GRIESSE, Christian 1835-1918

GRIESSE, SUE, WOHLERS, HEINS, BRAUER, GEICK, CLAUSSEN

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 12/18/2002 at 07:00:34

Death of Christian Griesse

Last Saturday morning marked the end of a long, useful and successful life when Christian Griesse, an old and well known resident of Lyon County quietly passed away at his home in Rock Rapids. He had been enjoying comparatively good health until about two weeks ago, when he was confined to his bed. His last illness was due to the infirmities of old age, and with the exception of a few spells of distressing nature was not accompanied with very much suffering. The distant members of the family were notified in time of his condition, and they were all present while he was yet able to recognize them and enjoy their presence and they were glad for one last opportunity to discharge a debt of gratitude by administering as they could to the aged father's comfort and consolation.

Mr. Griesse was born December 24, 1835, in Hommendorf, Germany and raised in the Lutheran Faith. For his livelihood he learned in his youth, the trade of a mason. In the year 1857, at the age of 21, he came to America, and settled at Plattesville, Wisconsin, where for nineteen years he followed the same vocation. While there he was married to Miss Rosine Caroline Sue, also of Hanover, Germany in the year 1861.

Their home was blessed with eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom two have preceded him in death, William at the age of 3, and Louis in the prime of his life, at 26.

In the year 1876 Mr. Griesse and his family moved to Clayton County, Iowa, where he began to devote himself chiefly to agriculture, and for nineteen years he lived at this place as an industrious and successful farmer, while his skill as a mason often enabled him to render valuable service in that line.

In 1895 the family came to Lyon County and settled on a farm four miles southeast of town, now occupied by his son Christ Griesse. Twenty-three years he lived here in Lyon County, although the last sixteen years, he lived in retirement, having moved to town with his beloved wife in 1902, and occupied the house in which his long career came to a close.

In the year 1911, on the 3rd of May, he enjoyed with his wife the rare and special privilege of the 50th Anniversary of their wedding. It was at the same time a glad family reunion participated in by a large number of friends and relatives of the community, who greatly honored him for his sterling worth and amiable disposition. A reunion of the whole family, though living far apart, has been repeated since then, and was one of the last events which helped to make the closing days of his worthy life calm and peaceful. He slumbered away Saturday morning, March 30, 1918 at 6:40, having attained the age of 82 years, 3 months and 6 days. He is survived by a sorrowing wife, 5 sons and 4 daughters, who are mostly well known here and are in order, Fred, Henry and Christ Griesse, Mrs. Fred Wohlers, Mrs. Carroline Heins of Plattesville, Wisconsin, Mrs. William Brauer, Mrs. Henry Geick, Rev. August Griesse of Lockwood, Missouri and Rev. George Griesse of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Besides these the deceased is survived by 38 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

The interment took place Monday at 2 o'clock from the Lutheran church south, of which the departed was one of the founders and an active member. The funeral was conducted by his pastor, Rev. F.O. Claussen.