Witt, Adolph 1862-1947

WITT, SCHAEFFER, MIELKE

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke --Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2015 at 00:05:26

Source: Hawarden Independent (2-13-1947)

Born: August 24, 1862
Died: 1947

FUNERAL SERVICES HELD TUESDAY FOR MAN WHO LIVED THROUGH EARLY DAYS IN HISTORY OF THIS COMMUNITY

Funeral services for Adolph Witt, 84, Sioux County pioneer who lived through the grasshopper plague of the 1870’s and the great blizzard of 1880’s, were held at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Church which he was instrumental in organizing 47 years ago.

Mr. Witt died last Friday after suffering poor health a long time. He suffered a stroke about four years ago and since was stricken with several slight strokes. He was confined to his bed the last two years.

Reverend C.A. Burkhart, pastor of the Hawarden Church, had charge of the funeral services. Interment was in Grace Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Witt, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman F. and Henrietta (Mielke) Witt, was born August 24, 1862, at Lauenberg, Pomerania, Germany.

With three other children and his parents, he came to the United States in 1868 and resided in Chicago until 1876. In that year his father traded a piece of property, which had been rebuilt after being destroyed by the Chicago fire, for some Sioux County farm land. For about two years his father farmed rented land near Le Mars.

In 1876, not quite 14 years old, Adolph and a younger brother broke the virgin land in Sioux County and in 1878 settled permanently in the county.

Mr. Witt was one of the younger Sioux County pioneers. Often he plowed and cultivated behind oxen. He lived continuously in Sioux County for 71 years.

In 1900, together with four others, Mr. Witt was instrumental in organizing Trinity Lutheran congregation. The five-- W. Ufken, Herman Witt, Sr., Carl Johnson, John Rehmstead and Adolph Witt--severed connection with the congregation at Ireton with which they had been affiliated and formed a new congregation.

John Rehmstead is the only living charter member and is now residing at Parker, South Dakota.

For many years Mr. Witt served as an officer of the congregation. He took an active part in the affairs of the church until old age and illness forced him to become inactive.

In compiling a history of the church, he wrote: “It will inspire them anew with determination to continue in the ways and works of the fathers who have handed down to their children so precious an inheritance. A careful reading of Trinity’s history creates a sense of profoundest gratitude toward Him whose tender mercies are over our church and have been new unto us every day.”

Mr. Witt was married March 7, 1889, to Miss Anna Marie Schaeffer. To this union seven children were born. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two children, Mrs. Eda Knaust and Arthur G. Witt.

He is surviving by the remaining children, Mrs. Eva Heuer, Mrs. H.E. Anderson and Mrs. Martin Johnson of Hawarden; F.G. Witt of Denver, Colorado, and Robert E. Witt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is also survived by three brothers, Herman and Fred of Hawarden and Otto of Pipestone, Minnesota; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Noteboom of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Mrs. Edith Kemis of Spencer, Iowa and 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren