Janette "Janet" Neil Herzberg 1872-1917

HERZBERG, HERZBURG

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/23/2011 at 19:46:21

County Recorder Mrs. Herzberg called by Death
End Came Saturday [September 22, 1917] After Illness of Short Duration
Was Efficient Official
Funeral Services Were Held Monday Afternoon – Shock to the Community
The messenger of death visited the court house family last Saturday and took from the circle one of the most efficient and most popular county officials that Emmet county has ever known. Mrs. Janet Neil Herzberg died at her home Saturday morning after a short illness. The news of her death came as a shock to the entire community. Few knew of her sickness and all were unprepared for the news of her untimely death. To know Mrs. Herzberg was to love her. She had one of those kind, sweet dispositions and nobility of character, that won for her a host of friends who esteemed her highly. These traits of character were carried into the business office over which she presided and any one calling there on business was greeted with a smile and pleasant word. She was a most efficient official and one of the most popular that has been in the county.

She came to this city several year ago, and opened a business college. From a small beginning it grew into a creditable school and no doubt would have been one of Estherville’s greatest institutions had it not been wiped out by fire. The accumulation of several years was lost by Mrs. Herzberg in this fire, but her brave spirit remained undaunted and it was shortly after this that she went into the recorder’s office.

Mrs. Herzberg was one of the true Christian women, and there was never a movement of charitable nature or for the up-lifting of mankind , but what had the hearty support and cooperation of this good woman. She was an active woman, but in spite of the many duties of her office, she always found time to take an active part in church work and in this circle she will be sorely missed. She was one of the first to join the Red Cross movement at the outbreak of the present war, and it was through her earnest efforts along with a few other ladies, that the Emmet county Red Cross chapter was founded.

Hers has been an active life, one that has been a benefit to her neighbors and friends. She has been an inspiration to the boys and girls of this city, whom she loved so well and who trusted her completely, making her their confident in their childish joys and sorrows. They, too, will miss the beautiful life that has so suddenly been taken away from us. But it is her children who will miss her most. The mother love, the constant watchfulness that has been showered on these children will be missed. To them the sympathy of the entire community goes out.

They have known the love of a good mother, a mother that has given up much for them. They have asked in her smile of happiness as she toiled on for them. It will seem a cold world for them without all these things. And yet, it is but what many have been called to bear. We know not, why these things must be but in the swing of the cycle of fate, the flowers must fall as well as the weeds. And if ever a life could be compared to the purity and beauty of a flower, it was this life which has just been called to its just reward. To have known her is worth much, and the memory of her life of service will linger in the hearts of the people of this community long after the names shall have been forgotten.

Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church Monday afternoon, Rev. R. C. Mitchell in charge. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 26, 1917)