Christian HOCHSCHWENDER

HOCHSCHWENDER, ROMMELFANGER, STRAIT, VAN CLEVE, CAMPBELL, LEWIN

Posted By: Phyllis Lewin (email)
Date: 8/22/2002 at 00:10:08

CHRISTIAN HOCHSCHWENDER - (un-named newspaper)
Another of the pioneer residents of this community, Christian Hochschwender died at his home in Fonda, Monday, January 2nd,[1928] at 11:30 p.m. after a short illness with pneumonia and kidney trouble. Mr. Hochschwender was 87 years of age, and had a wide acquaintance, having lived in this part of the country the past 54 years. Funeral services were held this Thursday morning at 9:00 o'clock, with Requiem Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel church, of which the deceased was devoted and long time member, and interment was made in Mt. Zion cemetery. Rev. D.J. Heelon officiated at the time Mass, which was largely attended, and members of Father Brennan Council K. of C. attended in a body, the deceased being a charter member of the organization.
Christian Hochschwender was born in Germany, Province of Beiren, on October 15, 1840. After completing a thorough school education, he came to America in 1864, coming first to Chicago. Finding no ready employment there he came west to Fort Dodge, where he stayed but a short time. From Fort Dodge Mr. Hochschwender traveled the distance to Sac City on foot, and there he engaged in carpenter work. Some time later he went to Des Moines where he continued in the same occupation. Leaving Des Moines he went to Sheboygan, Wis., and there married Mrs. Mary Rommelfanger. The couple made their home at Sheboygan for four years, going from there to Dallas Grove, Ill. Two years later they came to Sac City, where Mr. Hochschwender engaged in farming. He purchased a farm of 213 acres, and farmed the land for 25 years. In 1899 he sold the Sac City farm, and in 1900 came to Fonda where he purchased a farm of 860 acres 3 3/4 southwest of town. This was the family home for many years, when the family retired from farm life, coming to Fonda to enjoy the later years in comfort after many years of hard work. Mr. Hochschwender purchased the house on South Main Street, which has been his home ever since. Mrs. Hochschwender died in 1917, and after her death, his daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs, E.A. Strait, made their home with him.
The deceased enjoyed good health during all his long and useful life. Last Wednesday he contracted a cold, which quickly developed into pneumonia, and other complications followed which in his advanced age he was unable to throw off.
The deceased is survived by four daughters and two sons. The daughters are Rose, Mrs Frank Van Cleve, of Newell, Iowa; Anna, Mrs. M.J. Campbell, of Sac City; Mary, Mrs J.W. Lewin of Cambridge, Iowa, and Effie, Mrs. E.R. Strait, of Fonda. The sons are George F., of Fonda and Fred of San Diego, California. Two sons, Lawrence, age 13, and Edward who died in infancy, preceded him in death. There are also 19 grandchildren.
Mr. Hochschwender was one of the staunch pioneers of his time, and through hard and honest labor, faith in his ability and a never failing ambition, succeeded well in life. He was a true husband and father, and the welfare of his family was ever uppermost in his thoughts. Those left to mourn his death can find solace in the thought that his life was one of true Christian character, and that death brings to a close an unusual long life of usefulness. May his Soul Rest in Peace.