Klingman, Martin 1835-1924

KLINGMAN, JOHNSON, YEAROUS, REPKE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 2/26/2024 at 13:03:43

Martin Klingman, veteran of the Civil War and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic passed away at Timber Lake, S.D., last Thursday, March 20, 1924, at the age of 89 years and 25 days, after a week's illness.

Martin Klingman was born February 24, 1835 at Unterschfflins, Baden, Germany. He was the son of Martin and Rosanna Klingman. When he was fourteen years old his mother died. After the death of his mother he worked on the farm for three years. When he was seventeen years old his father, an older brother Louis and sister Elizabeth and himself sailed from Havre, France for the United States. They came to Luke County, Ohio where he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker for three years.

During his second year in the United States, his father died and was buried in Madison Ohio.

In 1835 [sic] he came to Clayton County, Iowa where he lived for many years. After coming to Iowa he worked on the farm and also at the carpenter trade. He did a great deal of carpenter work in and about McGregor, Iowa.

When the Civil War broke out he took up the cause for his country and in September 1861 he enlisted in Company I of the Missouri Volunteers. He served in this company until January 1863 when he was discharged because of disability. As soon as his health would possibly permit he again enlisted. In 1864 he became a member of Company G of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, where he served until the end of the war. He was at Shiloh Island, No. 10 Chattanooga and in other important engagements. He was with General Sherman until Sherman started his march to the sea. He was among those sent to Washington, D.C.

After the war he came back to Iowa and worked on the farm. He bought a farm seven miles southeast of Elgin where he lived until 1905.

In 1872 he was married to Laura Johnson. To this union were born five children: Mrs. Andrew Yearous of Elgin, Charles of Fargo, N. Dakota, Albert of Elkader, Mrs. Albert Repke of Timber Lake, South Dakota and Will of Elgin.

His wife preceded him in death August 4th, 1899. He sold his farm in 1905 and lived with his daughter Mrs. Andrew Yearous for about a year. He and his daughter Nora then moved to Elkader.

In June 1910, he moved to Timber Lake, South Dakota, where he has since spent most of the remainder of his life.

Those left to mourn his loss are the five children, eight grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

While in Germany he was baptized into the faith of the German Evangelical church. He respected all faiths and creeds. He was a man that held righteousness, honesty and upright living to be the true essentials of a Christian character. He lived his religion and his life was an example of his ideals. He was a good neighbor, a true friend, and a helper in every good cause. Wherever he went he had a host of friends. Whatever he thought was his duty to do, he did it, no matter how difficult the task or problem might be. The older he grew, the more beautiful his life became - always thinking of others, never of himself.

And so, then that clarion call of that Higher Commander came he was ready. Thus has passed a truly great man - a friend to all, a defender of his county, a faithful husband, and a loving father. His soul is at rest.

Funeral services were held at Timber Lake, South Dakota and at the Illyria Community Church here. The American Legion men were pallbearers at both places. Here, they were: Theodore Hanson, Martin Minihan, George Leuchenmacher, Jim Muncy, Ed Wenger and Harry Reicaert.

Those who attended the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Repke of Timber Lake, S. Dakota and Charles Klingman of Fargo, North Dakota.

Rev. Franke of the German Evangelical church of Elkader preached the funeral sermon at Illyria. He was laid to rest in the Illyria cemetery.

~Elkader Register, Thursday, March 27, 1924, pg 7