My father, born in 1923, had a brother who passed away as an infant in 1917. Born to Albert and Ida Elling on October 3, 1916, Arthur Elling died in York Township, Fulton County, at the age of five months, six days. As was the custom then, his photo was taken after death in his coffin as a remembrance.
His coffin was swathed in roses and carnations, and his body was probably prepared and laid in the coffin in their home. His mother, Ida, was the informant on the death certificate, signed Ida Elling, Delta, O. Arthur was born between their oldest son, Paul (1914) and their oldest daughter, Alma (1919).
He died of pneumonia in a time when antibiotics were not particularly known of or used by most folks. He was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Swan Creek Township, Fulton County, between Liberty Center and Delta, at 5565 County Road D.
The death certificate asked for the name of the father and mother and their birthplaces, but instead Arthur's grandparents names were given: Fred Elling, born Germany and Mary Rhores (Rohrs), born Germany. That could have been a language barrier problem.
Perhaps Ida and Albert, who were married in 1913, were living with his parents at the time?
So sad! But interesting.
ReplyDelete