The birth name of John Figge was Johann Heinrich Koke.
Published in the Wet Mountain Tribune June 1938
"Death Calls John Figge - Pioneer Silver Cliff Resident"
Funeral services were held at Hope Lutheran Church Wednesday morning for John H. Figge, a long time resident of Custer county, who passed away in St. Luke's hospital in Denver Sunday afternoon. Obsequies were conducted by Rev. John E. Hermann of Pueblo, with the Menzel Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Figge had been ill for some time, having suffered a siege of pneumonia early this spring, which coupled with a severe injury to his hand on May 5 [which became septic], led to a pulmonary embolus, or blood clot on the lung, which was the direct cause of his death. His condition was believed to be satisfactory as late as two o'clock Sunday, and his death at two-thirty came as a shock to members of his family and his many friends.
John H. Koke was born in St. Louis on Nov. 14, 1870, [church records in St. Louis indicate the date of his birth was 09 Nov 1868 and his tombstone indicates that he was born in 1872] and as his parents [Friedrich Wilhelm Koke and Sophia Elizabeth Uelzen Koke] died [in a stage coach accident] while he was still an infant, he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Figge of St. Louis. An older brother, Frank Koke, was able to fend for himself, and had come to Colorado to make his way.
The brothers lost track of each others whereabouts for some twenty years, and it was in 1895 that Frank Koke learned John's address, and immediately got in touch with him persuading him to come to Silver Cliff, John accepting a job with his brother.
In 1899, John Figge was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Schwab, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Huerfano county. The couple made their home in Silver Cliff, and were blessed with five children, the eldest, Ernest, preceding his father in death in 1923.
For a few years after his marriage, Mr. Figge engaged in merchandising by the horse and buggy route, peddling his wares to the ranchers in the county.
In 1908, he opened a store in Silver Cliff and has been in business there since that time. He was active in the affiars of the town of Silver Cliff, being a member of the town board there for thirty years.
Born, raised and confirmed in the Luteran faith, Mr. Figge took an active part at Hope Lutheran, being treasurer of that church for fifteen years.
He was mechanically inclined and had built many appliances for his own convenience, indulging in this hobby to some extent. [He was an inventor with several patents.]
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Burrowes of Keyport, N.J., Miss Mary Figge of Denver; two sons, Harry Figge of Denver and Frank Figge of Baltimore, Md; three grandchidlren; three [step] sisters, Mrs. Ida Espenshied and Mrs Augusta Wall of Illinois and Mrs. Mary Lowry of Oklahoma; and a [step]brother William Figge of Illinoise; as well as a host of friends who regret his passing.
Interment was in Silver Cliff cemetery, with members of the Silver Cliff town board, J. T. Stroehilk, Henry Henning, Dewey Austin, John Erps, Carl Hanssen and Ernest Lee acting as pallbearers.
Published in the Wet Mountain Tribune June 1938
"Death Calls John Figge - Pioneer Silver Cliff Resident"
Funeral services were held at Hope Lutheran Church Wednesday morning for John H. Figge, a long time resident of Custer county, who passed away in St. Luke's hospital in Denver Sunday afternoon. Obsequies were conducted by Rev. John E. Hermann of Pueblo, with the Menzel Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Figge had been ill for some time, having suffered a siege of pneumonia early this spring, which coupled with a severe injury to his hand on May 5 [which became septic], led to a pulmonary embolus, or blood clot on the lung, which was the direct cause of his death. His condition was believed to be satisfactory as late as two o'clock Sunday, and his death at two-thirty came as a shock to members of his family and his many friends.
John H. Koke was born in St. Louis on Nov. 14, 1870, [church records in St. Louis indicate the date of his birth was 09 Nov 1868 and his tombstone indicates that he was born in 1872] and as his parents [Friedrich Wilhelm Koke and Sophia Elizabeth Uelzen Koke] died [in a stage coach accident] while he was still an infant, he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Figge of St. Louis. An older brother, Frank Koke, was able to fend for himself, and had come to Colorado to make his way.
The brothers lost track of each others whereabouts for some twenty years, and it was in 1895 that Frank Koke learned John's address, and immediately got in touch with him persuading him to come to Silver Cliff, John accepting a job with his brother.
In 1899, John Figge was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Schwab, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Huerfano county. The couple made their home in Silver Cliff, and were blessed with five children, the eldest, Ernest, preceding his father in death in 1923.
For a few years after his marriage, Mr. Figge engaged in merchandising by the horse and buggy route, peddling his wares to the ranchers in the county.
In 1908, he opened a store in Silver Cliff and has been in business there since that time. He was active in the affiars of the town of Silver Cliff, being a member of the town board there for thirty years.
Born, raised and confirmed in the Luteran faith, Mr. Figge took an active part at Hope Lutheran, being treasurer of that church for fifteen years.
He was mechanically inclined and had built many appliances for his own convenience, indulging in this hobby to some extent. [He was an inventor with several patents.]
