KOOLMAN, Herman B. 1866-1935

KOOLMAN, GLEASON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/30/2015 at 15:59:41

H. B. Koolman Buried Saturday

The funeral of H. B. Koolman, who died last Thursday morning from an attack of heart trouble, was held Saturday afternoon, with services at the home and at the Wellsburg Reformed church. Rev. Wm. Landsiedel was in charge, assisted by Rev. DeKorne, who offered a prayer at the home.

Burial was made in the family lot in the cemetery of the Wellsburg Reformed church.

The pall bearers were George A. Geerdes, D. Claassen, Wessel Haack, Claus W. Ross, Ben F. Peters, J. L. Fischer, George Lindaman and John Tjaden, Sr.

The cause of death is given as acute dilatation of the heart.

The floral offerings were unusually noticeable, coming from many places, the deceased having been well known in a business way and through the Shrine, to many men in all parts of Iowa.

Among the relatives and friends from abroad were Mr. and Mrs. John Koolman of Sibley, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Mills and daughter of Webster City, Miss Dorotthy Starr of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. T. Kramer and Mrs. Edith Strout of Parkersburg, Mrs. S. J. Snittjer of Des Moines, Miss Lorraine Koolman of Des Moines, B. C. Koolman of Antioch, Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. L. Johnson, of Steamboat Rock, Mrs. A. A. Meyers, Mrs. M. H. Thomas and daughter, Marshalltown, Mrs. H. Wessels, Ackley, O. A. Ontjes, of Grundy Center, and others.

Rev. Landsiedel's text was found in 1st Samuel, 20, verse 3.

Obituary
Herman Bernardus Koolman was born November 20, 1866 in Weener, Ostfriesland, Germany. In the spring of 1872, when 6 years of age, he came to America with his parents who settled in German township where his father opened up a store. The son Herman who advanced in years under the parental roof was brought up in the Lutheran faith. He worked for his father for many years at Ackley and later at Wellsburg where they had moved in 1886. In Wellsburg the deceased established himself in business taking over the old firm, remaining in business for 45 years. He was joined in holy wedlock with Grace Gleason of Parkersburg, February 17, 1892, and made Wellsburg his continued home. The Lord blessed their union with an only son. The joys and sorrows of their wedded life covered a period of 43 years, 9 months and 14 days.

Mr. Koolman who retired from active life about 5 years ago had gradually been failing in health during the past year, suffering from weakness of the heart, which in the providence of God suddenly terminated his career on Thursday, November 21 at about 2:30 a.m. Having concluded that day of his birthday on the 20th of November he reached the age of 69 years. Besides his sorrow-stricken wife, his son Bernard C. Koolman of Antioch, Illinois, two brothers and four sisters, and three grandchildren survive and mourn his sudden departure: John Koolman of Sibley; Ben Koolman of Visalia, Calif.; Hanna, Mrs. Stenzil of Owatona, Minn.; Dena, Mrs. Stenzil of St. Paul, Minn.; Miss Titia Koolman of St. Paul, Minn.; Bertha, Mrs. Guy Mills of Webster City; also a large circle of friends and acquaintances who will miss his cheerful and kind presence in this community.

May our gracious and merciful God, who is likewise just and righteous in all His ways sustain the bereaved with His comfort and in His wisdom help them solve the problem of their loss.

Who knows how near my end may be?
Time speeds away and death comes on;
How swiftly, O how suddenly
May death be here and life be gone?
My God, for Jesus sake I pray;
Thy peace may bless my dying day!

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 27 November 1935, pg 1

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H. B. Koolman Died Suddenly At Home Wednesday Night

Herman B. Koolman, who was affiliated longer with the business interests of Wellsburg than any other man, died at his home very suddenly about two o'clock Thursday morning. Heart failure was the cause.

Mr. Koolman with a number of friends had been on a trip to eastern Iowa during the day. He returned home about one o'clock Thursday morning. After giving his wife a brief account of the day's trip, he went to bed. He had been in bed but a few moments when he complained about difficulty in breathing. When his condition got worse, Mrs. Koolman called the doctor. Before the doctor could get to the house Mr. Koolman had passed away. His health during the past year had failed some and he suffered occasional heart attacks which were not regarded as serious.

The news of Mr. Koolman's death was received with deep regret when it was passed about the next morning.

Was One of Early Merchants
Mr. Koolman had been engaged in business in Wellsburg longer than any other man who has lived here since the town began. His father, Bernard Koolman, with the late J. C. Doyen were among the first merchants of the town. There was a Koolman store here before the railroad came. Mr. Koolman grew up in the mercantile business. His father also owned a store in Ackley and he also operated a country store for a time in German township. Herman assisted his father in the mercantile business. In 1892 the elder Koolman turned the Wellsburg store over to his son and he continued in the mercantile business here almost continually until about two years ago.

The first Koolman store was in the building now occupied by Ben Neessen. A number of years after Herman took over the store from his father he put up a new building that has since been known as the Koolman building. Mr. Koolman built up a very fine store here and he was given generous patronage. For many years the Koolman store was regarded as the leading store in northwest Grundy.

Filled Local Offices
Mr. Koolman during the most active part of his lifetime was a leader in his community. He served on the town council several terms and was also elected to the office of mayor. He was twice chosen as a candidate for county office by the members of his party. He was always a community booster and he did much to make Wellsburg an attractive trading center.

Was Born in Germany
Mr. Koolman was born in Ostfriesland, Germany. He came to this county and to this locality with his folks when he was six years old. He was married at Parkersburg in 1892. The wife and one son, Bernard from Chicago, survive. There are two brothers and four sisters living. The brothers are Bernard, California, and John from Sibley. The sisters are Mrs. Guy Mills, Webster City, one sister resides in Owatonna, Minn., and two reside in St. Paul.

Funeral services were held at the home and later at the Wellsburg Reformed church with the local pastor, Rev. Wm. Landsiedel, officiating. There was a very large attendance at the funeral services. Many of Mr. Koolman's friends from all parts of the county were in attendance. Relatives from a distance who were here at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Koolman, Sibley; Bernie Koolman, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Mills, Webster City.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 28 November 1935, pg 4

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