Death Of Herman Giesselman

After an illness lasting about four years, Herman Giesselman passed away at his home just north of the German Lutheran church, at 12:45 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 17, 1912, surrounded by his sorrowing family who had hoped against hope that the grim visitor, Death, would remain away for a while longer at least, and thus permit that sweet communion that has characterized this family for so many years, to continue a little longer. The end was not unexpected, as Mr. Giesselman had been unconscious for about a week and death was expected to arrive any time and removed all earthy shackles so that his spirit could be wafted to its eternal home on the wings of love. He would have been 67 years old had he lived until June.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from the German Lutheran church, interment in the cemetery connected with the church. The services in the church were conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. Hallerbug, who spoke very eloquently of the deceased in both the German and English languages, while the choir sang very effectively, in English, “Nearer My God to Thee”. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful, being contributed by friends both at home and from abroad. The large church was well filled with relatives and friends of the deceased, who in spite of the bad roads were present to pay their last sad respects to the departed friend and neighbor.

Herman Giesselman was born in Adams county, Illinois, June 10, 1853. When he was 12 years old (1867) his parents moved to Washington county where the family has resided ever since. When Herman was about 18 years old, his father died, and being the eldest of the two boys at home, the responsibilities of the farm fell on his young solders, and so well did he manage affairs, that all who knew of the heroic efforts he had been making to care for his mother and the children who were yet living at home, were sounding his praises.

In 1883 he purchased what is known at the Kremling farm, which has been his home up to the time of his death. At this time he turned the home farm over to his younger brother, Gottlieb Giessleman, and two years later, in 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hilgenkamp, a sister of Peter, John and Herman Hilgenkamp. To this union fifteen children were born, 13 girls and two boys, all of whom, excepting 3 girls who died in infancy, with the loving wife, survive him, and all reside at home except two of the girls, who are married. They are: Mrs. Ed Lallman, of Fremont, and Mrs. Henry stork, who resides at Herman, Neb. Five sisters and one brother also survive him, as follows: Mrs. Gottleib Hartung, of Quincy, Ill.; Mrs. Anna (Henry) Hilgenkamp, Mrs. Peter Hilgenkamp, Mrs. Fred Vogt, Mrs. Frank Scheer and J. G. Giesselman, all of whom live north of Arlington.

About four years ago Mr. Giessleman contracted a disease that has ever since been gnawing at his vitals, until his health became so broken down last fall, that it was though best to take him to an Omaha hospital where he underwent two operations, the doctors discovering that he had been suffering from the effects of an abscess in the stomach. A few weeks ago he was brought home, his friends giving up all hops for his recovery, and it seemed to be only a matter of a short time when his spirit would leave its tenement of clay and return to Him who gave it. However, his last days were spent free from suffering and earthly cares, and the end came so gently and quickly, that after life had winged its flight, the sorrowing family could hardly realize that the loving husband and father was no more.

Herman Giesselman had lived his entire mature life in this neighborhood and it is said of him that he has so lived that there are none who ever knew him to do a dishonorable act, or to shirk a duty. Always a hard worker and of economical habits, he had accumulated considerable of this worlds goods, every dollar of which was earned by the “sweat of his brow.” Mr. Giesselman had long been a leading member of the German Lutheran church north of town, and it was his boast that in all the years that he had resided here that he missed but very few of the services of the church. It was near there he lived, loyal to his friends and family, and a constant worshipper at the throne of the Great Master.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~