Obit: Brinkman, Florence (1861 - 1939)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Brinkman, Hostrauser, Head

----Sources: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Wis.) Sat., 11 March 1939

Brinkman, Florence (31 Dec. 1861 - 1939)

Mrs. Florence Brinkman, 1208 Albany Avenue, for more than twenty-five years a resident of Waycross, died last night at her home after an extended illness. She had suffered form some months with heart trouble and dropsy.

Born in Qutsqueton, Iowa, Dec. 31, 1861, she was the last six children, two of whom died in infancy. Her older sister died in December, 1888, in Black River Falls, and her younger sister, Mrs. Mary Hostrauser, died in Waycross, Jan. 2, 1923. Her only brother, H. D. Head, passed away April 30, 1936, at Neillsville, Wis. Mrs. Brinkman is survived by her husband, J. J. Brinkman, of this city, and one son, Hugh J. Brinkman, of Appleton, Wis., who deeply mourns her passing.

Mrs. Brinkman’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Head, moved from Iowa to Black River Falls, Wis., in 1868, where their children grained their education. Mrs. Brinkman entering the teaching profession, which she followed and loved as a part of her life for more than twenty-five years without neglecting her home, which she considered the dearest place on earth.

Mr. and Mrs. Brinkman were married July 16, 1885. Mr. Brinkman was telegraph operator, bookkeeper, and general station agent for thirty-five years, when they decided to seek a warmer climate. After considerable traveling and investigating, they chose, Waycross as the beat place to spend their declining years.

Mrs. Brinkman often said, "I love my friends, be they in the south, north, east or west." She never shirked a duty and bravely made sacrifices to ease the burdens of their less fortunate, and though most of those of her age have gone on before her, she will be mourned and missed by those who knew her.

Her good bye was "Meet me in the morning, in the morning by the Bright Light."

Funeral arrangements will not be completed until the arrival of relatives from the west. –From the Waycross, Ga., Journal-Herald of Feb. 24.

Mrs. Brinkman will be lovingly remembered by many old friends here. Their home was here at the time of their marriage, and we believe she was one of the early teachers in our schools. Prior to moving to Georgia they lived in Alma Center, where Mr. Brinkman was station agent.