JOHN J. SIERK

Calhoun, the picturesque, has lost one of the earliest settlers who developed that section of the county - the inevitable hand of death touched John J. Sierk at 7:30 Friday morning. Mr. Sierk was born on the 24th of January, 1836 in Holstein, Germany. At an early day he emigrated to this country and settled on a farm on the outskirts of the present town of Calhoun. With the characteristic trait of the thrifty German farming class that has played an important part in the history of Nebraska, he worked faithfully and hard, and speedily acquired a large amount of valuable land in that vicinity. Mr. Sierk was a man of sturdy character and early made a reputation for honesty and truthfulness that stuck to him though a long, busy and useful career. John J. Sierk was of a quiet, though social disposition, and never entered into the storms of political strife. Though he was republican from principle, he was fearless and outspoken wherever his attention was called to rottenness in public life, irrespective of his party feelings. He was widely known for his charitableness. During the early days when money was scarce and the “Shylocks” of that time were allowed to collect 24 percent interest on loans - Mr. Sierk was the means of tiding many small farmers and ranches over the financial Rubicon by refusing to accept their notes at the then ruinous rate of interest. This instance alone tells the sterling character of the man. Mrs. Sierk, whose maiden name was Juliane Grotmak, survives the deceased and her tender wifely devotion during the trying illness of her husband’s last years is a matter of comment. Mr. Sierk’s death is due to the result of an injury sustained in a runaway accident in Blair some few years ago. A shock to the spine developed into palsy and it resulted in making him a helpless invalid for the past four years. The tender care of a loving and devoted family and his sublime trust in a hereafter were the only bright beams in his declining years. Though Mr. Sierk’s death has been a foregone conclusion for the past four years, the end came suddenly on Friday morning. Surrounded by the members of the family and Dr. Curtis of Calhoun, John J. Sierk passed quietly into the unknown - with a smile of contentment and sweet peace on his aged countenance. For many years Mr. Sierk held the position of school director of the institution that bears his name - The Sierk school, and it will prove a lasting monument to the memory of an old settler and a thoroughbred type of manhood. He is survived by a wife and nine children, Mrs. Carl Feldhusen, Mrs. William Kruger, Mrs. William Sievers and an unmarried daughter, Miss Edith, Jacob, Chris, Henry, Will and Charley Sierk. Ten grandchildren also survive the deceased. Mr. Sierk was for years a director of the Blair State Bank and at the time of his death was a prominent stockholder. The amount of his estate is unknown. The funeral services will be held from the family residence at Calhoun this afternoon. The pallbearers elected are Matt Mathiessen, Claus Rohwer, Henry Frahm, Peter Klindt, Nicholas Rix and Peter Schmidt, all of whom were prominent friends, and lifelong companions of Mr. Sierk. The interment will take place in the family plot in the Ft. Calhoun cemetery.22 Feb., 1904 - The Pilot - John J. Sierk JOHN J. SIERK Calhoun, the picturesque, has lost one of the earliest settlers who developed that section of the county - the inevitable hand of death touched John J. Sierk at 7:30 Friday morning. Mr. Sierk was born on the 24th of January, 1836 in Holstein, Germany. At an early day he emigrated to this country and settled on a farm on the outskirts of the present town of Calhoun. With the characteristic trait of the thrifty German farming class that has played an important part in the history of Nebraska, he worked faithfully and hard, and speedily acquired a large amount of valuable land in that vicinity. Mr. Sierk was a man of sturdy character and early made a reputation for honesty and truthfulness that stuck to him though a long, busy and useful career. John J. Sierk was of a quiet, though social disposition, and never entered into the storms of political strife. Though he was republican from principle, he was fearless and outspoken wherever his attention was called to rottenness in public life, irrespective of his party feelings. He was widely known for his charitableness. During the early days when money was scarce and the “Shylocks” of that time were allowed to collect 24 percent interest on loans - Mr. Sierk was the means of tiding many small farmers and ranches over the financial Rubicon by refusing to accept their notes at the then ruinous rate of interest. This instance alone tells the sterling character of the man. Mrs. Sierk, whose maiden name was Juliane Grotmak, survives the deceased and her tender wifely devotion during the trying illness of her husband’s last years is a matter of comment. Mr. Sierk’s death is due to the result of an injury sustained in a runaway accident in Blair some few years ago. A shock to the spine developed into palsy and it resulted in making him a helpless invalid for the past four years. The tender care of a loving and devoted family and his sublime trust in a hereafter were the only bright beams in his declining years. Though Mr. Sierk’s death has been a foregone conclusion for the past four years, the end came suddenly on Friday morning. Surrounded by the members of the family and Dr. Curtis of Calhoun, John J. Sierk passed quietly into the unknown - with a smile of contentment and sweet peace on his aged countenance. For many years Mr. Sierk held the position of school director of the institution that bears his name - The Sierk school, and it will prove a lasting monument to the memory of an old settler and a thoroughbred type of manhood. He is survived by a wife and nine children, Mrs. Carl Feldhusen, Mrs. William Kruger, Mrs. William Sievers and an unmarried daughter, Miss Edith, Jacob, Chris, Henry, Will and Charley Sierk. Ten grandchildren also survive the deceased. Mr. Sierk was for years a director of the Blair State Bank and at the time of his death was a prominent stockholder. The amount of his estate is unknown. The funeral services will be held from the family residence at Calhoun this afternoon. The pallbearers elected are Matt Mathiessen, Claus Rohwer, Henry Frahm, Peter Klindt, Nicholas Rix and Peter Schmidt, all of whom were prominent friends, and lifelong companions of Mr. Sierk. The interment will take place in the family plot in the Ft. Calhoun cemetery. #2-24 Feb., 1904 - Blair Courier

