BALDNER, Lewis 1855-1938

BALDNER, DUTTE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/30/2011 at 13:23:13

(ALSO LIVED IN MITCHELL COUNTY)

Lewis Baldner

MOWER COUNTY
PIONEER DIES
IN WISCONSIN

The following is taken from the Tomah, Wisconsin, newspaper and gives account of one of our early settlers, who came to Mower county in 1865, with his parents. He was one of our successful farmers so long as age permitted, then retired. The account of the passing of Lewis Baldner reads:

Lewis Baldner, the oldest son of Philip H. and Margareta Baldner, was born March 3, 1855, in New York City and was baptized in the Lutheran faith.

He came with is mother and twin sister, Margareta, to Mendota, Illinois, at the age of 3 months, where his father had previously gone, with very meagre possessions, to prepare a home for them, and where they lived until 1865.

During this period he spent much of the time with his aunt, until he was seven years old, after which he again stayed with his parents until 10 years of age. Then he and his father immigrated (with four horses) to Mower county, Minnesota, Adams township, where they purchased a home.

He received his parochial instruction at Ridgeway, Iowa, but was confirmed May 6, 1869 in the Evangelical Lutheran church in Mower county, Minnesota, by the Rev. Carl F. Youngek. He then remained at home until 1877.

He was united in marriage to Dorothea Dutte, March 15, 1877, and they immediately moved to a farm in Mitchell county, Iowa, Union township. To this union six sons were born: Henry, St. Ansgar; Philip, Toeterville; Martin, LeRoy, Minnesota; and Otto, of Toeterville. Two preceded him in death, Adolph, who died as a child, and John, in the year 1920.

Mr. and Mrs. Baldner worked faithfully together for thirty-two years on this farm, with one motive, that they might set an example for their children to follow.

Mr. Baldner was a devout and faithful member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church from his youth; even before he moved to Iowa, he came with his parents from Adams, Minnesota, with the slow means of travel they had in those days and would often make other sacrifices in order that he might keep the Sabbath day Holy.

In 1909 they retired from farming to their newly-built home in Toeterville. Here again they did not take life as those of leisure, but were always trying to help the family and others, where and when they could.

On February 18, 1923, his beloved wife passed away and not caring to be alone, he, on April 17, 1923, went to make his home and keep house for his youngest son, Otto.

For the past several years Mr. Baldner's health had failed intermittently, but he always recuperated enough to be about his work in the home. He did not have the dispostion to "take it easy" at any time and was no exception at this age. About the latter part of November he suffered an attack of flu, which left him in a weakened condition and a sudden heart attack caused his death at 7:45 Tuesday morning, December 13, 1938, at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 10 days.

He leaves to mourn, besides his four sons, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two brothers, David of Cresco; and William of Adams, Minnesota; and a sister, Mrs. Mary Meier of Milwaukee, Wis.; also a host of other relatives and friends.

[From The Mower County News, Thur., January 19, 1939, page 2, col. 1]