Emil Hageboeck (1869-1930)

HAGEBOECK

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/10/2008 at 21:05:25

EMIL HAGEBOECK 1869-1930
PHOTO AVAILABLE
Plays Last Game Scores Final Run
After Four Months Illness Death Claims Prominent Citizen and Business man

Emil “Billy” Hageboeck, well-known amateur ball player of thirty years ago, died at his home in Avoca, Sunday, March 30, aged 60 years, 7 months and 18 days following a long illness of complications.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the Blust funeral Home at 2 o’clock pm with Rev. Sloan officiating.

Emil Hageboeck was born at Davenport, Iowa, August 12, 1869, where he attended the public schools and later learned the harness-makers trade. He came to Oakland in 1888 and worked for his two brothers, John and Henry Hageboeck, in a harness shop. A few months later fire swept the business section of Oakland, taking the harness shop. He then returned to Davenport for a few months; then returned west, locating in Avoca, his brothers having purchased a harness shop here.

May 12, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Dulin of Avoca. To this union five children were born: Gertrude Tollinger and Marie Derby of Avoca; Victor and John at home; one son, Paul, died September 6, 1905 at the age of four years.

In 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Hageboeck moved to Carson where he purchased a harness shop. In 1894, he had the misfortune to lose his shop by fire, but rebuilt and lived there until 1900 when he sold out and engaged in farming which occupation he followed for nine years. He then returned to Avoca in 1910 and purchased the harness shop owned by Dennis Shea, which business he owned and conducted until his illness a few months ago.

“Billy” Hageboeck has played his last game, his enfeebled body would not respond as he took his place at bat in the last half of the last inning, and the Great Umpire called him “out’. He made a hard fight, that strong spirit ‘to win” was with him to the last as he was called to that greatest diamond above, surrounded by members of his family who had watched over an cared for him faithfully during his first and last real sickness. “Billy” Hageboeck played the business game of life with the same spirit that he played the great national game—base ball, clean, honest, and honorable. He was never known to say an unkind word intentionally, or hurt the feelings of his friends. His word was as good as his bond. The fact that he might differ with you politically or upon other questions never made any difference in his friendship for you.

The writer first became acquainted with “Billy” Hageboeck on the ball field, he was a keen lover of the national game and was above the average ball player. He played the game because he loved the sport, never considering the money end of it. He has a record of never doing a crooked act in any game he played. His policy was honesty, clean living, and giving the best one had and letting those on the sidelines be the judge.

The fans of 30 years ago—and there were many—will remember the battery, Hageboeck and Whitehead of Carson both in the prime of life; a combination hard to beat. Both have answered the final call. As we close our eyes and let our mind wander back to those years, we can see these two now sitting side by side, looking over the book of clippings and reviewing those games of yore, and there looking over their shoulders we see our old partner in the game and their opponent in many a contest—Ed Riley, gone to his reward many years ago—joining in the reunion and pointing out their errors. A beautiful picture our memory draws.

During one of our recent visits with “Billy” he said “In all my 39 years of married and home life, no man has been happier than I have. My wife and children have been wonderfully good to me, I could not ask for more. I have never been sick before, I have always enjoyed good health, and love Avoca and Avoca people. I would like to get well again, but if my time has come, I am ready to go. I have always tried to do right.” What a beautiful thought and feeling and what comfort these words to those left to continue the burden of this world.

In the death of “Billy” Hageboeck Avoca has lost a loyal citizen, a fine neighbor and friend, whose familiar face will be greatly missed from the front of his shop, where he was usually to be found during the long summer evenings. His face, in a straight line behind the catcher, at the ball games, will be missing, and his by-word “double ‘em up” will be heard no more.
The following out of town relatives and friends attended the funeral services:

Miss Clara Hageboeck of Davenport, Iowa; Mrs. Libbie Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Wilson, Mrs. Briggs Inman, Mr. and Mrs Peter Mehrens, Judge and Mrs. Frank Dinnee of Omaha, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. George Stevens of Macedonia, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schnackel of Hancock. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson, Mrs. Effie Hancock, Sam Harrison, and E. J Young of Atlantic.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald