Frederick Charles Topp 1906-1927

TOPP, SODEN, DEMBERIO

Posted By: Bobbie (email)
Date: 1/28/2012 at 09:18:50

The Elgin Echo, Elgin, Iowa
Thursday, Feb. 24, 1927

FREDERICK CHARLES TOPP

Frederick Charles, the son of Henry and Wilhelmina Topp, was born at West Union, January 30, 1906. In the fall of the same year he came with his parents to Elgin, where he attended the public schools and graduated from high school in June, 1925. He filled a prominent place in all the school activities and was a leader in all forms of athletics.

He preferred the active outdoor life and since graduation worked as a hunter, trapper and carpenter in and around Beaver Bay, Minnesota, and during that time made his home with his sister, Mrs. T.V. Soden.

Last fall he had an attack of influenza which left his health impaired. He then returned to Elgin shortly before Christmas and again made his home with his parents. A little over two weeks ago he contracted pneumonia and several days later was taken to the Elgin hospital but the fight for life was of no avail and he passed away at 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, February 17. He was aged 21 years and 17 days.

Fred had many worthy characteristics. He was always a willing helper of his mother in the home and also with his father in the blacksmith shop. As a boy he attended the Baptist Sunday School, played in the Sunday School orchestra and also the town band. He was of a friendly disposition and made friends readily.

He leaves to mourn, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Topp of Elgin, three brothers, Otto of Elgin, Ernest of Independence and Albert of Eldoraldo; and one sister, Mrs. Henrietta Soden of Grand Marais, Minnesota; also his fiance, Miss Marian Demberio. One brother, Emil, preceded him in death at the age of 16 in 1907, and a sister, Lina in 1888.

"When a sorrow comes upon you that no other soul can share,
And the burden seems too heavy for the human heart to bear,
There is one whose grace can comfort if you give Him an abode;
There's a burden bearer ready if you'll trust Him with your load.
For the precious promise reaches to the depths of human woe;
That however deep the waters they shall never overflow."

Brief funeral services were held at the family home at two o'clock Sunday afternoon and later at the Baptist church. Rev. PH. Lauer preaching from the text of I Sam. 20-13. The music at the church, home and cemetery was furnished by members of the Baptist choir, eight girl classmates acted as flower bearers while six of his high school boy friends were the pall bearers. Burial was made in the Elgin cemetery.