MICHAEL MUSSELMAN
- The Clay Center, Kan. Dispatch of July 31 consisted of the following notice of the death of a former well known resident of Jo Daviess County.
Michael Musselman, brief mention of whose death was made in these columns
last week, was born in Bavaria, July 25, 1829. At the age of seventeen, with his
father, a native of Saxoney, and his mother, he emigrated to the United States. For one year the sojourned in Lancaster county, Penn. The parents moved from there to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, Michael followed a year later, and followed the business of farming until 1870. That year Mr. Musselman came to Kansas and bought the farm adjacent to Clay Center on the west. Later he engaged in real estate and loan business in this city, leaving the farm for a time in the hands of his sons. He returned to the country again, however, determined to spend the remainder of his days on the home place; but fate decreed otherwise, and after two years he moved to Denver, where he resided until his death. Mr. Musselman was married Oct. 16, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Durstein, and of this union there were born eleven children, ten sons and one daughter-of six are living.
They are John, Louis, Christian, Gustave, Ernest, and William. John married Miss Jennie Goodin, who died February 23,1898 leaving three children-Samuel, Lizzie, and Francis. He later married Miss Charlotte Schnitker of Washington county, Illinois. Louisa is the wife of Rudolph Hammer of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and the mother of seven children. Christian married Miss Katie Keiner and they have three children-Sallie, Bertie, and Rennie.
Gustave married Miss Lucy Dookids. Their children are-Charles, Carl Clarence, Goldie, Lester and Raymond. Ernest married Miss Minnie Adamson of Rogers, Ark. They have two children-Ralph and Ernestine. Mrs. Elizabeth Musselman died at the home in Jo Daviess county June 9, 1875 and in March 1878, Mr. Musselman married Mrs. Ida (Fuss) Baier, and of this union there were born two children-Emma and Clara. Mr. Musselman was something of a politician, with leanings towards the Democracy, and had been honored by several positions of public trust.
Submitted by Alayne Hammer Galena Gazete April 19, 1927
ALBERT MYERS
, son of Enoch and Nancy Musser Myers, was born near Worster Wayne county, Ohio, July 26, 1858, his parents having moved there a few years previous from Juniata county, Penn. When Albert P. Myers was about three years of age, his parents brought him to Jo Daviess county, Ill., settling on a farm near Nora, where he spent his boyhood days. He was married March 6, 1884, to Clara E. Lutz, of Winslow, Ill., daughter of Abram and Lydia Garver Lutz, also of Pennsylvania. On April 2, 1884, they moved onto a farm one-half miles west of the village of Waddams Grove where they have resided ever since. Mr. Myers passed to his reward January 1, 1924, aged 65 years, 5 months, 6 days, after an illness of several months' duration, caused by an infected tooth. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were blessed with six children. In June, 1891, the two oldest children, Lloyd A. and Nellie A., died of diphtheria. As he dearly loved his home and family it was a great shock to him and he greatly grieved for them. But instead of resenting and hardening his heart toward his Creator, it only brought him nearer to Jesus; he said it depended entirely on Him as to whether he should meet them again. He united with the Brethren church July 4, 1891, and ever after lived a clean, noble Christian life. Shortly after he united with the church he established a family altar and he never let any other duties interfere with his religious activities. He was elected to the Deacon's office Dec. 25, 1906, which he very acceptably filled. His seat in the sanctuary was seldom vacant, except when his health failed a few years ago. He was very active in church work and was interested in everything that advanced the cause and supported it by his means. He never judged harshly and often said he would rather judge on the side of mercy. His ancestors were Christians. On his father's side they were of the Dunkard faith, as far back as the beginning of that sect in Germany. On his mother's side they were staunch Mennonites. Being of a kind, genial, nature and
disposition it was a pleasure to meet him and receive his hearty handshake, and through this he won many friends, especially among the young people, and was always interested in their welfare. Many were the times he welcomed them in his home. He was hospitable in the fullest sense; he and his good hearted companion extended their hospitality far and wide, and hundreds of people enjoyed their fellowship and ate with them at their bountiful table. He was talented in music and loved it in his home. He was not boastful and was ever ready and willing to ask forgiveness and pardon if he offended anyone. He was a friend of the temperance cause, never having tasted liquor, and was strongly opposed to soft drinks as he always advocated they led to strong drink. One of his greatest pleasures was to take his horse and buggy and ride out with his grandchildren, and by the expression on their faces they all enjoyed it. He leaves his faithful wife who tenderly cared for him through his long illness, three sons, Clark C., Elden C., Little L., and one daughter, Alice L., who will greatly miss his fatherly care and concern; also four grandchildren, a brother, J. T. Myers, of Lena, IL; three sisters, Mrs. Clara Kepner, Miss Jennie Myers, and Mrs. Lena Stouffer, all of Nora, Ill., and a number of nephews and nieces and many other relatives and friends will mourn his passing away. The following acted as pallbearers: Frank Kepner, Walter Myers, Avery Stouffer, Milton Lutz, Garver Master, George Yontzy. Funeral services were conducted in the Chelsea church by Elder J. E. Miller, of Elgin, Ill., assisted by Elder P. R. Keitner of Lena. He was laid to rest in Chelsea cemetery.
