Kiisel, Henry 1831-1902 (2024)

Taps have sounded. Lights are out. And Henry Kiisel has joined the great majority of his comrades on fame’s eternal camping ground – the bivouac of the dead. The end came on Monday night about 8 o’clock, after an illness only since Thursday afternoon before. It came as a surprise – as we are never prepared for the death of our friends, whether suddenly or after long illness. Mr. Kiisel had for over forty years carried a rebel bullet in his left lung, received at the Battle of Shiloh, and during most of the time since his friends have only wondered that the end had not come years ago. He was one of our best men, honorable, and upright, kindly in disposition, and with a pleasant greeting for everybody – worthy of the respect, which everybody felt for him.

Henry L. Kiisel was born in Stockholm, Sweden, March 12, 1831. In 1848 he come to America, landing in New York, a poor boy unable to speak a word of English. The following year he went by ship to California and afterwards going into Oregon; finally in 1853 he returned to New York where he remained until 1854 and then came to Newton. On the 30th day of March 1861, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Drew Hall. On the 3rd of October of the same year he enlisted as a soldier in Company B, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, he was severely wounded in the lungs, which necessitated his discharge from the service on the 26th of October 1862. On his return home he immediately began a busy life, notwithstanding the disability caused by his terrible wound, and for over thirty years was engaged in the drug business in this city, finally retiring from business in 1897, and for the past five years has taken life easy.

He leaves three children, Mrs. Wm. Wyrick of this city, Fred A. Kiisel of South Bend, Ind., and Oliver G. Klisel of Richmond, Ind., also one stepson, Ernest D. Hall of Des Moines, toward who he was always the kindest of fathers. Mrs. Kiisel, who has herself been an invalid for many years, is almost prostrated with grief on account of the death of her husband on whom she had been peculiarly dependent in her affliction. Mr. Kiisel had been a Universalist for many years and died a firm adherent to that faith. After his death, in his desk was found a full written instructions in regard to his funeral, which were written several years ago. The Odd Fellows were to have charge of the services, and his old army comrades of Company B, 14th Iowa to act as pallbearers.

The funeral services will be from the home on North Farmers Street at 2 o’clock this Thursday afternoon. Rev. Leitzel of the Lutheran Church will be the officiating clergyman, and Central Lodge No. 73, I.O.O.F. will attend in a body and conduct the services at the cemetery. ~ The Newton Record, Thursday May 8, 1902, Page 1, Column 5
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There was quite a large attendance at the funeral of Henry L. Kiisel last Friday afternoon at the Kiisel home on North Farmer Street. Rev. Leitzel of the Lutheran Church preached an excellent discourse and good music was rendered by Mrs. Geo. W. Guthrie, Miss Ella Hymes, Earnest Earley and Fred Axtell, with Mrs. Sloanaker as organist. The pallbearers were Messrs. John L. Mathews, J. B. Eyerly, D. S. Stover, Geo. B. Hunter, Beriah Battles and Silas Poling – all former comrades of Mr. Klisel in Company B, Thirteenth Iowa, three of whom carry wounds received at Shiloh, on the same day that Henry received the ball in his lungs which after forty years resulted in his death. The Murphy Band escorted the different orders of Odd Fellowship from their hall to the residence, and then to the cemetery where they had charge of the final ceremonies. Beautiful flowers were in abundance, silent tributes of the love and esteem of many friends. The two sons, Fred A. Kiisel of South Bend, Ind., and Oliver G. Kiisel and wife of Richmond, Ind., also the stepson Ernest Hall and wife of Des Moines, were all present with the only daughter, Mrs. Cinda Wyrick of this city, to comfort the afflicted mother in her sorrow. ~ The Newton Record, Thursday May 15, 1902, Page 1, Column 6