Kohl, Wilhelmina 1843-1901

KOHL, BARTH

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 2/13/2006 at 11:21:51

From the LeMars Sentinel, Monday, October 28, 1901, Page 3,Column 5:

Death of Mrs. Conrad Kohl.

Mrs. Conrad Kohl passed away at her home at O'Leary on Thursday morning after a sickness of more than three years from cancer and the last year of her life was one of intense suffering though she bore it with christian fortitude. Deceased was about fifty-seven years of age at the time of her death. She was a member of the Presbyterian church of O'Leary and the funeral was held Saturday, at 2 o'clock p.m. and the services were conducted by Dr. John Carpenter.

Deceased was the mother of six children, five of whom are living and all are residents of Plymouth county, all living at home except one. They are: Mrs. R. S. Eyres, Misses Bertha, Minnie, and Bena, and Conrad Kohl, jr.

The husband and father died about two years ago. Mrs. Kohl's death will be sincerely mourned by a large number in that community for she had become endeared to many.

From the LeMars Sentinel, Thursday, October 31, 1901, Page 3, Column 4:

Obituary.

Wilhelmina Barth was born in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, May 28, 1843, of a family of ten children of whom five still survive her, three brothers and two sisters, Michael and William Barth and Mrs. Elizabeth Burgdorfer of Minonk, Ill., Henry of Sioux City, Iowa, and Mrs. Chas. Fennertine of Hastings, Neb. In 1866 she with her brother, Henry, migrated to America, settling in South Wimland, N. J., with her sister Maria. The following year moving to Woodford county, Illinois, where she was united in marriage to Conrad Kohl. To them were born eight children, six daughters and two sons and two of them, Elizabeth and Thomas died.

In 1883 she with her husband with six remaining children moved to Plymouth county, Iowa, where her oldest daughter, Mary, died in 1888 and her husband on May 20, 1898, four daughters and one son still survive her, Mrs. R. S. Eyres, Bena, Bertha, Minnie and Conrad. She has been a constant sufferer from more than a year, until last Thursday at 6:40 a.m. she passed away.

Mrs. Conrad Kohl was a woman of very strong character, true christian spirit who cared not for the frivolities of this life, but one whose only aim was to fulfill her mission, the sacred ties of her household, and duties to those whom she met.

To her immediate family and those who knew her best she was most highly respected and loved. Although passing through the hardest ordeals imposed upon the sensitive heart of woman which was pierced by the cruel spear of relentless criticism, and suffering the most excruciating pain of a cruel cancer, which gave her neither rest or respite night or day for more than a year. Yet not one can say that they heard her raise a complaint or murmur. The heroic manner in which she met her end calls forth the most profound admiration and sympathy of all. At the last when no longer able to withstand the terrible agony as oft before in humble appeal, "Oh Lord, help me. Not my will but Thine." her petition was answered and He took her to Himself. Although the parting seems cruel and hard to her loved ones and her wise council and sympathy will be missed, yet her life and death will be an inspiration and a help to her dear ones in whose memory she will forever dwell.

From the LeMars Sentinel, Thursday, October 31, 1901, Page 1, Column 5:

O'Leary--The funeral of Mrs. C. Kohl was largely attended at the Presbyterian church Saturday at 2 p.m., the service being preached by Rev. Dr. Carpenter and the remains laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Union township cemetery. She had been a faithful member of the Presbyterian church since its organization here and a host of friends mourn her loss with the stricken family.