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Andrew B. Hanson, 86, a resident of this community since 1903 died at the home of his daughter, Anna Hansen, after an illness of several months, late Thursday night. The funeral was conducted from Zachaeus Church at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, following brief rites at the home. Rev. Wm. Hennig was in charge.

Mr. Hansen had been failing in health for the past six months and during the winter was confined to his bed. He is survived by five children, Anna Hansen, Mrs. Charles Rohde (Rosie), John T. Hansen and Fred J. Hansen of Canby; and Mrs. Madsen (Marie) of Idaho Falls, Utah. Thirty-six grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren also survive.

Born in Schleswig-Halstein, March 26, 1852, Mr. Hansen was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and spent his youth there. When he was 18 years of age, in 1870, he and his mother came to the United States. March 25, 1873, he was married to Marie Persnick at Gardner, ILL. Mrs. Hansen died on January 9, 1933, a few months before they would have celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. 

After his marriage the couple farmed near Gardner until 1894 then moving to Hyram, Utah, where they lived but 3 months, going to Thayer, Mo., where they took a homestead. In August, 1895, the family returned to Illinois and in 1903 they came to Minnesota, living on a farm five miles east of Canby. Mr. Hansen lived on this farm until two years ago when he came to Canby to make his home with his daughter.

Pallbearers were Herman Hundt, William Ochsendorf, Herman Hacker, Charles Tesch, and Charles Gritmacher.

Mrs. Andrew B. Hanson, beloved pioneer lady of Oshkosh township passed on Monday, Jan. 9 at the age of 77 years, eight months and 27 days. She had been ill only about a week before her death having been taken with an attack of influenza. For a few days she rallied and was able to sit up; however on Saturday she took a turn for the worse and she was unconscious for most of the time during her last few days on earth.

Mother Hansen belonged to the old type of Christians and citizens; plain mannered, steady and reliable, content with her lot in life, of a happy disposition and above all, a true life companion, a good mother, a sincere Christian, a loyal supporter and a regular attendant of her beloved church. Besides her husband, the deceased is survived by three daughters and two sons, namely; Mrs. Nels Hansen (Anna) of Canby; Mrs. Madsen (Mary) of Idaho; Mrs. Chas. Rohde (Rosie) of Canby; John and Fred J. Hansen of Canby. Her departure is also mourned by thirty-six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral services, mostly in the German Language, were held this Thursday afternoon, in Zachaeus Ev. Lutheran Church, with Rev. Wm. Hennig officiating. The high respect and love which she commanded was shown by the many floral offerings, including that from the Ladies Aid, in which she was ever an active member, in spite of her increasing years. The pallbearers were Herman Hundt, Chas. Tesch, Emil Heise, Frank Heise, and Wm. Ochsendorf. The remains were laid to rest in the old city cemetery.

Marie Hansen (nee Persnick), beloved wife of Andrew B. Hansen, was born in Brandenburg, Germany, April l2, 1855. There, too, she was baptized and confirmed in the Ev. Lutheran faith. At the age of 17 years, in the year 1872,, she emigrated to America. In 1873, at the age of 18 years, she was united in marriage with Andrew B. Hansen, a young farmer. The young couple made their home at Gardner, ILL, on a farm. They were blessed with five children, two boys and three girls. In 1895, they moved to the state of Utah, where they remained for only three months. From Utah they went to Missouri sojourning there from April to August of the year 1895. Then they moved back to their home state of Illinois and there made their home until 1903. In 1903, they came to Minnesota and settled on a farm in Oshkosh township near Canby, on which place they have been living ever since. A number of years ago they retired from active farming, but remained on the old homestead while their son John ............the farm. Lik...............old pion (the corner of the article was missing)

Fred G. Sillman, resident of the Canby Community since 1902 died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fred J. Hansen, Tuesday Morning.

Mr. Sillman, who was 81 years old February 25, had been failing in health for several years and was ill for 12 days before his death.

Services will take place at the American Lutheran Church Friday afternoon at two o’clock with the Rev. Will Mohr officiating. Brief rites at the Larson and Voight Funeral will precede the church service. Burial will be made in Canby cemetery with Nordahl Heise, Donovan Sillman, Lowell Sillman, Robert Ufkin, Walter Hansen, and Odell Sillman, as pallbearers.

