| Pioneer of Early Dies in Cherokee Hospital
Wm. Rennfeldt Ha Lived in Holstein Many Years - Other Early News.
(Mrs. G. W. Hamm)
Early - William H. Rennfeldt of Holstein, former resident of
Early, died at the hospital in Cherokee Thursday morning August 15, aged
68 years, 5 months and 26 days. Funeral services were held at the home
on Monday afternoon and later in the Methodist church. The remains were
laid to rest in the Holstein cemetery.
Wm. Rennfeldt was born February 18, 1861, in Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany. When he was two and a half years of age the family came to
America and located at Davenport, where they lived for 10 years and then
returned to their native land. However, after a stay of two years they
again returned to America and located in Tama where the father conducted
a hotel for several years. After a time they moved west and settled on a
newly acquired farm northeast of Early now owned by B. E. Johnson, which
was their home for seven years. From here they move to Holstein which
had been their home for the past 38 years. They have seen Holstein grow
from a mere hamlet to a thriving little city as it is today. The elder
Rennfeldts were among the first to enter business in the new town, and
has since in their possession.
On September 7, 1887, Mr. Rennfeldt was joined in marriage to
Miss Addie Thorp, and to this union were born three children. One
daughter died in infancy. The remaining are Mrs. Wilbur Bleasdell of
Early and Fred W. of Collins. The deceased was baptized in infancy and
later confirmed in the Lutheran church in Davenport. Besides his
religious training he received the usual training in our public schools
to prepare him for life. He also received special musical training and
was an accomplished pianist. This is mentioned because rarely we find
men with these accomplishments today.
The last years have been hard for Mr. Rennfeldt and his family.
The illness of his companion and later her accident when she sustained a
fractured hip which has rendered her bedfast since, along with other
burdens, had a telling effect on Mr. Rennfeldt. Early this summer it
became apparent that he was collapsing under his load, and he was taken
from his surroundings in order that he might get a new grip on life if
possible. He spent some time in the home of his son without showing any
improvement. Last week he was taken to a hospital at Cherokee where he
died. He leaves to mourn his death and invalid wife, one daughter, one
son, and eight grandchildren, besides a host of friends. Early community
extend sympathy to the heart stricken family.
(August 1929) |
