Obituary of Mrs. John (Frederica Speiler) LEONBERGER, Hardin County, IL Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Wanda Reed Name of Deceased: Frederica Speiler LEONBERGER Name of Newspaper: Hardin County Independent Date of Newspaper: 18 December 1913 GONE TO REST MRS. JOHN LEONBERGER PASSED PEACEFULLY AWAY We believe this can be no more truthfully said of anyone than of Mrs. John Leonberger who departed this life December 1st 1913 at her home in Bowlesville township, Gallatin Co., IL after a few days illness of congestion of the stomach and liver. All that loving hearts and willing hands could do was done but God saw fit to call her home. Miss Fredericka Speiler was born in Gross Cathen (Anhault) GM October 14, 1852 and was therefore 81 years, 1 month and 17 days old. Her mother died when she was quite small and she spent her childhood living with strange people and working for a small sum of money as the dollar was not so easily earned in those early days as it is at the present time. Being kind and affectionate to all she made hosts of friends who prized her friendship and by the instructions of the people with whom she made her home attended Sunday School and church as that is the custom in that country more so than here and by so doing she professed faith in Christ and united with the Presbyterian church at the age of sixteen years and lived a devoted Christian to death. Deciding to leave her native country she started accompanied by her brother who took very ill and they were forced to return. Later she started and after spending some 39 days on the ocean landed at New York in September 1854 from there to Youngstown, Ohio and meeting with one whom afterwards became her companion, Mr. John Leonberger. They crossed the state line to New Castle, PA. where they were married Dec. 20, 1854. Returning to Youngstown they resided there for about two years and then moving to Illinois settled on the old homestead where she lived til death. To this union 10 children were born of which six still survive her and four have preceded her to the other world. Also her companion who departed this life September 10, 1889 of which she now has gone to join and to receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to those that love him. Grandma as she was commonly called, was loved by all who knew her as to know her was to love her as she always had a kind word for all. The writer well remembers when just a small boy how she would talk to him and instruct him to live upright and her motto was: Honesty is the best policy and she also taught him to raise garden vegetables as this was her chief delight of week days in the spring and summer; and in the winter evenings she would tell us of the history of Germany all of which will remain in my mind until death. On Sundays who would read her paper called the Illinois Steats Zeitung and relate some interesting stories. Her sufferings for the ten days were great and could only be bore by one who placed their trust in their Blessed Redemmer. By her request the funeral services were held at Poplar Springs church conducted by Rev. J. M. Rose who delivered quite an impressive and appropriate sermon. She leaves six children and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn her departure. Written by a Grand Son, Fred Huble ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Reed