Eleanor Rynn Kelly D: 1921

HIGHLY RESPECTED LADY RELIEVED OF CARES AND WORRY
Died Within Less Than Six Months After Death of Husband.
The Maker has again seen fit to remove from our midst a highly respected and esteemed citizen when on Sunday Mrs Eleanor Kelly, widow of J. E. Kelly was called to her eternal reward. Deceased had been ailing for several years with a complication of diseases and it was last May when she and her husband consulted the Mayos at Rochester that Mr Kelly passed suddenly away while eating at a hotel.
But little hopes were entertained for her recovery after that visit and she returned to await the end. She was a constant sufferer but was able to be up at times until the Wednesday preceeding. Sunday evening about 5:30 she called each of the children to her side and being assured that everything was all right she patiently awaited the end which finally came at 10:30 that night to relieve her of her sufferings.
Eleanor Rynn was born at Brocklinn, Dane county WI on March1, 1860 and was 61 years of age at the time of death. On Nov 7, 1877 she was married to James E. Kelly at Mason City IA. They came to Dakota Territory in 1883 and settled on a farm in Dixon township the place they still own and moved to Vienna in 1907 and retired from farm life.
The surviving children are Mrs James Mulcrone, Cando NM; Mrs James Foy, James R. Kelly and Miss Tressa Kelly of Vienna. Mrs. Mulcrone arrived Monday to attend the funeral. One brother John Rynn of Dixon township also survives.
Funeral services were held at St. John's Catholic church Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, the pastor Rev. Father Martyn officiating and the church was filled to capacity with friends to pay final respects to a departed friend. The remains were taken to Bryant and interment made in the cemetery in the family lot beside the remains of her husband.
Mrs Kelly led a quiet and Christian life and her mission in life has been fully accomplished. She had a wide and lasting acquaintance, every one a staunch friend and the entire community hereby extends to the sorrowing children and brother heartfelt sympathy.

Viola Bernice Olina Hanson circa 1921

Little Viola Bernice Olina Hanson, daughter of Mr and Mrs Peter Hanson of this village, brief mention of whose death was made in last weeks Register, passed away at a hospital in Watertown last Thursday morning at the age of 4 years. The little one was given every care and attention bu the Maker seen fit to claim her. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the home and later at the Lutheran church, Rev. Arneson the pastor officiating at the last sad rites. Four little girls acted as pall bearers. Grace Johnson of Huron, Luella Foley, Velva Froke and Mildred Munson of Vienna. The remains were laid to rest in Pleasant Hill Cemetery west of town. The little girl was a bright and cheerful little Miss and will be greatly missed by her loving parents, brothers, sisters and little playmates and the sorrowing ones have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.

Lyle Breyfogle; shot to death

Young Man Shot at Vienna, Defending Name Girlfriend
Condition said to be serious at hospital here---Assailant is Held at Clark
Lyle Breyfogle, a returned soldier was shot by Fred Portwood and dangerously wounded on the streets of Vienna last night. Rushed to the Luther hospital in Watertown and operation has been performed in an effort to save his life, but attending physicians stated the wound is one that may prove fatal. the bullet from a .32 calibre revolver entered just below his heart, tore a large hole in his stomach and lodged there, surgeons said.
Portwood, caught in the hotel at Vienna a few minutes after the shooting, is being held in the county jail at Clark while States Attorney Logan Berry of Clark county, awaits developments in Breyfogle's condition before preferring charges.
MURDER CHARGE TO FOLLOW DEATH OF LYLE BREYFOGLE
Victim of Shooting at Vienna Dies in Hospital in Watertown
Fred Portwood, the young man arrested in Vienna Friday night following the shooting of Lyle Breyfogle in a street argument, will be charged with murder in the first degree. Breyfogle, who was rushed to the Luther Hospital in Watertown for an operation in an effort to save his life, died of theound early Sunday morning.
States Attn Logan Berry stated this morning that he would bring the charge of murder against Portwood today. Over the long distance telephone this afternoon, however, he stated that he intended to go to Vienna to secure further information before starting proceedings. He said he would drive to Vienna this afternoon and intended to file the murder charge tomorrow.
States Attny Berry said there have been no new developments in the case since the death of Breyfogle yesterday, upon whose recovery or death hinged the action the prosecution intended to take. He said it still appears that the shooting was the result of Breyfogle's threat to attack Portwood on account of remarks the latter made about a girl. The states attorney said Breyfogle and the girl, Miss Mary Flemming, a daughter of one of the prominent and most respected families of Vienna, were engaged to be married.
It is understood that Portwood intends to fight the charge of murder. Although he readily admitted the shooting following his arrest at Vienna, he will claim that he was forced to do in in self defense in his attempt to free himself of conviction of murder.
Breyfogle, who is a returned solider, lost strength rapidly following the operation, which failed to remove the .32 calibre bullet which had wounded him. Entering just below his heart, the bullet tore a large wound in his stomach.
His brother, M. C. Breyfogle, was with him until death. He had no statement to make, however, saying that he knew nothing about the shooting as he was not near the scene when it occurred.
The body of Mr. Breyfogle will be shipped on the Minneapolis and St. Louise eastbound passenger to the boy's home in Manchester IA this evening. It will be accompanied by the brother and Mrs. Minnie Whitman of this city, an aunt. He leaves a cousin, Mrs. Harry Hoff in this city, and is survived by his parents and a sister at Manchester. An uncle, William Ball, resides at Bryant.
Mrs. Whitman said he has been working in the harvest fields near Vienna following his discharge from the service and states that he was engaged to marry the girl, Miss Mary Flemming, whose name he was attempting to defend when he was shot.
No dates available on this clipping, found in old scrapbook...Clark County SD newspaper

Anna Framstad D; 1919

On Sunday June 10th, occurred the death of Mrs. Anna Framstad at the home of her son, Amund Lunde. Mrs. Framstad was born March 18, 1828 in Gran Paris, Hudeland, Norway. She was married there in 1858 to Paul Framstad. With her husband and son Nels, she emigrated to this country in 1882. On arriving here they made their home with their son Amund in Moody county. A year later the family moved to this township and homesteaded four miles west of Vienna. They remained on this farm for over 30 years and in 1913 came to Vienna and made their home with their son, Amund. At the time of her death she was 91 years old. Mrs. Framstad was among the first pioneers of this locality and bravely endured the trials and hardships incident to the settlement of a new country. Funeral services were held at the A. P. Lunde home on Thursday, conducted by Rev. L. Thoresen.
Transcribed from clippings in old scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper.

Joseph Heber d circa 1919

Joseph Heber of Vienna committed suicide by shooting himself last Tuesday eveing. He had been about town all day and seemd to be in the best of spirits. A little before 6 o'clock he telephoned to his wife and asked if there was anything she wanted him to bring home when came to supper. She gave him a list of a few small articles, which he got and took home with him. When he got home he asked if supper was ready, and being told that it was went to the wash stand and started to wash. He seemed to lose his mind at this time, and threw the wash dish across the room and exclaimed "I have got three of them here now, and when the other comes I will get him." This frightened Mrs. Heber, and with the 2 children that were at home, ran out of the house and gave the alarm. As soon as help arrived they entered the house and found him lying in the bedroom with 6 bullet holes through his body within a radius of 5 inches, the last shot passing through the heart. It is thought that financial troubles was the cause of his rash act. Mr. Heber came to Vienna in 1893 and started a hardware store, which he conducted until about a year ago, when he sold out to Riter and Gillis. He was of a very happy, cheerful temperment and was the last person one would expect to commit such an act.
Transcribed from clipping in old scrapbook. Clark COunty, SD newspaper, circa 1919

