Obit: Melcher, Fred (1860 - 1934)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Melcher, Brandstedter, Luehrman, Sullivan, Gloden, Sheridan, Donahugh, Engle, Guirk, Gooder, Koffron, Walsh, Lockwood, Laas, Boullion, Fristad

----Sources: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) Sat., 28 July 1934

Melcher, Fred (29 May 1860 - 25 July 1934)

Fred Melcher Dead.

A telephone message from Fairchild Wednesday stated that Fred Melcher passed away about three o’clock that morning. Mr. Melcher had not been in good health for the past few years, and spent last winter in Florida. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Church, Fairview, but arrangements were not made at the time of the message.

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----Sources: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) Sat., 4 Aug. 1934

Fred Melcher was a native of Foehrebn Trier, Germany, and was born May 29, 1860. He passed away July 25, 1934, at his home in Fairchild, after an illness of a few days, aged 74 years, 1 month and 26 days.

His parents were farming people and he was engaged in farming in the old country. After reaching manhood he came to America, on Nov. 30, 1880, to join his brother, Peter, working on a farm near Madison, Wis., for one year.

In the spring of 1881, his father and sister came from Germany, settling at Humbird. He worked on a farm until the fall of 1881, and 1882 he started working as a section laborer for the Omaha railroad. He was promoted to foreman the summer of 1883, which position he held until June 1, 1930, when he was pensioned at the age of 70 years. During the greater part of his railroad service his headquarters were in this village, residing with his family in village, or on his farm west of town.

In 1884, Mr. Felcher was united in marriage at Fairview, to Miss Mary Bradstedter. She preceded him in death eighteen years ago. Eight children were survive from this union, two dying in infancy, and a son, Alphonse, died in service in France during the World War.

In July, 1927, he again married, Miss Anna Isabell Luehrman, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He failed in health two years ago, and last winter he spent in Florida. He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Fairview, and St. John’s Church at Fairchild. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Melcher was a pioneer of many rare qualities, a devout member of his church and a good man in every other field of righteous endeavor.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Anna Melcher, of Fairchild, three sons, Walter, of Fairchild, Roman, Chicago, Leo, Humbird; five daughter, Rena (Mrs. T. V. Sullivan), Gertrude, Helen, Selma and Marie, all of Chicago; one brother, Peter, of Fairchild; and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Gloden, of Toledo, Ohio.

Funeral services were held Friday morning at 9:30 at St. Joseph’s Church, Fairview, Rev. Fr. Sheridan officiating. Relatives and friends who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Nora Donahugh, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Engle, Mrs. Guirk, Mrs. Gooder, St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Math. Brandstedter, Altoona; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Luehrman, Geo. Luehrman, Chicago; Mrs. Agnes Koffron, Mrs. C. H. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Lockwood, Cedar Rapids, Ia.; Mrs. Anna Brandstedter, Miss Zella Brandstedter, Mr. and Mrs. Nich. Laas, Humbird; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boullion, Foster; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Fristad, Eau Claire; Misses Helen and Beatrice Melcher, St. Paul.