Koenig, Mary M. 1831 - 1920

KOENIG, NUSSEL

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/9/2011 at 11:10:33

AN EARLY SETTLER

MRS. LEONARD KOENIG WAS PIONEER IN FLOYD VALLEY

PASSES AWAY AT RIPE OLD AGE

She and Her Husband Were Prominent In Early Settlement Chas. Rademacker, Another Pioneer Dies From Effects of Fall;

Mrs. Leonard Koenig died at her home in Plymouth Township on Tuesday night at the advanced age of 88 years. Death was due principally to the infirmities of old age. Up to a short time before her death she was in good health for one of her years when attacked with intestinal trouble which necessitated an operation.

Mrs. Koenig was one of the. Early settlers in Plymouth county coming here fifty years ago from Baltimore with her husband, Leonard Koenig, who during his life time was a prominent figure in the county, being a supervisor for many years, holding other offices and was prominent in church and lodge circles. Mr. Koenig died on May 21, 1906.

Mr. and Mrs. Koenig settled in the county in 1869. She and her husband purchased eighty acres of land near Melbourne. They underwent the hardships of pioneer days. They withstood the rigor of the blizzards which visited this county in those days and also the droughts and plagues of the grasshoppers which destroyed crop after crop and toiled and persevered making the beat of the drawbacks which thwarted the efforts of the pioneers and drove many to seek other fields. Their patience and perseverance were well rewarded for they lived to see the barren, wind swept, drought stricken prairie become a pastoral Eden, where grow the finest grain and grass and where graze the finest cattle in the fertile middle west. By dint of energy, self sacrifice and heroism they finally gained a maintenance which led to prosperity and increased happiness and by labor and judicious investment became possessed of several hundred acres of land, assisted by their growing children.

The Koenig home near Melbourne was farmed in early days for its hospitality. It is told of Mr. and Mrs. Koenig that they never turned a wayfarer away from their door. In the grasshopper days they lent assistance to their less fortunate neighbors and when illness and death visited their neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Koenig drove miles to render succor and assistance.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Koenig has made her home with, her children. She passed, away at the home of Mrs. Geo. Koenig at the old home place.

Mrs. Koenig was born in Germany. Her maiden name was Mary Margaret Nussel and she was born on October 13, 1831. With her parents she came to America when a girl and was married to Leonard Koenig on February 10, 1850. Ten children were born to them, a daughter died in infancy, another daughter, Dora, died at the age of 19 years and a son, George, was killed a few years ago, when a tree he was felling, crushed him.

Seven children mourn the death of their mother. They are Mrs. Geo. M. Smith, of Le Mars, Will Koenig, of Los Angeles, Cal., Rev. Philip Koenig, of Butte, Mont. Henry C. Koenig, of Washborn, Wis., John Koenig, of Bremer, La., Mrs. Lewis Raeker, of Waverly, Ia., Mrs. Albert Spies, of Valley Springs, S. D. She also leaves a large number of grandchildren and great grand children.

Mrs. Koenig was exceedingly active and spry up to within a short time before her death and took a notable interest in the affairs of the world. She was a good Christian woman whose long life was filled with useful work and deeds. She was a member of the United Evangelical Church and the funeral will be held at the Melbourne Church on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, page 1
January 23, 1920
Le Mars, Iowa