Iowa Old Press

Postville Herald
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
September 6, 1918

Neighborhood News - Items of Interest From Allamakee and Adjoining Counties

-The home of Mrs. Celia Kellcher at Elkader was destroyed by fire last week Monday.

-John F. Pitt, an old Civil war veteran at Waukon, celebrated his 90th birthday last week.

-Mr. and Mrs. John Reynolds of Waukon celerated their 66th edding anniversary last Sunday.

-William H. Beck is the first Lansing boy to be killed in action. His parents received word to that effect last Tuesday.

-Castalia - Mr. and Mrs. Helmuth Meyer, Mrs. John Kluss, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wirsching went to Garnavillo today to attend the funeral of John Wirkler.

-Castalia - A party was held in the old hall Monday evening for the following boys who leave for Camp Dodge tomorrow: Fay Harvey, Harlie Thornton, Harold Harvey and Geo. Hanson. The latter went to Cedar Rapids Tuesday and goes from there to Camp Dodge.

-Luana - Edmund Dell came home from Sioux Falls, S.D., Monday night. He leaves for training with the Clayton county boys Thursday.

-Farmersburg - The funeral of Mr. Stearns of Monona took place here Sunday afternoon.

-Frankville - Miss Jessie Meikle attended the funeral of Mike O'Brien near Waukon Friday.

The First Boys in the New Draft Go
This morning the first of the boys in the new 21 year draft left from Clayton and Allamakee counties, 101 from Clayton and 43 from Allamakee. Among them were the following from Postville and vicinity:
Geo. Dewey Harris, Eli Bailey, Walter Meyer, Fred Jahncke, Frank Dundee, Otto Hager, Fred Luehr, Verni Schultz, Richard McNally, Edmund Dell, Harry Lenth, Harry Hinman, Emil Reckow.
As usual the band, school children and the whole communtiy turned out to the depot to bid the boys good bye and good luck.

Old Landmark Gone
Up at Waterville, in this county, the old flour mill, which had been undermined by water, went down with a crash, and only one end of it left sanding. This was the first flour mill erected in Allamakee county and was built away back in the fifties sometime, and has not been used for many years. It was an old landmark and another record of the far gone pioneer days has passed away.

Obituary.
Diedrich Joseph Behrens was born October 3, 1871, in Garnavillo, Iowa, where he was baptized. He was confirmed April 5, 1886 at the Lutheran church in Garnavillo. February 8, 1900, he was married to Christine Brandt, and to this union seven children were born, four boys and three girls, who with the mother survive him. Besides his family he leaves an aged mother, one sister and three brothers, and many relatives and friends. He was held in high regard by al who knew him and was an honorable and upright man. He came to his death most untimely, as the result of a threshing machine accident at Fort Atkinson, Tuesday, Aug 27, 1918, at the age of 46 years, 10 months and 23 days. The remains were shipped to Postville, where funeral services were held from the Lutheran church conducted by Rev. E. Schmidt. Interment in Postville cemetery.

Card of Thanks
We desire to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation to all our neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted us in our recent trouble, the loss of our beloved husband and father. We also wish to thank all for the many beautiful floral offerings, name.y, the A.O.U.W. lodge, the M.E. Sunday School, and many other relatives and friends. We assure everyone that every kind deed and word was a healing balm to our broken hearts, and may the Giver of Good reward one and all.
Mrs. Christine Behrens and Children

Monona People in Auto Accident
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kregel and grandson, Gerald Kruse, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. August Kregel, met with an accident last Thursday as they were on their way to Decorah and three miles out of Ossian. The road at this place makes a sharp turn and being unfamiliar with the road they were traveling too fast to make the turn in safety. Mr. Wm. Kregel was at the wheel and he is at all times a careful driver, but in endeavoring to compass this particular turn his car was carried clear over the wire fence and was overturned in the adjoining field, says the Monona Leader. Fortunately two doors flew open which enabled the occupants of the car to crawl out. All but the small boy sustained minor injuries, Gerald escaping entirely unhurt. Mrs. Wm. Kregel received the worst injury, her heel being badly crushed. This makes the seventh accident to occur in this same locality and it seems that the authorities must be negligent of their plain duty, otherwise a sign to motorists to slow down should have been placed in a proper position to insure the safety of travelers ere this.


