APEL, George 1846-1898

LOHR, APEL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/26/2010 at 15:46:51

#1:

George Apel 1846-1898

Mr. George Apel's sudden death, which occurred last Monday evening, cast a shadow of gloom over the whole community. He was known for his love of honor and admired for his loyalty to country and his God.

His funeral services were held yesterday, Thursday, October 13. 1898, at 10 o’clock a.m. at his late home and at 11 o'clock a.m. at the Eden Presbyterian church, of which he was a member. The church was crowded to overflowing. Many persons were unable to get even inside the outer doors. Several of our local G. A. R. men were in attendance. The services were conducted by Pastor Gravenstein and Rev. Searles.

Mr. Apel was born in Blankenheim, Hessen, Germany on March 22nd, 1846. He came to this country when but a boy, and enlisted in the year 1862. He was in the service of the Union Army three years. His regiment was in the flash and roar of several desperate battles, but George was fearless and brave. When the war was over he turned his thoughts towards making a home for himself and family. The stamp of war was upon him and he soon found himself in the Andersonville prison of rheumatism and other painful ills that the seeds of fatigue and exposure had developed. In recent years it had been necessary for him to be quiet, but he was as much beloved as when more active.

He was married to Miss Anna Catherine Lohr on November 10th, 1868. To this union were born four children: three sons and one daughter to whose lips have been pressed this bitter cup of death while the husband and father has passed on to join the loved ones "over there."

[Submitted to IaGenWeb by Steve Norby, April 26, 2007]

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#2:

Burial:
Eden Presbyterian Cemetery
Meroa, Mitchell County

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#3:

MEMOIR OF GEORGE APEL

George Apel of Meroa, Iowa, was born March 22, 1846, at Blankenheim, Hessia, in Germany, and came into this country as a boy of nearly 14 years. In the spring of 1862, he was enlisted as a soldier for the civil war, when only 16 years old and served to the end of it, so that his service covered the time of three years less nine days. During these years he was sick several times but recovered soon. As he returned home he suffered very much of rheumatism, and for a time he had to walk with a cane. He was temproarily relieved but never got back his full health back again. November 10, 1868, he united in marriage with Miss Amelia Catharine Lohr, who was likewise an emigrant from Blankenheim.
They were blessed with three sons and one daughter who are with us.

As ------------ church at Rock Creek --------, Mr. and Mrs. Apel were of the first who joind as members. He was very ----- as the present church building was erected, and collected a large sum of money and he paid a considerable portion himself, so that the church had no debts.

Four years ago, Mr. Apel received a severe stroke of paralysis, so that his family thought he was dead, but he recovered in so far that he could walk again. In the following year, in May, he received a second stroke of paralysis which lamed his left side and tongue, and since that time he was unable to speak correctly. Besides this his brains were affected so that he was not clear in his mind from time to time when his spells appeared. His relatives thought it the best to take him to the asylum at Independence, Iowa, for a treatise. After five months, he returned home in a much better condition and lived with his family after he had taken a second treatist of five months until his death which occurred on Oct. 10, 1898.

He was a diligent bible reader, and an earnest Christian and an elder of the church. His dear wife, three sons, one daughter, two grandsons, two granddaughters, two brothers and three sisters survive him.

The funeral took place October 13, and beside the pastor of the church were the Rev. Gravenstein of Rock Rapids, Rev. Searles of Nora Springs, and seventeen comrades of the G.A.R. There was a large attendance at the funeral.

Osage Journal
Oct. 19, 1898

(M. O'Connor, 8/2011)

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