MUELLER, Ernst W. 1802-1877

MUELLER, SAHLE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/14/2024 at 15:47:18

Death of Ernst William Mueller, of this City
Our community was greatly startled yesterday morning to learn of the sudden death of old Mr. Mueller, a gentleman so well known and respected by everybody who knew him. He died on Tuesday morning about four o'clock.

For some years past he has been troubled with heart affliction and often experienced great difficulty in breathing. Of late this affliction has grown upon him and he expected to drop away at any moment. He had often said that that would be the manner of his death, and he tried to have his business and home affairs always arranged for this sudden taking off.

A few moments before his death his wife was awakened by his getting out of bed, and noticed at once his unusual difficulty in breathing. She wanted to call a doctor at once but he told her he would be better soon. She was alarmed and did not think so, and sent for a physician, but before he arrived the old gentleman's spirit had taken its flight and the form that was so hale and active but a short time before was still in death.

The old gentleman had been down town on Monday afternoon and was in our office in his usual good spirits, and talking of a little job of work we had for him to do on the following day.

Mr. Mueller was a remarkable man, a living history, as it were, and had seen and experienced more of life than usually falls to the lot of man. He was born in 1802, in Garlitz, Schlesia, Germany, and would have been 76 years old had he lived until the 6th day of November next.

At the age of 12 years he went to Venna, where he clerked in the grocery house of his uncle. When 20 years old he went to Italy and enlisted in the French army, and served five years. It was while in the army that he learned the trade of book binding and taught the languages.

After leaving the army he settled in Switzerland and engaged in business as bookseller and binder, and here he married his first wife. He had traveled on foot over Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France, and was thoroughly conversant with all those languages, which he continued to speak quite fluently up to his death.

In the spring of 1836 he came to America and worked at his trade in Cleveland, Ohio, but the same fall returned to his home in the old country.

In 1843, after the death of his wife, he again came to America, bringing his children with him, and settled near Fairfield in this State. Two years afterward he removed to Galena, Ill., where he established himself in the book-binding business, and married his present wife.

He first made a claim of land near Lansing in 1848, and shortly afterwards removed his family here, but returned with his family to Galena, finally, however, making a permanent home about 6 miles west of Lansing on his farm where he resided for many years. Getting too old to follow agricultural pursuits he sold his farm several years ago and moved into town where the family now resides.

He leaves a large and interesting family,, two of the daughters of his first wife residing in Chicago and the son, Charley, residing here.

The others of the children are daughters by the second wife and are residing in this city, except one, Julia, who lives in Minneapolis.

The absent ones have been sent for and will probably arrive to attend the funeral which takes place this afternoon at 3:45 o'clock. Peace to the ashes of this fine old gentleman who was honored, revered and loved by all.

~North Iowa Journal, Wednesday, September 26, 1877; pg 4

--- --- ---

A Patriarch Gone - It is with most sincere and heartfelt regret that we announce the sudden death of our patriarchal citizen, Ernst Wilhelm Mueller, for many years a well known book-binder of Galena, Dubuque and Lansing, and who had attained the age of seventy-five years, eleven months and twenty-one days.

Of almost four-score years, father Mueller's appearance was in keeping with his age, his silver locks attesting the weight of time. Though of venerable mien, his health remained so good that he was able to follow his occupation up to the day of his death. His physique was remarkable owing to his frugal habits and careful attention to health.

He was born in Gorlitz, in the Provinence of Silesia, Prussia, at an early age was apprenticed to the bookbinder's trade, and subsequently entered the French army, where he served some years, during that time passing through a series of remarkable adventures while traveling on foot over Italy, France and Switzerland, many of which he has recently recalled, to the pleasure and interest of the writer.

He was for some years engaged at his trade in the city of Paris, and was proficient in the French language. A natural grace and suavity of manner was acquired from long residence in France, and his genial manner made the old gentleman welcome wherever he went.

In early years he entered a tract of land about five miles west of this place, on the Waukon road, where he resided at intervals, about 1863 giving up business at Galena, and thenceforth making his home on the farm or in this city.

He was twice married. By his first wife thee children were born - Charles, Louise and Caroline; by the second wife, he had three children, Nettie, Julia and Mrs. Sahle, all of whom survive him.

The near approach of the messenger of death was expected by father Mueller for years past, and an affection of the heart terminated his life about three o'clock on Monday morning. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon.

~Lansing Mirror, Friday, September 28, 1877; pg 1