(transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)

Copyright © 2003 by Pat O'Dell: This data may be used for your own family research; it may not be copied in any form or used for any other purpose (commercial or otherwise).

Those who have been accustomed to see Henry Zack about his yard, busy with his garden and flowers, which he seemed to love so well, will no longer be greeted by his cheery smile and hearty handshake. Mr Zack closed his life work on Tuesday evening and has gone to his reward.

Mc Zack can be truly listed among the old settlers of this town, having moved to Hamburg some forty-four years ago, living for over forty years in the house in which he died. Mr Zack was a native of Germany and came to this country at the age of 18. He with four other young men, was connected with a circus, of which a relative was owner, and were the tumblers. Under the military rule they were notified that they should serve their time in the army. This was not to the liking of the young men, and they made other plans. As a result it was necessary for them to leave the country under cover, which was done. By an arrangement, which cost them $3000, they were boxed up and put on a ship bound for America. He was fond of telling of his many experiences, and as a story teller Mr Zack had few equals.

He first came to Chicago in 1848, and knew the town when it was little more than a cow pasture. From there he moved to Iowa, purchasing land in Black Hawk county. A town of some five or six thousand is now standing on this land. He afterwards moved to Cedar Falls and then to Waterloo. Here he owned eighty acres, which is now the site of East Waterloo. Coming to Hamburg forty-four years ago he worked for a time as a tailor and later was employed by George Hopt in the milling business, which he followed until he retired from active work.

Mr Zack was a great lover of flowers and his place was a beautiful sight when all in bloom. Many strangers referring to Hamburg speak of the old gentleman with the yard full of flowers. Mr Zack will be greatly missed as he was a quiet, home-loving man, who made friends on all sides and was an entertainer with few equals.

Heinrick William Zack was born in Leibeck, Germany, March 27, 1830, and had reached the age of 85 years, 6 months and 1 day. He came to this country at the age of 18. In 1853 he ws united in marriage to Sophia Dorothy Hackerotte of Hanover, Germany. To this union twelve children were born, five dying in infancy, and Mrs Martha Schmalsle passing away at the age of forty. Those living are Henry A., Gust, Jule, Adolph, Mrs Getty Townsend and Mrs Emma Frazier of Lincoln, Neb. His wife preceded him to the grave ten years ago. The funeral services were held at the late home Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev I. Theo Seybold. Interment in the Hamburg cemetery. The funeral cortege was a long one and was preceded by the Hamburg band.

Following a stroke of paralysis, which came during the night, Mrs W.L. Bogan passed peacefully away Wednesday morning at 10:25, aged 81 years, 8 months and 17 days.

Mrs Bogan was a sincere christian woman, who numbered her friends and acquaintances by the score, and was charitable in the extreme.

She well knew the trials and hardships of the pioneer. She was born Jan 12, 1834, in Dubois county, Indiana. Her parents were extensive farmers, and while they had the conveniences of those days, they were meager as compared with modern standards. She was the fourth child of a family of eight children and is survived by one brother, Dr F.T. Aust of Indiana.

On April 8, 1858, Sylvia M. Aust was united in marriage to Wm L. Bogan, and they made their home in Lynnville, Ind. At the outbreak of the war her young husband joined the forces of the Union. The close bond of love was strong, and she made many trips to the different camps to visit with her lover. The same close relation has characterized the whole life of the couple. In the year 1868 the family moved to Vernon county, Mo., which was their home until 1872, when they moved to Hamburg, which has since been their home.

While the mother of seven children, Chas., who died ten years ago, Smith, James, Mesdames Jessie Taylor, Paul Dean, William Green and Chas Sturgeon, she found time to be of great help to her husband in his work as a physician. In the earlier days the wife of a country doctor was called upon to perform many services, and while always frail, she went about her duties with a cheerful smile, and few knew the sacrifices she made. Just the night before her death, while not in good health, she and the doctor visited another sick neighbor.

The funeral services will be held at the home this afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev A.C. Bonham, assisted by Rev M.F. Brower. Interment will be made in the Hamburg cemetery.

Rufus Tate, deputy sheriff of Fremont county, passed away at his home in Sidney Tuesday afternoon, following a short sickness having only taken to his bed a few days before. His health had been failing for several years.

Mr Tate had a wide acquaintance over the county and was for years actively interested in politics. In 1888 he was deputy sheriff under Col. W.T. Davis, and made his home with them. The friendship that grew up at that time has extended through all the years. He was married in 1892 to Miss Belle Argyle, and to this union a son and daughter were born. Mr Tate was sheriff of the county for six years, after which he engaged in the grocery and grain business. His failing health made it necessary to sell out, and he had been doing light work since. The funeral services were held yesterday. Mr Tate was about 55 years of age, a man of many sterling parts, and a general favorite with all.

The body of Ed S. Sperry, who died at Victorville, Cal., July 19, 1914, arrived in Hamburg at midnight Saturday last, and was reinterred in the local cemetery Sunday morning. A brother of the deceased, Dr Wade Sperry, during his tour of the west, had the body exhumed and shipped here for burial.

The deceased was well and favorably known here, having been reared to manhood in Hamburg. He went to California in the hope that the change of climate would aid him in his fight against tuberculosis, but he was unable to cope with the white plague demon, and death was the result. The following relatives survive: Mrs E.S. Sperry, wife of deceased, Spokane, Wash.; Dr Wade Sperry and Mrs Kate Halstead of Hamburg, and Lou Sperry of Spokane. At the time of his death, Ed Sperry was 48 years old.

