----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 05/31/1928

Kropelin, August (29 May 1896 - 24 May 1928)

August Kropelin, who was instantly killed, Thursday afternoon when a fly wheel of the Kropelin well drilling machine rolled and fell upon him, was laid to rest in the Colby Cemetery Sunday afternoon, May 27, funeral services being held at the St. John's Church, Rev. Schwarze officiating.

The deceased was born in Hilbert, Calumet Co., Wis., May 29, 1896, thus reaching the age of thirty-one years, eleven months and seventeen days. He came to Colby with his parents in 1903 and resided on a farm six miles east of Colby, Wis. At the time of his death, he was in the well drilling business.

Last Thursday afternoon, he, A. Klieforth and Julius Kraemer were taking a big fly wheel off a shaft in order to repair it. They were having a very difficult time of it and Mr. Kraemer was prying with a crowbar and Mr. Kropelin was pulling. When the wheel came off, it came so suddenly that it rolled and fell on the side of Kropelin's face with such force that he was killed almost instantly.

Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kropelin, his departure to the distant shore is mourned by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Frank Sellung, Milwaukee; Mrs. Harvey Barts, Colby; Mrs. Herman Podevels, Colby; Mrs. Armen Barts, Colby and Adolph Kropelin, Fort Francis, Canada; Edward and Arnold Kropelin of Colby.

The news of the deceased's death came as a shock, barbed with pain and sorrow, to his relatives and friends in Colby. But now he is gone, although it seems but yesterday since he was seen on our streets greeting his friends in his usual kindly and cheerful way.

He was well known here and had many friends who extend sympathy to the mourners.

This is the second fatal accident in the Kropelin family in seven months, while working with the well drilling machine. On Oct. 10, 1927, the deceased's brother, Herman, died from injuries received while unloading a drill stem from a wagon, preparatory to drilling.