Harms, Margaret Moritz 1855-1928

HARMS, MORITZ

Posted By: Plymouth County Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/29/2003 at 20:29:08

Margaret Moritz Harms of Remsen, IA
circa 1928.

REMSEN RESIDENT 40 YEARS IS DEAD

Mrs. Margaret Harms Had Memories of Early Days in N.W. Iowa

Another long life came to a close this week, says the Remsen Bell-Enterprise, when Mrs. Margaret Harms, a resident here for more than 40 years, passed away at her home in Remsen Tuesday morning after having been in failing health for about two years. Her death was due to a complication of diseases, the most serious of which were internal cancer and heart trouble. Mrs. Harms was past 73 years old. She is survived by seven children and one brother.

Margaret Harms, nee Moritz, was born in Germany on December 6, 1855, and came to this country with her parents at the age of 14 years. The family settled on a farm near Peoria, Ill. where she grew to young womanhood and always remained at home with her parents. In 1873 Margaret Moritz was united in marriage to Harm Harms, also a resident of the vicinity of Peoria, and the couple went to farming in that vicinity, living there for 14 years. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Harms brought their family to Plymouth County, Mr. Harms buying a farm seven miles north of Remsen, which was the family home for 13 years. Twenty-nine years ago they moved to town and Mrs. Harms spent the rest of her life as a member of this community. She gave her children the advantage of grade and high school education, and reared a good family. Mr. Harms died two years ago, and two children also preceded their mother to the grave.

Margaret Harms was a life-long member of the Evangelical church and was a regular attendant at services in St. Paul's church. she was strongly devoted to the percepts of her religion and as a good Christian woman she was warmly devoted to her children and other relatives and friends. She enjoyed a wide acquaintance in this community, and her many friends extend their sympathy to the grief-stricken family. Mrs. Harms was a woman of many admirable traits of character, but in the quiet of her declining days she mingled but little in a social way. Her first thoughts were for the welfare of her family, and all of her children were heartily devoted to her.

The deceased is survived by seven children, nine grandchildren, and one brother. The children are: Miss Wallie Harms, Los Angeles; Mrs. August Witt, Marcus; Miss Anna Harms, at home; Mrs. M.J. Lyle, Beresford, S.D.; Mrs. L.L. L.M. Dahl, Elk Point, S.D.; Mrs. Paul Jahnke, Oakland, Calif.; and Walter Harms, Denver, Colo. The brother is Frank Moritz living at Manson, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the home at 2 o'clock, and at St. Paul's Church immediately thereafter. Services were conducted by the Rev. Henry Reifschneider.