LeMars Globe-Post
October 5, 1922

SENEY: (By Special Correspondent)

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Riter and family of Rock Rapids were callers at the E.
H. Riter home on Friday.

Clarence Jackson, of Kenneth, Minn., spent Saturday and Sunday with
relatives and friends here.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jeffers, sons Clyde and Clinton of Haxtun, Colo.,
accompanied by Mrs. A. D. Jeffers of Sioux City, motored here last week and
are visiting relatives.

Mrs. Hugh Dealy and children of Sioux City visited Sunday in the H. C.
Detloff and W. E. Hennrich homes.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Whitman left on Tuesday for Marshalltown to visit Mrs.
Whitman's sister, Mrs. Herbert Brintnall and family. Mr. and Mrs. E. L.
Whitman of Galesburg, Ill., will meet them there and all will motor back to
Galesburg, where Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Whitman expect to visit a month with
their son and wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Cliff, of O'Leary, were guests of their son Ernest and wife.

Mr. and Mrs. John Becker and daughter, Miss Selma, of Sioux City, were
Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Becker.

Henry Reints and Wm. Detloff shipped hogs to Sioux City on Tuesday.

Mrs. W. E. Hennrich and Pauline Riter visited relatives in Sioux City on
Thursday.

Miss Ethel Eyres, county superintendent of schools, was visiting our school
last Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Grant Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. T. K. Chapman and son, Robert,
motored to Sheldon on Saturday and visited Mr. and Mrs. Dan McArthur and
family. They returned home on Sunday.

Mrs. R. E. Chambers returned home on Sunday from a sanitarium in Sioux City
where she took treatments for a short time.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Criswell entertained the following guests last Sunday at
dinner in honor of Mrs. Criswell's mother, Mrs. Cook, it being her birthday.
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Cook and daughter, Virla and son John Arthur and Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Deegan of near Merrill.

Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Chambers left on Tuesday by auto for Hazel, S.D., where
they will make their home. These people will be greatly missed, but we wish
them much enjoyment in their new home.

Rev. S. J. Wallace left Wednesday for Fort Dodge to attend the annual
conference of the M. E. church.

The Ladies Aid society met on Wednesday afternoon with Mrs. Wm. Utech.
After the business session a fine lunch was served by the hostess.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Friday, October 6, 1922 

A PIONEER MERCHANT
Had Been In Business Here Forty-Eight Years.
WIDELY KNOWN IN NORTHWESTERN IOWA
M. Burg Conducted Store Here in the Early Days When Le Mars Was Yet a Hamlet.

M. Burg, a resident of Le Mars for the past fifty-two years and one of the leading merchants of the city during nearly all that period of time, died very suddenly at his residence, 335 Third Avenue S.E. on Monday afternoon about half past four o'clock.

Mr. Burg was about to take an automobile ride and was walking down the hall to the front door, when he suddenly collapsed. When members of the family rushed to his assistance, it was found that he was dead. Death was ascribed to heart failure. Mr. Burg's health began to fail somewhat two or three years ago, but he was still able to attend to business although he took affairs more easily and did not confine himself as much to his desk as in former years. Just lately he had felt better and brighter than for some time and on Sunday attended church in the morning and took a long automobile drive in the afternoon. His death, without warning, came as great shock to his devoted wife, who was his constant companion, and to his family and many friends.

Mr. Burg, during his long residence, has been so intimately connected with the business and social life of the community that many people in his death felt a distinct sense of personal loss.

His name, with that of the other pioneers, is indissolubly linked with the early history of Le Mars and his friendships and acquaintanceship extended far beyond the confines of Plymouth county, his well earned reputation as a successful merchant and representative citizen being established throughout Northwestern Iowa for many years.

Born in Bissen, in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Europe, on August 11, 1848, he came with his parents two years later, to America. They settled with many of their countrymen near Tete des Morts, in Jackson county, Iowa, where they lived for eight years and then located at Caledonia, Minn., where Michael Burg grew up. When a youth he came to Le Mars seeking employment and advancement. This was in 1870.

