Jansen, William J. 1868 - 1902

JANSEN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/14/2013 at 02:24:35

Elgin Echo, Thursday, 30 October 1902.

W. J. Jansen, a prominent cigar maker of Decorah, was killed Sunday, October 19, while out hunting. He was walking along the crest of a hill with an employee, who recently arrived from Germany, when the gun in the hands of the latter struck a rock and was discharged, the charge striking him in the abdomen, death resulting immediately.

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Note: The IGPP has a photo of his gravestone in St. Benedict cemetery, giving dates.

Submitter is not related.

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Added by Joy Moore Jan. 25, 2020

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 23, 1902 Page 4 Col 2

DEATH FROM A SHOT GUN.
William J. Jansen Accidentally Killed while Hunting last Sunday Morning.
Wm. J. Jansen was killed Sunday morning by the accidental discharge of a shot gun while hunting near C. O. Moore’s house northwest of town.
This is one of those inexpressibly sad affairs which contains no consolation for the bereaved ones and the friends of the victim. It is doubly so because it seems so needless. Mr. Jansen in company with Wm. Luft had been hunting on the hill north of Mr. Moore’s house and they had just started for home. Luft was some little distance from Jansen when the gun exploded and Jansen called to his companion. “Something awful has happened.” Hurrying to the wounded man, Luft tried to raise him to his feet and blood poured over his arm from a wound slightly below the heart. Luft immediately began calling for help but was unable to make anyone understand because he does not speak English, having come from Germany but a short time ago. He went to Mr. Moore’s home where he made Louis Moore and Helge Nelson understand that something was wrong and they accompanied him to the crest of the hill where Mr. Jansen was lying. The latter was still conscious and realized the seriousness of his condition. Addressing Louis Moore he said, “I am going to die. Greet my wife and children for me and tell them that I die happy.” Before medical aid could be secured Mr. Jan¬sen passed away.
Coroner Jewell was called and a jury impanelled consisting of C. O. Moore, Peter Jensen and Emil Rosenthal, with C. J. Wangler as clerk, and the investigation brought out the facts as given above. Friends of Mr. Jansen afterwards examined the gun that he used and it is their conclusion that it was defective. It is a theory that Mr. Jansen, who was a great lover of nature, reached the crest of the hill and stopped to admire the beautiful scene that spread out before him—the river winding through its banks covered with autumn’s brightest colors—and as he did so set the gun down on the ground with sufficient force to discharge it.
Mr. Jansen was a member of the firm of Rubie & Jansen, cigar makers, and was born in Germany Jan. 2, 1868. He has been a resident hero for about four years but in that time has earned the respect of a large number of our citizens and the warm friendship of a constantly growing circle of friends who admired him for his genial disposition, kindly ways and gentlemanly conduct. He was one of the prominent members of the Frohsien Singing Society and the life of their gatherings. He was particularly happy in his home surroundings, where a wife and four children are left widowed and fatherless. Mr. Jansen was also a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Calmar Lodge of Knights of Pythias. The funeral was held yesterday morning at the Catholic church and a large number of citizens and friends gathered to pay their last respects to his memory The pall bearers were F. J. and Emil Rosenthal, O. M Drexel, Henry Potratz, Chris Rubie mid C. E. Knoke,, and the remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery.

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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