Alfred Bonnicksen, 1894 - 1918

BONNICKSEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/17/2010 at 07:26:23

PRIVATE ALFRED BONNICKSEN KILLED

News Received That Another Ringsted Boy Was Killed in Action

The startling news was received here Wednesday evening of last week that Private Alfred Bonnicksen was killed in action in France on November 6th. The new, coming as it did on the eve of Thanksgiving Day, when all were glad and giving thanks that the war over, was a distinct shock to the entire community, and the parents of the young man are prostrated with grief.

It was taken for granted when the armistice was signed, that our boys were now safe, and few took into consideration that the terrible toll of the last weeks’ fighting had not yet been reported and the casualties from this week are still coming in. It was during this week of the war that Alfred lost his life.

It was July 24th that this parents and friends bade him goodbye as he left from Algona for Camp Gordon where he trained until the latter part o August. he was then sent to Camp Merrit, New Jersey, where he spent a week and was then sent to France. He was sent across with a replacement division and we do not know what organization he was a member of at the time of his death.

Alfred Bonnickesen was born October 24, 1894, and was 24 years of age at the time of his death. He was born on the home place in Seneca Township, Kossuth County where his parents now reside and it was here he was grown to manhood. He attended the rural schools near his home after which he assisted his parents on the farm. He was a genial and likable young man, dependable and of good Christian character and his friends were as numerous as his acquaintances. His vacant chair at the family fireside bears mute testimony of the horrors of was and is only one of the thousands in this land. His young life, given that other might be free, that militarism and Kaiserism might be wiped from the earth, was not given in vain. It was only a matter of days following his death when the proud monster who caused the war was forced to humble himself and flee for his life. Alfred died the death of a hero, facing the enemy, and his memory will always be cherished in this community as one of the boys who died for his country, and his memory will be everlastingly brought to us as we gaze at the gold star in the service flag of his church.

Ringsted lost four young men in the service and the news of the death of each has brought us much sorrow, but this most recent death, new of which came after hostilities ceased, was undoubtedly one which shocked the community most of all.

He leaves to mourn his death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jorgen Bonnicksen, three brothers, Knud, Arthur and Nels, five sisters, Mrs. Andrew Nelsen, Mrs. H.O. Hansen, Annie, Emma and Ethel, and friends by the score.

God bless the brave mothers of this fair land who so unselfishly gave their sons to their county, and give those who have lost their sons strength and courage to bear their great loss.

Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; December 11, 1918.