Chas. Kanne, 1895

KANNE

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/21/2004 at 01:18:44

I translated the following obituary from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. The obituary was originally published on Friday, 19 Jul 1895. I have not changed the name or place spellings, and have added some information in brackets and notes at the end. It reads as follows:

Chas. Kanne

The news that our esteemed friend and fellow-citizen Chas. Kanne had died spread like a prairie fire Sunday morning. He passed away about 3:00 a.m. in the company of his spiritual advisor, his beloved family, and several good friends.

Just over a year ago, the deceased became ill with Bellrose [a sickness that I cannot find in a German dictionary, but could be erysipelas], and from this sickness a type of cancer developed on one side of the throat. Although he was operated on several times by the best surgeons and the most renowned doctors from here, from Chicago and from other places were consulted, the terrible sickness constantly continued to grow in his throat until a few days ago his windpipe was affected, and swallowing solid food became almost impossible. The doctors had already noted that the sickness had made its way ever deeper, affecting a major blood vessel, and that death could occur at any time. Although this was understood, death nevertheless came too quickly; the separation from his dear wife and innocent children came too swiftly. Around midnight, he had called to his wife and informed her that he was bleeding badly. Mrs. Kanne no doubt realized that the dreaded hour had arrived. The bleeding was so heavy that the afflicted probably also felt death drawing near. Around 3:00 a.m., his heart stopped, which during his life had been so unselfish toward his wife and children and so full of love for his parents and so warm for his friends and acquaintances.

The extremely large funeral was Thursday morning. For several years he had been a member of the Roman Catholic Protective Society of Iowa, a member of the German Club [Germania Verein], and the founder of the Carroll Gymnastics Club [Turn Verein]. The clubs had chosen committees which met together in order to ensure that the funeral of their dear friend was as impressive and as beautiful as possible. Each club named two pallbearers: the Rifle Club [Schutzverein] named Mr. Chas. Ludwig and Mr. Seb. Walz; the German Club named Jos. Kempker [or Kemyker] and Fred. Franzwa; the Gymnastics Club named Vic. Janssen and Ph. Kaib. The respective clubs assembled in their club houses and stationed themselves on Main Street, and from there, preceded by the Union Band (which was arranged for by the Gymnastics Club), they marched to the home of the deceased. After the members of the various clubs had looked one last time upon the countenance of their dear friend, they formed the funeral procession, with the Gymnastics Club (which was founded by the deceased) and Band in the lead, followed by the German Club. The members of the Rifle Club marched as an honor guard along both sides of the hearse. And then the close relatives, friends, and associates of the deceased followed in buggies. The funeral procession was endless, and more and more buggies joined in on the way to Saints Peter and Paul Church. After the procession reached the church and the body had been blessed by the Rev. Father Nacke, and the relatives, various clubs, and mourners had taken their seats, a solemn mass was celebrated for the rest of the deceased’s soul. Then the priest read a very moving sermon wherein he expounded on the fate of humanity. As this dignified service ended, the funeral procession formed again and marched to the Catholic cemetery, where the dearly departed was entrusted to the sacred earth. In conclusion, the singing section of the Gymnastics Club sang a fitting funeral song, bringing the ceremony to a close. Our deepest sympathies to the survivors.

NOTES: The 1895 census lists a Charles Kanne, age 28 and born in Germany, with wife Eva, age 21 and born in Germany, and children Joseph age 2, and John age 1, both born in Carroll. The cemetery records list him as Karl Kanne, 1866-1895.