Charles E. Tollefson circa 1907

One of the sad events that we are called upon to chronicle this week is the death of Charles E. Tollefson, son of Mr and Mrs E. B. Tollefson of Collins township. He worked all day Thursday and on Friday he came to Willow Lakes to attend services at the Lutheran church, and while in town said that he did not feel just right. He was taken worse some time during the night, but did not make any complaint, so his folks did not know it until Staurday morning. A Bryant doctor was immediately summoned who pronounced the case appendicitis and advised immediate removal to the nearest hospital. He was taken to Aberdeen, where an operation was performed Sunday noon, but so rapidly had the disease developed, it was impossible to save his life. He died Monday morning about 8 o'clock on the day he was 13 years old. Funeral services were conducted from the Lutheran church in this city Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Thoresen officiating, and the remains laid to rest in the silent city beside two younger brothers.
Transcribed from clipping in old scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper. Clippings surrounding this date 1907.

Gunder Amundsen Hval D; 1905

Gunder Amundsen Hval, aged 68 years, died at his home west of town on Monday, October 16th. The deceased was born January 6, 1837 in Hadeland, Norway. He emigrated from Norway and came to America in the year 1869 and settled in Winnesheik Co., IA, where he was married to Marget Rue in 1888. In the year of 1899 he moved to Clark county, where he resided until his death. Funeral services were held at the Lutheran church west of Vienna, Oct 19th Rev. Lauritz Thoresen officiating. He leaves a widow and one brother who resides here to mourn his death, besides several sisters.
Transcribed from clipping in old scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper.

Captain William N. Berry

Captain William N. Berry, the oldest settler in Lake township, Clark County, SD, was born November3, 1840 in Cumberland County, IL, and died at his home in Lake township Nov. 8, 1909, aged 69 years 5 days. He together with Capt. S. O. Cromack made the first homestead filings in Lake township on the 12th day of September 1881, on which he continued to reside until the date of his death.
His life has been an eventful one, and his records as an old soldier is interesting as well as indicative of his loyalty of heart and soul. The family of Berry's date back to colonial times. In 1774 John Berry is recorded as having removed to Maryland from Virginia. He was a native of Ireland and served in the Revolutionary War. His son also, John, settled in Carolina and his son Joseph who served in the war of 1812 was the father of John L. Berry who was born in Tennessee the father of Captain William N. Berry.
Capt. Berry was the second of a family of six children and the eldest of those who grew to maturity. At the age of 18 he entered the Illinois college at Jacksonville with the ambition to graduate in the law course, but during the second year of his schooling the president on April 1st 1861 called for 75 thousand volunteers and he enlisted as a private in Company B 21st Illinoise volunteers the regiment of which General Grant was appointed Colonel, and served in this regiment until June 1861. After the battle of Frederictown when he was promoted fromt he ranks to Second Lt for conduct on the battlefield and transferred to Comapny L 5th Illinois cavalry, and was soon afterward promoted to First Lt. The seige of Vicksburg was the next general engagement that he was in and during the siege he was detailed by then General Grant to take forty picked men from his army corps and proceed into the heart of the enemy's country to destroy the railroad bridges over which were carried supplies from the base to the confederate army in which undertaking they were only partially successful being captured after riding 400 miles in 4 days. He was then started for Libby prison but made his escape and after only four days of liberty was recaptured and landed in the prison at Richmond the capital of the southern confederacy where he was kept a prisoner of war nearly a year but again escaped and after innumerable adventures and terrible hardships gained the union lines once more was given 30 days furlough, after which he rejoined his regiment was detailed, chief of scouts on General Shaubs staff, served on General Shaubs staff as adjustant general and on General Custer's staff as inspector general, and was then promoted to the rank of captain. he was in 43 engagements besides the siege of Vicksburg. He was mustered out of the service on Oct. 1, 1865 after continuous service of 4 years and 6 months; all of shich, except for the year spent in prison, was at the front where they were making history. He never applied for a pension until he was totally incapacitated for manual labor, and in February 1908 congress passed a special act granting him 30 dollars a month during the balance of his life in recognition of his service to his country. After the war on Dec 3 1865 he married Margaret Diehl and to them were born five children, Logan, John, George and Linnie who were born in Cumberland county Il, and Lessie the youngest was born on the homestead on the banks of Willow Lakes, all of whom have grown to man and womanhood in this neighborhood. John and George still residing here, Logan residing in Perkins county and Linnie and Lessie residing in Meade county this state.
Deceased served in the Territorial legislature in 1887 and was a member of the board of county commissioners of Clark county for a number of years. He has left the record of a life well spent, as we have often heard him say that the height of his ambition was to see his children grow to useful men and womanhood and to leave to them and their mother an untarnished name. The crowning glory of his life is an amition realized.
Transciribed from clipping in scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper. 1909.

