Henry Engelhorn 1875- abt 1933

ENGELHORN, ENGLEHORN, KELLER, OHLOFF, HANLEY, KNUDTSON, BRESNAHAN, DECKER, HAYES, ASCHOM, MARTINSEN, HENDRICKSON, SPIELER, HOFFMAN

Posted By: A. Bruce Owens (email)
Date: 1/22/2009 at 21:59:24

BODY OF HENRY ENGELHORN FOUND IN LANSING CREEK
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Mystery of Disappearance Last Summer Solved; Death by Accidental Drowning

The body of Henry Engelhorn 58, life long resident of the Church community, was found Friday morning in a small stream near the Keller farm three miles south of Lansing.

The discovery brought to a finish an extensive search which had been made following his disappearance last summer. Last word received from him was June 26, when his family received a letter from him from Duluth, Minn. There followed a long silence during which anxious inquiries were made for his whereabouts, terminating in the shocking discovery Friday.
The body was discovered by Tade Ohloff, Lansing, who was cutting wood near the stream with his brother-in-law, James Hanley. About 9:30 a.m., Mr. Ohloff noticed the man's head protruding from the water and notified County authorities. Deputy Sheriff T. C. Knudtson and Coroner J. L. Bresnahan came from Waukon, and body was recovered.

Identified by Relatives.
Heavily clothed, the body was partly floating in about four feet of water in a curve of the creek about a hundred yards below the railroad trestle. Identification was difficult at first, as the man had been in the water for a number of weeks. Personal effects found in his clothes, however, carried his name, and included a registration book given him at the Mayo clinic in Rochester in the spring of 1933. He was identified later in the day by John and Ben Decker of Church, the latter a brother-in-law of the deceased, who remembered a mole on his left shoulder.

Positive identification was made by Dr. Warren Hayes at the coroner's inquest next morning. Dr. Hayes had done some dental work for Mr. Engelhorn, and was able to find evidences of the work. A coroner’s jury, comprising George Aschom and N. C. Martinsen, Lansing, and Peter Hendrickson, Waukon, gave a decision reading; "We, the jury are positive that this man is Henry Engelhorn, and find he came to his death by accidental drowning."
The exact time and circumstance of death will perhaps always remain a mystery. A copy of the Chicago Tribune of November 10, 1933, was found in the small pack he carried on his back, and, judging by the abundance of clothing worn, Mr. Engelhorn must have met his death about the
middle of that month. Several theories have been advanced as to the tragedy, the most probable being that he had gotten off a train at Harpers Ferry or Heytman's and was walking up the tracks toward home. Either wandering from the tracks, or possibly endeavoring to get a drink from the stream, he doubtless fell into the water, and handicapped by his heavy clothing, was unable to save himself. Twenty-eight cents was all the money found in his purse. He had about $6,000 in life insurance in force.

Left Home in June.
About four years ago, Mr. Engelhorn began ailing in health, and since that time had suffered much bodily pain and affliction. About mid-summer in 1932, he submitted to an operation at the Mayo hospital in Rochester. Although bearing the operation well, it seemed he never fully recovered. The months following his operation gave evidence of extreme nervousness, a condition probably brought on by a constant worry that he was suffering from an incurable ailment. Having frequently since his operation been a patient at Rochester, he left his home on June 18, 1933, going to Rochester, and some days later word was received from him from Duluth. There followed the long silence culminating in the discovery Friday.

Was Life Long Resident.
Henry Engelhorn was born in Lansing township on June 13, 1875. He was the son of Matthew and Dorothy Engelhorn. On December 23, 1902 he was united in marriage to Frances Spieler, and to this union, two sons were born.
He was a life long resident of this community, a successful farmer, congenial neighbor,sympathetic father and husband, and a friend to all. By his honest and fair dealings, with men he commanded the respect and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
He leaves to mourn his loving wife his two sons -
Walter, at home, and Oscar, with the U. S. Navy, now stationed in California - one sister, Mrs. Ben Decker, Church, and one half brother, Abe, of Fon du Lac, Wis.

Tragic though,his death is, yet it relieves the anxiety and suspense occasioned those who loved him. Funeral services were held at Churchtown Saturday at 2:30 p.m., Rev. C. H. Hoffman officiating, and burial was made in the family lot in Lansing Ridge cemetery.

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An additional clippings, show a difference in the spelling of the wifes last name. Also the posted obit for her shows two different spellings for the surname Engelhorn/Englehorn
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Five to Six Months.
Although no exact date is known regarding when death occurred, Allamakee county officials believe the body had lain there for at leave (sic) five to six months. Dentists will be called in on the case in an effort to ascertain the man's identity, it was declared.

The body, in addition to being badly decomposed, was frozen when discovered.

Visited Son
Englehorn, a prominent Allamakee county farmer, has been missing since last June. He left his home near Lansing about the middle of the summer for Rochester, Minn., and about six weeks later word was received by his family that he was in Duluth. Minn. Since then, no, trace of his whereabouts has been known to his immediate family. It was believed that Englehorn left Duluth for the west coast to visit his son Oscar, who is a member of the U. S. Navy operating along the Pacific seaboard.
Members of Englehorn's family have expressed little concern despite his prolonged absence, authorities said, because they believed him to be either visiting his son in the west or touring the western states. Englehorn has a wife, formerly Frances Speighler, and two sons, Walter, living at home, and Oscar in the Navy

Obit of Mrs. Engelhorn
 

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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