August Rix gestorben
The Grim Reaper has once again taken a good German man from our midst and thereby a tearing a wider hole in the ranks of the veterans of 1870 - 1871. In the Lutheran cemetery in Arcadia August Rix found his final resting place on Wednesday afternoon. In a solemn funeral procession his earthly remains were brought to the peaceful cemetery and decorated the fresh grave with the wreaths and flowers given to the deceased as a final goodbye from his relatives and friends.
August Friederich Georg Rix was born on January 9, 1839 in Kiel, he arrived as a young worker to the village Stakendorf in the Probstei, where he was employed as a farm hand. He became acquainted with the now bereaved spouse, Gretchen, born Wiese, who swore eternal fidelity with him on April 7 in the year 1861 before the marriage altar and since then has shared joy and sorrow. This thoroughly happy marriage was blessed with 12 children, of whom Heinrich August, Anna Louise, and Adele Mathilde died in childhood. Heinrich Hermann died in the flourishing age of 32 years, in the year 1909 on February 6. His surviving and mourning children are the four sons: Theodor, Peter, and Julius of Manning and Johannes of Arcadia. Three daughters: Helene, Mrs. Louis Schulte in Jackson, Minn., Laura, Mrs. Adolph Pietz in Bridgemann, Minn., and Hermine, Mrs. Claus Moeller of Manning. All are married and enjoy a very good standing, further he is mourned by 20 grandchildren and 3 sisters in Germany.
In 1892 he emigrated with his spouse and the 3 youngest children to America (where the 5 oldest children had sojourned) in order to spend the sunset years of life in the land where the wanderlust of his children had drawn them. All was peaceful and happy. It was a joy to the parents to see their children happy and the children were happy to have their dear parents in their midst, in order to aid and assist them.
The father, who from Germany knew it, was accustomed to hard work, did not come to America to lay idle, rather he became occupied as a day laborer and was otherwise happy and pleased, until about 2 years ago as he began to complain about stomach pains, which foretold sorrow in the family. Continually ill since then he gave up work due to weakness and three weeks ago was confined to bed from which he would not arise. His stomach pains increased and despite medical intervention, his wife's love, and the attempts of the children to bring relief, he passed quietly and peacefully, Sunday, September 11, 15 minutes after 1 o'clock in the afternoon, into eternity. Son Johannes who did not leave the sick bed throughout the day and night, closed his eyes. Besides him -------- remaining children visited the sick bed continually which brought the patient great joy.
That the deceased had a large circle of friends was evident by the numerous participants at the burial, which took place on Wednesday at the Bruggemann Cemetery, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon under the direction of Pastor Ringold. The casket was covered over and over with flowers by friends and the beautifully decorated church speak clearly to the affection toward the deceased.
During the restless war years in Germany from 1864-1871, the deceased was in his strongest period of manhood and was called to arms. On July 2, 1863 he entered the 22nd Battalion of the Danish Army in Copenhagen as a bugler, this military service lasted until March 15, 1864.
He was drafted into the 1st Rhineland Infantry Regiment No. 25 on October 28, 1867. In 1870, as Napoleon wished to bring Germany into servitude, he was again called to arms on July 23. His station during the war until March 26, 1871 was in the 3rd Company 1st Battalion of the Kiel -Holstein Militia Regiment No. 85 and he belonged to the occupation troops in Alsace. During this difficult time it was the spouse's duty to care for life's necessities of 2 small children. As he returned the following spring, he found a new member of the family, the 10-week old son, Peter, healthy and vigorous. What such days meant for a mother with 3 small children only she, who lived through it, will know.
The spouse suffered a lot, since the campaign, from stomach pains, however, he never bent to the blows of fate. He was instead cheerful and content until death closed his eyes. The gauntlet, which fate had thrown to him in childhood, during which he had to work hard for his bread, he took up, looked defiant and unbending into the eye of every enemy and fought courageously for himself and his to the end of his life. He reached an age of 71 years, 8 months, and 2 days. Rest in Peace.
Translated from the German language by Dennis Barten
A week ago last Sunday occurred the death of August Frederick Rix of Arcadia. He had for years been a sufferer from stomach trouble and grew weaker and weaker to the end. Years ago while a soldier he first felt a pain and for all these years was a silent sufferer. He was born at Kiel, on January 9, 1839, and in 1892 with his wife and three children came to America. The five older children had come before this date. The meeting in this country between father, mother and children was indeed joyous.
A large family blessed their home, three, however, dying at an early age. These were, Heinrick August, Anna Louise, and Adele Mathilda. Heinrick Herman Rix died on the 6th of February 1909.
To mourn the loss of their father are the four sons, Theodore, Peter, Julius and Joannes, and the daughters Helene (Mrs. L. Schultz) of Jackson, Minnesota; Laura, (Mrs. Adolph Pietz) of Bridgeman, Minnesota, and Hermine, (Mrs. Claus Moeller) of Manning.
Pastor Ringold, before a large body of mourners, delivered the address. An abundance of flowers were laid on the altar, which was a token of the love and friendship held by relatives and friends of the departed one. After the funeral sermon the body was sorrowfully followed to the Arcadia Cemetery where kind hands lowered it to its resting place.
Thus at the age of 71 years, 8 months and 2 days passed away a man whose living in the world is a pride to his family and friends. For years in Europe he was a soldier, and even after marriage continued in that work. In America his friends spoke of him as one of their true fellowmen.
A large number of friends sympathize with the mother and, daughters and sons in their sorrow, and extend to them their heartfelt sympathy.