Koenig, Jacob Gottleib 1840 - 1923

KOENIG, SCHNEIDER, HULSEBUS, BEGUIN, ZIMMERMAN, MERRIMAN, MILLER

Posted By: Janet M Schuldt (email)
Date: 4/25/2017 at 10:28:18

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, LeMars, Plymouth, Iowa TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1923

SETTLED HERE IN SEVENTIES
Jacob Gottlieb Koenig Was One of, the Pioneers of Plymouth County
SUCCUMBS TO OLD AGE
Conducted Barber Shop Here For Many Years

Gottlieb Koenig, one of the pioneer residents.of Plymouth county ,and LeMars, died at his home in this city, 127 First Avenue S.E. at four o'clock Sunday morning. Death. was due to senile decay. Mr. Koenig had been in a comatose state since Thursday and death was momentarily expected. He had been- n poor health the past year owing to failing powers of age.

Jacob Gottlieb Koenig was born at Meimbressen, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany on March 10, 1840. He spent his boyhood there and when eighteen years of age came to America to seek his fortune. He settled in Baltimore where he learned the barber trade at which he became proficient and an expert. Prior to and at the outbreak of the civil war Baltimore was the scene of tumultuous: riots Mr. Koenig .was associated with the Home Guards at the Fifth Maryland Regiment (can’t read) which preyed upon the residents and the transpiring at that time left a life long impression on Mr; Koenig. He was at that time a Douglas democrat but his admiration of Lincoln drew him to the republican party of which he was a staunch adherent. September 25, 1866, Gottlieb Koenig was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Merriman. They lived in happiness together for many years, ..celebrating their golden wedding in Le Mars in 1915.

In 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Koenig came to Plymouth county and settled on a farm in Plymouth township where they underwent the hardships suffered by the pioneers in grasshopper days and where they unremittingly toiled. In 1880 they came to Le Mars to make their home, Mr. Koenig resuming his trade and shortly afterwards established a barber shop which he conducted with success until he retired from active business some years ago.

To Mr. and Mrs. Koenig eight children were born. He is survived by three sons and two daughters, who are Herbert Koenig, of Delia, Alberta, Canada, Jacob G. Koenig, Walter Koenig and Mrs. Ida Miller, of LeMars, Mrs. Gerhard Hulsebus, of Hastings, Neb. His wife and two daughters, Mrs. Philip Schneider, of Hinton, and Mrs. Will Zimmerman, preceded him in death and a son died in infancy.

M. Koenig was a member of Giblem Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; and was a member of the Odd Fellows, being one of the last survivors among the charter members of the LeMars lodge.

Mr. Koenig; was a member of the United Evangelical: church, and was a trustee of the local church from 1882 to 1906 and was superintendent of the Sunday school for over twenty years Mr. Koenig was of the class of citizens who stand tor the highest and best in civil and social life and of that type of whom the psalmist has said their days shall be long in the land. His home life was ideal and he was never happier than when his children and his grandchildren were gathered around him. He was of a kindly, and friendly disposition and. his acquaintance was wide. In early days his place of business was a most popular resort and his friendships many. He took a healthy interest in political and community affairs, and was an ardent worker in the church and in movements for the betterment of social conditions

The' funeral services will be held from his late residence at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Rev, J, W. Davis of Hildreth Memorial church will officiate.. The 'services at the grave will be conducted by the members of the Odd Fellows

Six grandsons, Robert, Rudolph, Ralph and Burdete Schneider, Lowell Hulsebus and Frank Beguin will act as pall bearers.