Pickhardt, William George 1840-1928

PICKHARDT, ILLIAN, BUROW, OLTROGGE, SCHULTZ, MAXFIELD, RICHEL, EICHSTADT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 17:38:44

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Jan. 27, 1928

ROUNDED OUT A FULL LIFE

William George Pickhardt was born Oct. 7, 1840, in Waldeck, Germany. When 14 years old he came to America with his parents who located in Richfield, Wis. Here he grew to manhood.

In the spring of 1863, he left the parental home and went west to seek his own livelihood, locating in Scott Co., Iowa. On Feb. 29, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Ricka Illian, also a native of Germany, at Davenport, Iowa, following which they moved to a farm about eight miles northwest of Malcom where they lived until 1906, when they retired to Grinnell.

Two years after their retirement, the blessed union was broken by the final summons of Mrs. Pickhardt, a most faithful helpmate.

On Mar. 16, 1910, Mr. Pickhardt was again united in marriage to Amelia Burow of Milwaukee, Wis., in whom also he found a most loyal helpmate in his declining years.

Like all pioneers, Mr. Pickhardt's life was an eventful one. During the Civil War when he was still a young man, he served his country's cause on a raft that made regular trips down the Mississippi to New Orleans. In later years, he, together with his now, sainted wife, endured the hardships incident to establishing a home and rearing a family in a new country. But through all the experiences and vicisitudes of their lives their faith and courage remained undaunted, and they pushed steadily forward, leaving footprints as they passed along.

Mr. Pickhardt's career as a farmer was a successful one. By his thrift and good management, blessed from above, he came into ownership of the farm on which he labored and was able to retire not long after passing the meridian of life. He was a loyal member of the Church, valuing highly her blessings, contributing liberally toward her support, and setting forth her principles in his business and social life. He loved his home, was devoted to his family and esteemed by his friends and neighbors.

The deceased was the oldest of a family of eight. He reached the ripe old age of 87 years, 3 mo., and 15 days.

Besides the mate of his first choice, two sisters, Ricka and Minnie, two brothers, Fred, and one who passed away in infancy, and a daughter passed on before him.

The deceased leaves to mourn his loss the loyal companion of his later life; three children, Mrs. Henry Oltrogge, Mrs. Martin Schultz, and Louis Pickhardt, all residing northeast of Grinnell; a brother Charles at Richfield, Wis.; two sisters, Mary Maxfield of Malcom and Caroline Richel of Chicago; two step-children, David Burow and Louise Eichstadt residing in Wisconsin; twenty grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

On Thursday afternoon, Jan. 26, at 1:30, accompanied by a large number of relatives and friends, the remains were laid to rest on the family lot at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery of Malcom. Pastor Geo. F. Dirks conducted the service. Relatives attending the funeral from afar were: David Burow, No. Milwaukee, Wis.; Louisa Eichstadt, Pewaukee, Wis.; John A. Hockbarth, No. Milwalukee, Wis.; Chas. H. Hockbarth, No. Milwaukee, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Treichel, No. Milwaukee, Wis.; Mrs. J.P. Kroehnke, Des Moines, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Illian and two children, Des Moines, Ia.; Mrs. Dores Illian , Keystone, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Nels Paulson and Charles and Mrs. Andrea Paulson of Kellogg, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Bunker, Newton Ia.; Mrs. Gladys Stanley, Newton, Ia.; Peter F. Saenke, Davenport, Ia.; Jennie M. Dose, Stockton, Ia.; Charles F. Illian, Wolcott, Ia.; Will Harman, Boyden, Ia.; Earl Meves, Tama, Ia.; Minnie Maxwell, Des Moines, Ia.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish hereby to express our sincere thanks for the sympathy and kindnesses shown us by friends and neighbors in our late bereavement, also for the beautiful floral offerings that cheered the sad hour.
Wife and Children.