William Arts 1840-1910

ARTS, MANEMAN, MANNEMAN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 6/13/2010 at 11:13:19

Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Iowa
27 Sep 1910
Page 1

An Honored Pioneer

Paid Unusual Respect

By His Business Associates and Friends, All Business Suspended During Time of Funeral.

Last Thursday morning at 9 o'clock one of our most prominent and best respected citizens died after an illness of several years, against the inrodes on his rugged constitution he made a brave and determined fight. He was a victim to diabetes and a man of an ordinary constitution would have died years before. Mr. Art's constitution coupled with his indomitable will stood him well in hand during the past years. For several months it has been evident to all who came in contact with him that it was but a question of time until he would have to surrender to his old foe against which he had made such a brave fight.

A few weeks past he was taken with an unusually severe sinking spell but rallied and was able to be out a little but each day he failed physically and for some time he has been confined to his bed. Gradually the sands of life ran low and by degrees he was brought nearer and nearer to the end.

During all his suffering and anguish his mind remained clear and never until a few days prior to his death gave up hope. The power of his great will and determination seemed to triumph over his physical being to such an extent that for a time he was able to baffle death and hold his physical being subject to his power. Gradually, however, the inroads of the disease brought him lower and lower until at last the angel of death came quietly and gently and claimed him for its own.

Up, almost to the moment of dissolution his mind was clear and that morning, Father Kuemper called on him and he talked as intelligently as usual, no sign was visible that the end was near. That morning he received all the sacraments and benefits of the church and Father Kuemper was also present at the time of his death. He was spiritually prepared for death and met its responsibilities without fear or apparent regret. Though he knew he was going to die he met it with the same assurance that had characterized all his life's transactions. A short time after this, however he sank in a fainting spell and in a short time all was over. Death came to this giant of strength and man of wonderful will power as quietly and gently as a peaceful dream.

The end was a marked contrast to the sturdy, robust, active life he had lead. Full of ambition, buoyed on by an active brain and great physical strength no task was too strenuous for his undertaking. He never knew what it was to surrender until a few days previous to his death. He mastered every undertaking and prosecuted his designs with energy and determination that forced success in all his undertakings.

He belonged to that type of manhood that is fast becoming extinct. Born in Wisconsin in pioneer days he led a life of struggle and hardship contending almost single handed against the forces of nature, he made his way to the front. He was one of those rough rugged characters that had the power of endurance combined with it a heart as true as steel. Firm in his own self reliance ready at all times to meet suffering and danger, just such men as developed the west and laid the foundation for all the prosperity that has come to us as a result of the great sacrifices he and his co-laborers made in pioneer days.

Wm. Arts was born in Galena, Illinois, October 2nd, 1840 where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of that city. He then attended school at Galena and from there he attended Sinsinawa Mt. Wisconsin school for young men conducted by the Dominican fathers.

In 1859 he started for California with a team of oxen and it required five and a half months to make the trip. He went via Pike's Peak and Idaho City. He remained in California two years and spent part of the time in prospecting for gold. He in company with fifty men were the first to discover gold in Idaho in 1862. He then returned to Galena in 1864 and on Jan. 24 was united in marriage to Miss Christine Manneman. They then left for the west, via of New York and the cape and arrived in Portland, Oregon. From there they went to Idaho City where Mr. Arts was interested in mines. They remained there till 1867 when Mr. Arts brought his wife back to Galena. They made the journey on stage and those who know something of the trials of an overland trip across the mountains fully realize the effort and endurance it required. The next spring he returned to Idaho.

On his way back he was beset by Indians, this being about the time of the Mountain Meadow Massacre where many men and women were killed.

After remaining there another year he disposed of his interests in the mines and made his last trip across the country by stage. During these years of hardships and experiences on the frontier he had succeeded in accumulating quite a fortune and returned to civilization with the intention of remaining. In 1870 he bought a section of land in Wheatland township and built the first house in that locality. His family came on a short time after and they lived on a farm for one year. Then they moved to this city where he engaged in business and here they remained since. He first went into the grain business and afterwards bought an interest in the D. W. Wayne store. Later he purchased the entire store and formed a partnership with August Manneman.

In 1888 he in company with Nockels and J. P. Hess purchased the Patterson bank and remained one of the active workers in that institution for ten years when the established the German American bank of Carroll and since that time devoted his energies to the building up of that strong financial institution.

To Mr. and Mrs. Arts there were born nine children, eight of whom are now living. Those living are: Emma, Agusta and Mary Arts who make their home with their parents; Mr. Anna Rettenmaier, Carroll; Louise, Pielsticker, Eldorado, Kansas; Frank Arts, Petersburg, Nebraska; W. A. Arts and J. C. Arts of this city.

Mr. Arts was a public spirited man and did his part in every enterprise that looked to the advancement of public interest. He was active in politics, and was at one time treasurer of this county and held many positions of trust in our city. He was an active worker in the church and was a pillar of strength to it in the early days in this county when it was a little harder to interest men in this work. He purchased the block of land where SS. Peter and Paul's church stands and donated it to the congregation.

We who know the deceased can look back over his life with interest for in it we see one of action, deep conviction and loyal and faithful to every trust reposed in him. There was no sacrifice he would not make to protect his name and his honor. The community deeply regrets the passing of this robust character from the stage of action. He was a man who loved his home and did all in his power to make it a welcomed spot to the family.

In their deep affliction the family have the confidence that their father and husband left them as a rich inheritance a name unsullied by any act or deed. He treated every man on the square and his actions were an open book. The community join with the bereaved ones in this sad hour and feel the loss keenly that they have sustained as well as the entire community.

The funeral was held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock and as a mark of respect all the business houses of the city were closed and the funeral procession was one of the largest ever held in the city notwithstanding the extremely unclement weather. The Knights of Columbus attended in a body and acted as escorts to the cortege. Father Kuemper officiated and delivered a very able sermon. The remains were laid to rest in SS. Peter and Paul's cemetery amid beautiful garlands of flowers which were presented by admiring and loving friends. The floral tributes were beautiful and expressive of the deep love and affection in which he was held.

The following relatives and friends from outside the county were present at the funeral. W. H. Wahl, Merrill; M. F. Healy, Ft. Dodge; Mrs. W. P. Hombach, Council Bluffs; Mrs. Emma Huppmann, Dubuque; Mrs. Mary Kuhl, Galena, Illinois.; Mrs. Henry Arts and Mrs. Emil Selein of Marshalltown and A. H. Manneman of Clarion. All the immediate relatives of the family were also present.