Pfister, Phillip Sr. -- 1823 - 1902

PFISTER, FALK, YOUNG, RIEHL, LUDWIG

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 3/27/2012 at 20:16:04

Another pioneer of this county, Philip Pfister, Sr., passed away at his home north of Locust, last Friday, Feb. 14th, from Bright’s disease and complications.

Grandpa Pfister was sick for nearly three months, suffering with severe pains, but bore it all patiently. His sons and daughter were with him most of the time for the last week of his life. He leaves a host of friends, three sons, Geo. A. Phillip, and Jacob, one daughter, Mrs. Charles Falk, twenty-four grand children and two greatgrandchildren to mourn his loss. One son died in the year 1863 at the age of four years, and a daughter Mrs. Jacob Young, died in July, 1898. His life partner for 54 years died in December, 1898. His remains were laid to rest in the Locust Lane cemetery on Monday, followed by a host of people. Rev. Seehus conducted the funeral services.

Phillip Pfister, Sr., was born on the 23d of August, 1823, at Schwindratzheim Alsace, France, now Germany. He received a good education, learned the blacksmith trade of his father. In the year 1844 he was united in marriage to Margaret Riehl, Feb. 23, 1854. He emigrated with wife, four children and aged mother to America, landing at New York, where he was received by his only brother Geo. A., who had been living in that city for 16 years. Phillip tiring of city life after four months residence departed with family to Stratford, Ontario, and after eight months moved again, this time to Winneshiek county. He took up eighty acres of the government. Having only enough left to pay for the eighty, and as the land office was at Dubuque at that time and as there was danger of losing the place, he started on foot and made the distance to Lansing in the night, being in time for a boat to Dubuque. He was just in time to get the land. After this he labored hard on his farm and at his trade. He never complained about privations and hard labor the pioneers had to go through in those times. He was a strong and robust man, with strong, intellectual mind and withstood all storms. He was successful in everything he undertook. As he had a good education, also being a christian, he labored hard to have his children educated to become good citizens and christians. To that end he founded the German church at Locust and labored for the church as long as he lived. He was honest in all his dealings and temperate in his living; as a father to his family he was strict and loving.
As a friend and neighbor, he was esteemed by everyone who knew him as a man of strong opinions, robust, manly character, and kind disposition. In his death Winneshiek county loses one who was greatly instrumental in its material and industrial development. Peace to his ashes.

(Note conflict in marriage date sentence….Feb. 23, 1854 may refer to emigration date.)

Source: Decorah Genealogy Association & Decorah Newspaper

Submitted by John Matter jmatter@q.com

Added by Joy Moore July 6, 2018

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Feb. 21, 1902, LP, C7

Mr. and Mrs. John Ludwig went to Locust Lane last Monday to attend the funeral of a relative named Phister, an aged man who died last Saturday.

Added by Joy Moore Dec. 31, 2019

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 20, 1902 Page 7 Col 3

PHILIP PFISTER.
was born in Alsace, (now Germany.) on the 23d day of August, 1823. He died on the evening of Feb. 14, 1902, at the ripe old age of 78 years, 5 months and 21 days. Mr. Pfister was married in October, 1844 to Margaret Riehl, and they have enjoyed the privilege of journeying together in life upwards of 57 years. In 1854 they came to this country and after a year, part of the time spent in New York City and in the province of Ontario, they moved to Iowa and in April 26, 1855, they established a residence on Section 5, in Pleasant township, where they have ever since lived. Here their family of sons and daughters were reared to man and womanhood. The wife survives and surrounding her are the sons: George A., Philip, Jr., and Jacob, with Margaret, the wife of Mr. Chas, Faulk. William, the youngest son, died in March, 1865, and Katherine, wife of Jacob Young, died in July, 1898. Mr. Pfister was the son of parents who were able to give him the benefits of a good education, and in early life was confirmed a member of the German Lutheran church, a faith in which he died trustingly. He was one of the founders of the Locust Lutheran church and always worked for schools and churches as the best foundation for good society. It was his privilege to enjoy rugged health until within a few months of his death. He was ailing before Thanksgiving last. Soon after, Bright’s disease developed itself and his sufferings became more severe, he was confined to his bed only during the last month only when his sufferings became very serious. These he bore up under patiently, and his last days were those of a man who had lived an honest, upright life, the worthy head of a respected family and one who in all ways had been an exemplary citizen as well a faithful husband and parent.

Locust Cemetery aka Saint John
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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