Adams County, Ritzville, WA ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 12, 1916, issue Nicholas Sievers Nicholas Sievers died Saturday, September 30th, at his home near Lind. He was buried Monday, October 2nd, the funeral being held at the Catholic church at Ritzville, conducted by Rev. J. B. Hermann. Interment was made in the Ritzville cemetery. Mr. Sievers is survived by his wife and by several children. Two sons are prominent ranchers near Lind; one daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Johnson, resides here, and another daughter lives in Chewelah. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, October 26, 1916, issue Young Woman Ends Life By Drinking Acid Last Tuesday evening Mrs. Marion E. Potter committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid. Mrs. Potter was employed as housekeeper for Alfred Heineman at his place south of the city and it was there that her death occurred. The cause which is attributed to her deed is despondency or extreme melancholia. She left a note somewhat rambling in nature, in which she said, "What's the use of living: Nobody cares." Recently Mrs. Potter has experienced a good many troubles which have preyed upon her mind. A few months ago she was divorced from her husband and of late has had ill health. She has been employed at the Heineman home for several months. At times she was quite cheerful, but again was downhearted. Sunday she asked Mr. Heineman for her revolver, he having it in his care. He put her off, saying he would give it to her the next day. She then went upstairs. In a short while the men hearing a fall went to her room and found she had taken carbolic acid. The immediately applied first aid and summoned Dr. Hewit. The doctor made a quick run to the farm, but in spite of his efforts found it impossible to save here. She died in about twenty minutes after his arrival, at about 11 p.m. The remains were taken to Lind Monday, where interment took place. Marion E. Smith was born in Flint, Mich., September 24, 1893, being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Smith now of Lind. Much of her life has been spent in this country. She was married to Mr. Ollin Potter from whom she recently secured a divorce. Two children are living. In her last note she requested that the girl, Beth, who had been with her, be given to the father to be reared with their boy. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, November 2, 1916, issue Victor E. Koch Last Thursday the sad intelligence was received that Victor E. Koch, son of John Koch, jr., had met his death in Chinese waters. Two years ago he enlisted as a seaman and was serving on board the U. S. S. Saratoga. The telegram did not give the particulars concerning his death, except to state that it occurred while returning from shore leave, the supposition being that the small boat capsized or in some way he was thrown into the water and the drowning resulted. Mr. Koch was a young man, 23 years of age. He was born here and educated in Ritzville. Besides his father and mother he leaves to mourn his untimely death three sisters and five brothers all residing in Ritzville. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, November 16, 1916, issue Mrs. Norman's Father Called By Death Mr. and Mrs. M. Norman have returned from Seattle, where they were called by the sickness and death of Mrs. Norman's father, Andrew Wilfert. The following obituary appeared in the St. Peter, Minn. Herald: "Andrew Wilfert, former Cleveland resident, civil war veteran and pioneer, died at the home of his daughter in Seattle, Wash., on October 27 at the age of 83 years, 10 months. The remains were sent back to his old home in Cleveland where burial was made from the F. W. Wendelschafer home in Cleveland township at 2 p.m. Wednesday. "Mr. Wilfert was a native of Germany, having been born in 1833. He came to America in 1854 and settled first in Indiana. Two years later he came to Cleveland, Minn., where he lived until about ten years ago when he removed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. H. Rohrer of Seattle, Wash., with the exception of three years spent in the service of his country from 1862 until his honorable discharge in 1865. He served with Company K, Seventh Minnesota during the civil war. He participated in the battle of Tupelo and Nashville, as well as many minor engagements. In 1865 he was married to Miss M. Weiss. "The news of Mr. Wilfert's death was received with keen regret