Albers, John (1835-1913)

ALBERS, RATH, PLUEGER, HARMS

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/2/2011 at 19:59:37

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
2-28-1913
Page 1

FOUGHT A G00D FIGHT
SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN HER
TIME OF NEED

JOHN ALBERS, PIONEER OF GRANT
Lived in This County for Over Forty
Years and Was One of the Leading
and Influential Citizens in His Community

John Albers, one of the earliest settlers of Grant township, and a man well known throughout the county, died at his home in Grant township on Monday afternoon following a three days illness. He was up and about last week as usual. On Friday he complained of not feeling well and was suffering from cold. His death was due to old age, he having reached upwards of eighty years.

John Albers was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1835 and spent his boyhood in his-native land. In 1857 he came to the United States and located near Dixon, Ill. When the war broke out John Albers enlisted for service and fought for his adopted country bravely, being in several of the bloodiest battles in the conflict. He enlisted in Company D, Thirtyfourth Illinois Infantry at Dixon on August 26, 1861. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth under General Buell, at Murfreesboro under General Rosecrans, was in the charge of Kenesaw Mountain under General Grant and was also in General Sherman's march from Alanta to the sea. He re-enlisted in the same company and regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn., on December, 1864. He was mustered out of the service in July, 1865, and returned to his home in Dixon, where he lived until 1867, when he moved to Jones county, Iowa. He was united in marriage that year to Katrina Renken at Monticello. To their union seven children were born, six of whom with the
widow survive him. They are: Mrs. E. J. Rath, Mrs. Chas. Plueger, Hermann, Hannah, George and John, residing in this county. Mrs. Fred Harms, a daughter, preceded him in death some years ago.

In 1870 Mr. Albers came to LeMars and homesteaded land in Grant township, where he lived- for forty-three years until the day of his death. By good management and honest endeavor
he accumulated a goodly share of the world's goods and with the help of his wife and children made a beautiful home and farmstead on the once bare prairie, and became possessor in
later years of several farms.

Mr. Albers for many years was one of the most influential men in hi home community, a leader in affairs, political and social, and his opinion on important matters was much sought after and carried weight.

Mr. Albers was a good neighbor, a kind hearted, public spirited man, and serving his country in his country's need was ever a loyal and law abiding citizen. He was an affectionate husband
and father and a supporter of the church of the faith to which he
was allied.

He will be greatly missed by many old friends and neighbors who have become attached to him by the pleasant associations of more than a third of a century.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the Grant township Lutheran church, the services being conducted by Rev. J. D. Meyer. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Grant township.