Carl Wesley WELLEMEYER

WELLEMEYER, KLAUS, MERTEN, MELCHER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/20/2010 at 19:06:59

12 May 1877 -- 23 November 1933

Carl Wesley Wellemeyer was born 12 May 1877 at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. He was the second of a family of nine children born to his parents, Frank H. Wellemeyer and Mary M. (Klaus). His father being a minister, the family lived in several towns and Carl's education was received in grade schools of Freeport, Illinois, Giard, Dubuque, Lemars, Garner and Decorah, where he graduated from high school. Mr. Wellemeyer attended Charles City College, after which he taught school two years in Garner, two years in Duncan, six years in Liberty Township, making a total of ten years in Hancock County schools. His main business, however, was farming. He farmed seven years in Liberty Township, sold out and moved to Delaware County near Colesburg, where he lived on a farm the past quarter of a century. Departed was married 12 June 1907 to Sarah Merten. From this union came two children, one son Howard, who is working at home, and one daughter, Helen, who preceded him in death. Mr. Wellemeyer was a quiet, kindly nature, who never quarreled with his neighbors, always showing a tendency to meet the other fellow more than halfway. His wife and son feel that he has bequeathed to them the good will of everyone who knew him, a priceless legacy. A brief characterization of Carl Wellemeyer's busy and useful life reveals many things of outstanding value. In his educational work he was always forward looking and progressive. In his church affiliations he was faithful to every trust; but outstanding in his musical contribution. His singing for all manner of community functions was in general demand. Very particularly was this true in connection with funerals because of his sympathetic voice. Few men are capable of serving a community as he did this, his home county. In fact, his service to his fellow men at times became a severe strain and in sacrifice of time can hardly be estimated. He was a member of the Colesburg child welfare committee and Farmers Telephone Company. Mr. Wellemeyer was usually in good health. On Thursday afternoon, 23 November, he suffered a heart attack while at work, from which he failed to recover. He reached the age of 58 years, 6 months and 11 days. It leaves his wife, one son Howard, at home; two sisters, Hulda, Mrs. Robert Merten of Gutherie, Oklahoma and Ruth, Mrs. C. L. Melcher of Charles City; and three brothers, Arthur of Klemme; Ernest of Patterson, California and Fletcher of Kansas City, Kansas; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Methodist Church at Colesburg, with the pastor, Rev. George Notedwift in charge. Rev. A. H. Meyer, former pastor at Klemme, and long time friend of the family, gave the funeral address. Rev. F. C. Grieve, pastor of the Methodist Church at Masonville, and former Klemme resident, conducted the service at the grave. A local solist sang "Crossing the Bar," and "One Sweetly Solemn Thought." Pallbearers were men by the name of Klaus living in the locality. Burial was made in the family lot beside his daughter, Helen, in the Zion Cemetery west of Colesburg, Iowa.