Olinger, Frank died 1921

OLINGER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Elkader Register, Thur., 18 Aug. 1921. Strawberry Point column.

Last Wednesday while Alex Meyer, Frank and Leon Olinger were assisting John Hock, Jr., who resides five miles and one half north of town with his threshing, an electrical storm came up in the afternoon. The boys had put the canvass over the machine and got in under it for shelter when it was thought that the blower was struck by lightning killing Frank Olinger instantly and stunning the other three but they are doing nicely. Frank, was the sixteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Olinger. Funeral services were held at the Sacred Heart church, Saturday forenoon, conducted by Rev. Casey. It was the largest funeral ever held there. He was a young fellow well liked and his death is a great blow to his parents. He attended the High School and was liked by the teachers and his associates. The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved parents, brothers and sisters.

Elkader Register, Thur., 18 Aug. 1921. Volga City News column.

Wednesday the town of Volga was shocked when word came that the two sons of Adam Olinger and one of J. Hocks had been struck by lightning while around the threshing machine during a thunder storm. Then word came that Frank Olinger had been killed instantly while the other boys were stunned, but at this writing they are recovering. Mr. and Mrs. Olinger have the sympathy of the entire community in this, their sad hour of bereavement.

Elkader Register, Thur., 18 Aug. 1921. From the Volga City News.

Great sorrow was cast over this community Wednesday when the news was received that Frank Olinger, the seventeen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Olinger, southeast of town, had been instantly killed by a bolt of lightning about 5 o'clock, at the John Hock farm.

The others who had been assisting with the threshing had gone to the John Hock home, about an eighth of a mile distant, and Frank and Leon Olinger, John Hock and Alex Meyers remained to cover up the machine. A very heavy rain came up and they threw the canvass over the separator and all got under the rear end of the separator to get out of the rain. A sharp bolt of lightning struck the blower of the machine, instantly killing Frank and severely shocking the other three. Mr. Meyers, who is deaf and dumb, was the first to recover and he wended his way to the Hock home and spread the unfortunate news. Help immediately left for the scene of the accident and those who were still unconscious were given medical attention and at the present writing seem to have fully recovered.

The remains of the deceased were taken to his home and funeral services were held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the Cox Creek Catholic church, Rev. Father Casey of Strawberry Point officiating.

A very large concourse of friends were present to pay their last respects to this fine young man, and the church was not large enough to accommodate all present.

The death of Frank Olinger removes from our midst a young man with as fine a character and general good standing as can be found anywhere. His life has been one filled with much toil and care, with happiness and rich reward for the splendid life he has always lived.

His death brings great sorrow and sympathy is felt for his parents, brothers and sister, neighbors and friends. Volga City News.