Reardon, Ralph 1897 - 1921

REARDON, FREEMAN, HUECKSTADT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/15/2016 at 11:24:44

Elkader Register, Thur., 28 July 1921.

Ralph Reardon was born on March 20, 1897, in Riceville, Howard County, Iowa, as the son of Edward Reardon and his wife, Ida, nee freeman. His parents moved with him to Wagner township, Clayton County, in 1899 and later on to Farmersburg township and then to a farm adjoining the town of Farmersburg.

In September 1917 he answered the call of his country to arms and joined the 163rd Reg., Depot brigade Co. 12, at Camp Dodge and was later transferred to Camp Johnson, Florida. He was discharged from service Jan. 11th, 1919. The discharge paper shows his record an (and) character as excellent.

On January 21, 1920 he was united in Holy wedlock with Miss Alice Hueckstadt and on the 29th of June a little baby girl came to brighten up the parental home. Marchenelle, Ida, Marie though will never know her papa.

After the strenuous work in the harvest field on the farm, he sought a little recreation by going fishing with a party of four friends. They went to a place in Mississippi bottom, called Norwegian Lake. Ralph, fishing on East side with little success intended to swim to the West shore. On his way he was heard crying for help and going down immediately without coming up again. It is thought that a weak heart was responsible for the sudden failure of his strength as he was considered a very good swimmer. This happened about 9 o'clock, on July 17th. All possible efforts were made to bring him to shore, but not until some fishermen arrived on the scene was it possible to regain his body after it had been in the water about 45 minutes. He reached the age of 24 years, 3 months and 27 days. He leaves beside his wife and baby, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Raeardon (Reardon), his father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ablert (Albert) Hueckstadt, two brothers, Roy and William and one sister, Helen. On sister precedee (One sister preceded) him to the eternal shore.

The funeral was held on Wednesday and was very largely attended, from the house to St. John's Lutheran Church, where Rev. Dr. Braun officiated. 12 of the Legion members acted a (as) pallbearers. We lost one of the most splendid young men of our community.

Note: This article had many obvious spelling errors. WPA records show Ralph Reardon as buried in the Farmersburg-Wagner Cemetery.