Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-02-08
AUDUBON COUNTY
PIONEER CALLED
Passed to His Reward After Long
and Useful Life. Most OF Which
Was Spent i'm This Vicinity

j. nj. Renftle, Sr, whom we report
ed in last weeks Republican as hav-
ing passed the S7th milestone in his
life. closed his earthly career Mon
day when his spirit passed to the
great beyond. He was PERMITTED to
live to ripe old age. having passed
the three score and ten mark many
years. Owing to the infirmities of old
age the deceased was little seen on
the streets of Audubon, but found
great consolation in his home where
he enjoyed the companionship of his
wife and family.
Mr.. Renftle came to America as a
young man and has witnessed the
development of the greatest nation on
earth. He remained in the east a few
years after reaching America. and
later came to Iowa, living near Maren-
go until 1880 when he located in Au-
dubon county. Here he was among
the pioneers and endured the hard
ships incident to pioneer life.
John Renftle was born January 20,
1880 at Grocesen, Wittenberg Ger
many. and died at his home in this
city February 5, 1917, having reach
ed the age of 81 years and days. He
was son of George Renftle and was
the eldest of family of six children
and as his father passed away while
he was only IS years of age. Mr..
Renftle became the support of a wild
owed mother. He immigrated to
America in 1854, landing in New
York, where he worked as farm
hand about two years before coming
TO this state, settling near Marengo,
on the Iowa river. In 1854 he was
united in marriage to Miss Verena
Motter, who survives him after a
of SO years.
To this union eight children were
born, viz; Mrs. Kate Pfiester. of Car
roll; Mrs. Carrie Thompson, of Bel
mont, Wis; George c., of Carroll;
Mrs. Bargara Reed. Mrs. Francis
Brainard and John NJ. of this city.
Besides these, he leaves 90 grand
children and one great grand-child.
Mr.-Renftle moved to this county
in 1880, and settled on farm in
Cameron township where he continu-
ed to live until nine years ago when
the family came to Audubon. Seven
teen years ago he was stricken with
sciatic rheumatism which put him
on crutches and made it difficult for
him to leave his home to mingle with
his neighbors and friends as much as
he would have enjoyed. His chris
tan fortitude made him bear with
patience these later affiliations, which
he was called upon to suffer. AS a
husband and father, he was ever
mindful and thougncful for the pre-
sent and future welfare of his family
He was good neighbor, a loyal citi-
zen, ever ready to lend a hand to
those in need
Mr.. Renftle became a follower of
Christ in his early boyhood. Like
Timothy from a child he had known
the Holy Scriptures, and sought to
make the Word of God the clamp un-
to his feet. and a light unto his path"
AS a youth he united with the German
Reformed church. Soon after coming
to America, he identified himself with
the German Reformed church of
Marengo, where he was an active
member. and had the privilege of
cooperation in the building of a new
house of worship.
In 1908. on moving to Audubon
Mr.. and Mrs. Renftle united by letter
with the Presbyterian church of this
city. which has been their church
home ever since. He loved to go to
the blouse of the Lord" and until
recently, when prevented by the in
firmities of old age and i'll health
was regularly in his place of worship
Toward the last his oft-eXpressed
desire was to "go home" that he
might Give in the House of the Lord
forever. AS his S7th birthday drew
near he expressed a wish that he
might be spared to see that birthday
and the wish was granted
Funeral services were held yester-
day afternoon at 1880 o'clock from
the Presbyterian church conducted
by the pastor Rev T B Grpenlee