Seuberth, Samuel 1853-1931

SEUBERTH, WAGGONER, DOWNING, OBRIEN, LYNCH, PFLAUM

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/14/2012 at 17:48:54

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; March 17, 1931

SAMUEL SEUBERTH'S
USEFUL LIFE

Samuel Seuberth was born Aug. 11, 1853 in Janesville, Ohio, the third child of John Samuel and Barbara Waggoner Seuberth. When he was a very small boy his parents moved to Grinnell, Ia., and located on Spring street, on the site which is the present Seuberth homestead.

As a young lad he was a familiar sight as he herded his flock of sheep on the prairie near his home. At an early age, the father was taken from his family and Samuel stepped into the father's place as wage earner and assisted his widowed mother in her struggle to rear the younger members of the family. At the age of ninteen he entered the employ of the Iowa Central Railway company, now known as the Minneapolis and St. Louis and it was in the service of this company that he lost his right arm at the age of twenty one years. For fifty eight years he continued his service to this railway company and unwillingly gave up his post just three months before his death on March 7th, 1931. The equal of such a record of service is seldom found. His familiar figure as he passed quietly and methodically between his home and his work, almost daily for more than thirty-five years, will be missed by many friends.

His life was a life of service. It was a life that was lived entirely for others and spent in charity, yet, only the needy knew of this charity. His wants were few and his way of living was simple, but spent in the love and fear of God as taught by his Catholic faith.

Although he never married, yet he loved his home and ever kept it open to his relatives and friends. Several of his nephews and nieces were reared in this home and received more than a father's care. To these his devotion can never be forgotten.

His sister Barbara, was his helper in this home and preceded him in death by only a few months, as did also an only brother,John Seuberth, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Downing. Another sister, Mrs. Margaret O'Brien died several years ago. Mrs. Lizzie Lynch of Oskaloosa, and Mrs. Mary Pflaum in South Dakota survive.

Services were held in St. Mary's Catholic church in Grinnell and interment was in the Catholic cemetery in Oskloosa, Ia.