Bessie Mabel Arneson Holt

AT REST
On Wednesday morning the community was startled by the sad intelligence of the death of Mrs. Theodore Holt who died Tuesday evening, February 18th about 7 o'clock at the age of 19 years, 10 months and 14 days.
Bessie Mabel Holt, daughter of Mr. and mrs. A. O. Arneson, was born in Opdahl township on March 24, 1888, she was baptized in May the same year and was confirmed on October 18th 1903.
After completing the 8th grade, she attended the Bryant high school one year and also the Madison normal school one year. She taught school one year in this township.
She was married on Nov 8, 1906 to Theodore Holt. Husband, parents, three sisters, four brothers, many relatives and a host of friends mourn the loss of a devoted wife, a dutiful daughter, and affectionate sister and a truly self-sacrificing mother to the now motherless babe placed as a last gift into the arms of a loving husband and father.
The funeral occurred on Saturday Feb. 22. A short service was held at the home, the body was then taken to the Lutheran Church where a large crowd had already assembled. Rev. L. Thoresen officiating. The largest crowd that ever assembled in this community to honor the dead was present at the funeral, which attests to the high regard in which she was held. There were people here from many miles around. After the services at the church the remains were borne to the cemetery where the body was laid to rest in the cold earth, but her name will be cherished long by those who were intimate with her.
Besides the relatives in the immediate vicinity who attended the funeral were the following: Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, Mr and Mrs Facet of Watertown, Mr and Mrs Christ Hanson, Mr Walby and daughter of Vienna, Mr and Mrs K. K. Holt and family of Castlewood and mr and Mrs Will March and family of Bryant.
Transcribed from clipping in Grandmother's scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper, handwritten date of 1908 on article.

Martha Wall

Mrs. Martha Wall, wife of Peter Wall, died Wednesday January 30th of cancer, at her home near the Lutheran church, west of town, after a llingering illness. Mrs. Wall was nearly 63 years of age. She was born in Gran Parish, Hadeland, Norway, coming to the United States in 1869 and first settling in Iowa. She was united in marriage to Peter Wall on January 26th 1892, moving to South Dakota shortly after, where they have since resided. Arrangements have been made to hold the funeral tomorrow, Feb 2nd at the house at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.
transcribed from Grandmother's scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper, circa 1911.

Herman Spilde

Herman Spilde, the five year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans L. Spilde of this city, died at the home of his parents Wednesday evening at about 7 o'clock, from complications growing out of the grip. Funeral services will be conducted from the house at 11 o'clock today and itnerment made in the Lutheran cemetery in Pleasant township. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of the entire community in their great loss.
Transcribed from clipping in Grandmother's scrapbook. Clark County SD newspaper. Circa 1911.

Ella Eggen

Ella Eggen Dies in Minneapolis (dated June 9, 1913)

A telegram reached here Monday containing the sad news of the death of Miss Ella Eggen who passed away at the Swedish hospital in Minneapolis early that morning, following an operation which it was hoped would restore her to health, but in her weakened condition she never fully recovered from it. She had been a sufferer from tuberculosis for a number of years, but up til a short time ago she kept at her work athe county seat where she was employed in a store, and later in the county treasurer's office.

