contributor: Richard La Brosse

Obits from the attic: 
1933  

Pioneer Settlers Leaving
One By One

The city was greatly shocked on Saturday to learn of the sudden passing of Hiram Clapp more familiarly known as "Grandpa". He had been shoveling snow and when he entered the house complained of not feeling well, and asked Fern Benninghaus, who was there to assist him to the couch. Before the doctor could arrive, he had slipped away, death being due to cerebral hemorrhage.

Mr. Clapp had reached the fine age of 83, having been born in Pennsylvania on January 31, 1850. He was married in Michigan to Miss Grace McGee who preceded him in death on December 15, 1923. Four children, all daughters were born to them, one of whom, Lottie, died about 33 years ago. The surviving daughters are Mrs. Nellie Mowers of Highland Park, Illinois, Mrs. Evie Perkins, of Mobile, Alabama who was unable to come for the funeral, and Mrs. Bessie Elliott of Oconto. There are also four grandchildren. Miss Mildred Elliott, former county clerk of Oconto County, Thelma Perkins, Muriel and Howard Mowers.

Funeral services were conducted at the home at ten o'clock on Tuesday, the Rev. V. T. Nearhoof of the Methodist Episcopal Church officiating. Mrs. G. C. Peterson and Mrs. F. I. Kilmer sang two sacred selections. Burial took place in the Hickory cemetery in the family lot. Pallbearers were Messrs.A. W. Johnson, James Volk, Wm. Benninghaus, Leo Marquardt, George Mever and Joseph Stoll.

Jas. F. O'Neill was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

There were many former neighbors and friends from Hickory and Maple Valley, where the Clapp family lived for many years previous to coming to Oconto Falls to line in 1905, who attended the rites. Present at the services included a niece, Mrs. C. H. Seymour, her husband and daughter Constance of Menominee Michigan Mr. And Mrs. Dan Crooks and Miss Nellie McDonald of Oconto.

It is hard to see these pioneer settlers of our county leaving one by one on the journey from whose borne no traveler may return, but we cannot wish them back for they have earned the reward of eternal rest. Their work is completed and the benefit of their labor is ours.

Grandpa Clapp is gone, but the memory of his rugged kindly character, his friendliness, his neighborliness and his influence for good are not gone but living symbols of a human life well spent.