ZILK, Charles, Sr.

ZILK, HUEBNER

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 9/29/2009 at 16:00:26

Charles Zilk, Sr., a pioneer of Mitchell county, was born in North Prussia, Ger­many, Aug. 1, 1811. He is a son of Christian and Louise Zilk. He was mar­ried in his native country, Oct. 25, 1835, to Mary Huebner. They have had four children. The oldest died in childhood. Charles, Jr., is married and lives in Jenkins; August, aged fifteen, was frozen to death Dec. 2, 1856, while out on the prai­rie in Howard county during a severe snow storm. His body was not recovered until April following; William, the young­est, is married and lives in Jenkins. Mr. Zilk owns a farm of 160 acres, situated on section 13, Jenkins township, but now lives with his son William.

Hardships of the Pioneers:

It happened that on the 2d day of De­cember, 1856, Charles Zilk wished to mail a letter, and the nearest postoffice was at West Union; but by sending the letter to Pettibone, in Howard county, a point fifteen miles distant, it would be sent for­ward. August, his son, who was about fifteen years old, but large and stout for his age, offered to carry the letter. His father, at that time, had no team but oxen, so he went on foot, across an almost uninhabited prairie. About the time of his arrival at Pettibone, a fearful storm set in, accompanied by both snow and wind. The people at Pettibone urged him not to try to make the return trip that night, telling him it was very dangerous. But feeling confident that he could make home, he started out on his ill-fated voy­age over the snow drifts. The storm in­creased in violence, and the falling snow soon obliterated all land marks. The fol­lowing day it was found that the snow was three feet deep on a level. As the boy did not reach home that night, the family thought he must have remained with his friends, but when he did not come the next day, they became alarmed, and started out in pursuit. Finding that he had started out the same day of the storm, no doubt existed as to his fate. A long and tedious search for his body was commenced. The father wandered over the cheerless prairie, stopping at every uneven spot, for in the surface of that great white snow mass he knew his poor son August was buried. All efforts were in vain, and the long dreary winter wore itself away, and after the snow had melted off, the boy was found only three miles from the place he left on his return trip. The remains were discovered on the 23d of April, 1857, nearly four months after the boys death.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, pages 333 & 329.