Oelrich, Carl D. 1841-1915

OELRICH, NUSSE

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

Source: Alton Democrat (12-4-1915)

Born: May 25, 1841
Died: November 30, 1915

Carl D. Oelrich, one of Sioux County’s earliest pioneers, died suddenly of heart failure at his home in Orange City on Tuesday afternoon November 30. Mr. Oelrich was about to take his seat at the table for an afternoon lunch which Mrs. Augusta (Nusse) Oelrich has prepared for her son Will, who had been visiting them, when he sank in his chair and suddenly passed away.

Carl D. Oelrich was born in Germany in 1841, was married there in 1868, coming to America the same year, residing at Buffalo, New York, for three years. So early as 1871, Mr. and Mrs. Oelrich came to Sioux County and took up a beautiful homestead three miles north of Orange City which is known to this day as the Oelrich farm. Nine years ago having secured a competence, Mr. and Mrs. Oelrich spent eight months in Germany and on their return moved to Orange City where the worthy couple have been enjoying a life of dignified retirement. Mr. Oelrich had been in his usual health and his sudden death is a shock to the whole county. He was especially well known in Alton.

Five stalwart sons and the mother survive the pioneer. Carl D. lives near Hull, George, not far from Middleburg, Will, on the old home place north of Orange City, Fred J. at Springfield, South Dakota and John, who is single, at Hurley, South Dakota.

Reverend D.D. McEwan preached the funeral sermon at the home on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large throng of old neighbors and friends.

Source: Find A Grave

Carl immigrated to America from Germany with his wife, Augusta. They arrived on August 17, 1868 aboard the ship "New York". Originally, they settled in Buffalo, New York, with his uncle, Fredrick. In 1871, at the behest of a friend, he moved his family (now including a son Fredrick)to Orange City, Iowa. They staked a claim on a parcel of land and established a farm. They were among the founding families in Sioux County. Carl and Augusta had 5 sons together, Fredrick, Charles, George, William and John. Carl became an American citizen on 30 April 1878 in Orange City, Sioux County, Iowa. He and Augusta remained in Orange City for the rest of their lives. Carl died of convulsions from Bright's (kidney) disease (he was diagnosed in June of 1915). Augusta was never the same after losing him and slowly and steadily declined until she died in 1920.
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Alton Democrat issue of 4 December 1915, Orange City column.
Carl D. Oelrich died suddenly Tuesday afternoon at the age of seventy-three years. He was born at Ratem, Germany and came to this country in 1868. The couple lived first in Buffalo, N.Y., for three years and later came to Sioux county, where they lived on a farm north of town. About nine years ago they moved to town, after the had made a trip to Germany where they spent several months. Deceased is survived by his wife and four sons: Fred at Springfield, S.D., Charles at Hull, George at Middleburg, William on the homestead near this town, and John at Hurley, S.D. Death came while he was sitting at the family table, probably caused by apoplexy. Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon by Rev. McEwan.
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