OBIT: William DISTLER, 1891, Martinsburg, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

MARTINSBURG MATTERS.

  Wm. Distler, an account of whose prostration and illness from 
paralysis appeared several weeks ago, died at his home, corner of 
Market and Christian streets, Friday morning, in the 72d year of his 
age, surrounded by his family and friends, whose ministering hands 
tended to ease the expiring breath and lighten the last moments.  Mr. 
Distler was born in Heiligh Staat, Province of Bavaria, Germany, on May 
2, 1819, and came to this country some time in June, 1847.  Soon after 
his arrival in this country he was united in marriage to Elizabeth 
Baker, who, together with two daughters - Mrs. David Straesser and Mrs. 
John Layman - survive him.  About the year 1854 the deceased became a 
resident of this village, where during all the after years he has 
resided as an honorable, industrious citizen.  During various terms he 
was elected to serve as a member of council and aided largely in 
governing the affairs of the borough.  In this capacity he was 
attentive and careful, ever on the alert for the best interests of the 
corporation and the people.  He was one of the original movers in 
organizing the cemetery association and for his efforts in this 
direction he was made a member of the board of trustees, a position he 
held until declining years compelled him to relinquish all his energies 
in worldly affairs.  Several years ago his natural sight began to fail 
and later on vanished altogether so that as to him the beautiful was 
shut out, but whilst it was pitiful to look upon him as he wended his 
way up to the house of worship, yet it was really a beautiful sight to 
see how clearly he beheld the beauties of the future world by the eye 
of faith.  Patient, of good cheer, he trod the way without a murmur or 
complaint until he passed under the rod so that it is better with him 
now for he sleeps well, and his immortal part is at home with the God 
whom he served.  The funeral took place Monday morning.  Services were 
held in the Lutheran church of which deceased had been a member for 
long years.  To your correspondent the deceased was a warm personal 
friend.  Just, generous, kind and true, for him we entertained the 
highest respect and thus it is that we pay this tribute of respect to 
his life and life works and as we drop a tear on his upraised mound we 
shall remember him as a friend good and true and as a citizen who did 
his duty.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, April 14, 1891

1850 Huston Township, Blair County census -
William Distler, 31  
Elizabeth Distler, 40  
Margrette Distler, 8/12 

1860 Martinsburg, Blair County census -
Wm. Destler, 41  
Elisabeth Destler, 46  
Margaret Destler, 10  
Nancy Destler, 9  
Mary Destler, 5