Martin Jacobsen (1865-1947)

JACOBSEN

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/11/2008 at 19:01:08

MARTIN JACOBSEN 1865-1947

The first born of Henry Jacobsen and his wife Doretha Diedersen was born December 19, 1865, Schleswig, Germany and was taken to his eternal home last Wednesday noon, September 29 (1947), at 11:30 am from his residence in Avoca, Iowa, having reached the age of 71 years 9 months and 10 days.

Already as an infant he was placed into the arms of his Savior when Holy Baptism was administered by Rev. Holtz. In his 16th year he confirmed with his own lips the Baptismal covenant before Rev. Jansen. To this confirmation vow of faithfulness and loyalty unto the heavenly Father, he ever strove to remain true, even unto the end; though often in life as in death he was not able to understand the reasons for the roughness on the way of life, yet constant faith in Christ, as his only Savior and Helper abode and gave strength and light to live in hope and peace.

In the spring of 1881, he came with his mother and the family to Walnut, Iowa, to join their father who had come to America the previous year. For the next several years Mr. Jacobsen worked and then farmed in the Walnut-Hancock neighborhood, rapidly accustoming himself to the new country and establishing friendship that continued even unto the end of his life.

In August of 1888, he was married to Christina Leopold soon thereafter to move to the present Jacobsen home place, about eight miles southeast of Avoca. There Mr. and Mrs. Jacobsen labored together until fifteen years ago when they moved to Avoca. Even from their city residence, they breathed the care and worries of the farm. Mr. Jacobsen helping even with the field work the last several years.

In seeking to occupy his spare time Mr. Jacobsen did not imbibe in the common past time of other retired farmers and visitors to this city, instead he gave his time to First Lutheran Church, ever laboring and praying that her doors remain open for worship and instruction of her youth. For twenty-four years he served as a trustee of First Lutheran, many of these years found Mr. Jacobsen bearing all the burdens of the church Council. In the last years when the Church Council became more efficient and more modern methods brought into the affairs of the church, they first seemed to puzzle him but as soon as he grasped their scope, he gave them his most enthusiastic support.

He was a wise counselor in the affairs of his Master, yet always ready to counsel with others and to meet them in a final decision. He was an earnest defender of the German element, awake to the needs of the entire congregation, and a loyal friend of the Sunday school.

Sometime ago his health began to fail and about five months ago, he underwent an operation in which the medical world was unable to give him aid. For a time he hoped to recover from the slow death of cancer, but God had planned otherwise, thus better than two weeks ago he became bedfast and as his system could not receive nourishment, he gradually lost his physical strength. About a week ago he made preparation for his departure from this world in a Holy Communion services. Then with longing heart he waited for the call of his Master, which came last Wednesday morning, and as he saw the beckoning hand of Jesus, he spoke to those about his bed, “I could go no better.” Thus earthly pain and sorrow vanished as the eternal glories shone on his way.

Besides his widow, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Chris Jacobson and their four children: Robert, Roy, Hazel, and Hervetta; there remain to mourn his death one sister: Christina, Mrs. August Hansen of Davenport, Iowa, six brothers: Peter and Chris of Avoca, August of Letscher, south Dakota, Andrew, Bernard, and Henry of Hancock; besides a host of other relative and innumberable friends.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald