Paul was the second son of Christian and Augusta Donath Fliehler, born March 23, 1902 at Saint Sebald in rural Clayton County, Iowa. The following year, his parents moved to Strawberry Point near Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where he received his early indoctrination in his Christian faith.
He attended schools in Strawberry Point, graduating in 1919, Wartburg College in Clinton, and then Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1923. Paul was ordained to the holy ministry in August, 1926 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa. The consecration and commissioning service was conducted at his home church at Strawberry Point on September 5, 1926. A few weeks later in company with Missionary Roland Hanselmann, who had been ordained with him, Rev. Paul journeyed over land and sea to far off New Guinea, there to begin his work in the mission field of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church.
While a student in Dubuque, he met Bertha Knoernschild, daughter of Fred and Anna Ehrle Knoernschild. In June 1927, Bertha traveled to Australia where she and Paul were married in Brisbane on July 20, 1927. They made their home in Gabmazung, New Guinea where they continued their missionary service. They were stationed in Ulap where their two sons were born. Kenneth Earl on Nov 16, 1928 (died Jan 6, 2004) and Julius Donath on Oct 18, 1930. Sadly, Bertha passed away the next year on May 10, 1931. The following year, Paul married Lydia Ida Seidler, a nurse on the missionary staff, on July 1, 1932. Together, they continued their missionary work in New Guinea.
In 1934, the family furloughed to the United States. They spent time with family and speaking of their work to home congregations. In May, 1935, Paul and Lydia returned to New Guinea to continue their work, leaving their sons behind with their grandparents in Strawberry Point. Missionary Paul, as American superintendent of the Madang Mission, and Lutherans of Australia saw much progress in New Guinea. Personnel increased, hospitals were established, schools and plantations were developed. By 1940, the Madang Lutheran Mission reported over 15,000 Christians.
By 1942, New Guinea was caught up in WWII. The Japanese invaded the island and established headquarters near Madang. Some missionaries and their families were able to leave the island but others were seen as sympathetic to Western ways and imprisoned. Paul was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese in Madang. It is assumed he was executed in 1943. Lydia returned to the United States and was reunited with Kenneth and Julius. Lydia died Nov 9, 1990 in Hastings, Nebraska.
He attended schools in Strawberry Point, graduating in 1919, Wartburg College in Clinton, and then Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1923. Paul was ordained to the holy ministry in August, 1926 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa. The consecration and commissioning service was conducted at his home church at Strawberry Point on September 5, 1926. A few weeks later in company with Missionary Roland Hanselmann, who had been ordained with him, Rev. Paul journeyed over land and sea to far off New Guinea, there to begin his work in the mission field of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church.
While a student in Dubuque, he met Bertha Knoernschild, daughter of Fred and Anna Ehrle Knoernschild. In June 1927, Bertha traveled to Australia where she and Paul were married in Brisbane on July 20, 1927. They made their home in Gabmazung, New Guinea where they continued their missionary service. They were stationed in Ulap where their two sons were born. Kenneth Earl on Nov 16, 1928 (died Jan 6, 2004) and Julius Donath on Oct 18, 1930. Sadly, Bertha passed away the next year on May 10, 1931. The following year, Paul married Lydia Ida Seidler, a nurse on the missionary staff, on July 1, 1932. Together, they continued their missionary work in New Guinea.
In 1934, the family furloughed to the United States. They spent time with family and speaking of their work to home congregations. In May, 1935, Paul and Lydia returned to New Guinea to continue their work, leaving their sons behind with their grandparents in Strawberry Point. Missionary Paul, as American superintendent of the Madang Mission, and Lutherans of Australia saw much progress in New Guinea. Personnel increased, hospitals were established, schools and plantations were developed. By 1940, the Madang Lutheran Mission reported over 15,000 Christians.
By 1942, New Guinea was caught up in WWII. The Japanese invaded the island and established headquarters near Madang. Some missionaries and their families were able to leave the island but others were seen as sympathetic to Western ways and imprisoned. Paul was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese in Madang. It is assumed he was executed in 1943. Lydia returned to the United States and was reunited with Kenneth and Julius. Lydia died Nov 9, 1990 in Hastings, Nebraska.
