Person:Christian Klapmeier (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.

STATE OF MINNESOTA - Division of Vital Statistics. CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
Kanabec County, Comfort Township.
Registered Number 27 (Stamped # 5701)

William Klapmeier, white male, married. Born: 28 Nov 1863. Age at death: 47. Occupation: Farmer. Born Germany. Father: Herman, born Germany. Mother: Not known, born Germany.
Informant: Mary Klapmeier of Mora, Minnesota.

Date of Death: 11 May 1911.

I hereby certify, that I attended deceased from Jan 17, 1911 to May 11, 1911 ... and that death occurred on the date stated above at 11:50 P.M. The Cause of Death was Gumma of spleen, duration 4 months. Contributory cause: Gortal obstruction & ascites, duration 1 month. Signed M. S. Nerlson of Mora.

Burial at Mora Cemetery on 14 May 1911.

NEGenWeb Project
Hall County
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nehall/church_hist.html

The German St. Paul's Lutheran congregation was started on August 5, 1883, under the leadership of Rev. H. Siekmann of Hastings, Nebraska, and with the assistance of Rev. J.N. Lenker, then pastor of the English Lutheran Church. The seventeen charter members were: C.H. Duennermann, Carl Duennermann, Wm. Hoelling, Wm. Deppermann, Wm. Klapmeier, Frederick Bucholz, Carl Rosenkoetter, Gottlieb Duennermann, Heinrich Steinmeier, Frederick Cramer, Heinrich Ostermeier, Carl Schmale, Wm. Duennerman, Carl Knefelkamp, Wm. Floerke, Frederick Rahe, Frederick Busse. The first services were held in Hann's Park and in the court house, and after a short time the congregation bought the church home of the United Brethren people. The lot upon which this building stood was purchased later by the B. & M. Railroad, and the building removed to the corner of Seventh and Locust streets, where the congregation had acquired two lots. The first church board consisted of C.H. Duennermann, Fred Bucholz, c. Rosenketter, Fred Cramer, Heinrich Steinmeier. The first building was that mentioned heretofore, 24 x 40 feet in size. The new church was built in 1908, and the new parsonage in 1912.

Rutherford-Secor Land Company, Mora, Minnesota

"A prairie schooner struck town Saturday and anchored in front of Dr. Lewis' office. The caravan, under the management of William Klopmeier and Fred Hofeldt, consisted of Mr. Klopmeier's wife and eight children, two wagons, one buggy, and seven horses. They were bound for the home of Ole Widett, near Pomeroy Lake and had come from Carrol, Nebraska, a distance of five hundred miles and had been on the road three weeks. This is one instance illustrating how extensive a reputation Kanabec County is receiving and the hardships many new settlers have undergone in getting here, and we are no Klondyke, either.

Mr. and Mrs. William Klapmeier of Comfort celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.

"Mr. and Mrs. William Klapmeier left for a visit to their old home in Germany."
"Mr. and Mrs. William Klapmeier returned from their visit to Germany."

William Klapmeier underwent on operation at the Mora hospital Monday afternoon.

By 1940, the Old Klapmeier Farm had become the Mora Golf course. (From 50th wedding anniversary notice in paper.