Zurbriggen, Mattia 1889-1978

ZURBRIGGEN, WIRTZ, SCRANZ, WEIBEL, KNIGHT

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/20/2017 at 12:27:28

Mattia Zurbriggen, son of Orsola Scranz and Mattia Zurbriggen, was born in Macugnaga, Italy, an Alpine village, on Aug. 24, 1889.

He left home at the age of 11 and never saw his parents again. He was employed in various restaurants and hotels in Switzerland and England during his early years where he learned the baker's trade.

In Long, England, he met Marguerite Wirtz and on April 9, 1910, they were united in marriage in the Church of the Salvation Army.

In 1913 they came to America, residing in the Elgin-Clermont-Wadena area where they farmed until 1925. The operated a bakery in Elgin from 1926 until 1941 and in Sumner from 1941 until retirement.

Mr. Zurbriggen lived the last seven years in the Good Samaritan Home at Postville.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sumner where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday School and led the choir for many years. He loved music and will be remembered as director of Elgin's Little German Band. He was a member of the Sumner Rotary Club.

Mr. Zurbriggen spoke five languages fluently and loved using this ability to communicate with people that he met while traveling. He was very civic-minded and served as mayor of Sumner for several terms.

His death occurred Monday, Oct. 16, 1978, at Postville, Iowa. Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 19, at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Elgin with Rev. Ben Hulsing and Rev. Ralph Chandler officiating. Interment was in the Elgin Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite, and one daughter, Eda Weibel of Chicago. Survivors include one daughter, Elaine Knight of Postville; two sons, Gordon of Cedar Falls and Paul of Elgin; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

~source: Sumner Gazette, Thursday, November 2, 1978