Iowa Old Press
Algona Courier
Algona, Kossuth co. Iowa
January 3, 1918
PETER PRIESTER ANSWERS CALL
Aged Whittemore Man Passed Away At His Home Wednesday.
Was Prominent Kossuth Farmer Since Moving Here In 1881. Wife and
Five Children Survive.
Last Wednesday afternoon at four o’clock at his home in
Whittemore occurred the death of Peter Priester, one of the old
and highly respected citizens of that community. It is said the
aged man had not been in the best of health of late so that his
death although rather sudden was not wholly unexpected. Just the
day before he was up and around and ate Christmas dinner with the
family.
Peter Priester was born in Wederath, Prussia, August 3, 1833,
being more than eighty-four years of age at the time of his
death. He came to this country in May 1866, and worked as a farm
hand for several years in Wisconsin and eastern Iowa. On
September 14, 1873, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth
Schaefer at Cassville, Wisconsin. For seven years they resided on
a farm near Glenn Haven, Wisconsin. Then in the spring of 1881,
they moved to Kossuth county settling on a farm four miles south
of Whittemore where they made their home until March 1, 1908,
when they moved to Whittemore.
To this industrious German couple six children were born, three
boys and the same number of girls. Those living are: Anna, wife
of Peter Neu, Whittemore; Cecelia, wife of John J. Elbert,
Whittemore; Gusta, at home; H. C., Whittemore; and J. O., who
lives on the old place. Peter Jr. died in September 1882, at the
age of six years. Besides the wife and children, Mr. Priester is
survived by eight grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning from St.
Michael’s Catholic church in Whittemore and the remains laid
to rest in the Catholic cemetery northwest of town.
L. F. ROBINSON DEAD
Old Settler Passed Away at His Home in Orlando, Florida,
December 14, 1917
Word reached here week before last that L. F. Robinson, pioneer
resident and merchant of this city had died at his home in
Orlando, Florida. The end came on December 14, and the remains
were laid to rest on the following Sunday.
Mr. Robinson came here in an early day and was for a time
associated with Henry Durant in a hardware store and later with
his brother, J. W. Robinson. He married for his first wife, Miss
Ellen Durant. Their one child, Vincent, was drowned when a young
man while boating on the Des Moines river. Mr. Robinson was about
85 years of age at the time of his death. He is survived by three
sisters.
The following account of the funeral services is taken from the
Orlando Reporter-Star:
“The funeral services of M. L. F. Robinson was held in Unity
Chapel, Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. Old friends and new
filled the chapel to the doors.
“The Orlando Grand Army Post and visiting comrades were the
Pallbearers and Guard of Honor. Rev. Eleanor E. Gordon, minister
of the Unitarian church, had charge of the service.
“Miss Gordon read John White Chadwick’s beautiful hymn
beginning: ‘It singeth low in every heart.’ Then
followed comforting and inspiring sentences from scriptures old
and new.
“In her personal tribute to he old friend and parishioner,
Miss Gordon said: ‘I first met Mr. Robinson thirty-six years
ago in Algona, Iowa. I knew him later in Des Moines, and for the
last eight years in Orlando. I have found him always a loyal
friend, faithful to the cause of liberal religion, a good citizen
always interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the
community.
“It was once said of a famous man the well was deep, but
there was nothing to draw it with. I have often thought of these
words in connection with Mr. Robinson.
“He was a student of the best literature, thoroughly at home
in science and history, but he was unassuming in manner, so
modern in his thought as to his knowledge of life and books, that
few people realized how great and good a man he was.
“The speaker concluded by saying, ‘It is these quiet,
modest, thoughtful, people that make this old world of ours a fit
place to live.’
“Mr. Robinson was a home-loving man. Last summer he married,
for his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Agnes Robinson, and his
friends have rejoiced that the last months of his life were made
happy by loving care and congenial companionship.”
