(transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)

Copyright © 2003 by Pat O'Dell: This data may be used for your own family research; it may not be copied in any form or used for any other purpose (commercial or otherwise).

On Monday, the twenty-seventh day of April, 1914, one of the oldest surviving settlers of Fremont county passed from this life at the home of his daughter, Lucy Knappe in Hamburg.

William Knappe settled on a farm about five miles north of Hamburg in the spring of 1856. He lived there on the old homestead until several years ago, when the place was sold. Mr Knappe lived to be eight-eight years old. He was the last member of his family, and even at his advanced age was remarkably active and well preserved. It was due to an acute systemic disorder and to an operation that he passed away so suddenly.

This octogenarian, last of the race of our pioneers, was born at Nettin, Germany. There he learned the locksmith's trade. He left Germany in 1848. After a stormy passage on the Atlantic on one of the old American clipper-built sailing ships, he landed in New Orleans. It required 65 days to complete this voyage. He worked as a mechanic on a large sugar plantation about twenty miles north of New Orleans for several months. Then he went up the Mississippi to St Louis and followed his trade in various machine shops. Here he met Henrietta Winkler who afterward became his wife. They were married May 23, 1853. Three years later in 1856 he bought the farm north of Hamburg where he lived until March, 1913. He grew up with this part of the state, toiling ceaselessly until about fourteen years ago, when he gave up the active work of the farm to his youngest son, William. Educated as a successful farmer in the actual experience and hard knocks, extremely conscientious and of a pleasing, kind nature, he was respected and liked by his many friends in this vicinity who had the good fortune to know him intimately.

His wife lived until five yars ago. These old residents of our county raised a family of ten children. The eldest died in infancy. Charles F. Knappe, the third eldest child, was suddenly stricken with paralysis and died two years ago. This bowed down the old father very preceptably, the nine bereaved children who remain to mourn their father's death are: Minnie Guergens, Milwaukee, Wis; Clara Knappe, Riverton, Iowa; Lena Snow, Billings, Mont; Dona Lutz and Emma Mann, Sidney, Iowa; Lucy Knappe, Hattie Hines and William Knappe of Hamburg, and Ida Trudeau of Lexington, Nebr.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the house conducted by Rev M.F. Brower and interment was made in the Hamburg cemetery.

On Monday evening at the home of Rev and Mrs A.W. Tandy occured the wedding of Miss Nellie Bronson to Ed Browning, Rev Tandy performing the ceremony. Those attending the ceremony were Chance Calkins and wife and E.G. Tiller and wife.

The bride was born and raised in Hamburg and is highly respected by her large circle of friends. For some time past she has been the chief operator at the Independent office, a position which she has filled in the best possible manner. The groom is our city marshal and street commissioner and while he has not been a resident of this place for a great while his willingness to work and his general good conduct has won him a place in the esteem of our people. The couple go to housekeeping in the rooms over the candy kitchen. The best wishes of their host of friends join the Reporter in wishing them a happy voyage down the stream of life.

Mrs Charles Billeen died Friday afternoon at two o'clock at her home at Locust Grove. For about six years she has suffered with a cancer of the stomach. She was a woman of rare intelligence and a very devoted christian.

Mary Henrietta Bricker was born in Columbiana county, O., Dec 11, 1863. She moved to Iowa in 1880 and settled on a farm in Locust Grove township. She and Charles Billeen were married Dec 24, 1885. She leaves a husband and one daughter. Mrs Nellie Hess and a host of friends. Funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the Locust Grove church conducted by Rev Mead.

On last Friday occurred the death of Miss Etta Bell at her home in the south part of town. She had been operated upon and was rapidly recovering when she took a sudden turn, resulting in her death.

Etta was about sixteen years of age and a daughter of Mr and Mrs B.H. Bell who recently moved here from Kansas. The funeral services were held at the home on Saturday and interment was made in the Hamburg cemetery.

On Thursday, May 14, occured the death of N.S. Talbert at his home in the north part of town. Death was caused from paralysis, from which he has suffered some time. For about fifty years Mr Talbert has been a resident of this place with the exception of times when he would be in the west for extended visits. He followed the trade of carpenter at which he was a master, and many of the buildings in Hamburg show today his fine workmanship. Some three years ago he gave up active work and has been enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Nathan Stubbs Talbert was born in Ohio, December 11, 1839, and was 74 years, 5 months and 3 days old at the time of his death. He was married to Martha Trotter some fifty years ago, to this union six children were born, two having departed this life. Those living are: Mrs Agnes Lovelady of Thurman, Cal., Miss Eve, George and Will of Los Angeles. The funeral service was conducted from the home Tuesday at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev B.H. Coonradt and interment was made in the Hamburg cemetery. He leaves a wife, four children and a host of friends to mourn his loss.

Word was received here this week of the death of A.D. Loose at the home of Cal Fletcher in Council Bluffs [Iowa]. A.D. Loose was 82 years old and died at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning at Mercy hospital from infirmities incident to his age. He was born in Pennsylvania, March 9, 1832. He is survived by one son, I.A. Loose, of Thurman, and two daughters, Mrs G.E. Draper of Sidney and Mrs Carroll Fletcher of Council Bluffs. The body was taken over the Burlington to Sidney where funeral services were held Thursday.

Mr Loose was one of the early settlers in this county and for a number of years made his home here, in fact this was still his home as he and his wife were spending the winter with their daughter, Mrs Cal Fletcher.

While the news was expected at any time, when the word was passed that Frank Gillman had left this world on Wednesday morning it came as a shock. For some time past he has been suffering from a cancer and all that medical aid and loving hands could do was done but without avail.

Frank Gillman was born in Brunsweich, Germany, September 10, 1838, and at the age of nine years came to this country with his parents and settled at Carinvale, Illinois. He came to Hamburg about fifty years ago and was employed in the general store of Mr Walker and afterwards purchased a half interest ...

On July 22, 1866 he was married, his wife passing away some thirty years ago. To this union eight children were born, four dying in infancy, those living are Mrs Iona Beyschlay, Los Angeles; Mrs Luetta Stow, of Monte Mista, Colo.; Miss Emma, of Los Angeles, and Ed of San Francisco.

December 1, 1897, he married Mrs T.E. Cross, who survives him and to this union two children were born: Gilbert and Fae.....

He represented Fremont county in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly....

The funeral services will be held at the Methodist Episcopal church, Friday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by the pastor, Rev A.A. Walburn. Interment in the Mt Olive cemetery. The family have the sympathy of the entire community in this their hour of sorrow.

Mrs Eva Clark who has been employed in the Reporter office for several years, left yesterday for Des Moines [Iowa], and from there she will go to Whitehall, Mont., where she has accepted a position with the News of that city.

T.J. Connolly, formerly of Michigan arrived last Saturday to take up his work with the Reporter.