23 December 2012

Franz Friedrich Wilhelm Nolte

1836 — 1914

German-Lanugage Obituary

first half of German-language obituary for Franz Friedrich Wilhelm Nolte
second half of German-language obituary for Franz Friedrich Wilhelm Nolte
Lafayette County, Missouri; 1914.  Permission of Thomas L. Scribner; all rights reserved.

In the interest of saving space on this page, the image is presented here in three parts. The obituary was originally published as a single long column on one page of the newspaper and it concluded with several lines on a separate page of the newspaper.

Obituary for Wilhelm Nolte
1836 — 1914

This shows the two German-language obituary clippings as they originally appeared in the newspaper.

Enlarged image of the 1914 German-language obituary

Todesanzeige für Wilhelm Nolte
1836 — 1914.

The following is a transcription of the obituary.

Wilhelm Nolte

Am Neujahrstage ist Herr Wm. Nolte, einer der angesehensten und besten Bürger der Mayview Umgegend, vom Tod abgerufen worden.  Er hatte die Verwandten in der Blackburn Gegend besucht, und da sich das Befinden des wackeren Mannes, das schon länger hatte zu wünschen übrig lassen, verschlimmerte, begab er sich nach Hause, eine Meile westlich von Mayview.  Die Kräfte des Patienten schwanden rasch, und am Neujahrstage, eine halbe Stunde nach der Mittagszeit, schloß er die Augen zum letzten Schlummer.  Das Leichenbegängniß, an dem sich Verwandte, Freunde und Bekannte zahlreich betheiligten, fand am Samstag Nachmittag 1  um halb elf Uhr vom Sterbehause aus statt.  Der Trauergottesdienst wurde kurz nach elf Uhr in der evang.  Zionskirche in Mayview abgehalten.  Pastor Rieger von Higginsville hielt eine trostreiche Leichenpredigt über die Worte des 102. Psalms, 12 and 13.  Ihm folgte Rev. Powell, Prediger der Baptistenkeriche in Mayview, welcher dem berstorbenen einen warmen Nachruf widmete.  Der Gesang des Chors der Zionsgeeminde machte die Trauerfeier zu einer besonders eindrucksvollen.  Auf dem Zions-Gottesacker fand der müde Erdenpilger die letzte Schlummerstätte.  Möge er ruhen in Frieden.

Wilhelm Nolte war geboren in Barver, Hannover, am 3. September 1836, erreichte also ein Alter von 77 Jahren, 3 Monaten und 29 Tagen.  Um 3. Mai 1865 schloß er den Bund der Ehe mit Maria Feldman, welche am 28. Juni 1901 duch den Tod von der Seite des Lebensgefährten genommen wurde.  Im September 1870 kam die Familie nach Amerika, und in Februar 1871 ließ sie sich bei Mayview nieder.  Die glückliche Ehe war mit neun Kindern gesegnet, von denen drei dem Vater in die Ewigkeit vorausgegangen sind, nämlich Frau T. R. Brock, Charles und August Nolte.  Die überlebenden Kinder sind:  Friedrich, Otto, Louis (zu Blackburn), Frau Wm. Rechtermann, Frau Heinrich Lefmann und Frl. Rosa Nolte.  Ferner hinterläßt der Heimgegangene 23 Enkel, eine Schwester (in Deutschland,) sowie andere Verwandte, wie auch ein großer Kreis von Freunden dem verstorbenen deutschen Biedermann ein ehrendes Gedächtniß bewahrt.  Seit seiner Kindheit war Herr Nolte Glied der evang. Kirche.  Wie geachtet er gewesen und wie hoch seine Dienste geschätzt wurden, zeigt die Thatsache, daß er viermal mit einem dreijährigen Termin als Vorsteher der Zions-Gemeinde betraut wurde und Jahre lang Superintendent der Sonntagsschule war.  Ehre seinem Andenken!

Die trauernden Hinterbliebenen versichern wir unserer aufrichtigen Theilnahme.

A translation of the obituary.

Wilhelm Nolte

On New Year's Day, Mr. Wm. Nolte, one of the most notable and best of citizens in the Mayview area, was called to his death.  He had visited relatives in the Blackburn 2  area and because of the deteriorating health of this brave man, which had for some time been less than desirable, he betook himself to his home, a mile west of Mayview.  The vigor of the patient waned rapidly and on New Year's Day, a half hour after midday, he closed his eyes for his last slumber.  The burial, attended by countless relatives, friends and acquaintances, took place on Saturday afternoon [sic] at 10:30, starting from the deceased's home.  The memorial service was held shortly after 11:00 in Zion Evangelical Church in Mayview.  Pastor Rieger of Higginsville gave a fully consoling funeral sermon on the words of Psalm 102: 12-13.  He was followed by Rev. Powell, preacher of the Baptist church in Mayview, who gave the deceased a warm eulogy.  The singing of the Zion Church choir lent an impressive air to the funeral.  The weary pilgrim of this earth found his final resting place in Zion's cemetery.  May he rest in peace.

Wilhelm Nolte was born in Barver, Hannover, on the 3rd of September 1836, reaching an age of 77 years, 3 months and 29 days.  On the 3rd of May 1865, he contracted a covenant of marriage with Maria Feldman, who death stole away on the 28th of June 1901.  The family came to America in September 1870 and in February 1871 took up residence in Mayview.  The lucky marriage was blessed with nine children, three of whom preceded their father in Eternity, namely Mrs. T. R. Brock, Charles and August Nolte.  The surviving children are:  Friedrich, Otto, Louis (of Blackburn), Mrs. Wm. Rechtermann, Mrs. Heinrich Lefmann and Miss. Rosa Nolte.  In addition, the deceased left behind 23 grandchildren, a sister (in Germany), as well as other relatives and a large circle of friends who preserve the memory of this honest German man with honor.  Mr. Nolte was a member of the evangelical church from his childhood.  How respected he was and how highly his service was treasured is demonstrated by the fact that four times he was entrusted with a three year term as head deacon 3  of Zion Church and had served for years as Superintendent of the Sunday School.  Praise be his memory!

We extend our sincere sympathies to the grieving survivors.

Source: From an undated and unidentified Lafayette County, Missouri newspaper. Digital image courtesy of Thomas Lee Scribner. Transcription without corrections and translation by J. Mark Fiegenbaum.

Notes

  1. The writer has used the word Nachmittag (afternoon) in connection with the hour of 10:30 a.m. The correct word should probably have been Vormittag (forenoon).

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  2. Blackburn, Saline County, Missouri, is west of Higginsville (in Lafayette County).

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  3. I am not sure of the correct term to use for the head of the governing body in a German evangelical church. Superintendent, president and moderator did not seem appropriate. I hope I have conveyed the right meaning by translating this as deacon.

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Brief Genealogy

Franz Friedrich Wilhelm Nolte's family

Sophie Marie Feldman's family

Details of the birth family of Sophie Marie Feldman (1841-1901) are not currently known.

Nolte - Feldman family

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