George Michel (1858-1934)

MICHEL, HAPPEL, CROUSE, MEYER, AHRENS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/26/2024 at 23:09:34

From Story City Herald July 19, 1934 (page 6)

GEO. MICHEL WAS PIONEER CITIZEN

Mr. George Michel was born June 5, 1858, in Germany in the province of Hesse. Departing this world on July 7, 1934, he attained the age of 76 years, 1 month and 2 days.

When but a boy of 6 years his parents left their native land to find a new home in America, where so many of their countrymen had already settled. That was in 1864 at the close of the Civil war.

The Michel family located near Cedar Rapids at Atkins. Our state was at that period but sparsely settled, and hence welcomed the sturdy tillers of the soil from beyond the sea.

At Atkins the lad attended the Christian day school at St. Stephen's church until 1872, when he was confirmed in the faith of our church by the sainted Pastor G. Horn. These confirmation vows were held sacred by the departed thruout his long life, bein a staunch adherent of the Lutheran church.

During the eighties of the last century the wide open spaces of the Dakotas became an attraction to many of the younger generation of the middle west. Hence in 1884 George moved to Vermillion, S.D., to assist in the building up of the new state.

In 1885 he was united in holy wedlock with Miss Anna Happel of Atkins. Three children were born to this union: John G., Katie (the present Mrs. Crouse), and Anna, who died in childhood. In 1892 it pleased the Lord to take the wife and mother after a union of seven years.

To provide for his motherless children the departed, in 1896, was united with Miss Elizabeth Happel, his now mourning widow, with whom he was married nearly forty years. In this union he was also blessed with three children: Laura, who died as Mrs. Andrew Meyer, Andrew Michel and Mary, the present Mrs. Effort Ahrens. All his living children were present at the funeral to pay their last respects to their beloved father. There were also 15 grandchildren, of whom two have died.

After having pioneered in South Dakota for 18 years, the good state of Iowa proved to be more attractive, and hence in 1902 Mr. Michel returned hither. He made his new home in Hamilton county, where he remained during the 32 last years of his life, being occupied in the ancient and honorable tilling of the soil.

The departed had to endure much sickness during his life. Besides frequent minor ailments he had to undergo not less than five major operations. But he bore these visitations of the Lord in Christian fortitude.

During the last six months he has been a great sufferer. The best of medical skill was procured, and he was tenderly nursed, especially by his faithful spouse. Repeatedly he rallied and there were apparent hopes that he would regain his health, but during the oppressive heat of the recent weeks pneumonia set in, which terminated his life Saturday, July 7th.

Funeral Largely Attended

The obsequie took place Tuesday, July 10, conducted by the Rev. T. Stephan, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church on St. Paul's Hill, Harrison township, assisted by his son, Rev. Paul Stephan, resent graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. The pastor addressed the large gathering on Psalm 119:50, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Thy word hath quickened me.'

Besides the congregational singing, a men's quartet contributed with several anthems to enhance the solemnity of the occasion. The pallbearers were Emmet Meyer, Gene Meyer, Raymond Meyer, Henry Michel, Peter McGlynn, and Mr. Tesdahl. Interment was made in St. Paul's cemetery.

Mrs. Emmet Meyer, Mrs. Joe Meyer and Martha Bockwoldt were in charge of the great display of beautiful flowers. Besides these flowers a number of friends and relatives had shown their esteem for the departed by bequeathing a so-called "Mindekranz," which is the bestowal of a fund for a worthy cause in the church.

Those who had come from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schroeder from Germantown, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Stoll, Andrew Michel and others from Cedar Rapids; Adam Michel, George Michel, Hy. Krug, and Theodore Happel, for Atkins. From Boone Rev. O. Eide and a great number of friends of Trinity church were present.

Those nearest of kin to the departed, beside the immediate family, are two brothers: John Michel in our community, Adam Michel of Cedar Rapids; three sisters, Mrs. Adam Moeller of Boone, Mrs. Herman Graubau of Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Chas. Ahrens in our community. The more distant relatives filled one half of the spacious church.