Mr. Sillman was born in Germany, February 25, 1869. When he was four years old, his parents came to the United States and settled in Illinois where they lived 13 years and then moved to Iowa where he lived 15 years. After two years in Oklahoma, he came to the Canby community in 1902 and farmed here until he retired in 1936.

He was married to Minnie Kirchgatter in Corwith, Iowa, January 1, 1890 and to them 12 children were born. Mrs. Sillman died in 1936 and after her death, Mr. Sillman made his home with his children, for the last 10 years residing at the Fred J. Hansen home.

Surviving are six sons and four daughters: Mrs. Emil Heise (Karoline), Albert, Mrs. F.J. Hansen (Mata), Ernst, Emil, Frank of Minneota, Herman, Mrs. John Ufkin (Mary), Harold of St. Louis, Mrs. Emery Erdman (Minnie) of Minneapolis. A daughter, Mrs. E. Hegg, and a son, Leo, preceded their father in death. There are 48 grandchildren and 46 great grandchildren.

John August Kirchgatter was born Feb. 10, 1837 at Jamika, Prussia. June 24th 1859 he was united in matrimonial bonds to Ulrike Raeck. In 1867 they set sail for America landing at Watertown, Wisc., remaining there only for one and half years. From this home, they left for Rock Creek, Mitchell Co., Ia., where they remained for a number of years. In 1908, as old age began to tell on them they discontinued farming and settled in our burg and were comfortably located in their little cottage. For the last year his health has been gradually failing and death came Monday morning, Feb. 8. He will be remembered by all as a loving father and a kind and helping neighbor and friend.

He leaves to mourn his loss, six sons, three daughters, 43 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. His loving wife and life-long companion preceded him to the world of beyond but a month ago. The funeral was held here Thursday Feb. 11 and was attended by a large circle of friends. Interment was made in the Lutheran cemetery. Rev. Landdeck being in charge of the services.

Ulrike Kirchgatter, wife of John Aug. Kirchgatter was born July 2, 1842 at Neudresten, Prussia. June 24th, 1858, she was married to John Aug. Kirchgatter at Yamika, Prussia. On the 2nd of May 1867 they landed in America. Their destination was Watertown, Wis., but their stay there was of short duration, one and one half years, They then came to Rock Creek, Mitchell Co., Iowa, where they made their home for twelve years. Later they purchased a farm near Corwith, Hancock Co., and there resided for eighteen years, then selling this they moved to Minnesota, settling near St. Cloud, where they remained for five years. In 1908, as old age began to tell on them, they left farm life and bought a comfortable home in Grafton, to enjoy the evening of life. it was a short rest only they were to enjoy. Deceased soon became despondent, her health failing more and more, she sought and found consolation in the words of promise of her Savior in whom she had cast the anchor of her faith. Since September last year, she was confined to her chair. The long wished and prayed for end of life came Sunday Morning January 10.

Her Burial took place from the Lutheran church in the Lutheran cemetery, on Wednesday, Jan. 13th. The love and esteem in which she was held by the neighborhood, was sown in the large attendance at he funeral. Her age was 72 years, 6 months, and 7 days. She leaves to mourn, an afflicted husband, six sons, three daughters, forty-three grandchildren and twenty-eight great grandchildren. We pray that our Heavenly Father my assuage the sorrow of the bereaved and leave only the cherished memory of the beloved wife and mother. The sons carried their beloved mother to her last resting place. May she rest in peace.

Esther Marie Magdalene Sillman nee Laabs, beloved wife of Mr. Harold A. Sillman, and mother of five orphaned children, was born at Stapleton Twp, Chickasaw County, Iowa, Nov 24th, 1902. She was the daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. Herman Laabs, of Canby, Minnesota. In her infancy she was made a child of God through Holy Baptism; the Baptismal took place January 4, 1903, in St. John’s Ev Lutheran church, at the place of her birth. The Rev J. O. Stachling administered the sacrament. The sponsors were Mr. Albert Schwarzenstein,, Lina Tabbert and Louise Mannweiler.

