Obit: Frese, Bernhart (1842 - 1927)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: FRESE VANBERGEN GOERES MCKEE ROSSMAN ESTES HEIDEMANN SEAMAN

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 10/13/1927

Frese, Bernhart (7 Jun 1842 - 4 Oct 1927)

Bernhart Frese was born in Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, June 7, 1842, where, after finishing school he learned the blacksmith trade. After finishing his apprenticeship he left the fatherland and came to America in 1858. He followed his trade, working at Superior, and finally settled in New Holstein, Wis., where he was married to Anna VanBergen in 1868. He operated the first blacksmith shop in New Holstein. In 1888 he sold his place at New Holstein and came to Thorp, Clark County, and bought eighty acres from the Eau Claire Lumber Co., and at once settled on his new home, which was then a dense forest. Having retained his blacksmith tools, he again followed his trade in a log building he had put up for that purpose, which was an old landmark in this country until a few years ago, when it became old and decayed and was removed.

He enjoyed fairly good health until the infirmities of old age commenced to creep up, rooting deeper and deeper until confining him to his bed for the last two months until he passed away at his home Oct. 4^th, attaining the ripe old age of 85 years and 4 months.

Thus again passes one of the old pioneers that came to this country and made a home and stayed and helped to make this country what it is today.

He leaves to mourn his death a brother still in Germany, a sister, Mrs. Bertha Goeres of Kiel, Wis., three sons, John, Henry and Herman, five daughters, Mrs. Maggie McKee, Mrs. Annie Rossman of Polley, Mrs. Bertha Estes of Chippewa Falls, Mrs. Ida Heidemann and Mrs. Meta Seaman of Thorp, twenty-four grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

May he rest in peace.

His wife preceded him in death two years ago.

The funeral took place from his home south of the village on Thursday afternoon last, Rev. Wendell Bennetts officiating, interment following the services in the Thorp Village Cemetery.