Belling, Frederick Andrew, 1852-1926

BELLING, HEUWACK, HONEWACKER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Boyden Reporter, April 8, 1926:

Mr. Frederick Belling, living on the south side of Sheldon, passed away after a short illness, caused by apoplexy, on Monday morning at 5 o’clock at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 17 days.

Mr. Belling was born April 21, 1852 at Coblence, Germany. There he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. In 1857 his parents left the old country and came to America and settled at Rock Island, Ill. On the 9th of December 1875 he was married to Miss Caroline Heuwack, his surviving wife. This union was blessed with 7 children, 2 boys and 5 girls, of whom one daughter Anna preceded her father into eternity. In 1882 he moved with his family to Sioux County on a farm, where he resided until 1911 when he and his wife quit active farming and moved to Sheldon, where they resided ever since.

Mr. Belling was in fairly good health until last Friday night. He retired as usual on Thursday evening, but during the night he was stricken with apoplexy. Though the best care was given him, he passed away on Monday morning at 5 o’clock. On Easter day toward evening he was able to take the Holy Communion with his wife. From then on he was failing rapidly.

By his sudden death are left to mourn his invalid wife, Mrs. Caroline Belling, Andrew Belling of Sheldon, Henry Belling of Chandler, Minn., Mrs. Emma Stutzman of Boyden, Mrs. Lena Comer of Boyden, Mrs. Mathilda Beckman of Chandler, Minn., Mrs. F. Wright of Santa Ana, Calif., also a number of grandchildren and many friends.

Mr. Belling was for a number of years a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Sheldon. [followed by sentimental remarks] The funeral was held at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon at the home here, with burial in the Boyden cemetery.

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The Alton Democrat, April 9, 1926, Boyden news, has a rather blurry obituary that, although some words are nearly illegible online, gives additional details:

FRED BELLING OF SHELDON SUMMONED

Mrs. Emma Stutzman and Mrs. Frank Comer received word Saturday morning of the serious illness of their father Mr. Fred Belling, at his home in Sheldon. About midnight Friday he complained of a terrible headache[?] and [some time?] before [morning?] he suffered a stroke which affected his left side. When found, he was [illegible word] and could talk a little but later [2 illegible words] became paralyzed and he [3 illegible words] and death relieved his suffering at about five o’clock Monday morning. It is especially sad since Mrs. Belling suffered a stroke three years ago and has been practically helpless since then.

Besides his widow he is survived by 2 sons, Andrew of Boyden and Henry of Chandler, Minn., and four daughters, Mrs. Emma Stutzman and Mrs. Lena Comer of Boyden, Mrs. Mathilda Beckman of Chandler, Minn., and Mrs. Marie Wright of Santa Ana, Calif. All were with their father to the last, with the exception of Mrs. Wright. Funeral arrangements have not been made as yet.

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RESEARCH NOTES:

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Belling, Fred, b. 1853/1863, d. 1925/26, Father, Sheridan Twp Cem, Boyden IA. [His invalid wife Caroline died the following year. See her obituary, posted separately.]

His death certificate has Frederick Andrew Belling, born April 21, 1852 in Germany; father Andrew Belling, mother’s name not known to the informant (Mrs. Emma Stutzman); wife Caroline Belling; resident of the U.S. 70 years and of Sheldon 14 years; occupation, farming, retired about 14 years; died April 5, 1926 at 5 a.m. of a cerebral hemorrhage, duration 2 days; buried at Boyden.

(Caroline Belling’s death certificate gives her maiden name as Honewacker.)