Leiff, Otto 1843 - 1931

LEIFF, ERICKSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg- volunteer (email)
Date: 5/28/2012 at 18:27:49

Hawarden Independent of Aug 13, 1931 p. 1
OTTO LEIFF DIED LAST FRIDAY AT AKRON HOSPITAL
Was Past 87 Years of Age and Lived in This Community Continuously for Period of 62 Years
Otto Leiff, a pioneer of this area passed, away at the Akron hospital at 3:30 last Friday afternoon. He had been failing gradually in health for some time and on Friday, July 31st, but one week preceding his death, he was taken to the Akron hospital.

He was improving and was up and around the day preceding his death and was making plans to return home. About noon last Friday he suffered a stroke and he lived but a few hours. The members of his family were notified and were at his bedside when he passed away.

Funeral services were held at the home of his son, Albert Leiff, at 2:30 Sunday afternoon and at 3 o'clock at the Baptist church at Big Springs with Rev. B. L. Carlton in charge. Interment was made in the Big Springs cemetery.

Otto Leiff was born in Nycklas Bjurbacks Socken, Elfborgs Lan, Sweden, Sept. 20, 1843, and passed away Aug. 7, 1931, at the advanced age of 87 years, 10 months and 17 days. While still a young man he left Sweden for the United States and in September, 1866, he arrived in Chicago where he resided for three years. He then came westward to South Dakota and for three years he worked for the late Adam Scott. At that time he took a homestead, which place was later known as the Klumb place, where he lived for a period of three years.

He then moved onto the farm which was his home at the time of his death and he lived there continuously since that early day with the exception of a short period of time when he made his home in Hawarden. He was the last of three pioneer neighbors who lived continuously, together-in the same community for forty-eight years, J. C. Bonney and Gust Johnson having but recently gone on. before him.

He was- united in marriage with Mrs. Albertina Erickson Feb. 8,1876, at Elk Point, S. D. He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved, wife; one son, Albert Leiff, who has been the help and mainstay of his aged parents for many years; one step-daughter, Mrs. T. E. McBride of Hayden Lake, Idaho, and three grandchildren, Lloyd Johnson and Fern and Florence Peterson. Two daughters, Mrs. Ed Johnson and Mrs. Chas. Peterson, five brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

He was one of the true pioneers of this section and was that type of man who overcame the hardships and privations of the early settlers of this community and he lived to see his faith rewarded. He was a quiet, gentle personality, who put his faith in the Lord and testified to a living faith in God. He was a good neighbor, a kind husband and father and respected by his fellowmen.

Those who came from a distance to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Ericson, Mrs. August Ericson, Mr. and Mrs. John Nordstrom and Mr. and Mrs. .Andrew Palm of Sioux City