File:1927 - Alfred Baur Gemeinde Blatt obituary.jpg

source:Clara Hinderer collection.

This is the obituary of my Grandpa Alfred Baur. It is of special interest because it was written by his father-in-law P. Hinderer who is also my great-grandfather. It contains details I have not seen in other obituaries.

The Gemeinde Blatt was the official magazine of the Synod of WI and other States for many years until it was replace with an English version. It is of interest that when both English and German publications were offered, there was one English subscription for every 97 German subscription.

Some background: My Grandma Clara Hinderer Baur writes in her history about Alfred's Cancer: "He went through years of cancer misery. We traveled to Detroit and the Kock Cancer Clinic, which was to have a cure for this dreaded disease but of course it was not effective."

I found a 1200 page document mentioning the Kock Cancer Clinic. It is a legal transcript. The doctor is getting his medical license revoked because of a treatment he used on a patient who was referred to him by the Kock Cancer Clinic.

Grandma writes "We were at first spared the terrible flue that took the lives of so many but then we too came down with it in 1918. My husband Alfred made 45 flue calls and finally also got it, along with double pneumonia...... The congregation and his family prayed for his recovery, but we do not always know for what we pray. Had the Lord taken him then, much pain, agony and sorrow could have been spared him.

He went through years of cancer misery. We traveled to Detroit and the Kock Cancer Clinic, which was to have a cure for this dreaded disease but of course it was not effective."

One of the reasons the previously mentioned doctor was losing his license is because he promised a cure. He was using the Hoxsey cancer treatment. He also used a machine developed during WW I. The military purpose was to detect enemy planes. He was also using strange "electro machines" to treat influenza.

Grandma also writes about finding my 5 year old Dad crying on the house steps after his Dad died. Dad was crying because "he didn't get to see the angles come and carry Daddy to heaven."

Translation

Translated by: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/user/Mauritz-15

Again it pleased the Lord to call one of his faithful workers to his vineyard, into the heavenly calm of his people, namely pastor Alfred Baur, son of Pastor Jacob Baur and his wife Emilie born. Sommerfeld, born March 11, 1893 in Gibbon, Minn., and christened on the following 16th March.

He was confirmed in Eden, Minn. on March 24, 1907. After his confirmation, he was a student of Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn. from 1907 - 1911.

In 1913 he finished the Prima<ref>that's likely the final class. German schools of the past counted backwards, so the "prime" was the last class</ref> at Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn. From there he entered the Concordia Seminary in St. Louise, MO, and finished his exam in the year 1916.

In the same year he was called to St. Johannes Church of Cedar Mills and was introduced and ordained by his father on July 30th.

Around April 26, 1917, he married Miss Klara Hinderer of Watertown, SD, daughter of Pastor Paul Hinderer and his wife Klara geb. Schneider. On February 1, 1922 their only son, Ralph Norbert was born.

The deceased was often worringly sick in the past. During his studies he was struck down by Influenza, which almost took him to the edge of the grave.

In 1925, his deadly illness became apparent. A few years ago, he had to undergo abdominal surgery. The recovery only lasted for a short while, soon the old evil came back. His church gave him a leave of two months to get help and rest in this time.

At the end of July he had to to get as fast as possible to a recommended doctor in Detroit, Mich., but this treatment proved to be much too late. On Saturday, November 19, he died with the longing to see his loved savior face to face.

He blessed his beloved wife and his son with the words of Archfather Jacob: "I'm dying and God will be with you."

Two days before his death he was strengthened and comforted by taking the holy last supper. This day was a heart-moving and memorable celebration. He managed to get to 34 years, 8 months and 8 days.

His survivors are his beloved church, but also his widow with their little son, his parents and parents-in-law, a brother, six sisters and many other relatives.

His last sigh when dying was: "Lord Jesus, for you I live, for you I die, I’m yours dead and alive. Make me, oh Jesus, blessed forever”.

If there was a truth that was expressed by the deceased, it was this: "He has carried Christ's yoke, died and yet lives." God help us and the mourning by his comfort and grace.

Wednesday, November 23, his tired body was buried. The provosts <ref>I believe this word is some clerical function of the church.</ref> carried him. Pastor Heidmann of Arlington, Minn., held the German funeral oration about Genesis 48, 21. Mr. Prof. Schaller of New Ulm held the English sermon about Jes. 25, 6,10.