Lt. John A. Palas left on his return to Camp Pike, Ark. Tuesday evening.

Miss Hazel Barr of North McGregor has a pretty gift that was sent her by Walter Weston who is in service somewhere in France. It is a silk apron, hand embroidered and lace trimmed. These pretty articles are all hand made by the women of France, and find ready sale among the American soldiers who send them back home.

A sad occurrence is reported in the family of William Nolan, living near Cresco, when their infant son, Robert Joseph Nolan, two months old, died without warning, while Mrs. Nolan was shopping in one of the Cresco stores. The little one was in his usual health, and they were wheeling him in a baby carriage from place to place, when a nurse who was in the store lifted the baby up and found that life was extinct. The doctor who was called thinks a small clot of blood in the heart caused the death.

T.J. Faegre received some severe injuries one day recently from an unruly cow which he was attempting to drive from the J.J. Johnson farm to his home on Faegre Prairie. He had two boys assisting him. the boys were attempting to separate a calf from the cow, when the animal made a dash for the lads. They made their escape when the cow turned her attention to Thorval. He was knocked down and besides severe bruises it was found several ribs were broken. A physician was called and he has since been confined to his bed the Lansing Mirror relates.

John Kligle, accompanied by his wife, daughter Mildred, and brother Albert and Miss Catherine Walton of Cresco, on their way to Waukon Sunday to visit Mr. and Mrs. Phil Klingle, narrowly escaped death when the auto in which they were riding turned turtle near the Grotegut place on the Decorah road. It seems the car skidded on the turn in the road and the driver lost control, resulting in turning the car over into the ditch with all the occupants under it. All were more or less bruised while Albert suffered a broken collar bone and an injured foot, says the Waukon Republican. We are told the auto is a complete wreck.

[transcribed by S.F., May 2009 & August 2012]

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Postville Herald
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
September 13, 1918

Red Cross Pigs
Post Township Farmers are Going "Over the Top" in this.
Although Post township farmers have been busy the past few weeks harvesting and threshing their big grain crops, they have taken a lively interest in the Red Cross Pig Club and fifty-two pigs are already pledged. Chairman F.H. Luhman has to date received partial reports from nine of the eighteen district superintendents, and these go to show that Post township will go "over the top" in this as it has in all other war activities. Following is a list of the patriotic Post township farmers who have to date contributed a pig apiece to the Red Cross Pig Club, which they have agreed to fatten and deliver in December, and the proceeds from sale of which will carry comfort and cheer to the boys "over there" and in the home land cantonments, and you may rest assured the boys will not forget the friends at home who have been and are doing so much for them.

Locals
-Mrs. August Blumhagen passed away Monday night at the home of her son Fred, northwest of Postville. She was 78 years of age. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon in this city. Obituary next week.
-John Gruel of Monona was in Postville Friday and dropped in and gave his subscription to the Herald a substantial boost into the future, and incidentally told us he had been out in the field the day before pickinghis seed corn and that he will have a bumper crop of that staple this year.
-Henry Kamin of Luana called on Wednesday to push his subscription to the Herald "over the top" and informed us he had returned the week previous from a visit to the Charley Snyder family over at Merrill, Wis., whom he found well and prosperous and with good crops of everything but corn, which crop had been destroyed completely by crows which infested that locality in great flocks.
-We saw "Red" Lien at the depot about midnight Sunday dressed like a hobo, carrying a lantern and with a red handkerchief wrapped about his neck, sneaking over toward a long string of box-cars on the lie-by, and on inquiry found he had turned freight brakeman, having for the last three weeks been running over the I & M division of the Milwaukee between West Yards and Austin, Minnesota.
-Bart Cook of Repubic, Wash., arrived in Postville Friday on a visit to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Cook, and many friends in this city and locality. He is looking and feeling fine, and as might have been expected, being he is from postville, he ismaking a marked success as a teacher in his home town, and he is also county assessor.
-It didn't take John Schultz long to find out that a government salary in Washington, D.C. looks better on paper than it does in the raw. He tried it and found that the cost of living there was so blooming high he was worse off financially than he was as ticket agent of the Milwaukee at Austin, Minn., and so he beat it back, stopping over in Postville from Saturday until Monday to visit his mother and friends and then going back to his old job at Austin.
-Private Fred Tuttle came home unexpectedly last Saturday morning from Camp Mooseheart, Mooseheart, Ill., where he had just finished an eight weeks course in cement work training. He was accompanied by his wife, who had been with him for a few weeks. Fred liked his work fine and expects to be moved to "somewhere" some time this week. He returned Sunday night, as he had but a brief leave of absence to attend to some business matters.
-Gus Miller, Frank Bellows, Lonnie Phillips and Geddes Brooks were down near Forest Mills Sunday after suckers and the way they depleted Yellow river was something scandalous.

[transcribed by S.F., October 2009]

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Postville Herald
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
September 20, 1918

Waukon Boy Dies of Wounds
Waukon, Iowa, Sept. 16 - Special: According to a message received here today, Private Richard McKinley Raymond, in overseas service, died as the result of wounds received in action. His death occurred July 26, the date of the fatal engagement not being given in the brief war department announcement. Private Raymond was widely known throughout the city and in this section of the county. He was just twenty-one yeras of age. He was in the little group of volunteers first to leave Waukon, chose the engineer corps and was assigned to Co. A. Second division, a unit that was quickly on its way overseas. He has seen months of active service in France and the frequent letters home have told of his interesting experiences. the abrupt announcement of his untimely death will spread sorrow among a broad circle of friends and acquaintances outside the more intimate family circle in Waukon.

Obituary
Sarah E. Neeling was born at Mt. Vernon, Chester county, Pennsylvania, on June 22, 1840. When 14 years of age she came with her parents to National, Clayton county, Iowa, and the remainder of her life has been spent in this county and the immediate vicinity of Postville. On March 15, 1860, she was united in marriage to Mr. J.B. McWilliams. To this union ten children were born. She is preceded in death by her husband, who was called away on March 11, 1896, and four children, Huston, a babe of 11 months; Edgar, 25; Minnie, five; and Zella, three years of age. There are left to mourn her death four sons and two daughters, Mrs. May Clough of Eureka, Montana; George of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Virgil, Carey and Emmet of Chester, Iowa, and Mrs. Fred Thoma of Postville, Iowa; at whose home she passed away on Wednesday evening, September 11, 1918. There are several grandchildren and a host of neighbors and friends who grieve with these children in their great loss.

Mrs. McWilliams was a member of Postville Congregational church. She was of a retiring disposition, a lover of her home and family and a good citizen of America. Funeral services were conducted in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred thoma, at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, Sept. 15th, Rev. J.F. Childress officiating. The body was interred in Postville cemetery.

Those from out of town present at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. V.J. McWilliams, Mr. and Mrs. C.T. McWilliams and son Paul, Mr. and Mrs. E.D. McWilliams, all of Chester; Mrs. Dr. Plummer and daugher Mazie, and Mrs. I. Courteney, of Cresco.

New Position
Otto Rasmusen writes that he has been again transferred, having been given the position of private secretary to the captain of the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Wash.

Fatal Fall from Tree
G.C. Jensen of West Union, aged seventy, fell from a tree in his yard Friday evening and died instantly, his neck being broken. His fall was only about twelve feet. He had been trimming trees in the afternoon and left his work to go up town. Returning, he left his saw in the fork of a tree and climbed a ladder. It is thought that he might have been reaching for the saw when he fell. No one saw the accident, which happened about 6:15, but the body was found within ten minutes after he fell. - Elgin Echo
Deceased was the father of Mrs. James Pixler, residing south of Postville, and was known to a number of our people, who will learn with regret of his unfortunate passing.

