Peter H. Wessels Jr. & Carl F. Grothaus, died 1930

WESSELS, GROTHAUS, GILBERT, DULIN, SCHREIBER, STEINMETZ, MOEN, LIMBERG

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 4/27/2011 at 03:03:21

Two men from Buffalo Center, Iowa, one of them a former resident east of Kamrar, were killed when a truck in which they were riding collided Monday afternoon with the afternoon C. & N.W. southbound passenger train. The men were Peter H. Wessels, married*, about 35 years old, and Carl Grothaus, unmarried, about 45 years old. Wessels formerly lived in the Kamrar neighborhood and is well known in that community where he has numerous relatives.

The two men had shipped in a bunch of 40 draft colts which were to be sold at an auction sale at Kamrar Tuesday afternoon. They had been putting up bills in various towns advertising their sale; the accident happened at the crossing 1 1/2 miles north and 1 1/2 west of Kamrar. The men were driving west, the afternoon train approaching from the northwest. The fatal accident happened at about four in the afternoon, when the sun was low, and facing the sun the two men probably failed to see the approaching train.

The train that hit the truck was the gas-electric car, No. 6, in charge of Conductor Newherter and Engineer Johnson. The train was not damaged and later continued on its own power, but was about two hours late reaching Jewell because of stopping to take care of the two injured men. An ambulance was called and the two men were taken to the hospital at Webster City. Both passed away at about 7:30 o'clock. Grothaus suffered a fractured skull and a fractured right leg. Wessels suffered a compound fracture of the right leg, and numerous lacerations of the left arm, face and nose, and suffered from shock and loss of blood.

*note: see obit below, the news article is in error about his marital status
~clipping, Webster City Freeman-Journal, October 1930
~contributed by Janelle Martin

____ _____ _____

Funeral services for Carl Grothaus and Pete Wessels Jr., whose lives were crushed out in an automobile accident that occurred on Monday, Oct. 20th, were held the following Thursday and Friday.

The last sad rites for Mr. Grothaus was held on Thursday afternoon at Webster City at the Foster Funeral Home at 1 o'clock and was largely attended by relatives and sympathizing friends from Buffalo Center and other places where the deceased was known. The services were conducted by Rev. Alex Russell, of Rockwell, a former Buffalo Center pastor, and a warm friend of the Grothaus family. After the brief services at Webster City the remains were taken to Abbott where interment was made in the Hazel Green Cemetery.

The funeral of Mr. Wessels was held from the Reformed church Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. J.H. Schoon and Rev. O. Thompson. The funeral was one of the largest attended and one of the saddest yet to be held in Buffalo Center. Interment was made in the Graceland Cemetery.

The floral token, mute but beautiful expressions of sympathy and love for both, were profuse and most lovely.

Grothaus and Wessels, happy and genial in disposition, companionable, out and among relatives and friends a week ago in the conduct of their business, now laid to rest. Their sudden death was a shock to the community; a shock that cannot easily be overcome; it is difficult to realize they are gone.

Through the years they have been in Buffalo Center and community, both were noticeable figures about the street and their friends were numbered by their acquaintances. Grothaus a prominent farmer, and Wessels an auctioneer and stock buyer.

Their death is a distinct loss to loved ones, their families; and the community in which they lived.

"Not now, but in the coming years,

It may be in the heavenly land,

We'll read the meaning of our tears;

Someday in Heaven, we'll understand,

We'll know why clouds instead of sun,

Were over many a cherished plan.

Why smiles have ceased when just begun,

Someday in Heaven, you'll understand."

Carl Frederick Grothaus
Carl Frederick Grothaus, son of John and Wathena Grothaus, was born May 8, 1884, at Abbott, Iowa. In 1893 he moved to Kossuth county with his parents where he was reared on a farm. He was married in 1912 to Nell Gilbert of this city. Of this union two children were born, Donald Gilbert and Dorothy Dell. He is survived by his wife and children; four brothers, Henry of Windon, Minn.; William of Buffalo Center; Dell of Delta, Iowa; and four sisters: Tarana Dulin of Sigourney, Wathena Schreiber, Des Moines, Tjode Steinmetz of Buffalo Center and Cornetta Moen of Grand Rapids, Michigan. His passing is also mourned by many other relatives and a host of warm friends.

Peter H. Wessels
Peter H. Wessels, Jr. was born April 9, 1897, near Kamrar, Hamilton county, Iowa. In the year 1910 he moved with his parents to Oklahoma where they resided for one year after which they returned eo Kamrar. In the year 1914 he came with his parents to Winnebago county, where he resided continuously since. On April 6, 1918, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Limberg. This union was blessed with two children, one son Raymond and a daughter, Valera. He attained the age of 33 years, 6 months and 11 days. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and children, his parents, and three brothers, Carl of Hinkley, Minn.; Guy of Buffalo Center and Herman of Lakota, and many other relatives and friends.

~Buffalo Center Tribune, October 30, 1930
~contributed by S. Ferrall