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Erie Cemetery History Project


Isak Wöhrle (1856-1929)
Rosa (Feldman) Wöhrle (1855-1920)

Isak Wöhrle was born on January 11, 1856, in what was to become Germany. His parents were farmers. On September 7, 1876, he volunteered in the German military, serving in the 2nd Escadron of the Dragonia Regiment 25, known as the "Queen Olga Regiment." He was a special type of riding soldier doing duty like the police. He took his oath the following day. His induction papers show he was 5 foot 7 inches with a slim build, dark blond hair, a round chin, an inconspicuous mouth and nose and no facial hair. His profession is given as "pferdebauer," meaning he did farm work with his horses. His birthplace is given as Reichbaechle, belonging to Hauterback near Oberndorf.

Mr. Wöhrle retired as a soldier of the reserve on September 26, 1879. In 1881, he arrived in the United States with his sister, Rosine, on the German steamship Hermann, arriving in the Port of Baltimore. His sister was incorrectly listed as his wife on shipping papers. He was 26 and she was 21.

Rosa Katherine Feldman was born in Philadelphia,PA, on February 19, 1855. She moved to the Morrison, IL, area with her parents when she was a child. The U.S. census of 1870 shows 15-year-old "Rosie" living in Mt. Pleasant with her parents, Henry and Dorathy Feldman, and her siblings, 6-year-old Flora and 4-year-old George. A paternal uncle and his family lived next door. Both were farm families.

The 1880 census shows Rose Feldman working for the family of Whiteside County Sheriff Edwin Worrell. The sheriff, his wife, four children and their servant, Rose, all dwelled at the county jail, along with the sheriff's brother, who was the jailer. On census day the jail housed two prisoners, a 30-year-old man born in Ireland, and a 10-year-old boy who didn't know where he was born.

Isak Wöhrle and Rosa K. Feldman were married on December 31, 1885, in Morrison by the Rev. F.M. Williams. The 1900 census shows the couple farming in Fenton Township. They had three children, 13-year-old Flora, 11-year-old George, and 4-year-old Etha May.

Mr. and Mrs. Wöhrle later moved to Erie.
Mrs. Wöhrle died on May 19, 1920 and was buried in Erie Cemetery. An obituary published at the time reads as follows:

Mrs. Isaac Whorley passed away Sunday evening at her home in Erie. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at the home conducted by Rev. Lillie, pastor of Baptist church with music by Baptist choir. The bearers were Will Matthews, Carl Horn, Will Shepherd, Ed Ewers and Dave Barkman. The remains were interned in the Erie Cemetery. A.A. Matthews had charge of arrangements. Mrs. Rosa K Feldman Whorley as born in Philadelphia, Feb 19, 1855. She with her parents moved to Morrison, Ill when a little girl and there she was reared into womanhood. She united with the Lutheran church at the age of 19 and has ever since held to that faith. She was united in marriage to Isaac Whorley, Dec 31, 1886 and to this union three children were born, two girls and one boy; Mrs. Flora Shepherd of Fenton, George Whorley of Newton and Mrs. Etha Charles of Sharon, Penn. Mrs. Whorley became an invalid last August from injuries received from a fall. Mr. and Mrs. Whorley have lived in this vicinity for the last 30 years and have a wide circle of friends. They have lived in our little city for the past four years and here she passed away. May 17, 1920, at the age of 65 years, 2 months and 28 days. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, Isaac Whorley, the three children, 7 grandchildren, 2 preceded her in death, one brother Geo. Feldman of Mason City, Ia.; one sister, Mrs. Flora Howard of Clinton Ia; one sister Augusta Fehrenbach preceded her to the great beyond two ago, besides a host of friends, especially those whom she had been closely associated. She always tried to do the best she could for those who were in need. Always willing to help when opportunity presented itself.

Mr. Wöhrle died on June 31, 1929, and was buried in Erie Cemetery. His obituary, published at the time, is as follows:

Funeral services for Isaac Whorley who passed away at his home in Erie, ---day morning at 12:30, were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2:30. Rev A.B. Wimmer, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. Selections were sung by Misses Carrie and Callie Wood and L. T. Slaymaker. Pallbearers were Floyd Florence, William Londo, Edward Sidlinger, George Heighan, Everett Barkman and Payne Thompson. Interment was in the Erie cemetery. Isaac Whorley was born in Schilltdach, Germany, January 11, 1856. He came to America in 1881 which has been his home until he was called to his heavenly home on June 29, 1929, at the age of 73 years, 5 months and 18 days. He was united in marriage to Rose Feildman of Morrison, Ill in 1885: to this union were born three children all living, Mrs. Flora Shepherd at Erie, George Whorley at Lyons, Iowa and Mrs. Etha Charles at Sharon, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by two sisters in America: Mrs. John Schumm of Dixon, Ill and Mrs. Joe Behler of Lincoln, Nebr together with other brothers and sisters in Germany. In addition to the children sister and brothers mentioned above he is survived by ten grandchildren and number of more distant relatives and a large company of friends who will miss him from their midst. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Whorley as a man of retiring nature who never mingled much in large groups nor attended public gatherings. He loved rather to be in the home and to be surrounded by the home atmosphere.


(Information from Jan Bailey Hart and census records)