Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

I find such poetry in the message of a death. Obituaries tell me stories of the past, but unfortunately by the time I read someone’s obituary of present day, it is too late to interview the person. Sometimes I think as a woman historian that the female gender should keep their maiden names. I am amazed when I read an obituary and I find out who they are actually related to.

I hope you will visit our local Franklin Public Library and see the obituary file located there. This file was started in the 1970’s that I know of. It might have been started earlier than that. Our county historian, Veda Clements, keeps up this file weekly to be sure that every obituary she finds is filed in the large oak filing cabinet. Veda has devoted many hours to this endeavor. She has done a wonderful job. We now have a book that was compiled by Lynn Henning and Norma Steinkruger that tells searchers immediately if a deceased person has an obituary listed in the file or just a card telling details and dates.

As Veda was working on these obituaries I went to her home and saw some stories lying on her couch, and I asked if I could take these home to read. She sent me home with some real old obituaries. Below I will cover just a few of these. My readers enjoy searching my column for the names of their families so they tell me.

Hirsch—At the home of his son, J. G. Hirsch, in Farmers Township, Monday evening, September 6, 1909, of old age. George Hirsch, aged 84 years, 5 months and 11 days. Mr. Hirsch was born in Minchen, Germany, March 15, 1825, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Magdaline Meier. To this union nine children were born, seven of whom survive. In 1853 Mr. Hirsch and family landed in Baltimore, MD and for years later removed to Peru, IL, where they made their home thirteen years, then they moved to Maryville, KS and thence to Farmers Township this county in 1884. His wife preceded him to the Great Beyond, Mrs. Hirsch May 17, 1906. The funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Naponee on September 9 at 11 a.m. and the remains were laid at the side of his wife in Naponee Cemetery.

Fred Moffett was born at Bethel, MO November 4, 1866 and died at Cambridge, NE February 5, 1930. Mr. Moffett came to Bloomington in 1889 and began working for his brother in the harness shop. He was married to Molly C. Earsom May 6, 1893, his wife preceding him July 12, 1927. To this union one son, Roy was born. Mr. Moffett moved to Riverton in 1893 and carried on the harness business until 1927, when he retired on account of ill health. The funeral was held at his old home, among his old time friends and the Masonic Fraternity, of which he was a member, had charge of the service at the grave.

James William Stinson, October 29, 1909, aged 80 years, 1 month and 21 days of Brights Disease. The subject of this sketch was born at Centerville, IN and was married to Miss Martha Rea January 26, 1850. From this union there were born seven children, one of whom died in infancy. They moved from Ohio to Illinois remaining there until 1860 when they moved to Shelby County, Missouri and in 1872 they moved to Franklin County, where they have since resided. Mr. Stinson served in the cavalry during the Civil War and in an early day was sheriff of this county. Mr. Stinson was one of the pioneers who helped to settle this county and was always an outspoken person for his rights. His real sickness was of but short duration, though he had been failing for several years. The funeral service was held Saturday and remains laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery.

1909—Old Mr. Brinson died May 30 at his home in Smith County, where he has resided for many years. Interment being made in Bloomington Cemetery. Mr. Brinson would have been 95 years old in July and his life was as honorable as long. He has lived in this county over a quarter of a century and among early day settlers was one of the most substantial and well-established farmers, holding the high esteem of neighbors as one honest dealings and one most trustworthy. (Remember when I wrote about Baby Brinson of south of the river? This old Mr. Brinson would have been Baby Brinson’s grandfather and Mr. Brinson lies next to Baby Brinson in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Bloomington.)

June 15, 1937—Ed Lippstreu, who formerly lived in the Ash Grove neighborhood, but who some seven years ago moved to Colorado Springs, CO for his health, passed away Friday of last week. He had been at work until after dinner when he went home and at six o’clock he passed away. He was born November 30, 1900, was married to Anna Struhm, to which there were born three children, who, with his wife remains. He leaves four brothers and two sisters. A short service was held at the home of Clarence Lienemann and services at the Pleasantview Church, interment in the Moline Cemetery.

Though these people were our pioneers and came to live here in the first days of our area, they had already seen more of the world than I have. Their trips to the U. S. A. were hard to arrange and even harder to make, but they were determined to be an American. It’s a privilege to live in our now established land. Thanks to those who trod the long road to Franklin County and helped progress life into how we know it today. The obituary file at the library makes for good reading check it out.

“Lord, now lettest thou they servant depart in peace, according to thy Word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

Mrs. Anna Mary Miller’s obituary.

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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