Obituary
Wilhelmiene Blumhagen, nee Gebat, was born October 27, 1840, at Eldena, Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany. In the year 1866 she came to America and settled near Postville. In 1868 she was married to August Blumhagen. This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters, one son and two daughters having preceded their mother in death. The deceased lived with her husband for four years on the Williams farm south of Postville, moving from there to the place where she died. For many years she had been unable to leave her home, and she passed away last Monday evening at five o'clock, aged 77 years, 10 months and 12 days. She leaves to mourn her death her husband, son Fred on the home farm, one daughter, Mrs. Sophie Baird at Newbury, Oregon, fove grandchildren and other relatives and friends. The funeral was held from the Lutheran church in Postville, Saturday, Sept. 14th, conducted by Rev. E. Schmidt. Interment in Postville cemetery.

Legal Advisory Board
The following Postville citizens have been appointed associate members of the Legal Advisory Board:
A.L. Peterson, L.O. Beucher, William Shepherd, W.H. Burling, A.C. Webster, Geo. S. Tuttle, A.J. Phillips, F.H. Luhman, H.D. Webb, J.W. Campbell.
Men below 36 years of age who registered last Thursday, will receive questionnaires shortly and the above members of the Legal Advisory Board will assist registrants in filling them out.

Horse Sale
R.D. Sams delivered a four year old horse to Frank Tuller Monday that was a daisy. It weighed 1800 pounds and he received $300 for it. You can't tell Dick it don't pay to raise good horses.

Supervisor Opfer in Auto Accident
Supervisor Opfer came over from waukon Tuesday night to meet his daughter, who was returning from school. When a mile north of town his car skidded into a ditch and it was necessary to abandon the car until Wednesday morning when a local drayman went out to haul the car in for repairs. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Discharged
Emil Kluss, who has been at Camp Dodge for three months or more, returned Friday, having been discharged owing to physical defects.

Obituary
Louis Krumm was born in Glaisen, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany on May 10, 1853, and died on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1918, at the age of 65 years, 3 months and 25 days. He left the fatherland on Nov. 1, 1872, and came to this country, locating in Clayton county, Iowa. On December 14, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Drier at Garnavillo, Iowa. To this union eleven children were born, nine of whom survive him. The family lived on a farm at Elkport, Iowa, until 1891 when they moved to a farm near Postville. There they lived until 1899 when they again decided to move and came to South Dakota and purchased the farm Chester is now located on, where the family have since made their home.

He leaves to mourn his loss beside his wife, nine children, five boys: Charley, John, Edward, Louis and Willis; and four daughters, Mrs. W.H. Rober, Mrs. R.W. Roney, Mrs. Ray Page and Miss Mamie. There are also two brother, Chas. Krumm of Postville and John Krumm of Paulina, Iowa. Four sisters, Mrs. Frantz Busch, Mrs. Al Hefner, Mrs. John Potas, all of Chester, and Mrs. John Kohlmorgan of Farmersburg, Iowa. They were all present at the funeral except his son Louis, who is serving with the U.S. aarmy in France, and his sister, Mrs. Kohlmorgan.

Louie, as he is familiarly known to everyone, left his native land at the age of nineteen years and came to this county to escape being under the Prussian heel. For several years he worked for farmers in Clayton Co., and being a hard worker and saving his money he was able to buy a farm in a few years after his arrival. In the year 1891 he sold his farm and bought near Postville, where he lived for eight years when he again sold and came to South Dakota and bought a whole section. Chester is now located in the southwest corner of this section. With hard work and the aid of his family he was able to make a success, his land at that time was considered quite worthless. At the time the South Dakota Central planned on building a road from Sioux Falls to Watertown he worked hard to get the road to come this way, realizing that it would not only increase the value of his land but also give farmers a nearer place to market their grain and livestock, as up to that time it had to be taken to a place quite distant from here. Since coming to this part of the country he has helped many and there is not a man living who can say that Louie Krumm has treated him anything but fair, as he was a man who once gave his word would never break it. His life was an open book in the community which he lived. He was a booster, giving freely of his purse and labor to anything that would benefit the community. Through hard work and good management he has accumulated enough to leave his family in good circumstances. For [transcription note: remainder of obit is cut off my photocopy - I believe the obit was reprinted from the Chester, South Dakota Journal]