The remains arrived from Minneapolis Tuesday evening and were met at the Great Northern depot by a large crowd of freiends. On account of her brother, Gus, from Canada, not being able to reach here the funeral was postponed until today and will be held this afternnoon at one o'clock at the Lutheran church.

Miss Eggen was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Eggen and was 23 years of age. Her death although not coming entirely unexpected came as a shock to her many friends who held her in high esteem. The sympathy of the Vienna people is extended tot he bereaved family in their time of sorrow.

From Clark County SD newspaper clipping in Grandmother's scrapbook. 1913.

Gertrude Rasmussen

Gertrude, the three week old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Rasmussen, died this morning.
Clark County, SD newspaper, circa 1909.

Carl Oldberg

Carl Oldberg, who has worked for Andrew Christopherson the past year, met with an accident last Saturday morning which resulted in his death. He was leading a cold out to pasture and had the rope fastened around his hand in such a way that he was unable to run with him and he was dragged about thirty rods. When foudn the rope was still wound around his hand, his forehead was smashed in, his arm dislocated and his condition showed that he must have been kicked by the animal. He only lived about ten minutes after the accident happened. His only relative in this country, his brother, was working over in teh valley at the time, and an auto was sent for him but of course was unable to reach here in time to see him alive. The young man was 21 years of age and came to this country only about a year ago, and had worked for Mr. Christopherson most of the time since. He was a steady worker and well liked by those who knew him. He leaves a father and several brothers and sisters in Norway. Funeral services were held at the west church Sunday, conducted by Rev. Lauritz Thoresen.
Transcribed from Grandmother's scrapbook. Clark county newspaper clipping, other clipping on same page dated 1911.

John Jacob Keller

DEATH OF ONE OF THE PIONEER SETTLERS
John Jacob Keller, one of the first settlers in western Hamlin county, passed away at his home on sunday, September 10, 1911 at 5 o'clock p.m. at the age of 56 years, 4 months and 25 days. Mr. Keller was born April 18, 1855 at Helenville, Jefferson county, Wis. His parents not being among the wealthy in the land, John was obliged to share in hard work to make a living for the rest of the family. In 1884 he was married to his now sorrowing widow, whose maiden name was Miss Margaret Wolf. This union was blessed with two sons and one daughter, Charles, Irvin and Ina, all of whom survive the family and are at home. In the spring of 1884 mr. Keller with his wife came to Dakota, settling on a homestead in Hamlin county, which remained his home until death relieved him of his painful suffering.
Mr. Keller was always a hard working man and very saving, which speaks for the well kept farm and comfortable home he leaves his family. In his quiet and unassuming way he always gave family and home duties first attention and thus also won high esteem and admiration from his large circle of acquaintance who regarded him as friend. At an early period in life Mr. Keller consecrated his life to God and united with the Evangelical association, being always a faithful member and a zealous worker in the church, serving as superintendent, class leader, exhorter, trustee and as steward.
By special request of the deceased the funeral services were conducted by Rev. Chas W. Zech of Watertown and Rev. F. H. Brockmueller of Milbank, former pastor of the charge. Services were conducted at the home and in the church in both the German and English language, the former speaking in English from Rev. 14:13. The choir from the chuch of Hazel furnishing the music, rendering most appropriate selections. The decorations and floral offerings were appropriate and profuse. The remains were laid to rest in the Zion cemetery, while a large concourse of friends stood by with bowed heads, paying their last rights to one whom they loved. Over sixty teams were in attendance from the vicinity and some coming from Clear Lake and Watertown. Those from a distance were Miss Mary Wolf and Mrs. John Hahn, both from Wisonsin, sisters of Mrs. Keller.
During his prolonged and very papinful suffering, which was due to cancer of the stomach, Mr. Keller was very patient, never murmuring, only toward the end he expressed as desire to be relieved and permitted to rest. His wish is now granted. Besdies the immediate family he leaves two brothers, C. W. Keller residing in Hazel, and Rev. George Keller in Naperville, Ill, and a large circle of friends.

