HARRENSTEIN, Ben 1871-1929

HARRENSTEIN, OSWALD, SEALMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/5/2015 at 21:09:54

Prominent Colfax Township Man Dies Suddenly

Apoplexy Brings End Quickly To Ben Harrenstein Friday Morning

Had Been Assessor Of Township 33 Years

Largely Attended Funeral Service Held at Drake's Church Monday Afternoon

Ben Harrenstein died very suddenly at his home in Colfax township Friday morning. He was awakened quite early Friday morning and was not feeling well. He got up for a few minutes and had to be helped back into his bed. He died almost immediately after he returned to his bed. Apoplexy was the cause. He had not been in his usual health for several days and expected to consult a doctor the day that he died.

Mr. Harrenstein had been a continuous resident of Colfax township for forty-six years. Everyone knew him, liked him and trusted him. He was elected to the post of township assessor thirty-three years ago and was re-elected to the same place every two years thereafter. His record of service in the assessor's office has not been equaled in any other township in the county. Aside from being an efficient and trustworthy public official, he was a good neighbor and a model citizen and father.

Mr. Harrenstein was born at Forreston, Ill., March 9th, 1871. In 1883 he came with his parents to Grundy county and the family acquired a home on a Colfax township farm. He was married in 1904 to Miss Altje Oswald. Five sons and three daughters came from this union. The wife died in 1914. About a year later Mr. Harrenstein was married to Mrs. Elsie Sealman, who survives him. There are three surviving sons from the second union. One son, Herman, from the first union was accidentally killed about seven years ago. The other sons are Jacob, Omke, Berend and Claas.

The surviving daughters are Ora, Jennie and Elsie. The sons from the second union are Alvin, Edwin and Albertus. Mr. Harrenstein's mother, who is in her 85th year, is still living. There are three brothers, Claas, Herman and Albertus. The two surviving sisters are Mrs. Henry Groenewald and Mrs. Jacob Rindels. There are six grandchildren.

While a boy Mr. Harrenstein met with an accident through the unexpected discharge of a gun which resulted in the loss of one leg. In spite of this debility Mr. Harrenstein carried on diligently during his lifetime his farming operations, at which he was successful.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. J. E. Drake were held in Drake's church Monday afternoon and the large building was packed with grieving friends during the services. Burial was in the Drake church cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 5 December 1929, pg 1