Obit: Frantz, George (1865 - 1953)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Frantz, Sontag, Nelson, Neff, Elwell, Becker, Roethe, Hetland, Goddard, Volkman, Roehrborn, Schwarze, Georgas 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) May 21, 1953 
 

Frantz, George (28 April 1965 - 15 May 1953) 
 

The passing of George Frantz has cut another strand in the tie that binds modern Neillsville to the ancient days. George died last Friday at the age of 88.  He came into the world just 12 years after Clark County was legally organized.  As a boy he played across the country road from an old Indian Camp. 
 

George loved to fish and hunt, and it was highly fitting that his end should come on a fishing expedition.  He and his brother Rudolph had gone with Elmer Georgas over into the Hixton country to fish.  They had seen conservation men dump legal trout into the stream, and were moving toward a spot where George wanted to fish. George was telling Elmer about his advocacy of a short season, and was telling how the game warden agreed with him.  He was sitting on the front seat at the right of Mr. Georgas.  As he was telling the story, his head fell over on Mr. Georgas’ shoulder.  He made no response to a question.  The car was stopped and Mr. Georgas examined him.  There was no sign of life.  
 

Mr. Georgas drove to Merrillan and found Dr. Schwarze. "Dead," was the word.  And so George Frantz returned from his last fishing expedition. 
 

The end came instantly and without pain.  He had not even breathed hard. One second he was alive and talking and the next instant his voice was stilled and he was gone.  
 

George was born in the old log cabin which had been built by his father, George Frantz, as a home for his bride, Barbara Sontag.  Born April 28, 1865, George was a lifelong resident of Clark County with the exception of two years spent in the state of Washington.  There he worked in logging camps and saw mills.  His last logging winter was 1906-1907.   
 

He received his education in the rural schools of the county and worked in logging camps and drove logs down the river in the early days.  
 

After his marriage to Lottie Nelson of Neillsville they moved to Washington.  One daughter, Elsie, was born to them.  His second marriage to Mary Neff of Neillsville took place April 11, 1907.  One son, who died in infancy, was born to them.  They farmed in Pine Valley for seven and one-half years until 1914, when they sold their farm and moved to Neillsville.  Mr. Frantz was employed for several years in the canning factory and at the city park.  He retired about 20 years ago and had enjoyed excellent health, not knowing sickness.  He was a great outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed hunting and fishing.   
 

He was a member of Company ‘A’ for many years prior to 1898. 
 

Surviving relatives include his wife Mary, and one daughter, Elsie, Mrs. Earl Elwell, Evans, Wash., and two brothers, Conrad and Rudolph, both of Neillsville. 
 

Three brothers, Dave, Henry, and Fritz, and three sisters, Julia, Sophia and Minnie, preceded him in death.  
 

Final rites were held Tuesday at the Georgas Funeral Home.  
 

Pallbearers were George Frantz, Elmer Frantz, Harry Frantz, Robert Frantz, Ben Frantz and Lawrence Becker.  Flower girls were Sandra and Janice Frantz. 
 

Persons attending the services from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. George Frantz and Mrs. E. J. Roethe, Fennimore; Mrs. Victor A. Hetland, Jefferson; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Goddard, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Becker, Fort Atkinson; Mrs. Paul Volkman, Western springs, Ill.; and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Roehrborn, West Bend.