Bernhard Marschner Dies After Brief Illness Aged 90 Years.

——–

PIONEER WOOLEN MILL OPERATOR IN COUNTY

——–

Established Wollen Mill

First In Renville County.

——–

With the death of Bernhard Marschner which occurred at the Union Hospital Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock another one of New Ulm’s interesting characters and grand old man went to his last rest. Altho he was nearly ninety years old and had become somewhat feeble in later years, his death was wholly unexpected. Friday morning he went up town as usual but he had hardly stepped into a restaurant when he collapsed from a slight stroke. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away a few days later.

The deceased was born near Penich, Saxony, Germany, December 2,1835. He received the common school education in vogue in those days and was at an early age apprenticed in the weaver’s trade. His love for freedom and ad-venture prompted him to emigrate to America in 1860, at the age of 25 years. The first year he spent in eastern Pennsylvania and eastern New York and in 1861 he came west, landing in Davenport, Iowa, the same year. From there he went to Herman, Missouri, where he enlisted in some volunteer outfit which was carrying on a guerrilla warfare against the secessionists. From this service he again returned to Davenport, where on July 18, 1864, he enlisted in Co.”K” of the 10th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was honorably discharged September 5, 1865. He took part in the battles of Columbia, Fayetteville, Kilder Creek, Bentonville and Rawley where Johnston surrendered. He was with Sherman on the march to Atlanta and took part in the grand review in Washington, D. C., at the close of the war.

Shortly after his discharge he came to St. Peter and from there he went to Redwood County where he homesteaded a claim. Coming back he again made St. Peter his home for a short time. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Johanna Scheller at St. Peter, who preceded him in death July 9, 1910. After his marriage he again returned to his homestead and shortly thereafter started a woolen mill on the old Rieke creek in Renville Co., just across the creek from his home-stead. He took a very prominent part in the early history and development of Renville County and was one of the first county commissioners. In his honor one of the townships was named “Marschner” which was later changed to Canby. In 1880 he moved his woolen mills to Brown County and established himself near the Cottonwood River in the Town of Cottonwood. This establishment he kept in operation until 1915 when he moved part of the machinery to New Ulm where for some years he continued to do wool carding for the trade, later selling out to the present proprietor.

The deceased traveled extensively in the last fifteen years. He made a trip to Germany shortly before the war, a trip to California and Oregon and about a year ago to Fall River, Mass., to visit his son Fred. Last winter he spent with his son August in Milwaukee and had just recently come back to New Ulm.

Five children were born to the Marschner family, of whom two died in infancy. His daughter, Mrs. Anna Small died in April, 1911. He is survived by his sons, August of Milwaukee, Wis., and Fred of Fall River, Mass. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. At the time of his death he was a member of Hecker Post, G. A. R. and the New Ulm Arbeiterverein which was organized largely thru his efforts.

The funeral will be held from Turner Hall, Thursday morning, at 10:30 and interment will be made in the City cemetery. He will be buried with military honors, a squad of Co.”A” accompanying the remains and firing the customary military salute.

Mr. Marschner held at all times most advanced views in politics and in the economic field. Every progressive movement found in him an ardent supporter and many years of his life he devoted to the uplift of mankind. He was a good citizen, honored and respected by all who learned to know his real worth.

New Ulm Review,

April 22, 1925

——————–