----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 03/25/1921

Straub, Frederick (27 Apr 1855 - 16 Mar 1921)

In the death of Frederick Straub, which occurred at Sacred Heart Sanitarium, Milwaukee, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 1921, this community is again called upon to feel the loss of one of its most respected citizens.

Mr. Straub had not been feeling in the best of health for several months but his conition was considered not at all serious until he took to his bed on the 16th of last month. The case was diagnosed as progressive paralysis of the nerves, a very serious malady. On March the 12th he entered Sacred Heart Sanitarium for treatment, being accompanied by his son-in-law, Charles Reis, of this city, and one of the local physicians. Notwithstanding that he received the very best of care both day and night, it was clearly evident that his great fight for life was almost hopeless and four days after going to Milwaukee he succumbed to the inevitable. His wife and daughter, Mrs. H. L. Sommers of Marshfield, and Mr. Reis were at his bedside when the end came. The body was brought to Colby, Wis. on No. 5 the following evening.

Frederick Straub was born on April 27, 1855 at Germantown, Wis., where he lived with his parents until, at the age of eleven he removed with his family to Batavia, Sheboygan Co., and resided on a farm until he was twenty-three. On the 19th of Nov. 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia E. Butler of the town of Scott, Sheboygan Co., and two weeks later they came to Colby and bought an 80-acre farm in the town of Hull, Marathon Co., from the old Wis. Central Railway Co., through W. H. Bartell, who was its representative here at the time.

It was an uphill struggle to clear their patch of wilderness, but hard work and good business acumen enable them in time to add three more eighties to their possessions. On this place they had made their home continuously until last September, when they sold the farm to J. G. Johnson of Joliet, Ill, and a short time ago removed to this city to take up temporary residence with their son-in-law.

Fred Straub become one of the most respected and well liked men among a wide circle of acquaintances during his forty-two years of endeavor in this community. His quiet, unassuming personality, honesty and fair dealing had won for him the last friendship of all. In fact, it would be hard to find one who would say naught against him. He was a member of the E. F. U., Beavers and A. S. of E., and it goes without saying that these societies fell his loss keenly.

In the early days oxen were used almost exclusively for hauling and farm work, but to Mr. Straub goes the distinction of having owned the first team of horses brought to the town of Hull. He afterwards operated a horse power threshing outfit and in 1900 became the owner of the first machine in the town run by a steam engine.

A short service was held at the residence at 1:15 o’clock and at the M. E. Church at 1:30, Rev. Vance officiating.

The respect in which the deceased was held was evidenced by the many and beautiful floral offerings. Among the principal ones was a beautiful floral pillow from the E. F. U., a matchless floral spray from twenty-eight members of the W. R. C., of which order his wife had long been a member, another spray from twenty families from the town of Brighton, a floral harp from forty families of the town of Hull and superb floral sprays from the Cherokee Locals of the A. S. & E. and W. A. and the M. E. Ladies Aid of Colby, and many other fine offerings from individuals. The funeral was largely attended, considering the wretched condition of the roads and many turned but to follow the remains of the departed in his last resting place in the Colby Cemetery.

Mr. Straub is survived by a widow, two daughters, Mrs. Charles Reis of this city, and Mrs. H. L. Sommers of Marshfield, a son, Edward Straub of Lemmon, S.D., two brothers, Valentine Straub of Plymouth, Wis. and William Straub of LaCrosse, three sisters, Mrs. Pillip Knickel of Marshfield, Mrs. Ed Wendell of Spencer and Mrs. E. Hahn of Seymour, Wis.

Those from abroad here to attend the funeral were his son Edward, his brothers, Valentine and William, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Sommers and Fred Sommers, Mrs. Frank Eilbeaz and Mrs. P. Knickel, Marshfield and Mrs. E. Wendell.