DEMPEWOLF, Benjamin Herman 1880-1927

DEMPEWOLF, SELBERLING

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 10/20/2010 at 11:31:04

Cresco Plain Dealer, July 29, 1927, Page 1, column 3

Ben Dempewolf Killed at Railroad Crossing Friday

Death Instantaneous When Car Hits Rear Of Outgoing Freight

An auto accident claimed another victim, a resident of this community, Saturday morning, in the death of Benjamin Dempewolf, who was killed when his car struck the caboose of an outgoing freight train, turning over, and breaking his neck.

The tragic affair occurred about 12:30 at the railroad crossing south of the Alexander Lumber Yard. Dempewolf was coming from the south, and the freight train was traveling east. There were no eye witnesses except the trainmen who report that the train was within three feet of clearing the crossing when the car, a Dodge Touring, traveling at a fairly high rate of speed struck the rear end, the force of the impact throwing the car to the west side of the track striking and breaking off the R. R. crossing sign, turning over on the pavement, and landing right side up in the middle of the street. Death was instantaneous, as his neck was broken. He also had severe cuts on his head and face.

Benjamin Herman Dempewolf was born in Albion township May 15, 1880, and grew to manhood in that community. He was united in marriage to Bertha Selberling July 16, 1907, in Howard, S. D. To this union were born seven children, one of whom died in infancy, and the others, Nathan, Theodore, Gerald, Paul, Josephine and Jeanette are at home.

He had been a member of the Zion Evangelical Church since the year of 1908.

He leaves to mourn his sudden death, Saturday, July 28, 1927, his widow and six children; his mother and two brothers and many relatives and [cannot make out, paper blurred badly] . The funeral was held at the home at two o'clock Monday afternoon and burial was in the Zion Cemetery at Granger. Rev A. W. Schlesselman, pastor of the First Evangelical Church, Cresco, had charge of the services.

Obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa and contributed by Janice Sowers, 2010. Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer.