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 Journal-Times Thursday, January 2, 1919, issue Former Agent Passes Away A message was received Tuesday morning telling of the death in Fargo of Mr. C. C. Burdick, formerly Northern Pacific Agent at Ritzville. Death was caused by diabetes and heart trouble, from which he had been a sufferer for many years. The new of his death comes as a great shock to his many friends here. Mr. Burdick was forced to relinquish his work here in 1917 and after spending several months recuperating in Minneapolis had recovered sufficiently to become freight supervisor for the N. P. at Jamestown, N. D. Mr. Burdick was a man of upright character and a man of ability. He followed railroading from the age of 12 and attained high standing in the railroad work. At one time he was general manager of a short line railroad in Iowa. He also held responsible positions with the Northern Pacific, being stationed at various points both in the east and in the northwest. Mr. Burdick was agent here from 1915 to 1917. He was universally well-liked because he was courteous and accommodating and because he knew his business thoroughly. He is survived by his wife and three children: Carlyle, Catherine and Mary Elizabeth. The family has resided in Minneapolis, Minn., at which place the interment will doubtless take place. The Journal-Times Thursday, January 16, 1919, issue John Blum Killed In Action In France John Blum was killed in action in France on October 3rd. The sad news was conveyed in a message received by his father Andrew Blum last Saturday morning, over three months after his death. While no word had been received from John since a letter written Aug. 27 the hope was still held out that he was all right and that a letter would arrive after a time. On May 28th John was wounded severely. He was in the hospital for several weeks, and the rumor came that he was killed. This proved altogether unfounded, however, for he recovered and got back into action. Thus another young life from this county has been laid on the country's altar, and another home war's heavy hand has laid desolate. His death is the sadder because it was only eight months before, on January 29, 1918, that John's only brother Richard died here of appendicitis. John Blum was born in Adams County on December 1, 1892. Until leaving for the army he had spent all his life in this county. The last few years he farmed for himself. John was called early in the draft and after training at Camp Lewis was sent overseas. There he did his duty well, facing the enemy without flinching, suffering wounds and finally death for his country's cause. He leaves in his immediate family his parents and three sisters, Mrs. Bertha Siegelsteel of Canada, Mrs. Theresa Wood, Cheney, and Mary Blum at home; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Richard Blum. Lineman Dies OF Injuries Near Paha Alick W. Greer, a lineman in the employ of the Intermountain Power Co., died Sunday morning at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane following injuries received last Thursday in a fall from a pole on the line between Paha and Lind. Mr. Greer fell while at work on the new power line the company is building from Long Lake to the Milwaukee at Othello. He sustained fractures of both legs and of some ribs as well as other bruises. He was taken to Spokane the same night on No. 4 and rushed to the hospital where everything possible was done to save him. His home was in Spokane. He is survived by a sister. This is the first fatality and the first serious accident in the construction work of the company in this county. Samuel Dewey Etter Samuel Dewey Etter died at the home of his father, Samuel Etter, on Saturday, January 11, 1919. The cause of his death was influenza-pneumonia. Sammie Dewey Etter was born in Ritzville March 30, 1899, and died Jan. 11, 1919, being 19 years, 9 months, 11 days old. He lived during his entire life time in Ritzville. Beside his father and mother, he leaves to mourn his loss three brothers and one sister. The brothers are Earl Etter of Garfield, Morris of Davenport, and Roy of Tenino; and the sister, Mrs. Minnie Page of Geraldine, Montana. Funeral services were held at the cemetery Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. M. J. Perdue. A. Voyle Eason A. Voyle Eason, brother of Mrs. G. A. Jensen, died at Pendleton, Ore., on Jan. 1. Mr. Eason was born in Creston, Iowa, March 28, 1890, and was thus 28 years, 9 months and 4 days old. Death was due to influenza-pneumonia. He lived at Sprague for five years prior to 1914. Besides his sister, Mrs. Jensen, he leaves a wife and three small children. He is also survived by his fahter, M. P. Eason, of Pendleton, and two brothers, W. J. of Harrington, and B. J. of Ritzville. Burial was at the Catholic cemetery at Pendleton. -Sprague Advocate The Journal-Times Thursday, January 23, 1919, issue George Demler George Demler, a well known young farmer in the country west of Ritzville, died this week of influenza and was buried Tuesday at Lind. For several years he farmed the Geo. McCollom ranch ten miles west of town. A few months ago he moved to the place owned by his father-in-law, Jacob Pflugrad, not far from Lind. A specially sad feature of the case is that his wife has been an invalid for several years. There are two children. Adams County Pioneer Dies At Kahlotus J. H. McChesney, Sr., age 76, a pioneer of 32 years' residence in Adams County, died at noon Tuesday. He is the father of Miss Mary McChesney, formerly assistant manager of the local abstract company. Mr. McChesney is survived by two brothers, Zack McChesney, Sr., and Jim McChesney, 10 children and 16 grandchildren. Of his ten children, 5, Tom, Harry and Robert McChesney, Mrs. Sue Lewis, Mrs. Hannah Lewis and Miss Mary McChesney, live at Kahlotus; Zack McChesney Jr., is at Camp Lewis, and Mrs. Effie Rice and Will McChesney are in Portland. The funeral was held at one o'clock Thursday at the Delight cemetery. Mrs. Peter Kalkwarf Funeral services for Mrs. Peter Kalkwarf were held here Monday afternoon at the Lutheran church, conducted by the Rev. O. T. Just. Mrs. Kalkwart is a sister-in-law of D. J. Kalkwarf of this city. The family home was near Mesa, where she died last week. Interment was made in the Lutheran cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, January 30, 1919, issue Hattie Helme Neel Hattie Helme Neel was born in Pike County, Illinois, on September 14, 1870. In 1898 she came to Washington and resided here until the last four years, which time was spent in California for the benefit of her health. She united with the Christian church in early life and was a great worker with the Sunday school and church of this place. On January 29, 1915, she was united in marriage to Fay Neel of LaCrosse. She passed away at Redding, California, on January 22, being 48 years, 4 months, 8 days old. Besides her husband, she is survived by a brother, A. R. Helme of Washtucna, and two sisters, Mrs. Laura Sitton of Washtucna, and Mrs. J. E. Brown of Santa Anna, California. The funeral was held at Washtucna Monday, conducted by Rev. M. J. Perdue, of this city. Pioneers Are Called - Two, Born in Same Year, In Germany, Die on Same Day Here Two pioneer settlers of this county passed from his life to eternal repose last Saturday. At 4:25 p.m. Henry Schwerin died at his home in this city and half past eight Albert Freise answered the last summons. Both were natives of Germany and were born in the same year, 1849. Henry Schwerin Henry Schwerin was born in Stahlbord, Germany, July 13, 1849, and died Jan. 25, 1919, having attained the age of 69 years, 6 months and 12 days. He was married in Germany to Miss Maria Kasch, on June 5, 1876. In 1882 the family emigrated to the United States. They first settled at Two River, Wisc. In 1886 they removed to Ritzville, locating on a homestead six miles north of town. Mr. Schwerin continued actively engaged in farming until ten years ago when he retired and removed to Ritzville where he has since made his home. His health gradually became impaired and the last few months he failed rapidly. A man of quiet manners he was nevertheless highly respected by all who knew him. Funeral services were held at the late home on Monday afernoon at 1 p.m., conducted by Rev. F. Eggerland. Interment was made in the Ritzville cemetery. The deceased leaves his wife, four daughters and three sons, and 19 grandchildren. The children are Mrs. Otto VanBuren, Mrs. John Luiten, Mrs. W. A. Arlt, Charles, Fred, Paul and Anna, all of Ritzville and vicinity. A brother, August Schwerin, lives north of town. Albert Freise Albert August Hermann Freise, who passed away Jan. 25, 1919, at his residence on College Hill, was born April 12, 1949, at Belgrad, Pomern, Germany. He was 69 years, 9 months, 13 days old at the time of his death. He was united in marriage on Sept. 29, 1874, to Miss Maria Standemin, in Belgrad. Five children were born to this union of whom four are living. They are: Mrs. D. A. Nissen, Edward W. Freise, Ritzville; Mrs. Paul Cronrath, Lind, and Mrs. John