John Krouth 1836-1895

KROUTH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/18/2018 at 08:15:00

11 April 1895 - West Branch Times

John Krouth was born in Germany, on May 4th, 1836, and died at his home three miles north of West Branch, Iowa, on April 3rd, 1895. Thus he was 59 years of age, lacking one month.

He immigrated to the United States 48 years ago, and came to Iowa 32 years ago during which time he has been a continuous resident of this vicinity. His life has been quiet and unostentatious; a life not of words, but of deeds. As a business man he was judicious, careful, methodical and successful; as the beautiful home and well improved farm he has left certainly attest.

As a citizen he was loyal and true to the government and nation of his adoption, always abreast with the social and political problems that demanded thought and care of those who weld the franchise and mould the social and national life.

As a neighbor he was generous and kind, helpful to those about him, and ever ready, in his quiet, unobtrusive way to give council and assistance.

As a husband and parent he was affectionate and indulgent; the pride of his home, and the strength of his wife and family. Indeed it was in his home-life that he most especially excelled, giving by his superior intelligence, his irreaproachable character, his virtuous example and wise counsels the strong bulwark behind which the family could find shelter. And now that he has gone his memory will be "like ointment poured forth" giving a delightful fragrance to the loved ones he has left.

He gave his heart to Christ, and his name to Christs church while but a young man, and though his natural diffidence prevented that active, efficient service in the church, his friends would have like to have seen, yet he retained a strong and pure love for Christ until the last, leaving a heritage to his family of Christian hopes and admonitions. "I am going to heaven, said he with almost the last breath, and I would like you to all so live that you can meet me there."

May heaven's richest blessing and comfort be given to the bereft ones, to whom we tender our sincere condolence.

The funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church, of which he was a member, April 5th, and were conducted by his pastor who sought to improve the occasion by a sermon based on Phil. 1:2.