Henry Frank WELLEMEYER

WELLEMEYER, FIEGENBAUM, NEWMAN, WINTER, MINDEN, ADDICKS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/20/2010 at 18:16:58

15 December 1822 -- 12 August 1899

Henry Frank Wellemeyer died at his home in Garner 12 August 1899 of dropsy, aged 76 years, 7 months and 27 days. Funeral services conducted by Revs. C. H. Priebe and W. F. Gleason, were held at his home Tuesday p.m., and his remains laid at rest in Concord Cemetery. Mr. Wellemeyer was born at Hanover, Germany 15 December 1822. He emigrated to the United States in 1845 and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. Here he married Miss Catherine Fiegenbaum, 22 August 1847 and moved to Warrentown, Missouri where they resided for nearly three years. Mr. and Mrs. Wellemeyer could not reconcile the institution of slavery, which then prevailed in Missouri. With their love of personal liberty, they moved to Louisa County near Wapello, Iowa, where they resided until 1875. The rich and cheap lands of northern Iowa induced Mr. Wellemeyer to sell his Louisa County farm and buy several hundred acres of Hancock County prairie. On 4 December 1875 he moved with his family to this county and built their permanent home in Seymour's addition to Concord where they have since resided. Mr. Wellemeyer united with the German M. E. Church at St. Louis in 1845 and for more than 53 years he was an active and consistent Christian in word and deed. He was a public spirited citizen, always ready to contribute his work and mite for the public good. For about fourteen years he was one of the trustees of Concord Township and held the office until ill health compelled him to decline a re-election. During the time he was a trustee he had charge of the Concord Cemetery and his care and work made beautiful his last resting place. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wellemeyer, all of whom live to mourn his death, and seven were present at the funeral to pay the last sad rites to a loving father. His six sons, Frank, William, Fred, Edward, George and Charles acted as pall bearers, tenderly and lovingly laid his mortal remains in the grave. On 22 August 1896 Mr. and Mrs. Wellemeyer celebrated their golden wedding with their children, grandchildren and many friends present with happy greetings. An event which is given to but few in this life. For nearly twenty-three years the writer has been a neighbor and friend of the deceased and during all that time we never knew him to do an unworthy act or deed. He was honorable in all his business transactions and during his last illness he was patient and uncomplaining. It can truly be said that in his death a loving husband and father, a consistent Christian and a good citizen has passed from among us. W. H. Wellemeyer and his sister Mrs. J. Newman of Wymore, Nebraska and Mrs. Minnie Winter, a sister of Mrs. Wellemeyer were present at Mr. Wellemeyer's funeral. Two daughters, Mrs. L. Minden of Preston, Kansas and Mrs. Mary Addicks of Warrentown, Missouri were unable to attend.

16 August 1899
Garner Signal -- Garner, Iowa