Hillrichs, Rhinehart 1893-1918

HILLRICHS, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/30/2010 at 15:18:04

LeMars Sentinel
March 21, 1919

NEWS WAS BELATED
FAMILY HAD NOT HEARD FROM SON FOR LONG TIME
RINEHART HILLRICHS DIES IN FRANCE
Young Man is Stricken With Attack of Pneumonia Which Proved Fatal—He Was a
Resident of Preston Township All His Life

A telegram was received on Thursday by the Hillrichs family residing in
Preston township bringing belated news of the death of Rinehart E.
Hillrichs, a son of Henry Hillrichs, who died in France on December 5, 1918,
of pneumonia.

It was the first information Mr. Hillrichs had received concerning his son
since last November and the news of his death was a severe blow to the
afflicted relatives.

The family for months had been anxiously looking for a letter from the son
in France. At the news of the armistice day they had rejoiced and were happy
in the thought that the young man was well and would soon be reunited with
is family. Their joy was turned into the deepest sorrow when the message
conveying the sad news of his death without any premonitory warning or any
word of illness was suddenly thrust upon them.

Rinehart E. Hillrichs was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hillrichs and
was born at Athens, Ill., on April 27, 1893, and was twenty-six years of age
lacking a few months. When he was a baby of eighteen months old, his parents
came to Plymouth County and the family has resided here ever since.

Rinehard had always lived at home on the farm until he reported for service.
He attended the country schools where he received his education and assisted
his father in the work of the farm. He was called into service last July
and left with a contingent of Plymouth County men for Camp Gordon. He was
assigned to Company 31, 157th depot brigade, and after remaining at Camp
Gordon for several weeks he was transferred to Camp Merritt from where he
was sent overseas. His parents received several letters from him after his
arrival overseas. In November letters ceased in coming.

His early death is mourned by his parents, six brothers, and three sisters.
They are Mrs. Will Barinsky of Johnson township, Henry, John, Emma, Fred,
Minna, Bernhard, Harry and Edwin. His death has brought the bitter cup of
sorrow to the lips of his many relatives and friends. In the truest sense
of the words, he was manly, kind, loving, and true. He was a quiet and
unassuming young man of splendid qualities and was very popular among the
young people of the community. His friends were numbered by his
acquaintances. Though it was not his lot to die on the field of battle his
life given in full service to his country. To the broken hearted parents
and his sorrowing brothers and sisters is extended the sympathy of all who
knew and loved him.
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~NOTE ABOUT SPELLING: The name Rinehart or Rinehard Hillrichs was spelled
both ways in this article about his death. The transcriber is not sure which
spelling is correct.
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**Additional News Articles:

ACCORDED MILITARY HONORS

Body of Rheinhart Hillrichs is Returned from France

The body of Rheinhart Hillrichs, who died while in service in France, was buried on Sunday at the Preston township church with military honors and a large concourse of people gathered to do honor to the memory of the young man.

Rheinhart was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hillrichs, of Preston township, and with other Plymouth county boys was inducted into service in 1918.

Members of the Horschler Post, of the American Legion, attended the funeral services at the graveside and fired a last volley over the grave of their comrade and taps were sounded.

Source:
Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, June 14, 1921
Le Mars, Iowa
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In order that misunderstandings may be corrected, Albert E. Hoschler Post No. 186, the American Legion desires to take this opportunity to assure the public that we hold the family of Henry Hillrichs entirely blameless for the manner in which the funeral of their son and brother, the late Pvt. Reinhard Hillrichs, U. S. army, was conducted.

It was their desire and request that a military funeral be conducted and they did everything in their power to the end that all arrangements could be successfully completed.

They have personally expressed their sorrow that certain incidents which took place without their previous knowledge or intention might be taken as showing disrespect to our country.

The flag, which was removed from the casket, in compliance with army regulations before it was lowered into its last resting place, they cherish as being symbolic of the country he served and for which he died.

They have our heartfelt sympathy. Albert E. Hoschler Post, No. 186, the American Legion.

Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel
June 24, 1921
Le Mars, Iowa
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