Shocking and nearly unbelievable was the new, when this community learned a week ago last Sunday morning that Herman Siebrandt, Sr., had passed away. No one had heard of his sickness: therefore it is hard for his friends and acquaintances to realize that we may not enjoy his good counsel and that his life is so abruptly ended. How unsearchable are the counsels of' God. Although he had reached the seventies, human reckoning would have given him a number of years more for his earthly pilgrimage. God hath willed otherwise, his servant's hour had struck, his entrance into the heavenly mansions of his Savior had come, for we are confident that he passed away in the faith, which he confessed.

Herman Siebrandt, a pioneer of this community, was born October 27, 1850, in the providence Hanover of Germany. In about his eighteenth year he came to America with his uncle, who settled in Cook County, Illinois. In the year 1883 he became a citizen of the U. S. On October 22, 1875, he was joined in marriage to Ana Schmeckpepper. Ten years later the deceased moved to Nebraska and settled in Neligh Township, of Cuming County. The following year, 1886, he moved to Cleveland Township, his present place.

In holy wedlock Mr. and Mrs. Siebrandt were blessed with twelve children, 5 sons and 7 daughters. The oldest daughter passed away 5 years ago.

The cold, with which the deceased was troubled more or less during the spring took a serious turn on June 7, pneumonia had stricken him. On Thursday his condition seemed somewhat better, and with the best of care and treatment, it was hoped that in a few days he would be well, but God had numbered his days. On Saturday afternoon his pastor was called and thankfully he accepted his humble service. He was fully conscious till an hour before his death, which came Sunday morning, June 11. Quietly and peacefully he fell asleep and found the peace and the rest, which is prepared for the children of God.

On Wednesday afternoon, June 14^th, at 1 o'clock a large number of friends gathered at the stricken home to give expression to their sympathy for the high respect in which they held the loving, kind husband and father, the loyal friend and respected citizen whom death had claimed so suddenly. Services at home were followed by those in St. John's church of which the deceased had been a founder and an interested member.

Rev. William G. Harms, who had charge of the services, based his remarks on the words of Mark 13-33: "Take ye therefore heed, watch and pray, for ye know not when it is time," showing the necessary preparation for a blessed end at all times. The church could not hold the large gathering which had assembled to pay their last respects to the departed. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Herman Siebrandt reached the age of 71 years, 7 months, and 14 days, and leaves his sorely stricken widow, eleven children, viz: Fred, John, H. W., Henry and Willie, Mrs. H. H. Beckmann, Mrs. E. F. Beckmann, Mrs. A. R. Ortmann, Mrs. Theo. Goeble; Mrs. John Breitbarth, and H. F. Hillwinkel of Minn., forty-three grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn his departure.

Relatives present at the funeral, other than those of this community, were the following: Rev, and Mrs. Theo. Goeble, Mr and Mrs. H. F. Hillwinkel, Mr. John Breitbarth of Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Henry Anders, Fred, Jr. and Ernest Schmeckpepper of Bloomfield, Mrs. Benedict and John Anders of Crete, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Anders of Niobrara, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wart of Nor folk.

Contributed.