FRANZEN, Herman 1840-1917

FRANZEN, STOHR

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/24/2010 at 11:29:40

DEATH OF HERMAN FRANZEN

Highly Respected Retired German Farmer Died Monday Evening At 10:30

Herman Franzen, after two years of illness, passed away Monday evening at 11:15, at his home in the north part of the city. Mr. Franzen had sought relief for his ailment from specialists in various cities in this and adjoining states but none could cure him. During the past six or seven months he was confined to his room and was given the best of care by his children and relatives. Monday evening he seemed no worse than usual and his son Frank, who was taking care of him, was at his bedside when he peacefully passed away at 10:30. The end came suddenly and with ease.

Herman Franzen was for over twenty years actively engaged in farming in Buffalo township. He attained more than an average success in his chosen calling and at the time of his death was the owner of three valuable farms in this township besides two residence properties in Titonka.

He was born in Holland on the 7th day of July in the year 1840 and was at the time of his death over 76 years of age. He was reared and educated in Holland and there first engaged in tilling the soil. As he was ambitious to make a more rapid progress than his native land promised he decided to locate in the United States where he could make use of unlimited opportunities awaiting the diligent and enterprising farm. Together with his wife they sailed from Liverpool England and arrived at New York City on the 6th day of July 1869. The first few weeks after their arrival was spent in New York state where Mrs. Franzen passed away soon after their arrival. He then continued his journey westward to Iowa, locating first in Grundy county where for several years he worked out by the month as a farm hand. At the expiration of that time he began farming for himself as a renter, continuing to cultivate leased land in Grundy county until the year 1884. During the latter part of that year he removed to Kossuth county and bought a quarter section of land in Buffalo township, which was slightly improved, although the greater part of the tract was uncultivated. With characteristic energy he industriously set about to develop his holding, each year witnessing a marked improvement in the place. He built a large house, barn and other outbuildings and had everything about him erected in a substantial way. Thrift united with good judgment and intelligence in the management of his affairs brought him a good measure of success and he was later able to increase his holdings by purchasing two adjoining farms situated in German, one of 160 acres and the other 240 acres. In the year 1894 Mr. Franzen rented his farms and moved to Titonka. He purchased the Frebel residence on north main street which since then has been his home. A year or two later he purchased the G. L. Dalton residence property adjacent to his which he has owned since.

In 1882 Mr. Franzen was united in marriage in Grundy county to Mrs. Wuppe Stohr, a native of Germany, and to them have been born four children: Frank who resides on one of his father's farms in German, Henry also a farmer in German township, Lena, the wife of Frank Kettwich of this city and Mary, the wife of Hans Brix of New London Minn.

He was a faithful member from childhood of the Lutheran church and was at the time of his death a member of Rev. Wellner's charge, northeast of Titonka. He was a man of many friends, generous with his neighbors in the extreme, especially since he retired to town, a man highly respected and honored by all all who knew him, a man who was genial and had a good word for every one, a man in whom all put their trust, who had thoughtful consideration for others and in whom all respected.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m., from his home in this city and at the German Lutheran church north east of town at about two o'clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Wellner, after which interment will take place in the church cemetery. The Topic extends its sympathy to the bereaved wife and children in this, their hour of sorrow.

--Titonka Topic (Titonka, Iowa), 8 February 1917