Pelnar, Deer Park. In 1880 the family moved to America. Their first home in the new land was at Clay Creek, near Red Wing, Minn. In 1887 they came to Washington, settling southeast of Ritzville on a farm. On Dec. 16 1894, occurred the death of Mrs. Freise. He was married a second time, to Mrs. Caroline Pfannekuchen, on June 27, 1905. This wife and the children named survive him. Mr. Freise was an active member of the German Methodist church and generous in its benevolences. He was a man of upright life and strong character. His funeral, which was held Tuesday afternoon at the German Methodist church, was largely attended. It was conducted by the pastor, Rev. Maag, and the former pastor, Rev. L. Gaiser. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, February 6, 1919, issue Herman Karrach Herman Karrach died last Thursday at Spokane. Mr. Karrach was a long time resident of this county and city. Some weeks ago he was placed in a sanatarium for treatment, but his hold on life slipped rapidly. He was a brother of Richard and William Karrach. The funeral was held on Saturday at Spokane at Greenwood cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, February 20, 1919, issue Mrs. W. T. Pettijohn Octavia A., beloved wife of W. T. Pettijohn, died Feb. 12, 1919, at Hoquiam, Washington, aged 59 years, 15 days. Interment was made at Hoquiam, Washington. Octavia A. Clark was born in Indiana, January 28, 1860, moved with her parents to Clay County, Kansas, at an early age, where she grew to womanhood. She was married to W. T. Pettijohn November 28, 1879, and lived near Green until 1907 when they moved to Ritzville where they have since made their home. Three sons and five daughters were born to this union. All are living except Hattie, the oldest daughter, who died a little over two years ago. The children were with their mother at the last except Bert, the oldest son, who is in France with the 20th Engingeers. Tom is in the Navy, and had just returned from Italy, reaching his mother's bedside only a few hours before she passed away. The other children are Mrs. C. S. Plunkett and Mrs. F. R. Higginbotham of Hoquiam; Mrs. H. A. Ahlers of Grass Range, Montana; Mrs. J. F. Wood of Stockton, Calif., and Howard of Ritzville. There are eight gandchildren and one great-grandchild. For several years her health has been failing but until eight months ago her condition was not considered serious. Cancer of the liver developed and all medical skill and loving care were of no avail. She went to Hoquiam hoping the change of climate might be of benefit but the Grim Reaper had called her for an early harvesst and the last few months she failed very rapidly. She became a Christian in early life and lived it in her daily walk and conversation. Agnes Arlt Sunday at noon occurred the sudden death of Agnes Arlt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Arlt, jr., which occurred at the family home in this city. She had had a severe attack of diphtheria, but was improving, and that morning seemed brighter and on the road to recovery. The poison of the disease had, however, penetrated her system, and her heart was suddenly paralyzed, causing death. Agnes was born in this county June 24, 1909, and was thus at the time of her death aged 9 years, 7 months and 23 days. Funeral services were held at the chapel Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Brockman. Interment was had in the Ritzville cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, February 27, 1919, issue Train Strikes Auto; Man and Girl Killed Jacob Koch, a farmer residing northeast of town, and his seven year old daughter were hurled to practically instant death last Sunday morning when the auto in which they were riding was struck by a westbound passenger train at the second crossing east of the city limits, near the city dump ground. The car was completely demolished and parts of it hurled 200 feet. The man was dead when first reached, and the little girl lived but a few minutes. The train was a troop train and the soldier and the train crew were the first to reach the bodies. Stretchers were secured from the train and the soldiers tenderly lifted the bodies to the train and brought them to town where they were left at the depot. There were no occupants of the automobile other than Mr. Koch and his daughter. Mr. Koch and his daughter had left home to attend Sunday school and church at the Zion Congregational church, as their custom was. As soon as friends of Mr. Koch were notified, some of them went out to break the sad news