KINNE, Charles 'Charlie' 1863-1879

KINNE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 12/24/2025 at 13:07:06

The black mantle has fallen over another old family in our midst and upon their household rests the deepest sorrow and darkest gloom, such as is known only to those who have passed through like affliction and can realize how keen is the piercing arrow of the unerring marksman who, sooner or later, will aim his swift winged messenger at all of us.

How true it is in this case that "Death loves a shining mark," and he has brought low the victim toward whom his fatal shaft was directed. It is almost impossible for his parents, sister and comrades to believe that their beloved child, brother and mate is sleeping in the silent tomb out there in Oak Hill Cemetery.

But, alas! so it is, and never more will they enjoy, as they often have, the pleasure of his presence among them. Charley has gone to his long home, yet he has left behind him a fragrant memory which time can never efface from the recollections of those who knew him well and loved him best.

He had been ailing for about ten days, yet he was not considered sick enough, even by himself, to require the attendance of a physician, and it was only four or five days before his death that he would consent to have one. A fever set in which was soon pronounced to be of a typhoid type.

This lasted until Saturday, when the attending physician, Dr. Brockhausen, succeeded in checking it, yet contrary to expectations he did not seem to recover, but instead grew worse. On Sunday afternoon a consultation was held by Drs. Brockhausen and Taylor and it was apparent to both that he could not live. Charley also realized the solemn fact himself but murmured not.

He kept slowly failing until 11 o'clock Sunday night, when he passed calmly and peacefully away. The family and a few friends were gathered around the dear boy and saw the life-light flicker, flicker away and go out. Oh! what a sad scene it was.

On Monday morning, as soon as it became known that Charley was dead, his schoolmates and friends began to throng the house to take a parting look upon the lifeless form and to drop the tear of heartfelt sorrow beside the bier of their cherished friend.

The funeral took place at four o'clock on Monday afternoon and it was the most largely attended of any that has taken place in Lansing for years, and an unmistakable evidence of the deep sympathy the community had for the bereaved family and the esteem in which the deceased was held by all. The Episcopal burial service was read by Rev. H.W. Houghton at the house, and also at the grave. The Turner Society, of which Charley was a member, acted as an escort, accompanied also by a number of the German Society, of which Mr. Kinne is a member.

The deceased was 16 years old on the 2d day of April last. He was a remarkable boy, and it is frequently spoken of by all, that they do not know of a single bad habit the boy had. While other boys of his age were loafing around the streets, Charley was at home engaged in painting or carving, which arts he naturally took to, or pursuing his school studies. He was a good boy in ever sense that the word implies, and had he lived he would have made a record in the world that relatives and friends would have been proud of.

"Great God! how could by vengeance light
So bitterly on one so bright?
How could the hand that gave such charms,
Blast them again?

~Lansing Journal, Wednesday, July 30, 1879; pg 3