Rev. Friedrich Wilhelm Fiegenbaum

Rev. Frederick Fiegenbaum, the last of four brothers, all of whom were pioneer German Methodist Preachers in the central and western states, died Saturday, 27 February 1914 at Wathena, Kansas, where he had lived ten years. He was pastor of the Oregon German M. E. Church during the years 1892-96 and was an uncle of Mrs. Tom Curry of this city. Rev. Fiegenbaum was nearly 84 years old, and all of the brothers attained about the same age, and were active in the pulpit until within a few years of their deaths. Not only were the brothers Methodist Preachers, but their two sisters, who survive, married preachers. The family is widely known in German Methodism in this country. Rev. Frederick Fiegenbaum was born in Ladbergen, Germany 10 April 1830. He came to America in 1834 with his parents, Adolph and Christine Fiegenbaum, and settled in Warren County, Missouri, where he grew to manhood. His early years were spent on the farm. Then he went to St. Louis where his older brothers and sisters had found employment for him. With them he was brought into contact with a German Methodist revival, and after being converted he felt the call to the ministry, as his two older brothers were. Rev. Fiegenbaum had charges in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. there being no German Conference when he entered the ministry, he joined the Rock River Conference, then , later the Southwest German, now the St. Louis Conference, and from there he was transferred to the West Missouri Conference. His last charge was at Oregon, Missouri, from where he moved to Wathena, Kansas. His wife, who was Miss Louisa Otto, and to whom he was married at Wapello, Iowa when he was 21 years old, died 30 November 1911. The other brothers were Rev. William, Rev. H. Rudolph and Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, the last named for a number of years a resident of St.. Joseph, who died a few years ago. Six sons and three daughters survive as follows: Adolph H. of Washington D.C., Louis S. of Lincoln, Nebraska, Theodore of Western, Nebraska, Benjamin F. of Lawrence, Kansas, Henry of Springfield, Nebraska, William Edward of Geneva, Nebraska, Mrs. Mathew Sexauer of Ankeny, Iowa, Mrs. Frank Howard of Sac City, Iowa and Mrs. Jacob Miller of Wathena, Kansas. The sisters are Mrs. Elizabeth Wellemeyer of Warrenton, Missouri, aged 86 and Mrs. Minna Winter of Casper, Wyoming aged 82. The funeral was held at Wathena, Kansas on Sunday, 1 March, services being conducted from the home and from the Wathena German Methodist Church, burial being at Wathena.

Frederick William Fiegenbaum was born in Ladbergen, Prussia 10 April 1830. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1834 and located in the neighborhood of Hopewell, Warren County, Missouri, which was his home until he was 21 years of age.  On 19 February 1846, while attending a quarterly meeting, he was converted and became a member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. the following morning he received a call to enter the ministry, but did not begin active work until the spring of 1853. In 1852 he was married to Louisa Otto, who passed to her reward 30 November 1911. Ten children were born to them, of whom one died in infancy. Six sons and three daughters survive. Mrs. Minnie Sexauer of Ankeny Iowa; A. H. Fiegenbaum of Washington D.C.; Mrs. Lydia M. Howard of Sac City, Iowa; Louis Fiegenbaum of Lincoln, Nebraska; Theodore Fiegenbaum of Western, Nebraska; Mrs. Emma Miller of Wathena, Kansas; Benjamin Fiegenbaum of Lawrence, Kansas; Henry Fiegenbaum of Springfield, Nebraska and William Edward Fiegenbaum of Geneva, Nebraska. He was superanuated in 1895 and lived in Oregon, Missouri until 1902 when he and his wife moved to Wathena. After the death of Mrs. Fiegenbaum, he visited among the children, and in September he came to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Emma Miller. His strength was failing at this time and grew weaker until he finally passed peacefully to his reward 27 February 1914, aged 83 years, 10 months and 17 days. Father Fiegenbaum's presence in the community will be greatly missed. Those who knew him well, even the child on the street, always had a word and a smile from him; he was staunch, and loyal to the last for right and truth, especially anxious always for the upbuilding of the church in the community in which he lived. He never missed going to all the services in the town, when he was able, and was especially strong in his belief that the children had an important part in the church as in the family. The bereaved family will always remember his anxiety and loving thoughtfulness for each alike, and may the Spirit of our Christ, who was Father Fiegenbaum's guide, in all things be ours. The funeral was held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from the house to the German M. E. Church. Rev. E. Crepin and Rev. J. H. Bishop preached in English and Rev. Buechner of St. Joseph in German. Burial was in Bellemont Cemetery by the side of his life's companion, all the children being present. Other relatives in attendance were: Miss Anna Fiegenbaum, Mrs. Steinmetz, both of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mrs. Tom Curry of Oregon, Missouri and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Winter of Topeka, Kansas.