This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BUB.2ACI/6024 Message Board Post: FREDERICK SCHUKNECHT: SKETCH OF HIS LIFE Requested by the family to prepare an obituary of Mr. SCHUKNECHT whose death was briefly noted in your last issue, the 'sweetly solemn' duty is taken up with faltering pen and pleasant memories. Mr. SCHUKNECHT was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, February 22, 1827. In 1854, like many another German of like age and conditions, he decided to make his home in America, and accordingly came to Rochester, N.Y., where he was united in marriage with Friederica Georgia SCHMIDT, also of Mechlenburg, Germany, and for a year or two worked at cabinet making in that city. In 1856 the young couple settled as soon as with his own hands he could clear ground sufficient for a house and other buildings on the place where they have ever since resided. Nine children were born to them: Theresa (Mrs. Julian WELLS of Pike), Henrietta (Mrs. Frank PATTERSON, also of Pike), Louisa (Mrs. Henry ZIMMER of Rochester), Sophia (Mrs. Frank RITTER, also of Rochester), Emma (Mrs. Judson GILLETT), Mary (Mrs. George W. BEARDSLEY of Hume), Fred, who married Mary, daughter of John SCHUKNECHT, of Caneadea; George, now in Medford, Oregon, and Albert, who married Florence BEARDSLEY and remains on the old place. On the morning of January 27, 1910, the only survivor of his father's family, and first of his own, to answer to the messenger of death, surrounded by the stricken members of his family who had hopelessly striven to avert the call, he passed peacefully away to 'that bourne from which no traveler returns, like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.' Appropriate funeral services were held at his late residence on Saturday, the 29th ult., Rev. Mr. BRUCE of Houghton officiating, and speaking words of comfort suggested by the occasion and the text 'He giveth his beloved sleep.' Many and beautiful were the flowers. Six grandsons tenderly and reverently bore his remains to his last resting place in Pine Grove cemetery, the grave begin literally strewn with flowers. At an early age Mr. SCHUKNECHT joined the German Lutheran church of which he was ever after a consistent and devoted member. It was the writer's privilege and pleasure to know him and enjoy his acquaintance for over half a century. He knew him when the first stroke of his axe was heard in the woods, where cleared fields and orchards now appear. He knew him when loving children came to bless their home pass their childhood and schooldays on the farm, marry and leave the old home, but ever made it a custom so far as possible, to visit their parents on the recurrence of their birth and wedding day anniversaries, the most notable of all, being the occasion of their golden wedding. As a citizen he led an exemplary life. He was a good neighbor, a kind and loyal husband, a fond and indulgent father. Honest, industrious, frugal, careful, helpful, obliging are adjectives which justly fit his memory, which will be sweetly cherished by the wife and mother, the nine children, twenty-six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many friends. In this connection, and as a writing conclusion of this sketch, with a slight alteration to better fit the conditions, some word of Bryant will be used: His youth was innocent; his riper age Marked with some act of goodness every day; And watched by eyes that loved him calm and sage, Faded his last declining years away. Cheerful he gave his being up and went To share the holy rest that waits a life well spent. And we are glad that he has gone to his reward; Nor can we deem that nature did him wrong Softly to disengage the vital cord. For, ere his hand grew palsied, and his eyes Dark with the mists of age, it was his time to die. Why weep ye then for him, who, having won The bound of man's appointed years, at last, Life's blessings all enjoyed, life's labored done, Serenely to his final rest has passed; Lingers like twilight hues when the bright sun is set? [Northern Allegany Observer obituary, transcribed by Louise Y. Mills, 2003, from Cora Lahr's scrapbooks, Fillmore, NY]