Pike Township Family Stories
BERNARD AND NANNIE KIRCHNER
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 200
Written by Frances Elder, submitted by Betty BieriBernard A. Kirchner was born in Nichols 16 September 1873, the son of Bernard Kirchner and Charlotte Lenz Kirchner.
He received his education in the common schools and the F. H. Shinn Commercial college of Muscatine. He remained at home until he was 19 years old, when he and his brother Henry Kirchner assumed charge of the mercantile business at Nichols which their father had established years earlier. They continued together until 1907, and after that time each operated a separate store. Later he purchased the building and millinery business located next door to his store from Mrs. Lizzie Van Tuyle.
Bernard played the cornet and trumpet with the Nichols band, and he was bandmaster for five years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and affiliated with the Masons, Order of Eastern Star and Odd Fellows. Bernard served as a member of the city council for six years and one year as city clerk. He was in charge of the Shipping Association in Nichols and was a stockholder, director and vice president of the Nichols Savings bank.
At the age of 55, Bernard became the victim of spinal meningitis and was ill four days. He died 4 April 1929 at the home of his brother, Henry Kirchner.
Bernard Kirchner married Nannie E. Black 15 June 1898. She was born 1 May 1879, a daughter of Robert Connely Black and Mary Melissa Johns Black. They had two children: Clara Frances Kirchner, born 25 April 1899, and Robert Bernard Kirchner, born 8 March 1901 and died 4 September 1902.
Nannie’s obituary tells of her sudden death: “Mrs. Nannie Kirchner, wife of Bernie Kirchner, passed away Tuesday morning, March 26, 1901, about 1 o’clock after scarcely more than an hour’s warning. She had been complaining some the previous evening of a pain in her head but retired about 9 o’clock thinking sleep would bring relief. About midnight her husband was awakened by her moaning. He awakened Mr. and Mrs. Robert Black, her parents, and called Dr. Nolan and Dr. Carl but all help proved fruitless. She did not regain consciousness and died about an hour later. She leaves, beside her husband, two small children, the youngest only 17 days old.
“As the news of the sudden death spread over the village in the early morning, sadness prevailed everywhere. Many tears have fallen in sympathy with the father, mother and husband so suddenly bereft. This death comes with unusual sadness, she being the second and only remaining daughter taken within a year. An only child, Ben. Black, remains to her parents.”
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