Lodge Elects Officers
The Knights of Pythias elected the following officers at
a meeting Thursday evening:
Wm. Wendt, C.C.;
C. A. Pankuk, V.C.;
J. H. Stephenson, Prelate;
Stanley Worster, M. of W.;
A. Peugnet, K. of R. and S.;
J. A. Long, M. of M.;
E. L. Vincent, M. of V.;
Lars Sorensen, M. of A.;
Paul Rist, I.G.;
John P. Byson, trustee.
The same evening Prudence Lodge No. 205, A. F. & A. M.
elected officers for the ensuing years as follows:
C. T. Chubb, W.M.;
R. A. Palmer, S.W.;
Geo. H. Free, J.W.;
E. D. McDade, Secretary;
B. F. Crose, Treasurer;
B. E. Norton, was re-elected trustee for a term of three years.
Dedicate Service Flag.
A pretty and impressive ceremony was the dedication of
the Presbyterian service flag, which took place at the Christmas
exercises at the church on Christmas eve. The flag was made by
Helping Hand Society and presented to the church. Each, blue star
which appears on the white field of the flag, represents a youth
who has gone from the church to serve his country. The four stars
which now appear on the flag are in honor of Lieut. Walter
Kresenaky, Sergeant Arnold Kresensky, Alfred Kresensky and Forest
Mathes. The flag will remain in the church and a star added for
each subsequent member who enters the national service.
Ringsdorfs and Dittmers.
Burt Special: Mrs. Claude Sigsbee, entertained last
Sunday in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ringsdorf who are here from
Newark, S. Dak.
In spite of bad weather, there were present Mr. and Mrs. John
Dittmer, Emma Dittmer, Newark; Lizzie Dittmer, Arthur Dittmer,
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Larson and two daughters, Wyot Stott and
family, Mr. and Mrs. F. Ringsdorf, Verna Ringsdorf, Warren and
Tressie Ringsdorf. All report an excellent dinner and a royal
good time.
BANCROFT MAN DIES.
Christmas morning, A. B. Adolphson of Bancroft, died at
Cherokee where he has been the past two years. The deceased was
about fifty years of age at the time of his death and had spent
most of his life in Bancroft. He was born on a farm in Swea
township and while a boy met with an accident which injured and
crippled him for life. His sisters, Esther and Emma, are well
known teachers, the former still being an instructor in the
public school at Bancroft. Emma accompanied the remains back for
burial.
Dale McDonald Dead.
Dale McDonald, second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E.
McDonald, who has been ill for a year with diabetes, died early
Wednesday morning at the home of his parents. The little fellow
was taken to Battle Creek sanitarium last summer and every effort
made to save his life but he grew steadily weaker until the end
came. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2
o’clock from the home and burial made in the Burt cemetery.
GOOD WOMAN DEAD.
Mrs. John Geishecker passed away at her home near
Livermore Monday, December 24, 1917, at the age of 60 years. She
was born at Sigourny, Iowa, and came to this county in 1879
having married Mr. Geishecker in the fall of 1876. Six children
were born to the union, three of whom survive the mother: Henry,
John, and Mrs. Herman Platt. Kasper died at the age of
twenty-four, while two passed away when quite young.
Funeral services were held at the St. Joe Catholic church,
December 26, with Father Stork in charge. Interment was made in
the nearby cemetery.
It is said by those who knew her that Mrs. Geishecker was a good
woman, a devoted wife, and a kind and loving mother.
CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to sincerely thank the many kind friends who
cast aside personal duties to assist us during the dark hours of
our recent betreavement. ~Mrs. J. S. Troutman and children.
Successful Box Social.
A good sized crowd witnessed an enjoyable Christmas
school program at the Lotts Creek No. 7 school a week ago Friday
night. The program was followed by a good old fashioned box
social. Perry St. John, a young Lotts Creek farmer, acted as
auctioneer and succeeded in getting the neat sum of $56.55 from
the bidders. It is said one young beau paid more than a ten-spot
for the “right” box. Fifteen dollars was donated to the
Red Cross, and the remainder of the fund will be used in buying a
teacher’s desk, water fountain, lamps and supplies.
