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| Submitted by: Ailie Deem Speer |
| Lena Haas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Haas, was born June 30, 1848 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and died in Guthrie, Oklahoma on December 24, 1937 at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 24 days. Most of her childhood was spent near Savannah, Illinois, and it was here she was united in marriage to John Shoenhair. To this union were born eleven children; Anna, Sarah McPherson, William B. and Rosa McKean of Guthrie, Oklahoma, George J. of Los Angeles, Sam of Tipton, California, John and Frank of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Amelia Speer of Olathe, Kansas. Also James and Charles, who preceded her in death. In the spring of 1873 the husband fitted a covered wagon with home comforts and moved his family along with his earthly possessions to Lenox, Iowa, which place continued to be their home till 1890, when as a family they came to Oklahoma and settled on a farm five miles west of Guthrie. Here Mr. Shoenhair died in 1894, and Mrs. Shoenhair continued to live here until the time of her death. Beside those of her immediate family she is survived by 17 grand children and 15 great grand children. Mrs. Shoenhair was born into a deeply religious home and in her youth became a member of the German Evangelical Church. After moving to Iowa, ministers of the denomination on the circuit enjoyed her hospitality and her home was the church for the German settlement of the community. Those who knew her intimately testify to the many sterling qualities of her character, especially her power of will, her love for truth, her honesty, industry and hospitality. She was a helpmate to her husband, a devoted mother and a kind neighbor. "Her children arise and call her blessed." Note: Amelia writes in a letter to Paul in Jan. 1938 that her mother's name was Paullena Haas. She had not known that but found it in an old book. |