Lambert Kniest, 1878 Obituary

KNIEST

Posted By: ddr (email)
Date: 7/30/2010 at 18:45:45

(Source: The Carroll Herald, August 21, 1878)
A GOOD MAN GONE
Mr. Lambert Kniest died at his residence in Carroll last Wednesday morning at 12:30 o’clock. He had been in delicate health for something over six months. One of his lungs was seriously affected, and there was no doubt that he was a sufferer from that dread disease consumption. For a few weeks previous to his death, however, his condition had been improving. His symptoms were all more favorable, and there appeared to be good grounds for hope that his life might be spared for several months to come. A few weeks ago he had a slight attack of hemorrhage of the lungs, which promptly yielded to treatment and was not considered serious. But to a person in Mr. Kniest’s condition life always hangs by a thread, and when it would appear that everything seemed the most hopeful death is often very near. Shortly after midnight Tuesday morning, while coughing, he was again taken with bleeding at the lungs, and before it could be arrested had lost over a quart of blood, a serious drawback to a person in his condition. During Tuesday his case was critical, but strong hopes of his recovery were entertained. The great danger was a second hemorrhage, and shortly after midnight Wednesday morning this occurred, death ensuing almost instantly.

The announcement of his death occasioned a general feeling of sorrow throughout the community. A dispatch was at once sent to Mr. B.J. Kniest, eldest son of the deceased, who resides in Chicago, and the funeral was deferred until he could arrive Thursday afternoon. In token of respect all the business houses closed at 3:30, the funeral hour being set for 4 p.m. The funeral was the largest ever seen in Carroll. In order to accommodate the large number of friends and acquaintances who desired to show their respect for the deceased, the new Catholic church was opened, although it is not yet provided with seats. The procession was very long, the head of it having reached the church, distant about a quarter of a mile, long before the carriages had started. At the church the services were conducted by Rev. Father Fendrick, of Mt. Carmel, Rev. Father Wegman, of Hillsdale, and Rev. Father Pape, of Carroll. The latter pronounced the funeral address, sketching the life and labors of the deceased in this community, and commanding the closest attention and interest. The procession then moved to the new cemetery where the final rights were observed and the body committed to its last resting place.

Lambert Kniest was born in Holland, March 19, 1819, and was therefore in his fifty-ninth year. Thirty-one years ago he removed to this country, residing for several years in Buffalo, N.Y. He removed from there to St. Louis, Mo., where he resided until 1850, when he removed to Dubuque, Iowa. In the latter two cities he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was a prominent citizen, identified with the business interests of the community, and always active and enterprising. In 1868, we believe, he established the colony at Mt. Carmel, in the township which bears his name, and which will long be a reminder of his energy and enterprise. The settlement grew rapidly and flourished, and is today one of the most prosperous in the State.

Mr. Kniest leaves a wife and eleven children, nine of the latter residing at home when his death occurred. We know from sad experience how futile words of cheer and sympathy are to requite them for the loss of a kind husband and parent whose life and love had made home the pleasantest place on earth to them. But with them the whole community unite in sorrowing for the loss of a good man, a true friend, and a kind neighbor. Mr. Kniest was a thoroughly conscientiously man, deeply devoted to religion, and always anxious to do the best he could. He met with business reverses in the closing years of his life, but no one could impute any but the most honorable motives to him in all his transactions. We speak from a long and somewhat intimate personal acquaintance when we say that in the death of Lambert Kniest our town and county has met with a loss it could illy afford.

He will be seen no more in our midst, but the memory of his life and works live after him. Requiescat in pace.