Obit: Chase, Henry (1827? - 1906)

Contact:stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Chase, Marg, Schultz, Ure, Opelt, Washburn

----Source: Granton News (Granton, Clark Co., Wis.)  01/26/1906

Chase, Henry (1827? - 20 JAN 1906)

Henry Chase, who has resided in the town of Lynn for the past 23 years and was about 78 years of age, was found dead in his bed Saturday morning, Jan. 20, 1906.  He had disposed of his house and lot to Henry Marg about a year ago, the proceeds being kept in trust by said Marg to go toward keeping the deceased as long as it would last, which was a very fortunate thing for the decedent, as it had been very judiciously expended, leaving a reasonable sum after paying the funeral expenses.  Mr. Chase had been in feeble health for the past year, but had been out and around every day and on Friday evening before his death he complained of a pain over his heart and Mr. Marg called Dr. Schultz who gave him some medicine at 5 o’clock and told him to take another dose at 8 o’clock.  After taking his medicine at 8 o’clock he sat up and smoked a cigar, retiring at 9 p.m.  Next morning Mrs. Marg called him for breakfast, and receiving no answer she called her husband, who after vainly calling the deceased, went into his bedroom and found him dead; lying perfectly natural, apparently dying without a struggle.  He at once notified the town officers, who proceeded at once to investigate the manner of his death.  Chairman Geo. A. Ure called Dr. Schultz, Max Opelt and R.T. Washburn as witnesses and instructed the doctor to make a thorough examination, he reporting that to all appearances it was evident that he had passed away from old age and heart failure as he lay just as he had fallen asleep, and probably never knew when the fread summons came.  As the deceased had no relatives living here, the officers sent word to his wife from whom he had been separated about 13 years, asking her and a son and daughter, all residents of Chicago, if they had any request to make in regard to disposition of the body and received in reply to the telegram words to the effect that they were unable to account of sickness to come to the funeral, but requesting that he be given a Christian burial and that they would pay the funeral expenses.  As there was more than enough property left to give the deceased a befitting burial, the officers, together with Mr. Marg and Max Opelt, made all preparations and proceeded with the funeral which was set for Monday, Jan. 22, 1906, at 2 o’clock in the town hall.  At noon a severe snowstorm set in, but nevertheless the hall was filled with friends and neighbors who came to pay their last sad respects to the departed.  The choir sang several fine anthems and the Rev. A.A. Sifert from Lindsey delivered a very pathetic and fitting funeral sermon.  His text was "The life is God" and he made a very forcible point on it when he referred to the deceased (not knowing him in life) but from what he was told that he had not a close friend or relatives present.  Why then this lareg gathering in a blinding snowstorm (which was as fine and as fitting a funeral sermon as the writer every listened to) they, he claimed, came out of respect for the departed, to show that no matter be he millionaire or be he a commoner, that in time of death all the tribute that they were able to give would be shown to him, in this the last they were able to do for him on this earth.  There were no weeping mourners present, but hthere were very few dry eyes in the ahll as the minister proceeded to illustrate his beautiful sermon.  The sermon and the funeral were befitting and complete in all its details and one that any in passing away could we be assured of as fitting a tribute, we could go into the beyond feeling perfectly happy.