Surnames: Pirwitz, Baumann, Melhack

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 2 Mar. 1944

Pirwitz, Ferdinand (24 Sept. 1864 - 26 Feb. 1944)

Funeral services for Ferdinand Pirwitz, 79, Neillsville, were held on Tuesday afternoon, February 29, at the Jaster Funeral Home, followed by services at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rev. William A. Baumann was the officiating clergyman. Interment took place in the Neillsville Cemetery. Mr. Pirwitz had been in failing health the past four years, having been a great sufferer from rheumatism and other ailments. He passed away Saturday morning, February 26, at the home of Miss Rose Melhack on West Fourth Street.

He was born September 24, 1864 in Pommern, Germany and lived there until he was about 20 years of age, coming to the United States with his parents in 1884. They settled at Lake Mills, and came to Neillsville 43 years ago.

On March 7, 1901, Mr. Pirwitz was united in marriage to Augusta Brown at Neillsville. They lived on a farm in the town of Grant until 1918, when they moved to Neillsville, purchasing a home on West Fourth Street. Soon after the death of his wife in 1940, he went to live for a time with his daughter on the home farm, and for the past two years has made his home with Frank and Rose Melhack.

Mr. Pirwitz was a man of quite manner and never cared to hold public office. His interests were his family, his home and his church. He united with St. Josh’s Lutheran Church soon after coming to Neillsville, and has been a faithful member throughout the years.

His parents, and two brothers, two sisters, and a son preceded him in death. He is survived by three children, six grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. The surviving children are: Lydia, Mrs. Rudolph Wegner, town of Granton; Ernest Brown, town of Pine Valley; and Mrs. Hattie Keller, West Allis.

Pallbearers were: N. F. Toptine, Frank Melhack, Frank Hemp, Albert Hemp, Henry Bartell, and Hans Walk.

The daughter, Mrs. Hattie Keller, and her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Garden, West Allis, were here for the funeral services.