Pastor H. Albrecht officiated in the house, Mr. Präses <ref>probably the chief of the synode</ref> Im.<ref>probably Immanuel</ref> Albrecht at the altar, read the vita and held a short speech at the grave. Let us remember the words of the apostle: "We must go through tribulation into the kingdom of God!”

P. Hinderer

Translator notes:<references/>

Aus unsern Gemeinden

Pastor Alfred Baur

Wiederum hat es dem Herrn gefallen, einen seiner treubewährten Arbeiter in seinem Weinberg zu sich zu rufen zu der himmlischen Ruhe seines Volkes, nämlich Pastor Alfred Baur, Sohn von Pastor Jacob Baur und dessen Ehefrau Emilie geb. Sommerfeld, geboren den 11. März 1893 in Gibbon, Minn., und getauft am folgenden 16. März. Am 24. März 1907 wurde er in Eden, Minn., konfirmiert. Nach seiner Konfirmation war er ein Schüler des Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn., von 1907 - 1911. Im Jahre 1913 beendigte er die Prima im Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn. Daraud trat er in das Concordia Seminar in St. Louise, MO, ein und bestand im Jahre 1916 sein Examen. In demselben Jahr wurde er von der St. Johannes-Gemeinde zu Cedar Mills berufen und von seinem Vater am 30. Juli ordiniert und eingeführt. Am 26. April 1917 verehelichte er sich mit Fräulein Klara Hinderer von Watertown, S.D., Tochter von Pastor Paul Hinderer und dessen Ehefrau Klara geb. Schneider. Am 1. Februar 1922 wurde ihnen ihr einziges Söhnlein Ralph Norbert geboren.

Der Entschlafene war in seiner Kindheit oft bedenklich krank. Während seiner Studienzeit wurde er von der Influenza ergriffen, die ihn schier an den Rand des Grabes brachte. Im Jahre 1925 wurde ihm seine tödliche Krankheit offenbar. Vor einigen Jahren mußte er sich einer Unterleibsoperation unterziehen. Nur scheinbar war die Genesung, bald stellte sich das alte Übel wieder ein. Seine Gemeinde gab ihm einen zweimonatlichen Urlaub, um in dieser Zeit Hilfe und Erholung zu finden. Ende Juli mußte er sich so schnell wie möglich zu einem ihm empfohlenen Arzte in Detroit, Mich., begeben, aber diese Behandlung erwies sich als viel zu spät. Am Samstag, dem 19. November, entschlief er mit dem sehnlichsten Verlangen, nach der himmlischen Heimat, um seinen geliebten Heiland von Angesicht zu Angesicht zu schauen. Sein geliebtes Weib und sein Söhnlein segnete er mit den Worten des Erzvaters Jacob: "Ich sterbe und Gott wird mit euch sein." Zwei Tage vor seinem Sterben ließ er sich stärken und trösten durch den Genuß des heiligen Abendmahles. Es war dieser Tag eine herzbewegliche und unvergeßliche Feier. Sein Alter brachte er auf 34 Jahre, 8 Monate und 8 Tage. Seine Hinterbliebenen sind außer seiner geliebten Gemeinde seine Witwe mit ihrem Söhnlein, seine Eltern und Schwiegereltern, ein Bruder, sechs Schwestern und zahlreiche andere Verwandte. Sein letzter Seufzer im Sterben war: "Herr Jesu, dir Ieb' ich, dir sterb' ich, dein bin ich tot und Iebendig. Mach' mich, o Jesu, ewig selig." Wenn eine Wahrheit zum Ausdruck kam bei dem Entschlafenen, so war es diese: "Er hat getragen Christi Joch, ist gestorben und Iebet noch." Dazu helfe uns Gott und den lieben Leidtragenden durch seinen Trost und Gnade!

Um Mittwoch, dem 23. November, wurde sein müder Leib bestattet. Die Vorsteher trugen ihn. Pastor Heidmann von Arlington, Minn., Hielt die deutsche Leichenrede über den Text 1. Mos. 48, 21; Herr Prof. Schaller von New Ulm die englische Predigt über Jes. 25, 6-10. Pastor H. Albrecht amtierte im Hause, Herr Präses Im. Albrecht am Altar, verlas den Lebenslauf und hielt eine kurze Ansprache am Grabe. Lasset uns gedenken des Wortes des Apostels: “Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal gehen in das Reich Gottes!”

P. Hinderer