Andrew Jackson Baldner (1868-1941) Alternate

BALDNER, DICKENSON, FRANCE, FRASIER, GIFFIN, HOUTS, PHILLIPS, PRINGLE, ROBLE, SHAFER, STUMBAUGH

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

January 24, 1868--- January 20, 1941

Funeral services for A. J. Baldner, who died Monday evening, Jan. 20, were held Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church, in charge of Rev. J. R. Tumbleson, assisted by Rev. A. S. Kilbourn.

A quartette composed of Raymond Tumbleson, Harlan Hall, David Hinkley and Miles Chenault, sang appropriate selections. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

Andrew J. Baldner was born Jan. 24, 1868, in Knox County, Ohio, to parents, George and Catherine Baldner. He lived in Knox County until 1891, when he came to Eagle Grove, entered railroad employment as an engineer. For 15 years he was on a passenger running over 14 years from Ames to Fox Lake, and the last few months from Eagle Grove to Hawarden. He never had a wreck or fatality. He retired in 1938.

He was married to Harriet E. France in 1908. To this union was born one son, Ray Baldner of Evanston, Ill., Russell France, at the age of six months was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Baldner, and for the past five years, a grandson, Richard Baldner has made his home with them.

His parents and one brother preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Ray and Russell, three grandchildren, Richard, Ray Jr., and Barbara Ann, three sisters, Mary Phillips of Grants Pass, Ore., Mrs. Wm. Stombaough [Stumbaugh] of Big Prairie, Ohio., and Mrs. Barbara Griffin [Giffin] of Danville, Ohio., also three brothers, William of Wooster, Ohio, Leonard of Loudonville, Ohio, and Charles of Garrison, N. Dak.

Mr. Baldner was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masonic lodge.

The following tribute was prepared by Rev. A. S. Kilbourn:

In the passing of Andrew Baldner, Eagle Grove loses one of its most public-spirited citizens. When an important matter came to him for a decision, he asked not, “What will I get out of this?” but “What is right?” In his duty as a citizen, when he marked his ballot, he asked himself, “Which candidates stand for justice? Which stand for the right treatment of the underprivileged?”

During the past year, as a member of the local N. Y. A. committee, he spent a great deal of his time to thought and energy in securing a workshop for interested young men at the heating plant at the high school and a property equipped for the same type of young women in a room in the Masonic block.

Men seeking financial assistance from bankers and businessmen were invariably advised to “go and see Andy Baldner.” In a serious yet friendly manner he would say to such persons, “Now, you will pay this back, won’t you?” His confidence was not misplaced and the most unlikely debtors repaid the debts which they owed. So his was a practical philanthropy, both in public as well as in private, to help others to help themselves.

His home was open to those in need of a parent or friend. He always had a kindly greeting to those that he met on the highway of life. And many a time when some brother was puzzled as to the right way to go, Andy Baldner would place his open hand under the elbow of the wavering one and guide him to the place of firm foundations. Yes, he lived in a house by the side of the road and was truly a friend to man.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Leonard Baldner, Loudonville, Ohio; Wm. Baldner, Loudonville, Ohio; Chas. Baldner and Catherine, Garrison, N. Dak.; Mrs. Jessie Frasier, Rice Lake, Wis.; Mrs. Robert Houts, Rice Lake, Wis., Herman Baldner and family, Dallas Center; Levi Dickenson, Hawarden; Mrs. T. E. Shafer, Detroit, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Baldner, Evanston, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle Pringle, Webster City; and Mrs. C. H. Roble and son, Clarion.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
January 30, 1941