Family:Christian Klapmeier and Anne Reitmeier (1)

WILLIAM KLAPMEIER OBITUARY

GOOD CITIZEN PASSES AWAY: WILLIAM KLAPMEIER, PROMINENT FARMER AND BUSINESS MAN DIES MAY 11

In the death of William Klapmeier of Comfort, which occurred late Thursday night, May 11, Kanabec county lost one of its best citizens. His death resulted from a disease of the liver and spleen. He became ill about four weeks ago, but it was not until a few days before his death that the seriousness of his ailment was realized by relatives and friends.

Mr. Klapmeier was born in Buttendorf, Germany, November 28, 1863, and was 47 years, 5 months and 18 days of age. When 19 years of age, he decided to seek his fortune in a new country and in 1883 came to Grand Island, Nebraska, where he married Miss Louise Reitmeier the same year. Their married life had always been a happy one. Nine children came to bless them and the family knew no great sorrow until the Grim Reaper cvame and robbed them of a loving husband and father. Those who survive3 him are his widow, six sons and three daughters. The children are as follows: Sons; Henry, Herman, William, Fred, Edward and Elmer; daughters – Mrs. Louie Lilienthal and Mary and Martha, unmaried. He also leaves a brother and two sisters in Germany. On the day of his death, a letter arrived from Germany giving the news of his mother’s death a short time before. Mr. Klapmeier came to this country [Minnesota] from Nebraska fourteen years ago. He came here a poor man, purchased a farm and by hard work and good business judgment in the management of his farm and his other business ventures he prospered and leaves his family possessed of a beautiful farm of 320 acres along Spring brook a couple miles east of town.

Mr. Klapmeier was one of the county’s most prominent farmers. He was also engaged in the business of buying livestock and produce. During the past year he was associated with O. H. Harlan in the potato and produce business under the firm name of Harlan and Klapmeier. He was a man of sterling qualities who always had the confidence and respect of his business associates and friends. His death is a distinct loss to the community and his many friends and acquaintances feel that in his passing away a true, kind, honorable and upright man has gone to his reward.

The loss to the family is a great one as they who knew him best will miss him most. He was kind and affectionate in his family life and his taking away was a shock to the loved ones he leaves behind.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the German Lutheran church in this village. A large number were in attendance to pay their last respects to their departed friend and neighbor. Rev. R. Storm preached the funeral sermon and had charge of the services. The remains were interred in Oakwood cemetery.

Fred Helwig and J.H. Hokamp of Belden, Nebraska, brothers-in-law of the deceased and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lilienthal of Eagle Bend, Minnesota, attended the funeral. ...

Mr. Wm. C. F. Klapmeier TO Miss Louisa Reitmeier
Before the County Judge of Washington County, Nebraska
28 March 1884
No. 238 1009

MARRIAGE LICENSE
The State of Nebraska, Washington County
License is hereby granted to any person authorized to solemnize marriages according to the laws of the State, to join in marriage Mr. Wm. C.F. Klapmeier and Miss Louisa Reitmeier of the County aforesaid, whose ages, residence, etc., are as follows”

Wm. C.F. Klapmeier, Groom, age 19. Born Germany. Residence, Bell Creek. Father: Carl; Mother: Caroline.

Louisa Reitmeier, Bride, age 24. Born Germany. Residence: Bell Creek. Father: Henry; Mother: Mary

... In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at my office in Blair, in said County, this 28th day of March A.D. 1884 Alonzo Perkins Co. Judge.

CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
To the County Judge of Washington County, Nebraska:

This Certifies, That on the 29th day of March A.D. 1884, at Bell Creek in said County, according to law and by authority, I duly joined in marriage Mr. Wm. C.F. Klapmeier and Miss Louisa Reitmeier and there were p[resent as witnesses August Stork and Johanna Stork.
Given under my hand the 18th day of April A.D. 1884. J, Kilgindorf, Rev.

*NOTE: Williams’s name on the license appears to be C.F. although it could be C.H. The certificate pretty clearly shows C.F. His baptismal record lists him as Christian Heinrich Wilhelm Klapmeier, so I would think it should be a C.H.

Kanabec County Times
Thursday, May 18, 1933

DEATH OF MRS. WILLIAM KLAPMEIER OCCURS MONDAY: Entire Community Grieved by Passing of Well-Known Lady.

Many friends of Mrs. William Klapmeier will be grieved to learn of her death which occurred Monday, May 15 after a lingering illness of nine weeks. Mrs. Klapmeier had been seriously ill with kidney trouble but it was believed that she was getting better until about three days before her death.

Louise Rightmeier (sic) was born July 5, 1859 in Lubecke, Westfallen, Germany, and died at the age of 73 years, 10 months, and 10 days. She came to Nebraska in this country in the year 1881. Two years later she was married to William Klapmeier in Washington County, Nebraska. They came to Kanabec County in 1898 where Mr. Klapmeier passed away May 11, 1911. Surviving her are eight children, namely Anna and Martha of Meredith, Montana; Mary of Barron, Wisconsin; Henry, Herman, and Elmer of Mora; Fred and Edward of Meredith, Montana. One son, William, passed away April 26, 1929. There are also twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren besides other relatives and a very large number of friends.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon, Thursday, at 1:30p from the Henry Klapmeier home and at 2 o’clock from the Zion Lutheran Church, Rev. H. C. Janus officiating. Pallbearers are A. H. Rosnow, Fred Heuser, Rulolph Walter, F.A. Kreisel, Fred Althoff and Henry Birkman. Burial will be made in the Oakwood Cemetery.

Among those from afar off in attendance at the funeral were William Hokamp and Hilda Hokamp of Carroll, Nebraska, nephew and niece of the deceased; Mr. and Mrs. B.E. Broadbent, nee Mary Klapmeier, of Barron, Wisconsin.

The children who live in Montana were called here several weeks ago by their mother’s illness and returned to their homes just recently, so they were unable to return for the funeral.