Wagner, Jacob B. 1859-1927

WAGNER, THILGES, WEBBER, MERTZ

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 7/26/2012 at 11:52:56

Oct 13, 1927 - West Bend Journal - Jacob B. Wagner, one of the old and highly respected residents of near Ottosen, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Simon Webber, near Whittemore Friday, Oct. 7. Mr. Wagner had been visiting there. He had been ailing a number of years, his principal ailment being diabetes which caused his death.

The funeral services were held in the St. Joe church Monday morning and were conducted by Rev. Storck. Six nephews acted as pall bearers. They were: James and John Weydert, Walter and LeRoy Thilges, and Lawrence and Mike Pfeffer. His body was laid to rest in the St. Joe. cemetery by the side of a little daughter who preceded her father in death. The funeral was the largest ever held in St. Joe.

Jacob Wagner was born at St. Donatus, Jackson county, Iowa, July 18, 1859 and was the oldest of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wagner. All preceded him in death except one brother, Charles of Dubuque. He was united in marriage to Miss Susie Thilges at St. Joe on February 17, 1890. They spent one year on the Wagner home place near St. Donatus. Then moved to the farm near Ottosen which was their home up until the time of his death.

To this union seven children were born. They are: Dennis of Livermore; Joe of Algona; Rosala, who died in infancy; Mike at home; Mrs. Simon Webber of Whittemore; Mrs. Conrad Mertz, of Ottosen; and Agnes at home. There are also eight grandchildren and other relatives, who with the good wife, mourn his death.

Mr. Wagner spent all his years on the farm and was one of the best farmers in his territory. He was a quiet, unassuming man who strictly attended to his own affairs. He always had a good word for others and made friends readily and had that knack of keeping them as was attested by the large number of people from Whittemore, Algona, Emmetsburg, Mallard, Livermore, St. Joe, Ottosen, West Bend, and other points who called at the home and attended the funeral to pay their last respects to the man who they had learned to trust and admire. He was a devout member of the Catholic church and lived up to its teachings. The Journal extends sympathy to his wife and children in the bereavement.

Those from a distance who came to attend the funeral were: Mr. Hals Illg, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer DelLorieus, and Mrs. Roney Thilges, of Slayton,
Minn.; Peter and Mike Weydert of New Richland, Minn.; Nick Smith of Dell Rapids, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Smith, son and daughter of Coleman,
No. Dak.