Harnack, Hermann Heinrich 1861-?

HARNACK, HENKES, KRUSE, WITT

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 4/23/2007 at 07:19:25

A GOOD MAN GONE
Hermann Harnack, Long Time
Resident, Died Monday at
Age of Fifty-Four

The people of Remsen and vicinity heard with deep regret on Monday that Herman H. Harnack, for many years a resident of this vicinity, passed away at his home at fifteen minutes past eight that morning after a brief illness with aenemia. Mr. Harnack was fifty-four years, one month and three days of age at the time of his death. He had been badly ill for but two weeks although at times during that period he was able to be up, and even on the eve of his death he retired at a late hour, having entertained visitors, who with his family little thought that his ailment was so serious. Mr. Harnack passed a restless night and arose at three o’clock in the morning. Shortly after that he grew week [weak] and returned to bed while the family saw that there was cause for alarm. He sank rapidly and lapsed into unconsciousness and slept peacefully away shortly after eight o’clock.

Herman Heinrich Harnack was born on May 25th, 1861, on a farm in Clayton county, Iowa, and was the third son of Marie Palas and John Harnack, who were natives of Germany. the family lived in Clayton county until the spring of 1885, when the father having passed away, the mother with her children came to Plymouth county, the boys having all grown up and settled on farms around Remsen, Herman settling on an eighty one mile east and three miles south of town. By diligent work and ever upright policies he gradually increased the size of his holdings until today he leaves his family with a fine 320 acre farm, one of the best pieces in this vicinity. In February, 1894, Herman went to his former home in Clayton county and returned with his bride, formerly Miss Tillie Henkes. To their union eight children were born, who with their mother survive him. The children are Herbert, Delia, Clarence, Hazel, Ross, Mildred, Myrtle and Iona. Besides these Mr. Harnack is survived by two brothers, John and Louis H. of Remsen, and a sister, Mrs. Christina Kruse of Sioux City. These remain out of a family of three boys and two girls, one of the girls, Mary, the wife of Adolph Witt having passed away seven years ago.

Herman Heinrich Harnack was one of Remsen’s foremost farmers and one of the county’s staunchest citizens. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church and took an active part in the affairs of that church, being a member of the Christ Lutheran congregation of Remsen. His home abounded with happiness, for Herman Harnack was a gentleman in the home as well as about his daily task and his association with business men. Following his strong and true Christian principles all his life, Mr. Harnack won a place in the hearts of friends that will cause them ever to remember him as a man of kindly soul and generous heart. In affairs of the state, the town and the school he was deeply interested and his death even caused a vacancy in the Remsen township rural school board.

The funeral was held this afternoon with services at the home at one o’clock, after which the cortege moved to Christ Lutheran church, where services were conducted by Rev. Guenther. The body was laid to rest in the Remsen cemetery and on its last earthly journey was followed by a throng of admirers and sympathizers, their number being a fitting testimonial of the genuine worth of the man who was called away so early in life.

Source: Remsen Bell-Enterprise, Remsen, Iowa