Obit: Grier, Julia (1845 - 1931)

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Surnames: GRIER BLISH LAU SONNOMAN STROOTA BEAWER ORTMEIER WIEDENHOEFT MISSENER HARSENCK

----Sources: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 16 Jul 1931

Grier, Julia (11 July 1845 - 9 July 1931)

Mrs. Julia Grier, one of our early settlers, coming to this community about fifty years ago, died on the Otto Grier farm last Thursday morning, July 9th, at 4:30 A.M., old age being the cause of her departure to the distant shore. Funeral services were held from the Joseph Will funeral home Saturday, July 11th, Rev. F. M. Blish, pastor of the Colby and Unity Methodist-Episcopal churches, officiating, and internment was made in the Colby cemetery. The pall bearers were John Lau, Wm. Sonnoman, John Stroota, Charley Beawer, Conrad Ortmeier and Herman Wiedenhoeft.

The deceased was born in Germany, to Mr. and Mrs. Missener, July 11th, 1845, thus reaching the age of eighty-five years, eleven months and twenty-eight days. She was married in 1862 to Henry Harsenck. To this union, one boy, Rudolph, was born; who is now employed in Milwaukee. Four years later, she was divorced. In 1867, she married Wm. Grier. To this union, six children were born. Two died in infancy and Mary and Augusta died during their early youth. There are only two sons living - Wm. Grier, who now owns a farm east of Colby, and Otto Grier, who farms the old homestead. She and her husband came to America in March, 1881, and moved onto the Otto Grier farm in April 1881. Her husband died August 27th, 1911.

In the death of Mrs. Grier, another name must be stricken from the roll of early pioneers which is continually diminishing. No bronze or marble shaft, no splendor of ancient or modern tombs and no play of immortal genius can adorn the memory of such people who came here when this was all wild land and built splendid farms. Their lives, their deeds, their influence, living or dead, and their pure aspirations are the monuments that will keep their names burning in the home and the hearts of kindred and brethren, while the flying moments are dimming with their dust and rust the inscription upon the brightest obelisk in the cemetery.