UMHOEFER, John H.

UMHOEFER, BLOOM, HENNESSEY, DAILEY, SAUNDERS, CONDON, MULLENBARGH, NICOLIN, HOLTEY, ERNSTER, SUTELGTE

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 7/9/2006 at 16:04:01

May 18, 1892 The Cherokean Democrat

A GOOD MAN GONE.

Cherokee Mourns the Loss of a Respected and Worthy Citizen

J.H. Umhoefer Dies Away from Home, Suddenly Though not Unexpectedly-A Community Mourns

“John is dying at the Depot hotel; come at once.”

Such was the message that came to Mrs. J.H. Umhoefer last Thursday afternoon from Sioux City. Mr. Umhoefer had been selected as a delegate to the democratic convention at Council Bluffs, for which place he had started on Monday morning, intending to consult physicians in regard to his heath at Sioux City and Omaha. Most everyone in Cherokee knew that Mr. Umhoefer was in a critical condition, but none imagined that the end was so near. Hence the news contained in the dispatch spread like wild fire, and soon the community knew of the sad news received. A second dispatch stated that the sick man was resting easier, and the hope was expressed that he might live to at least come home. Mr. Umhoefer’s parents happened to be in town, but it was impossible for them to secure a special train to go to Sioux City. Mrs. Umhoefer and the father and mother left on the 6:15 train, and reached Sioux City in time to see John alive, although he was close to death’s door. Friday morning a dispatch was received here announcing Mr. Umhoefer’s death at 3 o’clock that morning. He passed peacefully and quietly away, like a child going to sleep, and a short time before his death seemed to recognize his wife. The remains were brought to Cherokee at 11:30 Friday. A large crowd of citizens, including many business men, assembled at the depot and the city councilmen acted as pall bearers, the remains being removed to the family residence.

The funeral services took place Monday morning at the Catholic church, the general arrangements having been made under direction of Mayor Bloom. Long before the funeral party arrived the church was filled by citizens of all classes. Most of the business places were closed while the services were in progress, everyone seeming anxious to do something to show esteem for their departed fellow citizen. Revs. Father Hennessey of Storm Lake, Father Dailey of Alta and Father Saunders of Cherokee conducted the services, the impressive requiem mass being said. The remains were taken to Sheridan township for burial. It was a matter of deep regret that the roads were in such condition as to prevent friends following the remains there. A large number of friends had assembled at the church in Sheridan, and had the weather been favorable the funeral would have been largely attended as any in the history of the county.

We do not remember an occasion when the death of a citizen created such universal sorrow. From the time the first news was received until the last sad rites were observed there was everything to bear witness that J.H. Umhoefer had been a good citizen, that he has been a warm friend of very many people, and that his death was the entire community’s loss. These are the best evidences that a man has lived a good life. When one can die and be thus remembered it must be comfort to the wife, to the father and mother. It must be that the tear-stained pillow is softened, that the tension on the heart strings is loosened by the thought that theg rief of the loved ones is so willingly shared by so many. To the wife and other weeping ones there is sympathy without measure. Another evidence of respect for the deceased was the numerous floral tributes. Among the large number of beautiful pieces were the following:

(long list of tributes. Contact me for the list if interested)

Little need be said of Mr. Umhoefer’s sickness and his struggle to avoid the approaching grim reaper. In this he made a noble fight. From the time the nature of his disease, diabetes, first became known he has struggled to become master. As his health gradually failed he bore up and seemed to make himself believe that all would be well, although or a few months past his friends knew that recovery was impossible. He went to the Council Bluffs convention with his strength gone and only a spark of vitality left. The exertion was too much and the end came-so suddenly and so sadly. He was obliged to leave the convention hall and by fortunate chain of circumstances which it is not necessary to recount, was not left without a friend. J.J. Condon, one of Cherokee’s delegates, found the sick man and came with him to Sioux City, remaining with him until the last. He failed so rapidly that it was impossible to bring him any father and he was taken to the Depot hotel, where he died.

In the history of Cherokee county we find the following concerning the deceased:

The deceased has been closely connected with the business interests in Cherokee since 1874. He was proprietor of one of the most successful stores in (unreadable) He was a native of Wisconsin, born in White Water in April 1861. His father Theodore Unhoefer, a native of Germany, came to American when but eighteen years of age. He married Anna Muellenbargh and settled in Wisconsin. From that state the family removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa and thence to Cherokee county. The parents still reside on the farm in Sheridan township. John H. was the oldest son and third child of a family of five. He attended the common school, and then entered the State University at Iowa City, where he took a thorough course in the Commercial Department, graduating in 1881. Upon leaving school he went to Jordan, Minnesota, entering the employ of Frank Nicolin as book-keeper, with whom he remained one year, when he went to Wayne, Nebraska. There he embarked in general merchandising, which business he operated only three months when he sold out and returned to Cherokee in November, 1883. Mr. Umhoefer was married in January, 1884, to Miss Katie Holtey, of Winnesheik county, Iowa, the daughter of Theodore Holtey. They have had one child born to them, Theodore Eugene. Mr. Umhoefer was a very correct and prudent business man, and hence has been frequently called upon to fill various local offices of responsibility and trust. He was elected city recorder in 1886, and was holding that office at the time of his death. In religious belief he was a Roman Catholic, and was one of the trustees of the church, having held that position for a number of years.

Among the relatives present at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Umhoefer, parents of the deceased, and his brother Henry of Sheridan; Joseph Umhoefer, and wife of (unreadable); Jos. Umhoefer jr., of Alvord, Minn; Andrew Umhoefer, of Sioux City; John Ernster, wife and children and Henry Sutelgte and wife, of Marcus; August Sutelgte and wife and Theo. Sutelgte of Remsen; Henry (unreadable) of Norton, Kansas; Mrs. Kate (unreadable) of Cresco, Iowa; Theo. Holtey of (unreadable), Iowa, father of Mrs. Umhoefer …

(the rest is unreadable).