Charles Nicholas Newerf (1920)

NEWERF

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 3/25/2012 at 08:09:17

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 28, 1920
Page 1

Death of Nicholas Newerf

One of Winterset's well known men, Charles Nichols Newerf, died on April 23, well advanced in the 90th year of his life.

Mr. Newerf was a Hollander of the true type, thrifty, frugal, kind and hones. He could do wonders with seeds and bulbs, and many a household has been eager to buy his first radishes and other good things from his garden.

A few months after moving here from Pella, thirty-six years ago, Mrs. Newerf died, and during all the subsequent years, Mr. Newerf was father and mother combined to the eleven children, left motherless. He struggled and planned to keep his family together, and the entire community has respected and admired Mr. Newerf for his self sacrifice and adherence to duty.

Five daughters and four sons survive their father.

Rev. W. J. Stewart conducted the funeral service on Saturday afternoon at the Newerf home.
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interset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 14, 1920
Page 4

CHARLES NICHOLAS NEWERF

Charles Nicholas Newerf was born in Boscop, South Holland, August 8, 1831, and passed away at his home in Winterset at the age of 89 years, 7 months and 23 days.

The Newerf family came to Winterset from Pella, Iowa, in the spring of 1884. The mother died during the following winter, leaving an infant son and ten older children with the father, to mourn her sad untimely death. If the writer of this were able to describe the way in which this brave father assumed the care of these boys and girls, you would know that today we are paying our last tribute to a Christian man and a hero.

He worked all day and often far into the night to provide and care for these children. He was patient and sympathetic with them and full of appreciation for any help given him by neighbors and friends. When asked how he was getting along his answer would be “With God's help I will provide a home for them and keep them together.” He not only cared for them physically, but taught them to appreciate the beautiful in life. The home was surrounded by flowers cultivated by all of them. He lived and enjoyed music and always had music in the home. He had a sweet tenor voice and played upon various instruments. The children recall his singing, especially “Joy to the World,” which he sang and taught them to sing on Christmas morning.

The family all grew to manhood and womanhood, except one daughter, Emma, who died in 1886. These sons and daughters loved and honored their father and filled his last days with comfort and happiness. Five daughters and four sons mourn his passing away, one son, Will Newerf having died in the prime of life years ago. His was a quiet life of faithful service and simple trust. His circle of acquaintances was as large as his circle of acquaintances and those who knew him best, honored him most.

Funeral services were held at the home Saturday afternoon, April 24th, conducted by Rev. W. J. Stewart, and burial in the city cemetery.

Gravesite
 

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