar

SAAR, SWANK, CASSIDY, BENNETT, GIERKE, NEVIUS, FAETH, DIETRICH, SHIRK, WEDEL

Posted By: Connie Street, volunteer
Date: 10/13/2005 at 21:53:20

Michael Saar
Michael Saar, one of the pioneers of Lee County, died at his home near Donnellson at 2 a.m. Wednesday, September 4, [1912] aged seventy-four years, one month and eighteen days; death resulting from cancer. He was born. July 17, 1838 in Elstadt [Ellerstadt], Bayern, Germany [Bavaria] and came with his parents to Iowa in 1847. He was married to Elizabeth Gaeth [Faeth] March 11, 1869, and leaves to mourn his loss his widow, seven sons and two daughters, Peter of Ferries, New Mexico; Louis of Kearney, Neb.; Henry of Kahoka, Mo.; Daniel of Newton, Kan., Ed, Lee and Carl, of Donnellson; Mrs. Lena Dietrich, and Mrs. Lida Schirch [Shirk] of Marceline, Mo.; ten grandchildren; one brother and one sister; besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Saar was for many years a member of the Evangelical church and much loved and esteemed by all who knew him and who all extend sympathy to the family in their bereavement.

The funeral services were conducted from the G.E. [German Evangelical] church by Rev. Kreis, Saturday at 1:30 and the remains laid to rest in the G.E. cemetery north of our city. The pallbearers were the four sons and two sons-in-law of the deceased.

Jesus says: I come quickly. Hold fast that which thou hast that no one take thy crown. Rev. III:2

The children were all present to pay their last sad devotion to the father with the exception of Peter Saar of Fierro, N. Mexico, and Louis Saar of Kearney, Neb., who were unable to get here in time.

One touching incident, which shows that there is genuine sorrow felt even outside the family circle at the death of a good husband and father was the receipt of a fine floral wreath from the Hanlin-Shelp Mercantile Company of Newton, Kan., the employer of Mr. Dan Saar. They were undoubtedly strangers to the dead, the esteem in which they held the son prompted them to lay their offering upon the casket, and it was highly appreciated, not only by Dan but by the entire family.

Others from out of town who were present were Dr. Wedel, a nephew of Mr. Saar, and Miss Lena Wedel of Keokuk, John Saar, Mary Swank and Katie Cassidy of Cantril, Iowa, A. Bennett and wife of Keota, Iowa, Mrs. Gierke and Maggie Nevius of Burlington, Iowa.