Margaret Ranft (Miller)
May 28, 1826- July 16, 1910
Noble woman was Margaret Ranft
Died this morning at 4 o’clock
Resident over 50 years.
Kind Hearted, Loved by Everyone- A Blessing to Her Family and the Community.
Mrs. Margaret, wife of E. L. Ranft, passed away this morning at 4 o’clock (July 16, 1910) at the farm home, a mile and a half west of Niles, from old age, aged 84 years last May. Two weeks ago Mrs. Ranft fractured her right arm and this had a tendency to hasten death.
The deceased was born to Germany and came to America in about 1868. She was married in New York city the same year to E. I. Ranft, removing to Niels the next years, and together they have lived happily and at the same homestead ever since.Unto them were born eight children, two having died in infancy. Those remaining are George and Harry, Mrs. Dorsey Geishert, Mrs. Chas. Linsenmier, Mrs. Christopher Reum and Mrs. Oscar Wyant, all residing either in Niles or this immediate vicinity. There are 12 grandchildren and two great-grand children. The husband survives.
Mrs. Ranft’s death removes from the scenes of life one whose activities will ever be gratefully remembered by many recipients of her kindly charity. Born in the Old Country, she formed part of the immigration which to the early fifties built up this western county. Mrs. Ranft had the sterling virtues of her race. She was industrious hard working, Thrifty and kin Hearted. No case of distress ever appealed to her in vain. She has fed hundreds from her own larder, and thus aided many a person pressed to the crucial point of endurance. Her benevolent deeds were without ostentation, may of them know only to the recipients of her bounty. She was indeed a type of the ”mother in Israel” a blessing to her family and the community, and she has gone to her reward.The funeral will occur Monday afternoon, from St. John’s German Church, the funeral cortege to leave the house at 1 o’clock. A minister from South Bend will conduct the services. Interment at Silver Brook Cemetery.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown