ZICHY, Count Ladislaus Edward Marie Christian

ZICHY, VARGA, KNAPP, ARNOLD, IESZENSKY, JUDD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/11/2015 at 01:01:49

Decatur Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
February, 1896

Count L. E. Zichy.

COUNT LADISLAUS E. ZICHY, whose death was announced in your last paper, belonged to one of the oldest and greatest aristocratic families. May of the family hold very high offices, one being a Catholic bishop. The deceased was very liberal in views, that being one reason that in 1877 he emigrated to the U. S. After being here, he obtained a divorce from his wife, bought a farm 24 miles east of Garden Grove, married Miss MARY KNAPP, widely known in our county. With her he lived many happy years. She and six daughters mourn an affectionate, noble hearted husband and father. One who was his most intimate friends gives him the merited praise, that “his loyalty to his friends was of his chief virtues.’ All his neighbors and friends feel his loss, a poor or needy could approach him, that he had let go without giving him help, even with his own sacrifice. He never became an American citizen, for the reason that he great domain, which belongs to the family, is in the hands, and managed by the oldest members in the family, can not be divided, but descended with the death of one, to the next oldest in the family. When the decease left Hungary, there were twenty-three older then him, since that time he renewed his papers nineteen died and only four were left older than him, but as he had expectancy he could not give up his Hungarian citizenship, and from time to time he renewed his papers with the royal consul; therefore by birth being a member of the House of Lords, he was always receiving invitations from the king to attend the sitting of the Hungarian parliament. From his first wife he had three children. The oldest one visited him in this country and spent quite a time with him, a very fine, noble hearted son. The second son is captain in the Hungarian army, married the daughter of a rich Count, from the country where I used to live. His daughter was married some years ago to BARON IESZENSKY. Hon. G. P. ARNOLD, who was his best friend, telegraphed the news of his death to his oldest son, who replied by cablegram dated February 14th, stating a “letter will follow.” The deceased had the strongest constitution, but he had been falling away two years now. His condition became more serious and he was advised to go to Kirksville, Mo. His true friend, G. P. ARNOLD, took him there. The was the last hope, and when upon examination it was found that there was no remedy for him, the result was, that his hopes died away, and he scarcely reached home. There he, after three or four hours expired. How he was loved, was shown by the immense sympathy of friends who, even at the inclemency of the weather, went to show him their last respect. His funeral procession was one of the very largest. Though he was not an American citizen, for reason above, stated he loved America and the free institutions form his heart, loved the principles of the republican party and was one of the strongest protectionists for America. May his ashes rest in peace. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. JUDD, the Episcopalian minister.

~ FRANCIS VARGA.

[Interment was made at Garden Grove Cemetery, Garden Grove, Iowa.]

Transcription & submission by Sara Rose Joan LeFleur