in Cleveland, St. Peter and throughout Nicollet county, where for many years he was known as an honest, upright citizen and neighbor and a kind and loving father and husband. Though absent from Minnesota for the last ten years he has not been forgotten by his many friends. "Ten children, all of whom are living, survive Mr. Wilfert. They are Mrs. F. W. Wendelschafer, Lake Jefferson; Mrs. Rudolph Wendelschafer of Nicollet county; Mrs. M. Norman, Ritzville, Wash.; Mrs. H. Benedix, Alta, Canada; Mrs. H. Davis, Denver, Col.; Mrs. O. Hoefer, Mrs. S. O. Bradowitch and Mrs. Geo. H. Rohrer of Seattle, Wash.; Louis and Felix Wilfert, Portland, Ore. "The Masonic lodge, of which Mr. Wilfert was a member, took charge of the body when it arrived at Cleveland." The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, November 23, 1916, issue Mrs. Glacken Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Glacken died at Warden Monday, November 20th. Her maiden name was Lancaster. She was born July 22, 1841, in Caswell County, Illinois. She was married in 1859 at Pekin, Ill., to Mr. Glacken. In 1871 they removed to Kansas and in 1894 to Oklahoma. Mr. Glacken died in 1910, preceding her in death by exactly six years, lacking eight hours. Mrs. Glacken came to Washington in 1912 to be with her children. Death was caused by pneumonia and the infirmities of old age, and the end occurred at the home of her son Andrew in Warden. Funeral services were held in Warden Wednesday conducted by Rev. Rieker. This afternoon the burial took place at the Ritzville cemetery beside the body of her husband. Seven children are left to mourn her loss. They are A. J. and William of Warden; Mrs. Mary E. Fellows and R. A. of Coblentz, Canada; Dude of Ruff; Mrs. Emma Barrett of Seattle; and Mrs. Cordelia Chadwick of Skedey, Oklahoma. William Weiand William Weiand, a veteran jeweler and watchmaker of Ritzville, died at the home of his daughter in Spokane Monday, Nov. 20th. The funeral was held at the Zion Congregational church yesterday afternoon and the remains were laid to rest in the Ritzville cemetery. Rev. F. Egerland conducted the funeral services, which were largely attended. Mr. Weiand was born in South Germany, March 28, 1845. At the time of his death he was aged 71 yrs., 7 mos., 22 days. He was brought up and educated in Germany and learned his trade there. He was married there and came with his wife to this country, locating at Ritzville in the early 80s. He opened the first watch repair and jewelry store in Ritzville and continued in business until 1907 when he sold to the A. L. Wiffin & Co., and removed to Spokane. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weiand, three of whom survive. A son, Fred, died several years ago. The three daughters are: Mrs. McConnell and Mrs. Graumann of Spokane, and Mrs. Schnell of Kennewick. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, November 30, 1916, issue Death Takes Mrs. F. H. Haupt Seldom has the community been more deeply shocked than when the news came Saturday afternoon that Mrs. F. H. Haupt of this city had passed away at St. Luke's hospital, Spokane. For weeks the people had known of her hard struggle for life, of her submitting to an operation, of her temporary rally, and of her sinking after the resort to a second operation. Her death while not unexpected was the occasion of genuine grief among all who have ever come in contact with her charming personality. For many years Mrs. Haupt has been a sufferer from stomach trouble. All that medical science could suggest was done to effect a cure, but to no avail. Some weeks ago, Mrs. Haupt was taken to Spokane for treatment. As her system was not in very good condition the operation was postponed as long as possible. She seemed to rally from the first operation but her system proved too weak to stand the second one. Mr. Haupt, who is cashier of the First National Bank of this city, was with her almost constantly, and their son, Fred, also was present when the end came. