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VANHEIDEN, Anton C. 1890-1939

VANHEIDEN, SCHULTZ

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/10/2016 at 07:03:48

"Andy" VanHeiden Instantly Killed Saturday Morn.

Was At Work Making Repairs On Electric Line

Full Force of 2300 Volts of Electricity Passed Through Body--Employed by Town

Anton C. Van Heiden, employed by the municipal light and power plant in Ackley, met an unexpected, sudden death, early Saturday forenoon, while he was employed in making repairs on the line at the south edge of town, at the Henry Homan corner. Van Heiden had gone to work, as was his custom, in the early morning, and at the time of the accident was working with William Sauter. They were moving poles and wires. It appears that "Andy" had about completed work on the third pole, when, according to the statement, he felt himself slipping, and he clutched at the wires to support himself. They had not taken the precaution, previously, to shut off the current, so the full 2300 electric volts passed through his body.

Death was almost instantaneous. Van Heiden in his perilous position on the pole, was removed as quickly as assisting workmen could take his body down. Efforts were made to revive him, but to no avail; the full charge of the electric current had entered his body.

Mr. Van Heiden (more familiarly known as "Andy") had been employed in the work of the city's electrical department, alternately, ten or twelve years. He was familiar with the work and knew the dangers of electricity, and was cautious while working.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church, Tuesday afternoon, the services conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. J. Brittell. His remains were interred in the cemetery at St. Peter's church, southeast of Ackley, in German township. He is survived by his wife and seven children, two sons and five daughters, Willard and Kerwin, Agnes, Janice, Elizabeth, Maryanne, Abigail. Two children died in infancy.

There are three brothers, Jacobus, living south of Ackley, John at Aplington, Hans near Sheffield, Ia.; two sisters, Mrs. Harm Tapper, at Webster City, Ia., Mrs. Jacob Miller, south of Ackley.

Deceased was born in German township, Grundy county, on May 12, 1890; united in marriage to Miss Bernice Schultz, at Clara City, Minnesota, February 27, 1913. The family lived south of Ackley for a number of years, until 1925, when they moved to Ackley. He began work for the town in 1928.

Expressions of regret and sympathy for the unfortunate "Andy," and for the surviving members of his family, are generally expressed.

Serving as pall-bearers at the burial were Messrs. Geo. A. Meyer, mayor; E. J. Keninger, Wm. Flessa, Ed. Coyle, Matt Muessigmann and Fred Schoeneman, members of the town council.

--Ackley World-Journal (Ackley, Iowa), 21 December 1939, pg 1, 8


 

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