Witte, Henry 1863 - 1908

WITTE, WILDE, PITZENBERGER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

Source: Decorah Republican Sept. 3, 1908 P6 C3

Mr. and Mrs. Anton Smith of Spillville were here to attend the funeral of Mr. Witte to-day.
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How true the words, “We know not the day nor the hour” proved in the unexpected death of Mr. Henry Witte, on Sunday. When the sad intelligence reached the ears of his friends, it seemed impossible to be believed, but in a few minutes the report was confirmed and the sad realization came to all. A game of base ball had been arranged betewen{sic} Macal’s nine and a nine of local married men the game being played out on the Edwin Macal farm two miles east of town. Mr. Witte, always a base ball enthusiast, played and had succeeded in running in two scores. In the second inning he had made a three base hit, and after reaching the home plate he sat down, and soon complained of having a pain in the region of the heart. He announced his determination not to play ball any more that day, and in a few minutes called for a drink of water. As soon as he had taken a few swallows he fell backwards into the arms of Frank Huber, in a dying condition. Dr. Horton was immediately sent for, and when he reached the scene, Mr. Witte had been dead several minutes, his death being caused by the rupture of a blood vessel leading to the heart. The body of the unfortunate man was brought home in the evening by his friends. C. Henry Witte was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., on Feb. 8th, 1863, and came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1887. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Pitzenberger at San Francisco, Cal. On October 23, 1888, and after a six months’ residence there came back to Iowa and settled at St. Lucas, where they resided until their removal to this place in March, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Witte were born four children, Helen, Laura, Emil and Paul, all of whom survive their father. He is also survived by a sister residing at Newark, N. J. Mr. Witte endeared himself to many by his genial disposition and especially will he be missed by members of the choir at St. John’s church where he had sung since his residence here. The funeral was held from his home and later from St. John’s church to-day at 10 a. m., it being presided over by the C. O. O. F., of which order he was a member. The pall bearers were Messrs. John Sluka, Jacob Capp, John Jacobi, John Schissel, Joseph Sobolik and Frank Huber. The floral offerings were many and exceedingly beautiful, all showing the respect in which he was held by all here. In the untimely death of Mr. Witte the family keenly feel the loss of a loving husband and father, and the community loses one of its best citizens. Those from distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Faha of Dyersville, Mr. and Mrs. Kruse and family of Waucoma, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wilde of Cresco, Mrs. Bowen, also of that place, Mr. and Mrs. Haas and family of Waukon, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bouska of Waucoma, and many other people from nearby towns.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Sept. 4, 1908, FP, C6

Last Sunday C. H. Witte the Demoratic nominee for county recorder died of heart failure near Ft. Atkinson. He had gone into the country with a party of friends and was playing ball. While running bases he was obliged to stop and said he felt faint. In a few moments the end had come. — Decorah Journal.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Sept. 4, 1908, LP, C6

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Wilde went to Ft. Atkinson Monday to attend the funeral of the latter’s brother-in-law, Henry Witte.

Transcriber’s Note: His gravestone in St. John’s Cemetery shows he was born February 8, 1863 and died August 30, 1908.

St. John's Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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