LINCOLN TOWNSHIP CEMETERY
(Excerpts from Our Lincoln Township Cemetery Book)
According to the 1885 Iowa Census, Christ Dermyer and family resided on the NE ¼ of the NE
¼ of Section 33 in Lincoln Township. They also owned the NW ¼ of Section 34 and the S ½ of
the SW ¼ of Section 27. The intersection of these sections was known as Dermyer Corner.
Obituary. The mystic mantle, whose icy folds at last embrace all forms of clay, has chilled and
withered another heart. Christian Dermyer died at his home in Lincoln township, nine miles
south of Walnut, Saturday morning, January 25, 1890. A large crowd of people assembled at the
Dermyer school house Monday afternoon to pay a tribute of respect and perform the last sad rites
for the deceased. The remains were interred in the Brown cemetery. The funeral services were
conducted by Rev. R. T. Leary, of Walnut. Mr. Dermyer was born Sept. 26, 1830, at Amherst,
Erie county, New York. He leaves a wife, three daughters and two sons to mourn their loss. The
deceased was converted and joined the Evangelical church twenty six years ago, and has since
lived a devoted and consistent Christian life. He was held in high esteem for his integrity and
honor by all who knew him, and loved by friends and relatives. The valley of the shadow had no
gloom for him. The rolling billows of death’s river only served to send his bark to Heaven’s
bright shore. The breezes only served to waft him to his destined haven. Death, to him, was a
transition—the opening of a door which let him into a brighter world where parting is not known
and where sorrow never comes.
The pains of death are past,
Labor and sorrow cease,
And life’s long warfare closed at last:
His soul is found in peace.
Soldier of Christ; Well done;
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal age run,
Rest in thy Saviour’s joy.
(The Walnut Bureau, 31 Jan 1890, p. 4) (Ed. Note: D. S. Brown owned land across the road from the north half of the cemetery.)
Children’s Day will be observed at the Dermyer appointment in the Mt. Zion Evangelical church
nine miles south of Walnut on July 2, at 10 o’clock a.m. (The Walnut Bureau, 30 June 1893)
Obituary. Mrs. Christina S. Dermyer, whose maiden name was Christina S. Swingle was born
in Buffalo, New York, October 5 th , 1836 and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. P.
Zimmerman, south of Walnut, Friday May 11 th , 1917 at the advanced age of 80 years 7 months
and 6 days.
She was married to Christian Dermyer, October 22 nd , 1854 in Amherst, Erie County, New York.
To this union nine children were born, four of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are
G. L. Dermyer of Walnut; Emma Lehman of San Diego, California; Susan Zimmerman of
Walnut; Carrie E. Lehman of Mitchell, South Dakota; Daniel D. Dermyer of Oakland; all of
whom were present at their mother’s funeral except Emma Lehman of San Diego, California,
who was not able to be present.
They lived in New York until 1860, when they moved to Illinois. In 1876, they came to Iowa
and settled on an old farm, south of Walnut. Her husband preceded her to the better land January 25 th , 1890. She was one of the pioneers of this vicinity and knew the hardships to be endured by
those who develop a new county. She was taken ill only the day before her death and quietly
passed away as one who lies down to peaceful dreams. The Lord has given her a crown with
many stars for she has gone to join her loved ones in a land where pain and sorrow never come.
Mrs. Dermyer was a member of the Evangelical church, having united with that faith at Perkins
Grove, Illinois, more than fifty years ago, and remained a faithful member until her death. She
was one of God’s noblest and best women. Her life was filled with a true Christian faith, hope
and charity. Her friends were without number—“none knew her but to love her, none named her
but to praise.” She was loved by her children, as a good and saintly mother would be. Her
beautiful life will be an inspiration and a beacon light to her loved ones left behind, to lead them
to the Home above and to keep them in the paths of right.
The floral offerings were many and beautiful, testifying in a marked degree the love and esteem
of her friends far and near. She leaves one sister, Mrs. Louise Feik, of LaMoille, Illinois.
The funeral services were held on Mother’s Day, Sunday afternoon, May 13, at 2:30 o’clock, at
the Evangelical church at Walnut, conducted by the pastor, Rev. L. N. Day. A large number of
friends were present to pay their last sad tribute to a life, which had been true and upright.
Interment was made in the family lot in the Lincoln township cemetery, beside her husband and
children.
Among the relatives from a distance, who attended the funeral, were: Mr. and Mrs. Ed.
Matheny, of Clay Center, Nebraska, Ed Stutzman, of Bold, Iowa, Mrs. N. Wolfe, of Sheldon,
Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lehman, of Mitchell, South Dakota. (Obituary provided by
Wilma Douglas Bobenhouse)
KH