Christopher, Martin 1862 – 1904

CHRISTOPHER, WEILER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/24/2019 at 10:03:24

Source: Decorah Republican Sept. 22, 1904 Page 6

MARTIN CHRISTOPHER.
Death Claimed this Well Known Decorah Citizen Sept. 15th.
Martin Christopher died at his home in this city late last Thursday afternoon Sept l5th, and was buried Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Christopher was born Nov. 25th. 1862. on a farm on Washington Prairie. While still a child his parents came to Decorah to reside and here he attended school until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered the employ of the late Frederick B. Landers, with whom he was associated for ten years. During part of that time he managed a store at Spillville in which both he and Mr. L. were interested. Returning to Decorah in 1886 he became an employe in Mr. Ben Bear’s store and here he continued to meet his friends and customers until about a month ago when failing health compelled his retirement.
In the passing of Mr. Christopher it is to be recorded that in personal characteristics he was exceptional in many ways. First and foremost was his faithfulness to any task he assumed. The senior of the REPUBLICAN testifies with pleasure to this trait in Mr. Christopher as it appeared in his boyhood. He was for a time city carrier for this paper, and as regularly as publication day came Martin was on hand to deliver the paper to the city subscribers and in no particular did he fail to do his whole duty. Patience, tact, cheerfulness, and friendliness were also marked characteristics of his nature, and though in time he came to be head clerk in Mr. Bear’s store, he never permitted his position to force itself in an unpleasant or unwarranted manner, either upon the public or those with whom he labored each day
On March 8th, 1884. Mr. Christopher married Miss Anna Weiler of Fort Atkinson. To them five children were born four of whom—Miss Grace, Ernest, Frank and Carl — with the wife and mother, three sisters and one brother survive. Into this home circle the deceased carried the same characteristics that made his associations with the public uniformly pleasant and commendable. Some sixteen years ago, although he had been baptised in the Lutheran faith Mr. Christopher joined the Methodist church, and continued to be one of its constant and consistent members until death claimed him. During the later years he was drawn more closely to the church through official duties which came to him and which he accepted in the spirit of true devotion
The funeral service, which was held at the home, was attended by a large gathering of old friends, neighbors and acquaintances, many coming from the country to pay their final tribute to one who in life had been a true friend; and the remains were followed to their last resting place by n large number of citizens.
The illness which preceded Mr. Christopher’s death was of short duration. While he has not been in robust health for five years, not until in June did anything of an alarming nature develop. He suffered from hemorrhage at that time and since then the decline has been sternly but gradual. Three days before his death he was down town and seemed about the same as usual A few hours later a hemorrhage set in which left him so weakened that death ensued.
Owing to the nervous prostration of Mrs. Christopher the services at the house were brief and at the Sunday evening service the church exercises were in the nature of a memorial service. The relation of the deceased to his church home made this a befitting testimonial to his character and Christian devotion.

Transcriber’s Note: His gravestone in Phelps Cemetery shows his date of birth as November 28, 1862.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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