Miss Erma Zanke, daughter of Joe Zanke, of Union township, is the
teacher of the school and she and her pupils are to be
congratulated upon the success of their undertaking. Miss Zanke
graduated from the normal training department of the local high
school.
Hagg-Bankson
Sunday night, December 23, 1917, Rev. C. G. Lundell,
pastor of the Swedish Lutheran Church, united in marriage Grant
Hagg and Miss Edna May Bankson. The wedding took place at the
bride’s home in the presence of close friends and relatives.
Mr. Hagg is the son of Mrs. Chas. Hagg, while the bride is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bankson. The couple will live with
her folks in the northwest part of town for the time being. Their
many friends wish them much happiness.
LIVERMORE WOMAN DIES.
Livermore Gazette: Mrs. Peter Freilinger died
at her home four and a half miles north of Livermore on Monday,
December 17, 1917. She was 62 years old last October. Her maiden
name was Anna Altman. She was a sister to John Altman and Mrs. M.
Marso of Livermore. She was born in Luxemberg, Germany, and
emigrated to this country in 1880. She married Peter Freilinger
at Algona in 1881 and lived near there for a year or two, after
which they moved to their present place north of Livermore where
she lived up to the day of her death.
Four boys and four girls were born to them, the order of their
birth being as follows: Michael, Susie, Peter, John, Anna (Mrs.
Chas Berte), Mary, Joseph, and Justina. All these live at home or
near by except Susie, who is a Sister at Remsen.
Deceased has been an invalid for over ten years. The devoted
husband has used every effort and employed the skill of the best
hospitals to restore her health but has not succeeded. He and the
family and other relatives have the sincere sympathy of the
community in their bereavement.
The funeral services were held from the St. Joseph Catholic
church, Father Stork officiating and a large number being in
attendance.
JASPERSON-HOFER WEDDING
Miss Nilla Jasperson Married to Mr. Ralph Hofer of
Ventura, Wednesday, December 19, 1917
Because of lack of space we were compelled to limit our mention
of the marriage of Nilla Jasperson and Mr. Ralph Hofer to a local
notice in our last issue. The happy ceremony was held at the home
of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Jasperson, at
10:30 on Wednesday morning, December 19. Miss Zita Quinn played
the wedding march, while Miss Rose Harig and Mr. Wm. Hofer,
brother of the groom, acted as bridesmaid and best man. The
marriage ceremony was performed by the Father E. S. Maynard, of
the Catholic church, in the presence of near relatives and a few
guests. Miss Faith Stevens of Dubuque sang, “At
Dawning” at the close of the ceremony. A delightful wedding
breakfast was served, after which the happy couple departed for
Dubuque, for a visit with relatives.
The bride is well known in Algona and is popular among the young
people of the city. She graduated from the local high school in
1914. The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hofer, Sr., who
formerly lived on a farm two and one-half miles northwest of
Ventura. They built a new home in Clear Lake and moved there last
March and Ralph and his brother rented the old place, which is
240 acres, and are farming in partnership. Mr. Hofer is building
a new bungalow on the farm which he and his bride will occupy as
soon as completed. The best wishes of a host of Algona people
follow the young couple.
R. S. BLOSSOM PROMOTED.
Popular Young Fenton Banker Takes O. R. Rowley’s
Place at Swea City.
Early this month O. R. Rowley, casher of the Swea City State
Bank, will go to Des Moines to assume a managerial position with
the Register and Tribune Company. The vacancy thus created will
be filled by R. S. Blossom, an old Algona boy, who has developed
into a first-class financier at Fenton the past few years. F. C.
Bailey of the County Savings Bank will take the cashiership at
Fenton, while Cecil, a younger brother, will come here to take
Fred’s place.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2014]
Kossuth County Advance
Algona, Kossuth co. Iowa
January 9, 1918
Funeral Services Friday Afternoon for Little Dale
McDonald—Buried at Burt.
Funeral services for little Dale McDonald, second son of
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. McDonald, who died just before dawn Wednesday
morning, were conducted at the home Friday afternoon, Rev. J. J.