Hamburg Council No 1074, Knights and Ladies of Security held its first memorial service during the existence of the local order, last Sunday. A representative number of persons were present, who pronounced the services as appropriate, interesting and of the highest order. This annual service has been incorporated in the ritual, but that given on the occasion refered to was for the most part original. The number of deceased members of Hamburg Council is five, as follows:

The many friends in Hamburg and vicinity will be pleased to learn that Mr and Mrs A.G. Cleveland celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the 4th day of October, at their "High Lawn" farm near Hubbell, Neb. In this celebration they were ably assisted by a host of friends and relatives. Five children, born of this union, were all present to assist the aged couple in celebrating the event.

The gentleman of this sketch was born in Dalton, Mass., Dec 1, 1840, while Mrs Cleveland was born in Andover, Conn., March 9, 1841. They were united in marriage Oct 3, 1865 at Manchester, Conn., and in 1867 they came west and settled in Hamburg, where for 27 long years they resided before taking up their residence at their present home.

The following extracts are taken from the Hubbell, Neb., Journal, which will doubtless be of more than usual interest here:

The oldest son, Cyrus W., is a Methodist preacher and has spent over twenty years in Upper Iowa Conference, returning to his present charge, Elwood, for the fifth year. The next youngest is a daughter, Mrs O.F. Chesebro, whose husband owns a farm in Keith county and is a Methodist preacher; also Geo H. married a Methodist preacher's daugher, Mrs Frank Baldwin is a daughter and lives near home, while the youngest is the son Anson, who was married over a year ago and lives at home.

Mr Cleveland is a robust man of exceptional vigor. He has never been sick except in the ague region of Iowa, where he had the "shakes." He does not use spectacles, and most of his teeth are his "own." Mrs Cleveland also enjoys good health.

When traveling on their honeymoon trip of seventy miles they went on three railroads and had to re-check their trunk at each change. Getting married was expensive in those days, but did not deter Mr Cleveland's matrimonial ardor. He paid $10 for a "plug hat," the first one he ever had,and with the added height he hit everything he approached. His hack cost him $10, and the best room at the Allen house in Hartford cost him $10 for the night. He had procured a license at Andover, but had to pay an extra fee for another license at Manchester, where he was married. The preacher did a pretty good job, so Mr Cleveland tossed him another $10. When they reached Massachusetts it was a serious question whether their money would "hold out."

Mrs Eliza Hill, mother of Frank W. Hill of Hamburg, died Saturday, Oct 16, at Los Angeles, Cal., aged 73 years. Frank, who left for the west about a month ago, was at her bedside when the end came. Her husband, who preceded her to the grave a number of years, is buried at Sidney where they formerly resided.

Deceased fell in her yard last August and sustained injuries which are directly attributed as the cause of death. Other children besides F.W., are Edward of Red Oak, Charles and Mrs Geo Connell of Los Angeles.At this time relatives here have not been apprised of the place or date of burial.

The automobile is responsible for another Fremont county death, this time it being Ancel Eskew, a barber at Riverton, who passed away last Monday night after four days' suffering from injuries received the previous Thursday. Vance Samuels, well known in Hamburg, was in the car with Eskew at the time, but escaped with slight injuries.

It seems that the two men were on their way to hunt ducks, and when a short distance from Riverton the car suddenly dropped over an embankment at the end of a bridge, and turned once and a half over, catching Eskew under the car, with the weight of the machine on his abdomen. So badly was he injured that Dr Lloyd of Omaha performed an operation that same evening, but it proved useless.

The dead man was the son of Wm Eskew, former mayor of Riverton, and leaves a wife and several children.

On Sunday, October 17, Chas W. Hill brother of the Reporter editor, was united in marriage to Miss Alma Yowell of Seattle, Wash. They will make their home in Bellingham, Wash., where the groom has a position with one of the banks of that city.

Mr Hill is well known here, having been employed in the Republican for a time. The bride formerly lived at Sidney. Congratulations are extended.

Elmer Benedict, a Hamburg man, and father of six children, met with a horrible death on the prairies near Dalton, Neb., last Saturday evening, when he was run over by a traction engine and complete threshing outfit, which mutilated the body in a terrible manner. Just how the accident happened is not know, as it appears that the deceased was lying in the road and was not seen by the engineer of the tractor.

The remains were brought to Hamburg Tuesday evening and interment was made Wednesday afternoon, Rev Asmus of the Presbyterian church preached the funeral sermon.

Elmer Benedict was born in Atchison county, Mo., April 25, 1882. He was married to Etta Sebring at the home of his grandfather, Squire Benedict, on High Creek. To this union were born six children. The wife is certainly deserving of the sympathy of the entire community.

The engineer in charge of the tractor at the time of the unfortunate accident ws prostrated upon finding the remains of the unfortunate man, and sent the wife $163.50, all that he had to assist her in the temporary need.

The funeral services of William H. Richardson, a former resident of the Grange Hall vicinity, were conducted Saturday morning by Rev. A.W. Tandy of the Baptist church, and the body was laid to rest in the Grange Hall cemetery.

Deceased was born in Warren county, Ohio, March 4, 1832, and died near Crab Orcherd, Neb., Oct 21, 1915.

Mr Richardson was twice married, to the first union being born three sons. William, Edward and James, all dead except for the latter, who now resides at Crab Orchard. One daughter and two sons were born of the second union,Carey, Albert and Mattie, the latter deceased, the two sons reside at Crab Orchard.

Deceased was a veteran of the civil war, enlisting on the 29th day of November, 1861, in Company E, 52nd Reg of Ind. Inf Vols.

Besides those mentioned, he leaves behind one step son, W.H. Herron of this vicinity, and a step daughter, Mrs W.C. Smith of Savanna [sic], Mo. He leaves 38 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church for over forty years.