B. F. HALLER DIES IN HIS CHAIR

HAD BEEN BOTHERED WITH HEART TROUBLE BUT WAS ABLE TO BE UPTOWN IN THE MORNING TO SEE DOCTOR; DIED AT 5:15

TIME NOT SET FOR FUNERAL

After the death of Mrs. T. C. Hilton a few weeks ago B. F. Haller was the oldest business man in Blair, that is he had been in the business longer than any other person in Blair. He came here in January, 1871, and started a general store in a frame building where the Redfield Grocery is now located.

His brother, Theodore came in March and the firm was known as Haller Bros. The business prospered and in 1883 they built the brick building E. B. Redfield now owns and occupies. They sold the business to Sas Bros. in 1901 and Frank went into the real estate and insurance business, which he has followed ever since.

He was at the office Monday, though he had been suffering more or less with heart trouble for the past year. Yesterday he didn’t feel so well and went to see the doctor, who told him to go home and to bed. This he couldn’t do for he couldn’t breathe well lying down but he did go home and sat quietly in his chair.

At about 3 in the afternoon he had a severe attack which pained him clear up into his neck. He could get no relief from the pain and the tired heart ceased to beat at about 5:15 while he was still in his rocking chair.

The end was so sudden that the family and friends were greatly shocked to learn of the passing of one who had been so familiar a figure in our midst for about 57 years. But the end was as most of us would wish, with no lingering illness or long suffering.

The two daughters at a distance, Helen, Mrs. W. H. Tracy, of San Diego, Calif., and Mariam, her twin sister, Mrs. E. G. Reynolds, of New York City, were notified at once and will both come for the funeral service. The two sons Lucien C. and Clarkson live in this city.

Benjamin Franklin Haller was born on a farm near Honey Creek, Wis., Dec. 25th, 1848, so would have been 80 years old at his next birthday. He grew to manhood there and after he had completed the country school he attended Berea college at Bereu, Ohio, his father having purchased a scholarship to help out this Methodist institution.

His brother, Will, had already located and started a drug store in the then new town of Blair and so Frank and Theodore came out and made arrangements to start a general store. They came in January of 1871 and Frank stayed right here and started the store and Theodore came back in March of that same year. They conducted the business for about an even twenty years.

In 1883 Mr. Haller built a nice home at the south end of Walker avenue and in April took unto himself as his bride Miss Miriam Castetter, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Castetter, the wedding being a big social event of the time. That was before the days of motor cars and the place seemed so far out they afterwards bought the W. J. Cook residence property just west of the Episcopal church, which had been his home ever since.

Four children were born to them their names having been given above. Mrs. Haller passed away in August of 1909. For a number of years Clarkson Haller and wife have made their home with him. Clarkson was sitting by the side of his father when he passed onto the other side.

Franklin was the 7th member of a family of fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls. One boy and two girls died in infancy. One son, Will, died at the age of ten years and afterwards another son was named Will.

Mrs. Mary Kemp, the eldest of the family, mother of S. E. Kemp, died at Naper, Neb. about two years ago. Sam is still living in this city at the age of 90, Theodore died here some 15 years ago. Louise, Mrs. Jacob Schaefer was the next in the family. She married a Methodist minister and died within a few years of tuberculosis.

W. D. passed away here in 1909 and Jake a few years later in 1911. Rosetta, Mrs. E. Castetter of this city came next in the family circle. Elizabeth, Mrs. F. L. Fraser, is still living at Honey Creek, the old home. Matilda, Mrs. Jake Wombold, the youngest of the family, died here in the early 90’s.

A most unusual occurance in the family was that three of the children, Sam, B. F. and Mrs. Castetter were all born on December 25th, Christmas day.

Another interesting fact is that Sam Kyburz an uncle of the Haller family was with Sutter and Marshall when the first gold was discovered in California in 1848. For many years Mrs. Mary Kemp wore a ring made from the gold first taken from the earth in this startling discovery. It is now in the possession of her granddaughter, Mrs. Vera Peppel, of Naper, Neb.

Mr. Haller was a careful and competent business man and many sought his advice in financial matters, always finding his judgement good. He was the soul of honesty and of honor and lived a life above reproach in every respect.

He was a member and supporter of St. Mary’s Episcopal church and served as vestryman for many years being an honorary member of that body at the time of his death. He also served as treasurer for many years. It is expected that Father Noble, of Omaha, who served the church for a time will conduct the funeral service.

# 2 - - Published in the Enterprise June 14, 1928

ANOTHER OLD RESIDENT PASSES ON

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HALLER, VETERAN BUSINESS MAN OF BLAIR, DIES SUDDENLY OF HEART FAILURE

CAME TO BLAIR IN 1873; BEEN FAILING FOR YEARS

DEATH IS RESULT OF FLU WHICH WITH ADVANCED AGE PROVED FATAL; SHOCK TO COMMUNITY

The community was greatly shocked Tuesday afternoon when news of the death of B. F. Haller was announced. He had been is poor health for some time as the result of an attack of flu but had not been seriously ill for but a short time. He had been uptown in the morning to see his physician but had remained at home in the afternoon. At about three he was taken much worse and at five-fifteen p.m. he passed away.

Deceased was born in Honey Creek, Wisconsin, December 25, 1848 and had he lived until next Christmas would have been eighty years of age. He was of Swiss parentage, his parents coming and settling at Honey Creek, Wisconsin where the family was reared.

In 1873 he came to Blair where his brother, W. D. Haller, had already preceded him and at the same time another brother, Theo. Haller, came also. Later Jake Haller and then Samuel Haller came.

In 1885, the deceased and his brother, Theodore Haller, formed a partnership and went into the general mercantile business and alter erected the building now occupied by E. B. Redfield where they operated for a number of years.

The wife passed on a number of years ago but Mr. Haller kept the family together and continued his business interests to the end.

He was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church and was known throughout the county for his straightforward character. He has been a great factor in the business interests of the city and was one of the few early inhabitants who could look back to those early days of pioneering when Blair was in her infancy.

Besides the immediate family already mentioned, he leaves one brother, Samuel Haller of Blair, and two sisters, Mrs. Manny Castetter, also of Blair, and Mrs. F.L. Fraser of Honey Creek, Wis.

As of this writing, no definite arrangements for the funeral have been made as word is expected hourly from the daughter in California.

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