Jones officiating. Relatives and friends of the family crowded
the house to its capacity. The wasted body lay in a casket all in
white under a coverlet of beautiful flowers. Arthur Smith,
accompanied by M. J. McCall on the harp, sang “Asleep in
Jesus” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.” Dale was
a member of Miss Jennie Pettibone’s Congregational Sunday
school class and six of his classmates, Howard Harrington, Wm.
Mann, Kenneth Seeley, Robt. Van Ness, Harold Osier, and Perry
Johnston were the Pallbearers. The body was taken to Burt, where
it was buried in the McDonald family lot.
Little Dale was born June 19, 1905, when his father was sheriff,
and was thus only a half year past his twelfth birthday when he
died. A year ago last summer it was discovered that he was
afflicted with diabetes. Everything was done to cure hi, but
nothing stayed the steady progress of the disease. Last summer he
spent seven weeks at Battle Creek, under skilled treatment, but
the disease did not yield. After his return he gradually grew
weaker, until at last the end came. Fortunately he never knew he
could not get well. He did not suffer, and his passing was like
going to sleep.
Dale was one of the best little boys in Algona. He was bright and
quick to learn, and excelled in his studies at school. His good
record excused him from all but one of his last tests. He liked
to play, and all his playmates were fond of him, for he was
always considerate, never rough or quarrelsome. To his parents
and near-by friends the saddest thing about his long illness was
to see him wistfully but uncomplaining watching the children of
the neighborhood at play after he had become too weak to take
part in their sports himself.
AUTO JUMPS BRIDGE; YOUNG FARMER DIES
John P. Krapp, West of Bancroft, is Killed Saturday
Night.
SNOW CONCEALS THE ROAD; DRIVES OFF BRIDGE SIDE
Car Turns Bottom Side Up and Pins Him Down.
Wife Gets Help but Rescuers Find Him Dead.
John E. Krapp, a young farmer, lost his life Saturday night, when
his car ran off a small bridge about five miles west of Bancroft
and was overturned, pinning him beneath it. The young man’s
wife, who was with him, escaped without injury. The car was a
Ford. The accident occurred at about 10 o’clock.
Mr. and Mrs. Krapp were returning from Swea City with drugs for
the former’s father, John Krapp, Sr., who has been very ill
for a long time with heart trouble. A blizzard had come up, and
snow was falling. The was therefore hard to follow. Mr. Krapp
seems to have been out of the road a few feet when he struck the
bridge. The wheels on one side apparently missed the bridge
altogether.
Car’s Wheels In Air.
The car turned half way over, and lodged with its wheels in the
air. Mr. Krapp was caught under the car, with the back of the
front seat, the steering wheel, and part of the top resting on
his body. His jaw was broken.
Mrs. Krapp got out of the car, and frantically tried to release
her husband, but her strength was not equal to the task. Mr.
Krapp was then alive, and told her where to go to get help. She
started away, but heard him groaning, and came back to make
another attempt to release him. Failing again, she went for help,
but in her confusion took the wrong direction. However, she
finally found help, but when the rescuers reached him they found
him dead.
County to Stand Damages!
One story has it that the bridge where the accident occurred was a
concrete bridge, all finished except the railing, for which gas
pipes had been set. According to another account the bridge was a
temporary affair, to be used until spring, when a concrete bridge
was to be built. There is a rumor that the county may be asked to
pay damages for the loss of Mr. Krapp’s life.
Mr. Krapp was one of six children, three sons and three
daughters. He was about 27 years old, and was married less than a
year ago to Miss Theresia Lentsch. His father has long been one
of the wealthy and prominent farmers of the Bancroft
neighborhood.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2014]
Algona Courier
Algona, Kossuth co. Iowa
January 10, 1918
Dale McDonald Buried Friday
The funeral of little Dale McDonald, which was held
Friday was attended by a large gathering of friends who filled
the home to overflowing. Rev. J. J. Jones officiated and Arthur
Smith, accompanied by M. J. McCall on the harp, sang,
“Asleep in Jesus” and “Beautiful Isle of
Somewhere.” Six members of Miss Jennie Pettibone’s
Congregational Sunday school class, of which Dale was a member,
served as Pallbearers. The body was taken to Burt for interment
in the family lot.
