BRAGER, Knut O. (1843-1924)

BRAGER

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 4/7/2022 at 13:59:48

K. O. Brager Obituary

In last weeks issue of the Mirror was chronicled the passing of K. O. Brager, a respectable and old resident of Clear Lake. He was a good man, of impeachable integrity of character, and his life and deeds were for the betterment of humanity. For many years a member of the Zion Lutheran church, and was identified with its success and teachings.

Mr. Brager had been ailing for some time. His first attack of sickness was January 10th and his son Oliver and wife were called from their home in Ventura to assist in caring for him, and who will remain here with his mother. Mr. Brager recovered from this attack,and apparently seemed to be in his customary health until Wednesday night and shortly after retiring about 10 o'clock, complaining of pains, relief was given and he fell asleep. A little later he complained again of a recurrence of pain, and in a few minutes he closed his eyes, fell into a stupor and at 1 o'clock Thursday morning "Death broke at once the vital chain, and freed his soul the nearest way".

Mr. Brager was born Feb. 9, 1843, at Hedalen, Valris, Norway. When 18 years of age, April 17th, 1861, he left Norway, the trip to America taking ten weeks and two days. He arrived at Black Earth, Wisc., July 15, 1861. The war was on and he decided to fight for the country in which he expected to make his permanent home. On Oct. 21, 1861 he enlisted in Co. B., Fifteenth Wisconsin. He remained with his regiment until August, 1863 when he was taken sick on the march and was sent to the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. He was able to leave the hospital Feb. 1, 1864, and went back into the service. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 17th, 1864. On the 12th of July that year he took part in the fierce fight to defend the capitol from being captured. After the war he came back to Black Earth, Wisc.

On the 28th of January, 1865 he was married at Vermont church, near Black Earth. In the spring of 1875 he and his wife moved to Clear Lake, locating on the farm up in Ellington. In 1897 they left the farm and moved into Clear Lake where for many years he followed the trade of carpenter and contractor.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brager, twelve children were born, as follows: Thea Caroline, Olof, Oliver, Emil, Ann Marie, George, Carl, Alert, Clara, Alfred, Ella, Myron.

Emil, Alfred, Ella and Thea passed on before. Olof lives at Cedar, Minn.; Anna Marie at Plentywood, Mont.; George at Minneapolis; Carl at Clear Lake; Albert's whereabouts are unknown; Clara at Miller, Iowa; Myron at Sioux City.

The funeral services were held Sunday at the Zion Lutheran church at 2 o'clock, services being conducted by Rev. N. O. Peterson. Interment was made at the Ellington Prairie cemetery, near which place he lived on the farm for many years.

Those from away in attendance at the funeral were Dr. Myron Brager and daughter, Marjory of Sioux City; Geo. Brager and wife, of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Jno. Osmussen, of Thompson; Mrs. Sewall Simerson of Mason City; Mr. and Mrs. Ray English of Albert Lea; and Mrs. Henry Peterson of Hartley, Minn; and Clare Brager and wife of Northwood.

source: Clear Lake Mirror, 13 Mar 1924, page 8, column 1