Four years later in 1874, he formed a partnership with the late John Hentges, who was a brother-in-law of his. They embarked in the clothing and dry goods business. Their business was located in the building on Plymouth street now occupied by Edo Peters. They later bought the block in which the Hentges and Burg stores are now located.

In 1892 the partnership was dissolved, the Hentges taking over the clothing business and Mr. Burg the dry goods business. Mr. Burg's sense assisted him in the store as they grew up and of late years, Frank J. Burg and Alfred Burg and Mr. Burg conducted the affairs of the firm.

In 1905 he organized with his elder sons, the firm of M. Burg and Sons, in St. Paul, Minn., as manufacturers and wholesalers of furniture which is now one of the largest firms of its kind in the northwest.

M. Burg was highly a respected citizen. By straight dealing, perseverance and integrity, he built up a flourishing mercantile concern in Le Mars and his sons are following in his footsteps here and at St. Paul.

Bought at Burg's has been a synonym of quality for years and his customers, especially among the older generation were his friends. In the early days when money was a scarce article, he was never leery of extending credit, and many of the early settlers have remembered this and speak of the many good deeds he did in his quiet and unobtrusive manner. In social circles he was a most pleasant companion, kindly and hospitable, and possessed of forbearance and charity toward his fellowmen. He abstained from criticism of his neighbors, was unwilling to believe evil and never imputed ill to others. In his home life he was a loving and just husband and father, happy in the environment of his family and wrapped up in their happiness and welfare, a staunch friend and loyal neighbor.

Mr. Burg was united in marriage on February 10, 1880 with Miss Elizabeth Dondlinger, of Minnesota, Minn. To them were born eight children, who with their mother mourn his death. They are Gregory N. Berg, George P., Alexis J., and Mrs. Joseph N. Gehlen, of St. Paul, Minn.; Frank, J., Alfred D. and Celeste E. Burg, who reside at home. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Eugene Schwebach of Dell Rapids, S.D., and Mrs. M. Roeder of Granville, Iowa, and a large number of nephews and nieces.

M. Burg was a member of St. Joseph church and its kindred societies. He was a charter member of Trinity Council, Knights of Columbus, of this city.

The funeral was held yesterday morning at St. Joseph church and was largely attended by old friends and neighbors, many of whom came from a distance to pay honor to the memory of a good man. Six of his nephews acted as pall bearers.

* * * * *

MRS. ZIMMERMAN SUCCUMBS TO LONG ILLNESS

Mrs. Zimmerman, wife of George Zimmerman, an old and respected resident, died at her home in Washington township, Tuesday, October 3, following a lingering illness caused by cancer. She had poor health the past two years.

Mrs. Zimmerman was a native of Germany, where she was born June 3, 1857. Her maiden name was Johanna Gerdes. When she was a girl of twelve years, she came with her mother, Mrs. Gerdes, to America, and soon after their arrival they settled in Jones County, Iowa. Mrs. Gerdes subsequently married John R. Null. They came to Plymouth county and settled in Preston township.

Johanna Gerdes was married to Geo. Zimmerman and soon after their marriage they bought the farm in Washington township, which has been their home since.

Mrs. Zimmerman leaves to mourn her death her husband, George Zimmerman, her daughter, Mrs. John Botsford, a half brother and sister, Gerd Null and Mrs. Max Utesch, all residing in the vicinity. There are seven grandchildren.

Mrs. Zimmerman was a devoted wife and mother, a loyal friend and helpful neighbor and was highly respected in the community. She was active in church and social work and lived up to the tenets of Christianity.

The funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at Christ Church, Grant township, Rev. J. D. Meyer officiating, and were attended by a large concourse of neighbors and friends.

LeMars Globe-Post
October 12, 1922

~Rev. N. L. Haney, pastor of the First Baptist Church, went to Sioux Falls
for a few days on business yesterday. He will be back before Sunday.

~Joseph John Kemp, little two weeks old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kemp of
Oyens, died very suddenly this morning. Interment will be made in the St.
Catherine’s cemetery at Oyens.