John (Johann) Herzog
Obituary taken from the Oberlin Herald May 1929

JOHN HERZOG SR. DIES AT ALMENA

Death Call One of Herndon's Earliest Pioneer Settlers At Age of 90 Years

John Herzog Sr., one of the earliest settlers of the Herndon neighborhood, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Anna Fritz, Almena, Kansas, Friday, April 26 at the age of 90 years, 3 months and 18 days.

Mr. Herzog was one of Herndon's earliest pioneer settlers and home builders. With his wife and family he came to Northwest Kansas in 1877, settling on a homestead on the Beaver in Decatur county 3 miles east of Herndon, the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John Herzog. We might add that this farm has been in the Herzog name for more than fifty years.

Like other pioneers who heard the call of the west and when the west was young and wild he met with many trials and hardships but he met the issues and solved them. During the early days when crops were uncertain he provided for his family by picking buffalo bones, freighting and hunting. It was he, with Frank Wancura's father who moved L. N. George, Herndon's first merchant from Buffalo Park and as a freighter made perilous trips to distant points to get merchandise and supplies.

It is said of Mr. Herzog that he was a man imbibed with the true pioneer spirit. While his own resources were meager yet no traveler passed his shanty unaided if he needed help or assistance. He was ever active in taking part in the civic affairs and was closely associated with the early history and development of Northwest Kansas, always a worker for the thing he thought right and best for the community in which he lived. His was an active life. He lived to a ripe old age and it can be truly said of him; "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

John Herzog was born at Gols, Austria Hungary, January 8, 1839, and died at Almena, Kansas April 26, 1929 age 90 years, 3 months, 18 days.

April 27, 1862 he was united in marriage to Maria Wolfrom. To this union were born ten children six of whom died in infancy.

In the spring of 1874 John Herzog and family left the native land to come to America, arriving at Crete, Nebr., March 11th where he resided for three years when the west called him and he arrived at Herndon, Nov. 1, 1877. His wife and faithful companion died January 7, 1903 and after her death he made his home with his children. The last few years and his final days were spent with his youngest daughter Mrs. Anna Fritz at Almena, Kansas. He is survived by two sons, Gregor Herzog of Denver, John Herzog of Herndon; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Fleischacker of Rocky Ford, Colo.; and Mrs. Anna Fritz of Almena, twenty four grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.

The body was brought back to the old home east of Herndon last Saturday by the Morris Undertaking Co. of Almena and laid in state where many old friends and neighbors called to pay last respects and tribute to the memory of this sturdy pioneer. The high regard in which he was held was evidenced by the vast crowd present for the funeral, on of the largest ever held in this community. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. E.J. Moritz of Colby at 2:00 o'clock p.m. Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Herzog and the body was laid to rest beside that of his wife in the family lot in the Evangelical cemetery.

Relatives from a distance who were present for the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Matt Wurm and family, Mrs. Jack Riley, Mrs. George Shaw and baby, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Mines and daughter, Cecil Mines, G. Cathcart and daughter Marion, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Cathcart and family all of Oberlin; Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Cathcart of Danbury Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Fritz and family of Almena; Mrs. Mary Fleischacker of Rocky Ford Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fleischacker and family of LaJunita Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Matt Fleischacker and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Fleischacker of Ludell.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend out sincere thanks to our neighbors and friends for their many acts of kindness and assistance and also the choir of the Evangelical Church for the beautiful song service during the funeral and burial of our beloved father, John Herzog Sr.

The Family

Submitted by Phil and Sharleen Wurm