Contributed by Carol Parrish (July 26, 1858 - 1 January 1924)
ELDON MYERS
, son of Albert and Clara Elizabeth Lutz Myer, was born near Waddams Grove, Ill., on Nov. 23, 1895. He was one of a family of six children, two of whom, and the parent (Albert) have preceded him in death. In 1907 he accepted Christ and was baptized into full fellowship with the Church of the Brethren. On April 18, 1921, he was married to Miss Ruth Martin. To their union were born four sons and four daughters. Some years after their marriage the family located in North Dakota. While there, the home was saddened by the death of a little son and a daughter. Later the family located in Chicago. About se____ [could it be seven?] years ago they moved to Polo, Ill., in which community they have since resided. Bro. Myers' home was again saddened about two years ago when his wife was called away by death. July 21, 1941, while enroute to Chicago to be at the bedside of his son, Robert, who had undergone surgery at Bethany Hospital, he was instantly killed in an automobile accident near Oregon, Ill. He leaves to mourn his departure three sons, three daughters, two brothers, one sister, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted in the Polo Church of the Brethren on July 24. Interment was made in the Chelsea cemetery, west of Lena, Ill. The undersigned, assisted by J.F. Burton of Lena, officiated. - H. Jess Baker, Polo, Ill.
Contributed by Carol Parrish
LITTLE L. MYERS
, a retired Whapeton, ND farmer who was a native of Waddoms Grove Township, was killed Sept. 5 in an auto accident near Whapeton. He was born April 10, 1897, in Waddoms Grove Township, son of Albert and Clara (Lutz) Myers. Mr. Myers attended school at Waddams Grove and later attended Mount Morris College. He farmed in the Waddams Grove area until 1943, then moved to Barnesville, Minn., where he farmed until 1948 when he moved near Whapeton. Mr. Myers was married to Jessie B. Gillam at Ollie, Iowa, on Dec. 25, 1918. They had two children, Mrs. James M. (Pauline) Thorp of Milledgeville and Paul G. of Sacramento, California. His first wife died at Waddams Grove in March, 1930. On Dec.24, 1930, he married Louise LaBounty in Freeport. They had nine children, Irvin of Chicago, Gene of Fort Ord, Calif., Galen of Arthur, N.D., Mrs. James (Donna) Meyer or Wyndmere, N.D., Mrs. James (Carol) Lehman of Fargo, N.D., Ruth, Ernest, David and Linda at home. Surviving are his widow and 11 children; 15 grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Arthur (Alice) Warner of Selma, Va.; and a brother, Clark of Tampa, Fla. He was precede in death by a brother and his first wife. Service and burial were held in Whapeton.
Contributed by Carol Parrish
Carol has information that Little Myers died 3 Sep 1954. This obit says 5 September?
ORVAL MYERS
, one year and eight months' old son of Mr. and Mrs. Elden Myers, 1507 Fifth Avenue North, died at a local hospital Wednesday night after being seriously ill for the past three or four days. Besides his parents, Orval is survived by one brother, Junior, and three sisters, Marjorie, Doris and a baby sister not yet named. Funeral services will be held at the Pierce chapel at 10 o'clock Friday morning with Rev. J. Edw. Snyder officiating and the body will be taken to the family lot of Chelsea cemetery at Waddam's Grove, Illinois, for burial.
2nd OBITUARY: Rev. P.R. Keltner went to Chelsea, Sunday, to officiate at the funeral services of Orval Myers, the two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Elden Myers of Grand Forks, N.D., who were formerly residents of this vicinity. The child was a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Martin, 1602 South Highland avenue. Mr. Myers is spending a few days with Freeport relatives.
Contributed by Carol Parrish
RUTH (MARTIN) MYERS
, 37, wife of Elden Myers, passed away Monday afternoon in a Dixon Hospital to which she was admitted for surgery on Aug. 6. She apparently was making a good recovery and her death yesterday came very unexpectedly. Mrs. Myers, formerly Miss Ruth Martin, was born at Lanark on Jan. 17, 1902, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Martin. When she was ten years of age the family moved to Freeport and decedent lived here until her marriage in1920. The couple has since operated a farm near Polo. Mrs. Myers is survived by her husband; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Martin, of Freeport; six children, Doris, Violet, Marjorie, Robert; Ralph and Elden, Jr., all at home; two brothers, Emmert and Kenneth Martin, of Freeport. Mrs. Myers was a member of the Church of the Brethren. Funeral services will be held at 10:45 o'clock Thursday morning from the Bracken funeral home in Polo and at 11 o'clock from the Church of the Brethren. Rev. H. Jesse Baker will officiate and burial will be made in Chelsea cemetery.
Contributed by Carol Parrish - Obituary from Polo, Ill., Aug. 15 -