to Mrs. Koch who was out on the ranch. The funeral was held at the Zion church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Six hundred people packed the church, filling the main room, the gallery and the annex, with others unable to find standing room inside. Rev. F. Eggerland, the pastor, preached the funeral sermon. The burial was made in the Ritzville cemetery. Jacob Koch was born in South Russia, October 12, 1886. In 1906 he came to this country, locating at Ritzville. He was married in 1910. In this country he worked on the Rosenoff ranch for several years. He worked in town one year and the past year has been farming the ranch of his half-brother, J. F. Koch, a few miles northeast of town. Three children were born to the union. Anna, who met death with her father; Elmer, four years old; and a baby girl six weeks old. Anna was born December 8, 1911. The Journal-Times Thursday, March 13m 1919, issue Floyd Selcho Floyd Selcho, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Selcho, died Wednesday at the home of his parents. He was 5 months, 6 days old. Interment was made Thursday. It is stated that the child failed to recover properly from an attack of influenza. Peter Damman Peter Damman passed away Wednesday evening at the L. A. Womack home in this city. He was aged 77 years, 2 months and 16 days. He was for a long time a rancher near Ritzville. He had no family, but two nieces who reside in Minnesota, have visited him and had left for home when death came. A message was sent them in the belief that they might return for the funeral. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Lutheran church. Mr. Damman was quite well to do and it is reported that he left half of his estate to his nieces and the other half to relatives in Germany, of which country he was a native. The Journal-Times Thursday, March 20, 1919, issue Death Ends Life Of Washington Pioneer At 4:40 a.m. last Monday morning the spirit of J. W. Anderson, a pioneer of Washington territory, took its flight. The death occurred at the family home in this city, and followed an illness of over a year from heart trouble and complications. Mr. Anderson was a well known and highly regarded citizen of this county. He lived here for 11 years and was one of the successful farmers of the county. Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church Friday morning at 10:30, and will be in charge of Rev. M. J. Perdue. Interment will take place at Pullman, where the Woodmen lodge will have charge. J. W. Anderson was born in Canada, November 5, 1850. He was but eight years of age when he came to America, spending most of his boyhood days in Michigan. He lived later in Missouri and in California. He was married at Modesta, Cal., Aug. 12, 1883, to Miss Anna Westbrooks, who survives him. In 1888 the family moved to Washington territory, settling at Pullman where they resided for 20 years. In 1908 they came to Adams county, settling on a ranch near Tokio. Failing health caused Mr. Anderson to retire a little over a year ago, and with his wife he traveled considerably in hopes of restoring his health, but his relief was but temporary. Besides Mrs. Anderson, there are living to mourn his death four sons and four daughters. They are Leland of Springdale; Floyd of Tokio; Durward, who has been in the aviation service in France; Mrs. Dora Anderson, Pullman; Cedric, Helen, Neva and Mildred, at home. Durward is expected to arrive in time for the funeral. Another son, Joe, died several months ago at Pullman, while in the army unit stationed there. The Journal-Times Thursday, March 27, 1919, issue Martin Meyer After an illness of ten days with erisyplas, Mr. Martin Meyer, a former well known resident of this county, passed away at the home of his son, Karl, in Spokane on Thursday, March 20. The funeral services were held Monday at Spokane, the interment being at Greenwood cemetery. Revs. Gaiser and Lange were the officiating clergymen. Martin Meyer was born September 11, 1840, at Underellen, near Weimar, Germany. He was married in 1867 to Miss Christina Reichwern. In 1886 the family emigrated to America. They lived three years in Galena, Ill., and then in 1889 moved to this county. About 1904, Mr. Meyer went down to Kennewick, but the last five or six years has made his home in Spokane. The surviving relatives are his wife, Mrs. Christina Meyer, and three children, Karl of Spokane; Mrs. Elizabeth Knautz of Espanola; and Reinhard Meyer of Ritzville. Besides the relatives from here Henry and Mary Vehrs went up to attend the funeral.