John Ferdinand Langholff was born June 5 1820, in Rattai, Prussia. Here he grew to manhood and was married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Bahr in 1845.

   With his family, Mr Langholff came to America in 1851, and after a few weeks stay in Milwaukee, came to Fort Atkinson to make his home.

   The deceased was a locksmith by trade but in the early days found no demand for work of that nature in this vicinity and engaged in the blacksmith business. His shop was probably the first established in this city and he was accounted an expert workman. Mr Langholff was one of the founders of St Paul's Lutheren cociety here and always took a deep interest in matters that pertained to the church.

   Mr and Mrs Langholff were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living, as follows; Julius and Mrs Sarah Foljahn of this city, Mrs Mathilda Mess and Mrs Bertha Galitz of Chicago. Herman, Mrs Clara Savall and Mrs Amelia Wirig also of this city.

   Although in advanced age and feeble, Mr Langholff ever took an active interest in the affairs of the day and was a familiar figure on the streets of the city.

   Death came suddenly from old age at four o'clock Saturday afternoon. Early in the day he had been seated on the porch, seemingly in perfect health, and had conversed with several friends passing by. On attempting to walk across the room, he fall and before assistance arrived, was dead.

   Mr Langholff was one of the oldest residents of the city, having reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years, eleven months and two days.

   Besides his aged wife and seven children, named above, he leaves fourteen grandchildren, one great-grand child and two brothers, Gottlieb and August, both of Jefferson.

   The funeral services took place Tuesday, May 13, at two o'clock from St Paul's Lutheran Church to the Evergreen cemetery, conducted by the Rev. A F Nicolaus.

   The deceased was an honest and upright citizen ever ready to lend a helping hand to neighbor of friend in time of need. In an early day he often gave assistance to hie fellow countrymen, who reached America without funds or friends.

 

 

Date of Death May 8 1909