Maximilian S. Mahler 1842-1904

MAHLER, RITTER, KING, HAYS, BAUGHER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 9/27/2001 at 10:30:48

MAXIMILIAN S. MAHLER.
OBITUARY SKETCH.

Maximilian Sigmund Mahler was born in Munich, Bavaria, Germany on October 14, 1842. He grew to manhood in the land of his birth and received a thorough education in the schools of Munich, graduating from the Leading College of that great educational center. He also received a business education there, fitting himself for the trade of a merchanical [sic] engineer in which he greatly excelled as a clever workman. He inherited a taste for mechanics from his father, who was a well known manufacturer and inventor, he having invented the first lens in the telescope placed in the United States Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

He entered the German army, but having a dislike for military life, he purchased a substitute in 1863 and received his discharge from the German service. On the day of his discharge he departed the Fatherland for America, first taking up his residence in Portland, Maine, where he was employed for some time at his trade.

Being subjected to the Civil War draft, in 1864, he went to Europe, returning to this county on May 1, 1865.

In June of the same year he came west and began farming on the place which was the continuous home till the end of his useful life.

On October 15, 1865 he married Miss Rosina Ritter, at Bentonsport, Iowa, and they immediately settled upon the farm which the husband had shortly before obtained. To their union were born eleven children, three sons and eight daughters, all of whom with the good wife and mother, are left to mourn the loss of the husband and father. The children are the following: Edmund Charles of Joliet, Montana; Mrs. Rosa King of Ottumwa, Iowa; Mrs. Eugene Hays of Sonora, Iowa; Misses Pauline and Mary Mahler of Grinnell, Iowa; and Mrs. Emma Baugher, Fred, Frank and the Misses Anna, Katherine and Theresa Mahler of Bonaparte, Iowa. There are also three grand daughters and one grand-son. Of the near relatives of the deceased there also survive two sisters and two brothers, in Munich, Bavaria, the brothers being retired generals of the German army.

The subject of this sketch was baptized and reared in the Catholic faith, remaining a true and consistent Christian till the end of his life. When disease fastened upon him, he bore his sufferings patiently, and calmly awaited the closing scene in the drama of life which occurred at 3 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 6, 1904, he having attained the age of sixty-two years one month and twenty two days.

Funeral services were held at the home on Friday afternoon and were conducted by Mr. J. C. Pearson of Keosauqua who for many years has been a very intimate friend of the deceased. The remains were interred in the Bonaparte cemetery.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.