. V. Chaussee Services Are Held Monday - Pioneer Resident Died Saturday in Home Here—Was 76 Years Old. Funeral services were held here Monday morning from St. Agnes Catholic church for Victor V. Chaussee, one of Vermillion's most widely known pioneer residents. Mr. Chaussee died in his home last Saturday evening at the age of 76 years. Four years ago he was injured when an ice box fell upon his leg. His limb was injured so badly that doctors feared for his recovery at the time. Although the leg finally healed, his condition since that time had been poorly and he was subjected to occasional dizzy spells. He experienced one of his dizzy spells last Saturday and relatives gave it only passing attention, believing that it would soon go away. Mr. Chaussee went to bed but awakened later and walked about a bit. He laid down again and passed away quietly. Attending physicians believed his death to be caused by heart failure. Prior to his injury four years ago, he had not been sick a full day in his life and friends and relatives believe that his inability to take an active part in work lately hastened his death. For the past 72 years Mr. Chaussee has resided in this part of the state. With the exception of seven years spent in the butcher business at Volin, he has lived in Clay county ever since he was four years old. His parents came to Dakota Territory from Dubuque, Ia., by ox team in 1882 and settled on a farm in the Fairview community. After the death of his parents later Mr. Chaussee engaged in active farming on his parent's farm until he came to Vermillion as a partner to George Kempker in a butcher shop here. When he was 17 years old he made several trips to the Black Hills with cattle trains. He freighted over the Dakota prairies for Lewis Volin and scores of Vermillion residents recall tales he used to tell of the early freight routes. In 1896 he was employed by Grange & McVickers in the mercantile store here and the following year was employed as a hog buyer for Lee & Prentis. Later he moved to Volin with his family and bought a butcher shop there, which he ran for seven years. He returned to Vermillion then and was employed as a butcher for the Stevens ranch. Later he was manager of the McCall-Webster elevator here and was actively engaged in the grain business for several years, later taking over a draying business here, which he operated until the time of his injury four years ago. Although he was 72 years old at the time his leg was broken, he had succeeded in raising a heavy ice chest to the top of a flight of steps, only to slip at the top and crash with the ice box on top of him. In addition to a broken leg, he suffered other severe injuries which doctors fear hurried his death. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chaussee, three of whom are still living. A son, George Chaussee, is caretaker at the courthouse. A daughter, Mrs. Leo Walz, lives in Burbank and another daughter, Mrs. Walter O'Connor lives on a farm south of Vermillion. May 15, 1931, Mr. and Mrs. Chaussee celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and throngs of friends and relatives gathered in their home here to honor the pioneer couple. Mrs. Chaussee was Katherine McGrath, of the Fairview community, prior to her marriage to Mr. Chaussee. In addition to the three children, Mr. Chaussee is survived by two brothers, Charles, of Vermillion, and George, of Judith Gap, Montana, and one sister, Mrs. Zoway Brady, of Hot Springs [South Dakota]. In addition to his immediate family, Mr. Chaussee is survived by 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
When a young man Mr. Chaussee's services were constantly in demand at old time dances. He started his musical career with a violin that his father had made and before many years had passed he was recognized as a talented performer and it was not uncommon for him to travel many miles to furnish music for the community dances in this territory.
Always known to be an industrious worker, Mr. Chaussee leaves many friends to mourn his passing and to pay respect to his memory. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Elmore's service. Vermillion Plain Talk, Vermillion, South Dakota, June 28, 1934