Obituary: Ozaukee County, Wisconsin: Ernst HILGEN ************************************************************************ Submitted by Mary Saggio, September 2007 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ The Cedarburg Weekly News May 13, 1885 Cedarburg, Ozaukee, Wisconsin OBITUARY -- Again the hand of death has removed one of the first settlers of this city, in whom we also mourn the loss of an old and devoted friend. Ernst HILGEN is no more; he died yesterday morning at 6 o'clock at his residence near the Columbia Mills in the 55th year of his age having been born on November 5th 1831 in Oldenburg, Germany. After the late Frederick HILGEN, one of the founders of this city, settled here permanently, he caused his brother, the father of our deceased friend, to come here with his family from Germany. The deceased, then a smart active boy of 16 years was given a place in the flouring mills of his uncle where he learned the miller's profession; he afterwards was one of the owners of the Columbia Mills, having first been engaged by the then owner of there mills, Mr. PFEIL as head miller. He was married to his first wife when but 21 years of age, who died some five years after her marriage; of the two boys born Ernst is the only survivor, residing in Milwaukee in charge of the city business of the Hilgen Manufacturing Comp. and being one of the its stockholders. With his second wife, who died two years ago last fall, he has several children surviving him; Fred, a prosperous merchant at Racine, William formerly with his half-brother Ernst but now here since the opening of the store by the deceased, and a younger daughter Johanna yet at home. Besides these children, the deceased leaves two sisters and one brother residing here, and his old mother now 84 years of age. The many friends of the deceased will by sorry to learn the news of his death, which was caused by air affection of the lungs and throat. The many friends of the deceased will be sorry to learn the news of his death, which was caused by an affection of the lungs and throat. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 2 o'clock P.M. from his late residence. Peace to his ashes!