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in Spokane at the Smith and Co. undertaking parlors. The Rev. W. C. Hicks of All Saints cathedral gave a brief funeral sermon. The rest of the services were in charge of the Order of Eastern Star of Ritzville. Interment was made in Spokane. Mrs. Haupt was born October 12, 1862, at Mankato, Minn. Her maiden name was Rausch. She grew to womanhood in Minnesota and was educated in the schools of that state. In 1889 she was married to Fred H. Haupt who with one son, Fred E., is left to mourn her untimely death. On coming to Washington the family settled at Lind where Mr. Haupt was engaged in the banking business. Upon his assuming the cashiership of the local bank several years ago the family removed to Ritzville where they have since resided. Mrs. Haupt has two brothers and four sisters still living. They are Edmund Rausch, Waterloo, Ia.; William Rausch, Fargo, N.D.; Mrs. Warren Postlewaite and Miss Amelia Rausch, Mankato; Mrs. Frank Phillips, St. Louis, Mo.; Miss Hattie Rausch, St. Paul. Mrs. Haupt was a woman who recognzied that her first duty lay in her own home, in ministering to her own family. A woman of grace and refinement she had a wide circle of friends, though her failing health prevented her from entering actively into affairs outside her home. She was a member of the Episcopal church. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 14, 1916, issue Prominent Farmer Is Called By Death It is our duty to record this week the death of another pioneer settler of Adams County. William H. Watkins passed away Sunday morning at 7 o'clock at the home of his son on Rattlesnake Flat. For several months he has been in very bad health. Recently he made a trip to Portland but the doctors there were unable to do anything for him. A cancerous condition of the stomach was what caused his death. Mr. Watkins was born in Pike County, Illinois, June 19, 1848. He was thus 68 years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Ebenezer and Eleanor Moyer Watkins. He grew to manhood in Illinois and was married there. With his family he removed to Adams County in the early '90s taking up a homestead on Rattlesnake Flat. He continued to reside there until his death. His wife died many years ago, but four children survive. They are: P. A. Watkins, J. W. Watkins, Mrs. G. W. Wilson and Mrs. E. D. Houser. A brother, Mose Watkins was present at the funeral. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the old home, being conducted by by the Ritzville Masonic lodge of which he was a charter member. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. S. Penix of Ralston. Interment was made at the Bemis cemetery. Mr. Watkins was a substantial citizen, one of those who form the bone and sinew of the state. He never sought public honors, but was widely known and highly respected. He was successful as a farmer, owning nearly two sections of choice wheat land. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 21, 1916, issue Mrs. Katherine Caroline Agatz Mrs. Katherine Caroline Agatz, for four years a resident of Olympia, passed away at the home of her son, Fred W. Agatz, in the Capital apartments this morning at 11:30. Mrs. Agatz was a native of New York, being born in New York City September 13, 1836. She leaves one son, Fred W. Agatz, of this city, and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Zimmerman of New York. The funeral services will be held Friday morning at 9:30 from the E. M. McClintic chapel with Rev. C. S. Morrison officiating. The body will be shipped at 11 o'clock the same day to Seattle for cremation. -Olympia Recorder, December 13th John W. Lowry John W. Lowry of Sandpoint, Idaho, died Sunday at his home from a sudden attack of pneumonia. Mr. Lowry's wife was a sister of Mrs. F. V. Pierce of this city. The funeral was held Tuesday of this week, burial being made at Sandpoint. Mr. Lowry was 56 years of age. He had followed the occupation of scaler and had been employed in the Idaho woods for many years. Besides his wife there are seven children who survive. Mrs. Pierce went to Sandpoint Monday and Mr. Pierce went up Tuesday to attend the funeral. Mrs. Pierce will remain until after the holidays. The Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, Thursday, December 28, 1916, issue Eva Anderson Eva Evelyn Anderson, the eight months old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Anderson of Lind, died at the Ritzville hospital from an attack of pneumonia. The body was shipped to Lind for burial. Mrs. Sarah Crossley The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Crossley was held at the Presbyterian church of Ralston yesterday afternoon. It was conducted by Rev. C. W. Williams of Ritzville. Mrs. Crossley was a pioneer settler on Rattlesnake Flat. Her death occurred in California. Three daughters were present at the funeral. Burial was made in the Bemis cemetery. Mrs. Crossley was a woman about 60 years of age.