Two near centenarians of Oconto county died during the past week. Both men came to Oconto when it was a mere Wilderness, and lived to see Oconto grow from a few frame buildings to the enterprising community it is today.
The men came to Oconto, one in 1856 the other in 1865, when this locality knew nothing about a railroad, when the only highways were the trails made through the timber land.
Ernest Rhode, ninety-five years old, died at his home on Park avenue, this city, Sunday afternoon at 3:30 from diseases incident to old age (March 22, 1925).
Louis LePounsey, ninety-nine years, one month and ten days old, died at his farm in Leighton Tuesday evening at 8:40 from bronchial pneumonia (March 18, 1925).
Ernest Rode was born December 18, 1830 at Hanover, Germany, and come to America in 1854. He and his wife settled in Pennsylvania for two years, and in 1856 came to Oconto county. Upon his airrival here he worked for Balcom and Etheridge at Stiles. Later be was head sawyer for Holt & Balcom at Oconto, and at one time was farm boss for the same concern. Forty years ago he retired, settling on a small farm on Park avenue, where he lived until his death. Mrs. Rhode died two years ago ( January 3, 1923).
When Mr. and Mrs Rhode and daughter, now Mrs. H. Thiele of this city (Oconto), came to Oconto, they came in one of the old-fashioned sailing vessels. There were no railroads, and the route to Stiles, where Mr. Rhode was employed, was just a blazed trail. Deseased is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Christine Thiele of this city, and Mrs. George Stitt, of Beaverton, Oregon; and one son, Frank Rhode of city. He is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.
The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, from the home. The Reverend Garrison officiating. Burial was made in Evergreen cemetery.
The pallbearers, chosen by the deseased two years ago, were Peter Vanderheiden, William Tennyson, J. M. Brown, Dick Hall, Frank Mann and Jos. Jacquart.