Kemner, John - 1876-1925

KEMNER, HEIDKAMP

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2015 at 11:47:55

Hawarden Independent, January 22, 1925

John Kemner, a well known and well-to-do farmer, residing three miles southeast of Hawarden, committed suicide Saturday afternoon by hanging himself from a rafter in the barn on his farm and the foregoing note, written in the German language, was found on his body. His three sons came to town about 2:30 that afternoon leaving their father at home in the house. The housekeeper reported that he left the house about 3 o'clock. The boys returned home about 4:30 in the afternoon and when they went to the barn to start the evening chores were horrified to find the body of their father suspended by a rope tied over a rafter. Neighbors were at once advised of the tragedy and Dr. A. J. Meyer was summoned from town. Upon his arrival Dr. Meyer found that life was extinct although the body was still warm. Corner Duven of Orange City was immediately notified but upon learning the circumstances decided that an inquest was not necessary and the body was removed to Sumner's undertaking parlors and prepared for burial. The above note in German was found in an envelope in one of the pockets and on the outside of the envelope was a request that Jesse Westergard, E. J. Eilts and Henry Keehn, three well known farmers and neighbors of the deceased, be named as administrators of his estate.

When the body was found the feet were touching the floor of the barn and the legs were bent at the knees, indicating that the feet had been held up from the floor as long as consciousness remained. The neck was not broken so that it seems evident that death resulted from strangulation.

The straw under the feet on the barn floor was not disarranged evidencing the fact that there had been no struggle.

Mr. Kemner had not been in good health for a number of years and it is said that he attributed his condition to a fall which he sustained when a child. His wife died in March, 1923, following a long illness from cancer. It is believed that the worry which he endured during her long illness, together with his own ill health, must have unbalanced his mind to such an extent as to prompt the deed. He was a in good circumstances, owned a fine farm, and thee was nothing to cause him worry from a financial standpoint. His tragic death is a striking parallel to that of his brother, William Kemner, who committed suicide in an almost identical manner on a nearby farm in April, 1919.

Mr. Kemner was held in high regard in this community where he had famed successfully for many years and there is widespread sorrow at his tragic end.

John Kemner was born in Holte, Hannover, Germany, Dec. 30, 1876, so was just past 48 years of age. He came to America at the age of 16 and worked for a few years at St. Louis, MO, and then came to Ireton, near which place he worked on a farm for several years, later moving to the farm where he ended his life. He was united in marriage at Ireton March 3, 1904, with Miss Margeretha Heidkamp, who preceded him in death less than two years ago. he is survived by three sons, Fred, 20, William aged 18 and Louis, aged 12. He also leaves his father, two brothers and one sister in Germany.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon at Sumner's undertaking parlors and at 2 o'clock at the Lutheran church, conducted by Rev. George Steinkamp. Interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery.