Selig, Agatha (Mrs. John) 1833-1912

SELIG, GERST

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 8/4/2016 at 16:22:47

Alton Democrat February 3, 1912

Mrs. Agatha Gerst Selig passed away on Friday January 26th. She fought bravely for several weeks against ailments brought on by old age, and on Friday was forced to give up the hopeless struggle. Every thing had been done for her that could be done to make the last days easy.

Mrs. Agatha Gerst Selig was born at Kurhessen Greis Schluchtern, Wiebert's dorf, Germany on
Wednesday February 13, 1833. She came to America with her parents In 1849 when the California gold fever was on and people were leaving Europe for the California gold fields.

They made their first home at Braydes Bend, PA. Here Agatha Gerst was united in marriage to John A. Selig on February 1st 18B2. Their union was blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Seiig moved to Pittsburgh, PA., where they lived two years. From there they moved to St. Joseph's settlement, in Marshall county, West Virginia where they resided until 1872 when they moved to Sioux county, and to a homestead in the vicinity of Hospers where they spent the hard pioneer years. On November 13th 1886 Mr. Selig died.

Mrs. Selig was left with eleven children, some of them very young. She lived to see these Children become men and women, all of them doing well, and all of them highly respected. The children are: Mrs. Mary Kuehle, Beloit Kansas; Sister M. Argreda, Crofton Nebr.; J. P. ofStuttgart, Ark.; Joseph of Hospers, George, Stuttgart, Ark.; Mrs. M. C. Howard, Sherbourne, Minn.; Elizabeth, Seattle, Wash.; Fred, Stuttgart, Ark.; Mrs. Peter Jungers, Hospers; Sister M. Henrietta, Stuart, Nebr.; and Frank, Campbell, Nebr. She is also survived by two brothers, Gregory Gerst and John Gerst of Alton and one sister Mrs. Mary Van Bergen of Granville.

The funeral services were held on Monday from St. Anthony's church and were conducted by Rev. Gehling of Rosello Iowa, Father Dries, being ill. Peter Robinet, J. P. Maiers, John Langhorst, Wm. Walgenbach, Nick Jungers and Frank Haag neighbors and friends of the deceased for many years, acted as pall .bearers. The funeral was largely attended. J. P. Selig of Stuttgart, Ark., Mrs. M. C. Howard of Sherbourne,, Sister M.Henrietta of Stuart NE and Mrs. Kuehle of Beloit were present at the funeral of their mother.