[transcribed by S.F., October 2009]

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Postville Herald
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
September 27, 1918

Rev. Childress to Leave.
On Tuesday, October first, Rev. and Mrs. J.F. Childress and daughter, Miss Nell, will bid Postville friends farewell and leave for their new home in Charleston, Ill., where they have bought a home, and where the Rev. will retire from the ministry after many years of active service in the Master's vineyard. Rev. Childress has for the past eight years been in charge of the Postville Congregational church and during all of that time both he and his family have labored diligently and faithfully for the betterment of mankind, and will leave this community with the well wishes of all who know them. It is the wish of the Herald that their lines may be cast in pleasant places and that these kindly christian people may find as appreciative friends in their new home as they leave in Postville.

John Thill
John Thill was born in Alsace, Nov. 11, 1839, and died at his home in Postville, on Sept. 17, 1918, after an illness of seven weeks. He came to this country at the age of 13 years, settling on a farm near Galena, Ill. Nov. 14, 1867, he was united in marriage to Barbara Steele, who died Feb. 27, 1914. To this union was born 10 children, 8 of whom survive him and all were present with him during the last days of his illness. They are: Christine of this city, Mrs. Anna Sheehy of this city, Joe of Ortonville, Minn.; Frank of Excelsior, Minn.; Wm., Mrs. J.E. Horgan and Mrs. Joe Hecker of this city, and also John of this city. He lived near Postville all his married life and for the past 37 years has been a resident of this city. Funeral services were held at the Catholic church in this city last Thursday, conducted by Rev. J.J. Clune, the Waukon choir having charge of the song service. Interment at Clermont.

In this connection the family wish to thank the neighbors and friends for their assistance and sympathy during the illness and burial of their father.

His brother, Frank Thill, and nieces, Delia and Sadie Thill, of East Dubuque, Ill., were present at the funeral.

