Theodore Baldus (1834-1923)

BALDUS, BORN, WIRTH, RICKERL, DICKOPH, SWAN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/19/2024 at 15:26:33

From Story City Herald March 1, 1923 (page 3)

THEODORE BALDUS

Another one of our aged pioneers has passed to his eternal reward.

Theodore Baldus, or grandpa Baldus, as he was commonly called by all, passed out of this life at his home Saturday evening at 8:30, February 17, 1923, at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 3 days. His body was taken to SS. Peter and Paul's Church Tuesday, Feb. 20, where solemn requiem high mass was celebrated by Rev. F. J. Renier. The subject of his eloquent sermon was: Where do I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?

Mr. Baldus was widely known, loved, honored and respected by all. As a citizen he did his duty, never trying to attain fame or honors, or in any way putting himself forward to gain popularity. He was at all time ready to help a friend in need.

One glance at his noble countenance and a few words of conversation with him was enough to inspire one to converse at length with him, simply because he was so kind, frank and honest. Never too much in a hurry to stop and say a few kind words in greeting a neighbor. Truly can it be said he is mourned by many as his friends are numerous.

All his life he has been a member of the Roman Catholic church in which he always found consolation in times of trials. Especially the last few years he has spent in close communion with his Divine Master.

Those who knew him best ill ever remember him as he was often found seated in his favorite seat by the sunny window of his living room reading in his beloved prayer books and conversing in thought with his Savior, whom he loved so much.

Although Mr. Baldus endured many trials and hardships in early life, later on he and hi loving wife accumulated by the sweat of their brow enough of this world's goods to enable them to live comfortably. Simplicity and not luxury was ever the standard keynote through all his life. Although we shall deeply mourn and miss him his merits will long stand green in our memory. We trust and hope the All Merciful will grant him an eternal reward in Heaven.

(Following is a brief sketch of the life history of Theodore Baldus.)

Theodore Baldus was born Oct. 14, 1834 at Stokem Nassau, Germany, and died February 17, 1923 at his home in Lafayette township.

His mother died when he was six years of age. In 1854 he and his sister, Mrs. Dickoph, and family came to Chicago, from there he walked 27 miles to the home of another sister, Mrs. Giles Swan. His father had previously come to this country.

In 1855 he and the Dickoph and Swan families moved to Iowa by ox team and settled in Lafayette township, Story county, arriving there in June.

The families camped in their wagons until they built their log houses. In June, 1855, they went to Des Moines to enter for the Government land at $1,25 per acre, that being the price. In 1859 Mr. Baldus went to Colorado and worked in the gold mines for a time. During the Civil war he enlisted in the army and served as a soldier until the end of the war in 1865 and was then discharged. He would later have received a soldier's pension, but he freely gave his services to his country and never applied for a pension.

In the winter of 1865 he and Giles Swan took the contract of making 1,000 posts and 3,000 rials at the rate of 3 cents per post 1 cent per rail, taking their dinner with them, consisting of corn brad and port sausage, which was the custom of pioneer days.

October 14, 1866, he was united in marriage to Christena Born. They settled on a farm in Lafayette township. To this union 12 children were born, six dying in childhood. Mr. Baldus leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, four sons and two daughters, namely, John, Walter, Carl and Leo, Mrs. Amelia Wirth and Mrs. Julia Rickerl, all living in Lafayette township except Leo, who lives across the line in Boone county. He also leaves 47 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

We can not find the exact date when another event took place in the course of his married life. His sister and husband died, leaving three children, one girl Louise and two boys, Theodore F. and Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Baldus then took the two boys and gave them a home where they remained until grown to manhood.

In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Baldus decided, through their love for children, to take an orphan girl from a New York orphanage and gave her a home. This child was then about two years of age. Although they never legally adopted her, they sheltered and cared for her as one of their own. At present she is being educated at St. Angela's Institute at Carroll, Iowa.