----Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 09/27/1924

Iffland, George (2 AUG 1832 - 22 Sep 1924)

George Iffland was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 2, 1832. He was the oldest of a family of seven children. He grew to sturdy young manhood in his native land and at the age of 24 years, believing that the opportunities for advancement were better in the New World, he came to America. This was in the spring of 1856. Of the family, one brother and one sister remained at the old home in Bavaria, the others coming at different times to America to live. He stayed for a while at Fort Blaine, N.Y., with a brother, Paul, who had come over not long before. Mr. Iffland came to Wisconsin from Fort Blaine, and located at North Prairie, Waukesha Co., where a young lady with whom he was acquainted in the old home and who was soon to become his wife, resided with her people. On July 18, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Baum, and for fifty years, lacking but a few days, they traveled life's journey in happiness together. This union was broken by the death of his faithful helpmate on June 8, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Iffland were born four children, three sons and one daughter, two dying in infancy. Surviving are one son, George Iffland of this village (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.), and Mrs. Libbie Miller of Toppenish, Wash.

Mr. and Mrs. Iffland, after their marriage, engaged in farming at North Prairie, which occupation they followed for many years. They lived at North Prairie until 1874, when they moved to the farm in Houghtonburg, which was their home and which was operated by them until advancing age caused them to relinquish the place to their son George. Six years ago the farm was disposed of and he moved to Humbird with his son and family, where his declining years were passed in comfort and the pleasures of companionship with his numerous old friends. Up until a couple of years ago he enjoyed exceptionally good health, but the passing of time brought infirmities, though all of which received the constant attention and best care from all members of the family.

Mr. Iffland was a member of Humbird Lodge No. 191, F. & A. M., being made a Master Mason on Feb. 12, 1887, and one of his greatest pleasures in moving to the village was found in the fellowship it afforded with his Masonic brethren.. He was also a member of Humbird chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and as long as able was a regular attendant upon its activities.

From youth he lived a blameless life; was an excellent neighbor, as is testified by those who resided on nearby farms; and was a kind man at the head of the family. He had a happy faculty of making friends of the young people as well as the older ones, and many would stop for a few moments to chat with "Grandpa" Iffland as he sat on the porch at his home, in the later years after he became too enfeebled to be about town. He was a patient sufferer, and although nearly helpless during the last few weeks, never a murmur passed his lips, and on Monday morning, Sept. 22, 1924, at about 6:45, he laid aside the earthly habitation to take up his abode in "that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," aged 92 years, 1 month, and 20 days.

The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon at the Methodist Church, with the sermon by the pastor, Rev. John Wilcox. There was a large congregation of friends present to pay the last tribute of respect to an old and beloved neighbor. All business places in the village were closed during the funeral hour in respect to the memory of the deceased. The Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star chapter attended the church services in a body, and the burial was made according to Masonic rites in the family plot in the Houghtonburg Cemetery, John Gruber, Past Master of Black river Falls lodge, officiating by special request. The many beautiful flowers and floral emblems that marked his last resting place were silent tokens of the esteem in which Grandpa Iffland was held in this community.

Numerous relatives and friends from other places were present at the burial services.

There are mourning his death the son and daughter above mentioned, one brother, Peter Iffland of Watertown; five grandchildren, Hufh Iffland, New London, Harry Iffland, Humbird, Mrs. Mamie Laffe, Fairchild, Dewey Iffland, Great Falls, Mont., Fay Miller, anaconda, Mont.; one great-grandson, Sheldon Laffe, Fairchild; besides numerous nieces and nephews. A sister, Mrs. Barbara Neubauer of Milwaukee, died last June. She was in her 86th year.