home     surnames     contact     pictures     blog     obituaries     about     H.G. Hillesheim County Pioneer Answers Summons Survived By 16 Children, 77 Grandchildren and 19 Great Grandchildren Resident of Brown County 71 Years Former County Commissioner, Bank Director and Town Clerk Brown county lost one of its most prominent and highly respected pioneer citizens when Hubert G. Hillesheim, for 71 years a resident of the territory, answered the final summons at 3:10 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Old Folks' home at New Ulm, where he went to make his home on June 17th, 1928. Death came after an illness of nearly a year and a half and was brought about by complications attendant with old age. For the past four and a half weeks he had been confined to his bed. Mr. Hillesheim was ailing slightly when he left here in June last year and had complained more or less of ill health while he stayed at the Old Folks' Home. Came West With Oxen Coming to Brown county in the late 50's when his parents joined the westward tide of emigration, Mr. Hillesheim was among the very first white settlers in Sigel township, southeast of Sleepy Eye. The parents came west with a team of oxen and settled among the Indians, which was still years before the Sioux rebelled and went on the warpath. Held Many Offices During the course of his earthly career he was a prominent figure in community and civic affairs and during his lifetime held many offices of trust and responsibility. Serving as town clerk in Stark township for many years he was later elected to the office of county commissioner from this district in which capacity her served for a number of years. He was also president of the Farmers Elevator Company in this city for many years and served as a director of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank here until about two years ago. Born in Prussia Deceased was born in Prussia on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1849, and would therefore have been eighty years of ago had he lived until next December. At the age of 7 years he came to this country with his parents, Arnold and Clara (Thome) Hillesheim, who settled at Chicago, and a year later came west to spend their lifetime in Brown County. In October 1873, Mr. Hillesheim was joined in marriage at the Catholic church at New Ulm, to Miss Anna Corey, who preceded him in death in November 1927. For more than forty years Mr. and Mrs. Hillesheim continued to reside on a farm in this community and about eleven year ago they moved to Sleepy Eye for their future home. Sixteen Children Blessed with sixteen children, eight sons and eight daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Hillesheim had the pleasure of seeing all of them grow to young manhood and womanhood, and the entire family of children still survives. Mr. Hillesheim was the last survivor of a family of five sons and two daughters. The children are as follows: Jos A. Hillesheim, Stark township; Christ Hillesheim, Springfield; Peter Hillesheim, Sleepy Eye; Barney Hillesheim, Sigel township; John Hillesheim, Mulligan township; Florian Hillesheim, Leavenworth township; Frank and Henry Hillesheim, Stark township; Mrs. B.H. Pelzel and Mrs. Peter Gorres, Wabasso; Mrs. Oscar Juenemann, Springfield; Mrs. William Guggisberg, Gibbon; Mrs. John Juenemann, Wabasso; Mrs. Jos. A. Sellner, Mulligan township; Mrs. Fred Mikelson, Leavenworth township and Sister Huberta of Sleepy Eye. Mr. Hillesheim is also survived by a total of 77 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. The Solemn High Mass celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic church at 9:30 o'clock Wednesday morning was attended by scores of relatives and friends from all sections of the county, as well as relatives and friends from New Ulm, Madelia, Mankato, Srpingfield, Clemets, Wabasso, Lamberton, and other widely scattered points. The service was conducted by Rev. F.S. Rant, who was assisted by Rev. R.E. Russell and Rev. George Galles of this city and Rev. Schirmers of New Ulm. Six of the grandsons served as pallbearers, namely: Hubert and Leanard Hillesheim, Arthur and Robert Hillesheim, Hubert Sellner and Fred Gorres. Burial was made in St. Mary's Catholic cemetery. We join with scores of friends in extending sympathy to the sorrowing relatives. Coped from: Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch Issue: 1929