Henry O. Silge, 1861-1943

SILGE

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/15/2009 at 18:38:25

H. O. SILGE, 81, DIES FOLLOWING LONG ILLNESS

Pioneer Business Man of This Community.

Henry Oscar Silge, 81-year-old Estherville resident, died at 1:10 this afternoon [March 24, 1943] at his home at 309 S. 8th St. following a five-week illness caused by heart trouble and complications. He had been in poor health for the past year.

Mr. Silge was born Aug. 10, 1861, in Wauzeka, Wis. where he received his education. He came to Estherville in 1882 to work as a harnessmaker. He was in the harness business for 52 years. On Jan. 23, 1901 he was married to Minnie Carpenter of Estherville.

Veteran Fireman.

A charter member of the local Odd Fellow lodge, Mr. Silge was also a member of the Rebekah lodge. He was one of the original volunteer firemen of the Estherville fire department. When he had been on the fire squad for 50 years the city honored him at a banquet and presented him with a medal in appreciation of the years of service had given.

Mr. Silge started a collection of clippings about the city of Estherville when he came here in 1882. He has been putting these into a scrapbook which is almost up-to-date. Mrs. Silge says that he wished this book, a record of the city's history for more than 60 years, to be given to the public library.

Survivors Here.

Surviving are his widow; two sisters, Mrs. George Rogers of Estherville and Mrs. Alvina Hanson of Tampa, Fla.; and two brothers, William M. Silge of Wauzeka, Wis., and Ed Silge of Estherville.

Plans have not been made for funeral services.

[Mr. Silge is buried at Oak Hill cemetery.]

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, March 24, 1943.