A
homestead certificate was finalized for Gasper O Pixler on May 27, 1876
for 183 acres in Grand Meadow Township. It was specifically located in
Section 18, Township 90, Range No. 42.
In 1878, the Iowa Free
Press reported on Dec 10, 1878 on pg. 3 that a little child of Ott
Pixler of Grand Meadow township died of scarlet fever last week and
another was but just alive when last heard from. Fourteen days later,
on Dec 24, 1878, the newspaper reported:
"The
second child of O. Pixler, spoken of in our last letter, has since
died, and at last information, still another was in a very critical
condition. Surely this is a stricken household. Sad indeed must be the
hearts of the parents to be called to part with two little loved ones
so suddenly, but may they take consolation in the fact that their
little ones new no care in this life and now they are free from
sickness, sorrow, pain and death. The family has the sympathy of may
friends."
Because there were no cemeterys
established at this early date, the daughters, nine year old Elizabeth
and one year old Susanah were buried on the Pixler's homestead.
A tombstone was placed in their honor. The young girls rested in
peace in this family cemetery until family members arranged for the
bodies to be moved to the Grand Meadow Township Cemetery many
years later.
An assumption might be that the moves were not
made until after both Gasper and his wife passed away and family
members inherited their estate. Gasper passed away Sep 15, 1901 due to
a spinal disease, in Grand Meadow Township - presumably at home.
Susannan passed on Oct 30, 1930.