In 19-4, her parents moved to Minnesota settling on a farm about 8 miles NE of Canby. Esther was then about one and half years old. At the age of about 14 years, on April 16, 1916, she renewed her baptismal vows in Zachaeus Ev Lutheran church of Canby, Minn. The Rev G. Bente officiating at the confirmation. The memory verse on her confirmation certificate is record in Rom. 8, 34: " who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, who maketh intercession for us." At the age of 26 years, she was united in Holy Matrimony with Harold A. Sillman of Canby. The marriage bows were exchanged in Zachaeus Ev Lutheran church, Sept. 25, 1929, with the present pastor speaking the words that made them man and wife. The attendants were Herman Sillman and Alma Laabs. The Union was blessed with five children: the oldest one, a little boy named Dennis and an invalid, died instantly, Friday, Dec. 10, in the same accident that caused the mother’s death a few days later. Dennis Odel was born Aug. 25, 1930; baptized Sept. 7, 1930 and was 7 years, 3 months and 15 days old at the time of his death. Although being loved all the more by his parents and tenderly cared for in his state of helplessness, it may be said, that this was the child of sorrows in the family. The mother knowing that the child was dead, said in her anguish: "My little Dennis is in good hands and well taken care of now."

The family was moving to a new home, a farm about 13 miles NW of Canby, which they had rented. It was on the trip to the new home when tragedy overtook them. They were traveling west on the old E.T. road, north of Canby. The whole family being in the car which Mr. Sillman was driving and they had a trailer load of grain attached to the car. As they approached the 10 mile corner where visibility’s very much obscured by buildings on the north side and a stack of straw, another car driven at a high rate of speed and unable to stop on the short distance swerved into Mr. Sillman’s car and upset it. Mrs. Sillman who held the invalid boy in her arms, fell out of the car and her right arm and shoulder pinned under it. The little boy was crushed under the car and died instantly. Mrs. Sillman’s injuries, although very serious, did not give any cause for alarm. She was feeling comparatively well and never complained of pains. But Sunday morning her condition suddenly grew worse, and at 7 pm all hope was given up for her recovery. She desired to commune with the Lord and partake of his Holy Supper. Her wished were complied with and when asked, she said that she had peace with God and was ready and prepared to answer the final summons, praying and wondering why the Lord delayed so long with his coming to take her home. If there is anything beautiful in death, we would say, she died the beautiful death of a true Christian; never complaining, never resisting; but willingly and in child-like faith yielding up her spirit into the hands of God who gave it, and her Savior who redeemed it with his suffering and death. God indeed was good and gracious to her in this , that she suffered no great pains and that she always was in full possession of all her mental powers or qualities until she breathed her last breath. She died the death of a Christian mother thinking only of the welfare of her little children and bidding good-bye to all her beloved ones, in the hope to see them again “in the Morning.” The resurrection morning. A silent sufferer and a cross-bearer of the Lord. She departed peacefully Sunday night, or rather Monday morning, at 10 minutes past 12 o’clock am, Dec. 13, 1937

Survivors who mourn her early departure are her loving and grief stricken husband, Mr. Harold A. Sillman, her sorely afflicted father, Mr. Herman Laabs, who is bowed down with sorrow to see a beloved child sink into the grave before him; her four little children, Marlys, about 6 years, Warren, nearly 5, LaDonna, 3, and Harold Junior, going on 2 years. 5 brothers and 3 sisters also mourn her tragic departure; they are; William, George, Leo, Earle and Milton Laabs, and Lula (Mrs. Tim Dudden); Alice (Mrs. Clarence Tilbury) and Alma (Mrs. Wm. Nelson). All are living in the vicinity of Canby. Her mother, the late Mrs. Herman Laabs, preceded her in death March 22, 1935. Like wise a sister, named Ella, who died at a tender age. Besides those mentioned she leaves many relatives in Minnesota and Iowa and a host of Friends. The sainted sister in Christ reached the age of 35 years and 18 days. "We shall sleep but not forever, there will be a glorious dawn. We shall meet to part no, never, on the resurrection morning. From the deepest caves of ocean, from the desert and the plains, from the valley and the mountains, countless throngs shall rise again."

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