Breuer, Johann August 1842-1921

BREUER

Posted By: Peggy Chong (email)
Date: 1/5/2006 at 12:35:24

The Sioux County Index, Friday December 2, 1921

Was Burned to Death

Mr. August Breuer who died alone on a farm a few miles northeast of Hull, was burned to death sometime between the hours of 6 pm. Tuesday evening and 7 O'clock Wednsday morning.

He had spent the day Tuesday, at the home of his son Henry nearby and had returned to his home at the hour stated above. In the morning the grandchildren were sent over to his home on an errand and not being able to get in or make themselves heard, they returned and gave the alarm. An entrance was forced and Mr. Breuer was found lying on the bed, his legs and arms literally burned to a crisp.

From the condition of the room, it was evident that he had met with some kind of an accident with a small kerosene lamp and made a terrific fight for life. The furnature in the room was all badly scorched and the clothes burned completely off from him. He had succeeded in getting the fire out but appearently died from the effects of the burns.

Mr. Breuer was past 79 years of age and had been living alone ever since the death of his son Paul a few years ago, his wife having been dead for many years. He was the father of ten children, the only one surviving is his son Henry.

We go to early to press to give any of the funeral arrangements.

It is a sad affair and the entire community sympathizes with the bereaved relatives.

From the files of the St. Pauls Lutheran Church.

The Sermon and Obituary of Johann August Breuer

Son of Oelef and Anna Maria Breuer was born on the 15th of January 1842 at Delft, Rreis Neuhaus of the Oste, Province Hanover, when he had attained the proper age and after having been instructed in the word of God he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Westerwanne, Kreis Harl, Hanover.
When 31 years old he decided to imigrate to America. On the 19th of April 1873 he started for our country. For three years he lived at Pittsburg, Penn. accepting labor whenever and wherever he found it. Here at Pittsburg he made the acquaintanceof Miss Anna Cath Schroeder and was married to her on the 31s of March 1875.
It is just 45 years ago this month that Mr. Breuer arrived at Boyden and soon after bought his farm 1 mile north of this church. If we take into consideration only these last 45 years of his life, what an amount of work has been done by this old settler. If in his later years he was granted by God to enjoy prosperity, then it surely was the fruit of his untiring labor. And he certainly has done his part in developing this section of the country.

It is the way of the Lord to remember his people not only in the blessings which He bestows upon them but also by His visitations. And what an amount of affliction and sorrow was placed upon the shoulder of this man. To this his burial place on our cemetery bears eloquent testimony.
He was the father of 8 children: 5 boys and 3 girls. Of these only one, his son Henry remains to accompany him to his last resting place. Four of the children died in infancy. August was killed by a horse in 1894 when 9 years old. Karl Herman died in 1908 at 29 years old leaving his widow and two children. Paul Friedrick died 1912 at an age of 26 years, mourned by his widow and 2 children. Two years previous to the death of his son Paul on the 15th of October, 1910, his wife was called from his side.

Truly with aged patriark Jacob, Mr. Breuer could say, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are 79 years; few and evil have the days of the years of my life been." But as he accepted his prosperity as the blessings of God, so he acknowledged his afflections as manifestations of God's Fatherly will.
Mr. Breuer lived on his old farm place since the time when he bought it to the day of his death. For several years after the departure of his wife, his daughter-in-law Margaretha, widow of his deceased son Karl, kept house for him. Thereafter Christ Karstens and wife lived with him for one year. In the fall of 1916 Mr. Breuer's health was failing, in order to get regular medical treatment he went to Sheldon and lived with his daughter-in-law Margaretha not for long he could not overcome his yearning for his old house and since his health had greatly improved he went back to his farm. During the winter 1917-1918 Mr. Henry Sohl lived with him. After that he was alone. His son Henry and family would have gladly recieved him into their house. Thus they would have been able to take better care of the old father than they could when he lived alone. But although, or perhaps because Mr. Breuer was very much attached to his children he preferred to live alone. As he said once, "The ways of the old people are different from those of the young. It is more satisfactory to both sides if they don't live together." This conception a conviction proved fatal to him! In all probability this accident would not have happened had he lived with his children. As it is, no one was with him when-he met his death and no one will ever know exactly when and how the accident occured. The place can be overlooked and watched from Henry's place.
On the morning of the 30th certain signs indicated that the father was not around on the place; the door of the house was still locked. Following the report of the Boy, Henry together with another member of the family went over. They found the father prostrated on his bed lifeless.

He has been dressed but part of his clothes was consumed by fire and his legs were badly burned. The house was still filled with smoke. An overturned lamp had caused the fire. The aged man had succeeded in quenching the fire but apparently he was overcome by the excitement, pain, heat, and smoke; as a matter of course this was a great shock not only to the relatives but to all the neighbors as well as to all those who knew the aged man. And while we heartily regret this accident we will not forget to take to heart the lesson that is taught us.
The relatives, it is true, will sadly mourn the end of the father. But remember that all mourning and also this is meant by God to draw our hearts closer to the eternal world, and to teach us more and more that the words of Rev. 3:11 "Behold, I come quickly" which are spoken to us also. The members of St. Paul's Lutheran Congregation will remember that Mr. August Breuer was the oldest member of the church. He was one of the founders of this congregation and was a faithful member during 42 years. With him the last of the founders of the congregation has departed from our midst. And the grave into which we place the remains of this representative of a past time, admonishes us that while we advance with the times, we should also hold fast that which we have received from our fathers and forefathers and make it the guiding star of our lives; namely, that which alone will crown us eternally, Jesus Christ, the cruicified and risen Lord!
Mr. Augast Breuer attained the age of 79 years 10 months and 15 days. Mourned by his son Henry, his grandchildren, and daughters-in-law. Buried December 4, 1921.

After reading this to my grandfather, he told me a little more about his grandfather, the one mentioned here.

Johann August Breuer was known by his middle name, as were his sons. August Breuer did die in the fire. It looked like he was preparing to leave for the morning when the lamp fell on the floor by the door where he washed up after coming in from chores. It burned a large hole in the floor. August Breuer put out the fire that could have easily burned down the whole house, but in the process was badly burned himself. He then went to the bedroom where he died.

The Henry Sohl who lived with him was my other Great Grandfather. He and his family moved back to Iowa from South Dakota after he lost his farm there. Earlier, Henry Sohl had lost his farm in Iowa and they moved the whole family to South Dakota by wagon and horse. It is believed that his first wife, the mother of my grandmother, Adel had already died. All the children lived with August Breuer on the farm also. The Grandfather had the living room and a bedroom on the first floor. The Sohl family had the kitchen and all bedrooms on the second floor. However, Henry's wife is listed as dieing in March of 1918.

At one time, not too long after August Breuer bought his farm, he was farming with two horses and a hand plow. Several Indians began to ride up to him. He unhitched his horses, left the plow and rode home.

August Breuer was one of the founders of the St. Paul Luthern Church of Hull Iowa in 1879 and was instrumental in the purchase of the 40 achers of land where the church was built, and re-built and is still standing today. The 40 achers owned by the church are farmed to bring in income for the church.