CHARLES WILLIAM LAEHN 1876 - 1916

LAEHN, MCNALLY, RICKERT

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/25/2021 at 19:04:50

The Daily Gate City and Constitution-Democrat
Keokuk, Iowa
June 10, 1916

SPANISH WAR
VETERAN DIES
____

Charles William Laehn Succumbed to
Tuberculosis This Morning,
After Several Months'
Illness.
____

FOUGHT IN PHILIPPINES
____
Enlisted for War First in Company
A From This City - Leaves
Wife and Three Children.
____

Charles William Laehn, a veteran of the Spanish-American war, and a resident of Keokuk for practically all of his life, passed away at his home, 1815 Johnson street, at 6:40 o'clock this morning from tuberculosis. Mr. Laehn had been ill since the first of the year. His many friends in Keokuk have learned with sincere regret of his untimely death and have extended their deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.

Mr. Laehn is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ollie Laehn and three children, Raymond, William and Margaret Laehn. A sister, Mrs. John Rickert, resides in Keokuk. The decedent was a member of George V. Jenkins post, Spanish war veterans, and was also connected with two fraternal societies, the Yeomen and A. O. U. W.

Charles W. Laehn was born in Germany on March 26, 1876, being in his forty-first year at the time of his death. He was brought to Keokuk by his parents while a boy and this city had been his home since that time.

When the Spanish-American war broke out he enlisted from Keokuk in Company A, 50th regiment, Iowa volunteer infantry, leaving here with the company for Des Moines on April 21, 1898. The company only got as far as Florida, and when it was mustered out, Mr. Laehn enlisted in the regular army and was sent to the Philippines where he saw service in the Philippine rebellion. At the close of this enlistment he returned to Keokuk.

His marriage to Miss Ollie McNally occurred in Fort Madison in the year 1904. The decedent was baptised in St. Paul's German church. Prior to his illness he was employed at the C., B. & Q. railroad office and before that was in the employ of the Keokuk Electric company.