Pick, Adam 1867 - 1922

PICK, ROLFES, HAVERKAMP, ERDMANN

Posted By: Karen Danzer (email)
Date: 12/29/2008 at 15:15:55

From: Alton Democrat, September 2, 1922

PROMINENT ALTON FARMER IS CALLED BEYOND

Adam Pick Died Sunday From Stroke of Apoplexy

Funeral Wednesday

Was Born In Germany
Settled at New Vienna in 1870
Only 55 Years of Age
Owned Large Farm

"'Tis the wink of an eye, ‘tis the draught of a breath,
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death"

The people of this community were inexpressibly saddened Sunday when they learned that Adam Pick had died at his home southeast of Alton.

About two years ago Mr. Pick suffered a severe illness, and although he partially regained his former health he never completely recovered. He complained of not feeling well the past week but did not take to his bed until Saturday.

He seemed much better Sunday morning and partook of a hearty meal, but shortly after suffered a stroke of apoplexy and passed away at 1:45 p.m.

The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at nine o'clock at St. Mary's church Alton. Solemn requiem high mass was offered by Very Rev. F. J. Brune, assisted by Revs. Gerlemann of Granville and Rolfes of Oyens. Father Brune preached a most impressive and consoling sermon. The funeral procession was one of the largest in this section. The members of St. Joseph's society and the K. of C. (of which the deceased was a member) attended in a body. Many out of town relatives and friends were present.

Adam Pick was born February 23, 1867 at Helferskirchen, Nassau, Germany. He came to this country in the spring of 1870 with his parents and his older brother and sister. They settled at New Vienna, Dubuque County, Iowa, where he received his education. From the age of 13-26 years he was a farm laborer. On February 6, 1894 he was married to Miss Mary Rolfes of Petersburg and they moved to a farm in Plymouth County, two years later moving to a farm southeast of Alton where they have made their home for the past 26 years.

He is survived by his widow and twelve children: Frank, Henry, Anne, Mary, Andrew, Raymond, Regina, Lawrence, Loretta, Josephine, Sylvester and Elmer. Three children preceded their father in death. He was a kind and loving husband and father and very devoted to his wife and children, by whom he will be greatly missed. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary (Mrs. B. Haverkamp of Arcadia, Iowa) and Katherine, (Mrs. J. Erdmann of Milford) and one brother, Joseph of Lismore, Minn.

The writer has known Adam Pick for 15 years and during that time came to regard him as a man of sterling character. He was always jolly and kind hearted. By thrift and industry he became the owner of 440 acres of Sioux County land, known as the Hawkeye Stock Farm, thus assuring himself and family a sufficient portion of the world’s goods to provide the family with comfort.

He had been a devout Catholic all his life and was prepared when he answered the summons of the Grim Reaper.

Relatives and friends from away who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. B. Haverkamp and son Joe, Mr. and Mrs. E. Schroeder and F. Gerken of Arcadia, Mrs. C. Pick, Breda; Mr. and Mrs. J. Erdmann and son Louis, Milford; Joe Pick and sons Arnold and Isadore and daughter Lucia, Lismore; Mrs. J. Pick and sons Aloys, Arthur, Gregory and Alphonse and daughter Myra; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pick, Mr. and Mrs. A. Johnson of Remsen; Rev. H. Rolfes, Oyens; Mr. and Mrs. F. Rolfes, Petersburg; Mrs. J. Kronlage, Dyersville; J. Rolfes and Miss K. Rolfes, Oyens; Mr. and Mrs. P. Miehl, Granville; Mr. and Mrs. J. Miehl, Sioux Falls; Mr. and Mrs. H. Hennekes, son Leander, Adrian; H. Kern, W. Lammers, Mrs. F. Reker, J. Reker, Lismore; A. Johanning, St. Killian, Minn.; Rev. Gredermann, Remsen; Arthur Poeckes, LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. F. Heamann, son Henry and daughter Mary, Dedham and many more friends from Remsen, Granville, Oyens and LeMars.