Henry Brendes 1826-1911

BRENDES, KLEPPE, KELLING, SITTLER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/10/2016 at 09:46:08

15 December 1911 - The Lowden News

Henry Frederick William Brendes was born in Hannover, Germany, on Oct. 21, 1826. He died at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. C.F.W. Kleppe, in Springfield Twp., Cedar Co., Ia., on Monday evening, Dec. 11, 1911, of paralysis, at the age of 85 years, 1 month and 20 days.

Mr. Brendes at the age of 19, inlisted in the army and served in the war against the Danes in 1848-1849 until the close of the war.

After the close of the war he worked in Brunswick until 1854 when he came to America, and to Davenport, Ia., where he was married to Margaret Kelling in 1856. To this union ten children were born, nine girls and one boy. His wife and one daughter have preceded him to the Great Beyond.

In 1872 Mr. Brendes was appointed post master at New Liberty, Ia., which position he fulfilled faithfully until 1880, when the family moved to a farm in Springfield Twp., Cedar county. Here Mr. and Mrs. Brendes lived on their farm until in 1906 when they went to Wheatland where they lived until he death of their daughter, Mrs. Sittler, then they moved back to this township, where they made their home with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. C.F.W. Kleppe.

Mrs. Brendes passed away on Aug. 4, 1910, and Mr. Brendes now followed her to the better world.

Deceased held several minor offices, such as road supervisor, township trustee, school president and others. He was of a genial, kindly disposition and his friends were numbered only by the number of his acquaintances.

Mr. Brendes was a charter member of the Lowden Deutsche Krieger Verein and was a trusted officer of the society and a faithful attendant at meetings, until his advanced age interfered with his attending. At meetings and social gatherings he was always the center of mirth and with his ready wit and good humor, he was easily the center of the company.

Mr. Brendes was a great friend of little children, who were always ready to meet him. He was a kind and indulgent father, a good husband; he was upright and honest in all his dealings with everybody. He leaves a goodly heritage to his children who are left to mourn his departure.

Deceased was of a rugged constitution, he was never sick, until in 1907 he had a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered. However he retained all his faculties and was able to get about, even taking a trip last summer visiting all his children in western and north-western Iowa.

About three weeks ago he began to fail, but remained always bright and cheerful. A great reader, he was always interested in all advancement, and yet on his last day he anxiously awaited the newspapers and read them. In the afternoon he grew worse and so continued until about 11:30 p.m. Monday night, when he suffered another stroke and quickly and quietly passed away having retained his memory up to the very last.

The funeral of Mr. Brendes occurred yesterday with services at the house and interment in the Van Horn cemetery, south of Lowden. Rev. Bendigkett of Bennett officiated. Members of the Lowden Deutsche Krieger Verein were pallbearers. Quite a number of the members of that society were in attendance, particularly the older members, paying their last respects to the departed comrade.