Dale was a bright, sunny little chap who was beloved by his young
friends and old alike. That he should be taken from them in his
thirteenth year has grieved them all and all extend to the bereft
family their unstinted sympathy.
FARMER KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT
John Krapp Jr. Crushed to Death Sunday Evening.
Auto Went Off Bridge Over Dredge Ditch Pinning Driver Under Car.
Died Before Help Arrived.
John Krapp Jr., a respected young farmer living four miles
southwest of Bancroft, met a tragic death Sunday evening when the
auto which he was driving went over a bridge. He and his wife
were returning from Swea City about ten o’clock when the car
went off the bridge. The car rolled into the dredge ditch and
pinned the unfortunate man securely beneath. Mrs. Krapp managed
to crawl from beneath the car, but was unable to move the weight
from her husband. She then set out to obtain help and secured
assistance from the Charles Logan home and from other neighbors
who were then aroused. However, the car had evidently settled an
unbearable weight upon the victim for before help arrived the man
was dead. The weight of the car rested on Mr. Knapp’s chest
and it is thought he suffocated before help arrived. His jaw was
broken and other injuries sustained which may have hastened
death.
Mr. Krapp was a thrifty young farmer, a son of John Krapp Sr.,
and had been married less than a year. The father is at present
in a critical condition, suffering from leakage of the heart. His
mother died a year ago. Besides the wife and father, two sisters
and two brothers survive. Funeral services will be held today at
Bancroft.
MARIE A. GARNER DIES.
Wendell Gartner, Former Ottesen Farmer, Writes of Death
of Daughter from Diphtheria.
Blackwell, Okla.
Dec. 24, 1917
The Algona Courier,
Algona, Iowa.
Dear Sirs:--Will send you the following obituary of my oldest
daughter, who died a couple of weeks ago of diphtheria.
“Marie Agnes Gartner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell
Gartner, was born on a farm near Bode, Humboldt county, Iowa,
September 30, 1892, where she lived until February 25, 1902, when
she with her parents moved to a farm two and one half miles from
Ottosen, Kossuth county, Iowa, and it was there she spent her
childhood days. Moved on a farm near Blackwell, Kay county,
Oklahoma, Dec. 5, 1908, with her parents, where she lived until
her untimely death, Dec. 5, 1917, at the age of 25 years, 2
months and 5 days. Her mother died Aug. 31, 1910, and since that
time she has filled the place made vacant by her mother’s
death until she was called to her reward. She leaves to mourn her
loss, a father, four sisters, and two brothers, an uncle,
residing in Blackwell and a host of friends. Marie was a bright,
winsome girl and her sudden death has been a severe shock to all.
The serious nature of her malady (diphtheria) making it
impossible for her friends to be present at the last, and the
absence of her father, who was in Iowa at the time of her death,
caused the deepest sympathy for the bereaved family. The funeral
services were conducted at 9:00 o’clock Friday morning, in
the Catholic church in Blackwell. Interment was made in the
cemetery south of town.”
We are having fine weather at present. Have had it for a few days
but the seventh of this month, we had a big snow storm. Biggest
we have had for this time of year in Okla. It did not benefit the
wheat, as the snow was all blown onto the roads running east and
west. It was so bad that they could hardly be traveled with
horses and were so they could not be traveled with a car for a
number of days.
We are all well. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Yours Truly,
Wendell Gartner.
Holm-Nielson Nuptials.
At the Jens Christenson home on North Minnesota St. last
Monday occurred the marriage of Mr. Frederic Nielson of Algona
and Miss Ida Meta Holm of Copenhagen, Denmark. Rev. C. G.
Lundell, pastor of the Sw. Lutheran Church performed the ceremony
in the Danish language. Young Mrs. Nielson arrived in Algona last
Saturday from Copenhagen. Mr. and Mrs. Nielson went immediately
to housekeeping in the new home which the groom built last summer
on East Oak street.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2014]