----Source: NEILLSVILLE PRESS (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 01/10/1929

Hantke, Louis A. (3 Augl 1868 - 2 Jan 1929)

Louis A. Hantke was born at the city of La Crosse, Aug. 3, 1868, and passed from this life at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, Wis., Jan. 2, 1929. He was taken with pneumonia more than three weeks previous to his death and was later taken to the hospital for treatment, but the best of home care and medical and hospital assistance were of no avail.

Mr. Hantke was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hantke, who moved from La Crosse to the town of Grant, when he was three years of age. He grew up on the home farm, attending the country school and helping with the farm work. When only 14 years of age he began to work in logging camps in the winter time, and as he grew older he went to Dakota in summer, working on farms there, returning to work in camp during the winter. He bought a farm in the town of Grant, Clark County, which he developed and was a successful farmer.

Mr. Hantke was married to Miss Mamie Hughes on Nov. 22, 1897. To them were born two children, one dying in infancy, the other, Miss Marion Hantke, who had a position at Racine is now at home. Mrs. Hantke died in Nov. 1911. In 1915 he was married to Miss Myrtle Evans, who, with their daughter Rovella, aged 12, survive him.

Few men in this country have enjoyed a greater degree of respect than Mr. Hantke, Practically all his life was spent here and in every way he has made an honorable record. He worked industriously and efficiently in various occupations and positions: in 1913-14 he was janitor of the court house and jail; was elected Sheriff in Nov. 1914 and served during 1915 and 1916, again taking up other occupations. During the summer of 1920 he and his family went to New York State, returning in the fall. In Nov. 192e he was again elected Sheriff, his record as an official during bother his terms being excellent. After his last term as Sheriff he was employed about three years by the Kurth Oil Co., later taking charge of express delivery in the city, a position he filled most satisfactorily to the public as well as the express company.

Mr. Hantke passed through all the experiences of pioneer life, coming in contact with men of all classes, but developed and retained all the qualities of a true gentleman, kind, courteous, helpful to all, honest in his dealings, a man above reproach in every way. His death is a great loss to his family and to the entire community.

Besides his wife and children mentioned, he is survived by his aged mother, two brothers, Otto Hantke of the town of Grant and Oscar Hantke of Hurley; three sisters, Elizabeth, Mrs. C. H. Kuechenmeister Paulina, Mrs. Robert Kurth, both of Neillsville; Minnie, Mrs. Emil Krueger of Milwaukee. The funeral was held at the home Saturday afternoon, Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating.

Those from away who attended the funeral were Oscar Hantke of Hurley, Mrs. Emil Krueger of Milwaukee, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Peters of La Crosse, Dan Hughes and son Joseph of Menomonie, Arthur Evan and Leonard Evans of Racine.