Local News
-Dr. Harry D. Cole and Ed Prior left Sunday on a two weeks fishing trip up in Minnesota, and expect to lay in their winter's supply of meat.
-W.J. Rounds of Huron, S.D., is here on a visit, being called to Iowa by the serious illness of his mother, who is in a Des Moines hospital.
-Henry Miller went to New Hampton Sunday to accompany home his wife and Ellen Gertrude, who had been there since Friday visiting relatives.
-The many friends of President H.S. Luhman of the Citizens State Bank are glad to see him about again with his cheery smile after a few days illness last week.
-During the M.W.A. rally at the Maennerchor Hall a patriotic song, "Our Country's Call", written by Mrs. Emil Tetlow of this city, will be given its first public presentation.
-Father Fred B. Steele returned to Cedar Rapids Saturday after having here on a brief visit to his father, Joseph Steele. He was accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Kane, of Waterloo.
-Mr. and Mrs. Magnus Nali left Sunday by auto for Spring Valley, Minn., to visit his mother. Mr. and Mrs. John Schultz of this city accompanied them as far as Cresco for a visit with friends.
-L.W. Feezer, of the U.S. Public Health Service, stationed at St. Paul, took the train here Sunday morning on his return to service, he having been at Clermont on a visit to his grandfather, C.F. Weck.
-On Monday as John D. Layton of Crookston, Minn., stepped off the noon Milwaukee passenger, he was handed a telegram conveying to him the sad intelligence that his son Arthur had been killed in France.
-Capt. O.J. Blessin arrived here on Monday accompanied by Mrs. Blessin and Ruth Evelyn, who had just returned from their stay in Montana. Mrs. Blessin and Mrs. Hall Roberts will return to Great Falls, Mont. in two or three weeks.
-A large family gathering was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Weihe of this city last Sunday and a pleasant time is reported by all. Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Stoehr and Mrs. Hervey Stoehr of Luana were among the out of town guests present.
-Ray Putnam was a caller last Thursday and as he was carrying his arm in a sling, we just naturally asked the reason why and found that a sliver in his finger had developed into a case of blood poisoning, but he is getting along all right now.
-Lawrence Dresser left Monday for Fayette to enter the Students Army Training Corps at the U.I.U., at which place close to 100 have enrolled in that course. Mr. and Mrs. John Dresser and Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Hecker accompanied him there.
-LeRoy Weihe and Allen Schroeder departed today for Ames to enter the S.A.T.C.
-After several weeks visit here to his parents, Bert Cook left Monday on the journey to his home in Republic, Wash.
-W.S. Webster and Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Webb returned Monday evening from their auto trip to North and South Dakota.
-Mrs. George Kohlmann and Elizabeth May returned Wednesday from a brief visit to the former's sister, Mrs. H.K. White.
-Mrs. Gertrude Widman and babe came up from McGregor this morning for a visit at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Schroeder.
-C.F. Meier, Geo. Hein and Louis Meyer and their families autoed to Burr Oak Sunday to spend the day with Mr. and Mrs. Louis Thoma.
-Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meiske and Mesdames Henry Miller, E.P. Durno and R.F. Topliff autoes to Clermont, Elgin and West Union Tuesday afternoon.
-Harvey Meyer came home from Milwaukee Monday, having decided there's no place like Iowa. He goes to work next Monday on the Guttenberg [illegible]
-Mrs. J.A. Jarmes of Monona died Wednesday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Schultz, near Ridley, heart trouble being the cause of her death.
-Roadmaster Carr of the Rock Island was a Postville visitor Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Leo Willenberg. He made the trip in his own special car.
-Geo. J. Meier took O.W. Meier, Mrs. A.J. Philips, Mrs. Earl Abernathy and Irene Meier to Garnavillo Tuesday to spend the day at the Chas. Hedeman home.
-The Herald Editor and wife are entertaining a seven pound girl which arrived at the Postville Hospital Sunday evening. Looks as though she'll make a good society editor for us.
-E.P. Durno is enjoying a visit from his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. L. Durno of Springville, Iowa, and his sister, Mrs. A.W. Starbuck of Denver, Colorado, who came last Friday for a sojourn at his home.

Neighborhood News - Items of Interest From Allamakee and Adjoining Counties
-Fred Bilder is the first Clermont boy to be reported wounded in action overseas.
-Mr. and Mrs. James T. Tapper of Monona celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary last Monday.
-Ralph Waters and John Dundee, two Waukon boys, were killed in action in France, according to word received in Waukon Saturday.

Married in Decorah
William Koenig and Miss Emma Schroeder, both of Castalia, were united in marriage at the Methodist parsonage in Decorah on Tuesday, Sept. 10, REv. A.R. Grant performing the ceremony. The Herald joins the many local friends in wishing them a happy journey through life.

Pre-Nuptial Party
The Misses Nellie Sonnkalb and Edith Orr gave a shower Saturday evening at the Sonnkalb home in honor of Miss Helen Leui, who is to be married this (Thursday) afternoon.

Finishing Touches
The fine new home being built by G.E. Eaton in the south part of town is about completed, the pebble dashers being expected daily. The fixtures for the new home of the Citizens State Bank have arrived and Contractor Geo. J. Schroeder and his men are busy with the finishing work this week.

"Grinnell Party"
The Misses Virginia and Amy Williams gave a "Grinnell Party" at their Grand Meadow farm home on Monday evening in honor of the Postville young people who leave this afternoon to attend Grinnell College this year, and it is almost needless to say they had a most delightful evening's entertainment. The young people who will represent Postville at Grinnell are the Misses Esther Kiesau and Amy Williams, and Messrs. Lee Burdick, Clifford Conley, Paul Marston, Joe Harris and Edward Staadt.

[transcribed by S.F., October 2009 & May 2010]

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