OBIT: Ludwig BARNDT, 1942, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
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LUDWIG BARNDT

Second Oldest Meyersdale Man Died On Sunday
Ludwig Barndt, 92, Veteran Carpenter, Passed Away Suddenly.

  Ludwig Barndt, Meyersdale's second oldest citizen died suddenly Sunday morning 
at his home at the rear of Keystone Street, where he has resided alone since the 
death of his wife about seven years ago.
  Mr. Barndt was born in Germany on August 25, 1849.  Death came a few months 
short of his 93rd birthday.  He learned the carpenter trade in Germany and with 
a brother came to America more than sixty years ago.  He has been a resident of 
Meyersdale for more than fifty years.
  Mr. Barndt became ill about a week prior to his death, on Sunday morning, but 
refused to permit neighbors to call a doctor.  Due to the nature of his sudden 
passing Coroner C. P. Dosch of Somerset was notified, and upon investigation 
pronounced death due to natural causes.
  When the Barndts came to Meyersdale they acquired possession of a small plot 
of ground at the rear of Keystone Street, at the entrance to what is familiarly 
known as Sugar Camp Hollow.  Here they constructed a one-story three room 
cottage.  By thorough cultivation and uncanny knowledge of agriculture, they 
made their livelihood from a small plot of ground.
  Due to the fact that Mr. Barndt never learned to speak the English language 
fluently he cultivated only a small circle of friends.  But those who became 
intimate and understood German found Mr. Barndt an interesting character.
  He came from a section of Germany that bordered on Russia.  A part of his 
parents' little farm lay in Germany and part in Russia.  He related to friends 
how his mother smuggled the Bible to secluded places on their little farm in 
order to teach her children about the christian faith.  Even in that day anyone 
caught teaching religion in Russia was persecuted.
  Mr. Barndt was an industrious, hard-working person, who never spent his 
earnings foolishly.  It is said that at one time he was quite well-to-do.  
However, it is believed his life's savings had dwindled to practically nothing 
by the time of his death.
  The only surviving relative Mr. Barndt has in this country is a nephew, 
Charles Barndt of Acosta.
  Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the H. R. Konhaus Funeral 
Home by Rev. Nelson C. Brown, pastor of Amity Evangelical and Reformed Church.  
Interment was in the Union Cemetery.
  Meyersdale's only resident older in years than Mr. Barndt is Mr. Peter Baer 
who makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Clark Saylor on Large Street.

Meyersdale Republican, April 2, 1942