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Katharina (Schott) Mueller (1939)

BRITTAIN, MUELLER, SCHOTT, ST JOHN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/2/2007 at 07:17:04

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 1, 1939

CATHERINE MUELLER RITES HELD SUNDAY

Pioneer Woman of Madison County Dies at Age of 93 Years

One of the last of Madison county's early pioneers passed last Thursday with the death, at Lisbon, North Dakota, of Mrs. Catherine Mueller, widow of the late George Mueller. They were early settlers in Union and Jefferson townships.

Mrs. Mueller was 93 years old at the time of her death. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tracy Brittain of Lisbon, where she had lived for the past 14 years.

Mrs. Mueller was the former Miss Catherine Schott, and was born in Baden, Germany, on Aug. 22, 1845. Left an orphan in childhood, she was brought to this country to live with an uncle in Warsaw, Ill. There she was married on Aug. 8, 1864, to George Mueller. They came to Madison county immediatedly, Mr. Mueller having worked here previously. They settled in Union township, later moving their residence into Jefferson township. They became important landholders and were numbered among the most substantial citizens of the county. Mr. Mueller died in 1922.

They were the parents of seven children. Five of them, four sons and one daughter, remain. They are H. A. Mueller of St. Charles, George Mueller of Tioga, N. Dak., Oscar Mueller of Lewiston, Mont., Ernest Mueller of Jefferson township, and Mrs. Brittain, with whom she had lived recently. She also leaves a large number of grandchildren.

The body was brought back here last week for final rites. Funeral services were held Sunday from the North River U. B. church in charge of the Rev. E. A. Elliott of Des Moines. Burial was made in the cemetery there.
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Transcriber's note: Transcribed as published, first name on gravestone is "Katharina".
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The Dallas County News
Adel, Iowa
Wednesday, February 1, 1939
Page 4, Columns 1 & 2

Funeral services for Mrs. Katharine Mueller, widow of the late George Mueller, was held at the Jefferson U.B. church south of Van Meter Sunday, Jan. 29, 1930 at 2 p.m. Services were conducted by Rev. E. A. Elliott of Des Moines, an old time friend of the deceased and of the family, assisted by Rev. Windsor of Van Meter, the pastor of that charge. The pall bearers were the grandsons, August, Geo. and Louis Burger, Herman, Earnest and Merl Mueller. The music was furnished by a quartette from the St. Charles M.E. church, Ed. Beitsel, Mrs. C. C. Guilliams, Miss Charlotte King and Wm. Lathrum with Miss Maxine Neuman at the piano. Burial services were in charge of H. P. Reed of St. Charles. Interment was made in the Jefferson cemetery.

All of the children were present except Oscar, of Lewiston, and George E., who is now in Inglewood, California.

Mrs. Katharine Schott Mueller was born in the village of Parkenstadt, Bavaria, now a part of Germany, on the 22nd day of August 1845 and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Pleasant Brittain of Lisbon, N.D. Jan. 26, 1939 at the age of 93 years, five months and 15 days.

She was bereft of her parents when a small child and being the only child had no brothers or sisters. At the age of eight she came to America on a sailing vessel to live with her uncle Mr. John Schott of Warsaw, Ill., which was her home until her marriage in 1864. At the time of her arrival, there was not a mile of railroad in Iowa. Her uncle’s home was on the banks of the Mississippi which at that time was the great thoroughfare in the settlement of the west and north. She saw the “Boys in Blue” go back and forth to and fro from the great Civil war.

She was united in marriage to George Mueller of Warsaw on the 8th day of August, 1864, immediately coming to Madison county to labor for Mr. Louis Stracke on the farm now known as the Reimann farm in Jefferson township. They moved onto the Wm. Schoen farm where they rented in 1866 living in a log dwelling in which was born their first child, Herman. That fall they purchased the original homestead in Union township which was their home until the death of the husband September 25, 1922. In the fall of 1924 she went to visit her daughter, Mrs. Brittain, and then remained with her until death.

Seven children were born in this home. Herman, now at St. Charles, Laura M., who married A. F. Bar---, Theresa L., now Mrs. P. Brittain of Lisbon, N.D.; George E. of Tioga but at present is in Inglewood, Calif., Oscar O., of Lewistott, Mont., Ernest W., on the home farm and Frances (Fanny) who married L.V. St. John of Powell, Wyo., who passed away in November 1935.

Not having had the opportunity to acquire an education herself. Mother saw that her children received the education afforded by the country school and encouraged them to attend schools of higher education. Five of them were school teachers and one a music teacher. She taught them honesty, industry and temperance in their habits. She was charitable for all worthy causes and considerate for those who were in need. Never was a lonely traveled or a poor tramp denied a meal or a lodging place in her home. The latch string was always hanging out.

She was blessed with good health and an inquiring mind. Good literature and good music were her delight and enjoyment.

In her declining years the radio gave her much enjoyment and happiness.

Her sickness began in September 1937 when she became unable to walk.

She had the loving care of her daughter and family with whom she spent the last 14 years of her life. She is the last of the pioneers in Jefferson and Union township.

Besides the five children she is survived by nineteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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