Ahlers, Henry, 1830-1905

AHLERS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/28/2011 at 09:34:12

SAD DEATH

Henry Ahlers hanged himself at the home of his son Will near Granville Wednesday [Aug. 9] about noon. He was seventy-five years old and one of the most highly respected German farmers of this community. Thirteen years ago his mind failed but in recent years he was apparently all right again and traveled and transacted business alone. Last spring he underwent an operation for rupture. He lay sick at his son Henry's near Struble until about three weeks ago when he came up to visit Will and his daughter Mrs. Peter Schwartz south of Granville who recently had her leg and arm broken in an accident. He showed signs there of his old trouble and also at Will's where he returned Sunday. It was thought however that he was merely low spirited over the weakness that followed the operation and no thought of his rash act was entertained. The shock of finding him hanging in the wagon shed was a grievous one and the family have the utmost sympathy of all who know them.

Henry Ahlers was born in Germany and came to this country in 1937. He settled in Cincinnati and later in Dubuque county where he was married to the wife who preceded him to the grave by thirty years. He was the father of eight children of whom seven survive. They are John and Henry and Will and Herman all of Granville vicinity except Henry who resides near Struble and Mesdames Lewis of Adrian, Langel of LeMars and Schwartz of Granville. The eighth child--Mrs. Klosterman--died at Adrian a year ago.

Deceased was a man who had won a host of friends by an upright temperate life. He was a good citizen and a consistent Christian. It is indeed sad that a life so well regulated should have ended so tragically. The funeral was held Friday at ten and interment was made in the Catholic cemetery at Granville. Very Rev. Brune of Alton--who as a boy knew him in eastern Iowa--conducted the services.

Source: Alton Democrat, August 12, 1905.

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From the Sioux County Herald, August 16, 1905:

Henry Ahlers, seventy-five years old suicided by hanging at the home of his son near Granville, on last Wednesday. He was found hanging in the wagon-shed on his son's farm shortly after noon on that day, and had been dead for some hours. A coroner's inquest, at which Dr. A. De Bey of this place officiated, was held on Wednesday night and brought a verdict of death by suicide. [The remainder of this news note gives brief information on his health and funeral, already covered in the Alton Democrat obit.]

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index shows Henry Ahlers, born 25 Dec. 1830, died 9 Aug. 1905; buried St. Joseph's Cemetery, Granville, IA.