Thelen, John, 1852-1904

THELEN, SELK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/14/2011 at 11:31:18

On Wednesday morning [April 6] at two thirty-five at the family residence in Alton occurred the death of John Thelen after a short illness. At his bedside were all his family and immediate relatives except Mrs. Peter Odenbrett of Minnesota.

John Thelen was born in Heresbach Germany in 1852 where he spent his boyhood years. At the age of eighteen he came to America settling at Council Bluffs where he had been preceded by his brother some years before. Here he started to farm and shortly afterward met and married Miss Selk with whom he celebrated his silver wedding a couple of years ago. In 1881 he came north and started farming in Plymouth county. After a short time he bought a farm near Carnes where he lived until he moved to Alton.

He not only moved often but had travelled much and was a close observer of men and things. He also was a careful reader and what he had once seen or read he remembered. These qualities made him a leader among his people both in politics and church affairs. He was upright in his dealings, fearless and outspoken in his views and held many positions of trust and honor in his church. Neither his family, the church nor the town could afford to lose him for he ennobled the home and stood for all that was right in citizenship and christian manhood never permitting partisanship or sectarianism to swerve him from his duty.

Some years ago he contracted asthma from which he was subsequently a frequent sufferer. Last winter some ailment confined him to the house and it was but three weeks ago he got out for the first time and walked down town when everyone congratulated him on his recovery. A few days ago he got another attack of asthma and thinking it was not serious little was done. It took a sudden and fatal termination on Wednesday morning. His brother Peter died in a similar manner some years ago.

Deceased leaves a wife, four sons and four daughters and a large number of friends who in this hour of his untimely death extend their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones. The funeral took place Friday morning from St. Mary's, Father Brune being summoned home from Milwaukee to conduct the services.

Source: Alton Democrat, April 9, 1904.

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Related news notes from the same issue of the Democrat:

Rev. Gerlemen of Granville was called to the bedside of Mr. Thelen last Tuesday in the absence of Father Brune. He came over in his automobile and it is reported that on the way home an axle of his machine broke throwing the driver to the ground.

Rev. Rosen of Hollandale Wisconsin arrived Thursday to assist at the funeral of the late John Thelen.

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Other related news notes:

From the Sioux County Herald (Orange City), April 6, 1904 (Alton news): John Thelen, for a long time town trustee and one of the most substantial men of this community died yesterday rather suddenly. He had been afflicted with asthma for some time. Mr. Thelen accumulated a good fortune on his farm and had moved to town where he was enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Notices in subsequent issues of the Alton Democrat show Catharine Thelen as executrix of his estate.

From the Alton Democrat, July 9, 1904: Mike Jungers will be at Alton next week in the interest of the Sheldon marble works. He expects to erect monuments for the late Henry Schnee and John Thelen.