Card of thanks:
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the many friends and neighbors for their sympathy and kindness to us during the illness and death of our husband and father. Mrs. John Keller, Charles Keller, Ina Keller, Irvin Keller.

Transcribed from Clark County newspaper, 1911. From my Grandmother's scrapbook

Mrs Peter Syverson

Mrs. Syverson, mother of Mrs. Harry Marshall and E. A. Syverson, died Wednesday at the home of her daughter at Watertown. She was over 80 years of age and was among the early pioneers of Hamlin county. The funeral is being held at Bryant today. Mrs. Syverson was born in Norway and there married Peter Syverson. A few years after their marriage they came to the United States and located at Lansing, Iowa moving to Crawford county shortly afterwards. In 1887 the family moved to a farm near DeSmet SD where they lived a number of years before moving to Bryant, where E. A. Syverson entered the banking business. About three years ago Mrs. Syverson moved to Watertown with her sone, E. A. Syverson, and lived with him until last fall, shen she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. H. P. Hanson, with whom she resided up to the time of her death.
Transcribed from Grandmother's scrapbook. Newspaper is not identified although appears to be Clark Pilot Review? No dates on this page, nearby pages circa 1914.

Mike Cunningham

The people in town were greatly shocked Wednesday morning to learn of the death of Mike Cunningham who died very suddenly the night before at twelve o'clock. He had not been feeling very well for a few days, but had been up and around at work as usual. After going to bed he got up a short time afterwards saying that he felt as if he was smothering and passed away in but a few minutes. Death was due to heart disease. He was 51 years old and had been a residen of Vienna ever since the town started, being engaged in business here in the early day. He leaves a widow and eight children to mourn his loss. Funeral services were held int he Catholic church yesterday forenoon and remains interred in the cemetery there.

Mrs. Axel Torper

The people of this community were shocked on Sunday last to hear of the death of Mrs. Axel Torper of Lake township. Just a day or two before her death she was in Willow Lakes shopping, semmingly in good health. A few days before she caught a severe cold which developed into a dropsical condition of the windpipe and larynx making respiration difficult, and Sunday morning she was taken violently worse and physicians were summonded, who found that a trachytomy operation must be performed. She was placed under the influence of anesthetic but life was too near extinct, and she never awoke.
Olea Anderson was born in Norway in 1886 and came to America with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Johannes Anderson, when about one year old and resided with her parents in Merton township until 1904 when she was united in marriage to Axel Torper.
Funeral services will be conducted from thehome this afternoon and the remains laid to rest in Lutheran church cemetery in Merton township.

Transcribed from clipping in Grandmother's scrapbook. No newspaper name is available; appears to be from Lake Preston SD area. Nearest dated item is 1913.

James Pettit

The oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Pettit, in Pleasant township, died Thrusday morning from congestion of the lungs, after an illness of only a few hours' duration. The boy had a sore throat, but no one realized that he was in a dangerous condition. He was eleven years of age. Funeral services are to be held this afternoon from the Methodist church, Rev. E. M. Isaac officiating.

From my Grandmother's scrapbook. No newspaper name or date available. Other nearby dated entries are for 1904. Lake Preston, SD area.

Andrew Seierson

Andrew Seierson, brother of S.P. Seierson, died at Huron Wednesday evening. He was on his way home from Epiphany where he had been to seee Father Kroeger, in the hopes that he could receive some benefit from that disease, consumption, he was afflicted with. Andrew had only been here about six months, coming here with his father last winter from Norway. He was twenty-two years of age. Peter drove to Huron yesterday to bring back the remains and the funeral will probably be held in Kingsbury county.

Transcribed from Grandmother's scrap book. No newspaper name or date available. Other entries near this were from 1904. Lake Preston, SD area.