NEIS, Anton U. and George

NEIS, FRANK, OLIVER, BRUN, PAMPLE, BLATTNER, PETERSON

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/16/2016 at 09:56:22

(Note: Continued from article about explosion posted in documents.)

THE FUNERAL.
The funeral of the unfortunate victims of the sad catastrophe was held at Odd Fellows hall Sunday at 2 o'clock. There was an attendance of probably 300 people. The hall was so densely filled that the word was quietly passed that the floor was settling and 50 to 75 people passed out.

The caskets were both taken up into the hall. The services were conducted by the three ministers here, and by the Odd Fellows.

Rev. Mr. Perkins made the prayer, Rev. Mr. Ingham read a chapter from the scriptures, and Rev. Mr. Johnson made a brief address. The beautiful and impressive ritualistic service of the Odd Fellows was conducted by Mr. W.M. Holbert and Rev. Mr. Perkins.

In the procession to the Purdom cemetery the two hearses were followed by 70 Odd Fellows in line and a large concourse of people. The friends present from a distance were Mr. Henry Neis of Burlington and Mrs. Dr. Oliver of Sigourney, brother and niece of Mr. Neis, and Mrs. David Brun and Miss Christina Pample of Richland, Keokuk county, sisters of Mrs. Neis.

The pall bearers for Mr. Neis were Messrs. John Martin, Elza Jamison, R.P. Ramsey, H.E. Duckworth, C.W. Casner and Ralph Hogue.

The pall bearers for Mr. George Neis were fellow member of the fire company as follows: Messrs. Craig Johnston, Butler Beer, Edgar Buckles, Frank Schreckengost, John Kreiss and Charles Cocherell.

The funeral director was Mr. George Evans.

BIOGRAPHICAL.
Anton U. Neis was born Feb. 14, 1841, in Georgenhausen, Grand Dukedom of Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany.

He was one of a family of ten children consisting of seven girls and three boys.

In 1857, with his parents, he came to America, the land of promise. They settled first at Burlington, Iowa. Afterward he made his home several years in Warren county, Ill., and Washington and Keokuk counties, Iowa, the last 13 years of this life being spent in Keosauqua.

In his fatherland he learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker which has always proven helpful. In this country, he took up the millers' trade.

About 1875 he built a mill at Harper, Ia., which afterwards burned down. He next made his home at Conrad Grove and later he came to Keosauqua.

He was brought up in the Lutheran faith and was last identified with a congregation of the German Lutheran church at Paris, Iowa.

In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B. 71st regiment Ill. volunteers in which he served three months. This service in the south affected his health so that he never fully recovered from its effects.

He had been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for about 27 years. He preferred to be faithful in one order, rather than divide his energies among many and none other suited him as well.

In the spring of 1864 he was united in marriage to Christina Blattner. She however died the next year.

About 1869 Maria Frank became his wife. Two sons were born to them, Carl, who died in his boyhood, and Andy who was left motherless when about 1 1/2 years old.

On May 17, 1877, he took unto himself as wife, Margaret Pample. Nine children came to bless this union as follows: Emma, the wife of Ralph Peterson, whose home is in Northville, S.D. She was unable to arrive in time for the funeral service. Bessie, Lewis, Harley, who has gone on before, Logan, George, who was also a victim of the sad accident which caused his father's death, Elva, Carl and Maud.

He was a kind and affectionate husband, and father, a man who loved his home and family. He was honest and industrious in his business affairs, a loyal citizen and a good neighbor, respected by all who knew him. Just at the time when he was beginning to look forward to taking things a little easier in life, death came suddenly and unexpectedly in the sad accident that shocked our community. His age being 62 years and 13 days. He leaves two brothers, the wife, his companion for 26 years, and four sons and four daughters besides the relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.

George Neis was born in Harper, Keokuk county, Iowa, Jan. 27, 1884, and departed this life Feb. 27, 1903, at the age of 19 years and 1 month.

He was a good steady boy in every sense in the home and out of it, respected by all who knew him. He was practically raised in the mill and was acquainted with all the details of the business. He was unassuming and tended strictly to business. He was his father's helper and confident, his favorite child. As he was with his father in life so he is also in death. The entire community feels the loss it has sustained in the death of his father and son and united in extending their sympathy to the sorrowing wife and mother, the sons and daughters, the brothers and sisters. May God bless and comfort them.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 247/248, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

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