Paul was the second son of Christian and Augusta Donath Fliehler, born March 23, 1902 at Saint Sebald in rural Clayton County, Iowa. The following year, his parents moved to Strawberry Point near Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where he received his early indoctrination in his Christian faith.
He attended schools in Strawberry Point, graduating in 1919, Wartburg College in Clinton, and then Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1923. Paul was ordained to the holy ministry in August, 1926 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa. The consecration and commissioning service was conducted at his home church at Strawberry Point on September 5, 1926. A few weeks later in company with Missionary Roland Hanselmann, who had been ordained with him, Rev. Paul journeyed over land and sea to far off New Guinea, there to begin his work in the mission field of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church.
While a student in Dubuque, he met Bertha Knoernschild, daughter of Fred and Anna Ehrle Knoernschild. In June 1927, Bertha traveled to Australia where she and Paul were married in Brisbane on July 20, 1927. They made their home in Gabmazung, New Guinea where they continued their missionary service. They were stationed in Ulap where their two sons were born. Kenneth Earl on Nov 16, 1928 (died Jan 6, 2004) and Julius Donath on Oct 18, 1930. Sadly, Bertha passed away the next year on May 10, 1931. The following year, Paul married Lydia Ida Seidler, a nurse on the missionary staff, on July 1, 1932. Together, they continued their missionary work in New Guinea.
In 1934, the family furloughed to the United States. They spent time with family and speaking of their work to home congregations. In May, 1935, Paul and Lydia returned to New Guinea to continue their work, leaving their sons behind with their grandparents in Strawberry Point. Missionary Paul, as American superintendent of the Madang Mission, and Lutherans of Australia saw much progress in New Guinea. Personnel increased, hospitals were established, schools and plantations were developed. By 1940, the Madang Lutheran Mission reported over 15,000 Christians.
By 1942, New Guinea was caught up in WWII. The Japanese invaded the island and established headquarters near Madang. Some missionaries and their families were able to leave the island but others were seen as sympathetic to Western ways and imprisoned. Paul was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese in Madang. It is assumed he was executed in 1943. Lydia returned to the United States and was reunited with Kenneth and Julius. Lydia died Nov 9, 1990 in Hastings, Nebraska.
He attended schools in Strawberry Point, graduating in 1919, Wartburg College in Clinton, and then Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1923. Paul was ordained to the holy ministry in August, 1926 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa. The consecration and commissioning service was conducted at his home church at Strawberry Point on September 5, 1926. A few weeks later in company with Missionary Roland Hanselmann, who had been ordained with him, Rev. Paul journeyed over land and sea to far off New Guinea, there to begin his work in the mission field of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church.
While a student in Dubuque, he met Bertha Knoernschild, daughter of Fred and Anna Ehrle Knoernschild. In June 1927, Bertha traveled to Australia where she and Paul were married in Brisbane on July 20, 1927. They made their home in Gabmazung, New Guinea where they continued their missionary service. They were stationed in Ulap where their two sons were born. Kenneth Earl on Nov 16, 1928 (died Jan 6, 2004) and Julius Donath on Oct 18, 1930. Sadly, Bertha passed away the next year on May 10, 1931. The following year, Paul married Lydia Ida Seidler, a nurse on the missionary staff, on July 1, 1932. Together, they continued their missionary work in New Guinea.
In 1934, the family furloughed to the United States. They spent time with family and speaking of their work to home congregations. In May, 1935, Paul and Lydia returned to New Guinea to continue their work, leaving their sons behind with their grandparents in Strawberry Point. Missionary Paul, as American superintendent of the Madang Mission, and Lutherans of Australia saw much progress in New Guinea. Personnel increased, hospitals were established, schools and plantations were developed. By 1940, the Madang Lutheran Mission reported over 15,000 Christians.
By 1942, New Guinea was caught up in WWII. The Japanese invaded the island and established headquarters near Madang. Some missionaries and their families were able to leave the island but others were seen as sympathetic to Western ways and imprisoned. Paul was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese in Madang. It is assumed he was executed in 1943. Lydia returned to the United States and was reunited with Kenneth and Julius. Lydia died Nov 9, 1990 in Hastings, Nebraska.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