DEATH OF JOHN J. SIERK

John J. Sierk, a pioneer resident of Calhoun township, passed away at 7:30 o’clock last Friday morning at his residence in the village of Calhoun. About four years ago he sustained some severe injuries to his spine in a runaway accident in this city, which resulted in an attack of palsy and was the ultimate cause of his heath, though he had reached the advanced age of 68 years.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. Lupke of this city at the house at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, and a large concourse of friends and relatives followed the remains to the Calhoun cemetery where they were laid to rest in the family plot.

The following prominent friends and lifelong companions were the pallbearers: M. Matthiessen, Claus Rohwer, Henry Frahm, Peter Klindt, Peter Schmidt and Nicholas Rix.

Mr. Sierk was born in Holstein, Germany on Jan. 24, 1836, and came to Nebraska Nov. 10, 1865. He was married to Miss Juliane D. Grotmak on March 3, 1866, and shortly after they moved onto the old farm three miles northwest of Calhoun. A blockhouse, then one of the best buildings in the neighborhood, was their first home, but which has long since been superseded by a handsome residence. Here the best years of their lives were spent and here their nine children were born: Jacob J., Chris C., Henry, William, Charles, Mrs. Carl Feldhusen, Mrs. Wm. Kruger, Mrs. Wm. Sievers and Miss Eda.

In 1894, compelled by ill health, Mr. Sierk left the farm and moved into the village of Calhoun where his death and funeral occurred. Mr. Sierk was a successful farmer from the first and was for many years one of the directors of the Blair State Bank, being a heavy stockholder at the time of his death. He was a man of sterling character and his honesty, integrity and uprightness will always be a priceless heirloom to his descendants.

#3-25 Feb., 1904 - Blair Republican - John J. Sierk

John J. Sierk, one of the best known and wealthiest citizens of Ft. Calhoun, died last Friday at his residence in that city after being an invalid for many years. He was a native of Schleswig Holstein, Germany were he was born in 1836. The family settled on a farm near Calhoun 36 years ago, and with shrewd business ability he soon became a large land owner in Nebraska, Minnesota and elsewhere, which property soon doubled in value. He was one of the founders and stockholder in Blair State Bank. He was a sterling good citizen whose death is mourned by all who knew him. There was a large attendance at the funeral which was from the residence on Monday afternoon of this week and burial in the city cemetery.

Deceased leaves a wife and nine children as follows: Mrs. C. Feldhusen, Mrs. Wm. Kruger, Mrs. Wm. Sievers and Miss Edith, an unmarried daughter. The sons are Jacob, Chris, Henry, William and Charles Sierk.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #18176600