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Burrowes of Keyport, N.J., Miss Mary Figge of Denver; two sons, Harry Figge of Denver and Frank Figge of Baltimore, Md; three grandchidlren; three [step] sisters, Mrs. Ida Espenshied and Mrs Augusta Wall of Illinois and Mrs. Mary Lowry of Oklahoma; and a [step]brother William Figge of Illinoise; as well as a host of friends who regret his passing.
Interment was in Silver Cliff cemetery, with members of the Silver Cliff town board, J. T. Stroehilk, Henry Henning, Dewey Austin, John Erps, Carl Hanssen and Ernest Lee acting as pallbearers.
The birth name of John Figge was Johann Heinrich Koke.
Published in the Wet Mountain Tribune June 1938
"Death Calls John Figge - Pioneer Silver Cliff Resident"
Funeral services were held at Hope Lutheran Church Wednesday morning for John H. Figge, a long time resident of Custer county, who passed away in St. Luke's hospital in Denver Sunday afternoon. Obsequies were conducted by Rev. John E. Hermann of Pueblo, with the Menzel Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Figge had been ill for some time, having suffered a siege of pneumonia early this spring, which coupled with a severe injury to his hand on May 5 [which became septic], led to a pulmonary embolus, or blood clot on the lung, which was the direct cause of his death. His condition was believed to be satisfactory as late as two o'clock Sunday, and his death at two-thirty came as a shock to members of his family and his many friends.
John H. Koke was born in St. Louis on Nov. 14, 1870, [church records in St. Louis indicate the date of his birth was 09 Nov 1868 and his tombstone indicates that he was born in 1872] and as his parents [Friedrich Wilhelm Koke and Sophia Elizabeth Uelzen Koke] died [in a stage coach accident] while he was still an infant, he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Figge of St. Louis. An older brother, Frank Koke, was able to fend for himself, and had come to Colorado to make his way.
The brothers lost track of each others whereabouts for some twenty years, and it was in 1895 that Frank Koke learned John's address, and immediately got in touch with him persuading him to come to Silver Cliff, John accepting a job with his brother.
In 1899, John Figge was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Schwab, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Huerfano county. The couple made their home in Silver Cliff, and were blessed with five children, the eldest, Ernest, preceding his father in death in 1923.
For a few years after his marriage, Mr. Figge engaged in merchandising by the horse and buggy route, peddling his wares to the ranchers in the county.
In 1908, he opened a store in Silver Cliff and has been in business there since that time. He was active in the affiars of the town of Silver Cliff, being a member of the town board there for thirty years.
Born, raised and confirmed in the Luteran faith, Mr. Figge took an active part at Hope Lutheran, being treasurer of that church for fifteen years.
He was mechanically inclined and had built many appliances for his own convenience, indulging in this hobby to some extent. [He was an inventor with several patents.]
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Burrowes of Keyport, N.J., Miss Mary Figge of Denver; two sons, Harry Figge of Denver and Frank Figge of Baltimore, Md; three grandchidlren; three [step] sisters, Mrs. Ida Espenshied and Mrs Augusta Wall of Illinois and Mrs. Mary Lowry of Oklahoma; and a [step]brother William Figge of Illinoise; as well as a host of friends who regret his passing.
Interment was in Silver Cliff cemetery, with members of the Silver Cliff town board, J. T. Stroehilk, Henry Henning, Dewey Austin, John Erps, Carl Hanssen and Ernest Lee acting as pallbearers.
Published in the Wet Mountain Tribune June 1938
"Death Calls John Figge - Pioneer Silver Cliff Resident"
Funeral services were held at Hope Lutheran Church Wednesday morning for John H. Figge, a long time resident of Custer county, who passed away in St. Luke's hospital in Denver Sunday afternoon. Obsequies were conducted by Rev. John E. Hermann of Pueblo, with the Menzel Funeral Home in charge.
Mr. Figge had been ill for some time, having suffered a siege of pneumonia early this spring, which coupled with a severe injury to his hand on May 5 [which became septic], led to a pulmonary embolus, or blood clot on the lung, which was the direct cause of his death. His condition was believed to be satisfactory as late as two o'clock Sunday, and his death at two-thirty came as a shock to members of his family and his many friends.
John H. Koke was born in St. Louis on Nov. 14, 1870, [church records in St. Louis indicate the date of his birth was 09 Nov 1868 and his tombstone indicates that he was born in 1872] and as his parents [Friedrich Wilhelm Koke and Sophia Elizabeth Uelzen Koke] died [in a stage coach accident] while he was still an infant, he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Figge of St. Louis. An older brother, Frank Koke, was able to fend for himself, and had come to Colorado to make his way.
The brothers lost track of each others whereabouts for some twenty years, and it was in 1895 that Frank Koke learned John's address, and immediately got in touch with him persuading him to come to Silver Cliff, John accepting a job with his brother.
In 1899, John Figge was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Schwab, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Huerfano county. The couple made their home in Silver Cliff, and were blessed with five children, the eldest, Ernest, preceding his father in death in 1923.
For a few years after his marriage, Mr. Figge engaged in merchandising by the horse and buggy route, peddling his wares to the ranchers in the county.
In 1908, he opened a store in Silver Cliff and has been in business there since that time. He was active in the affiars of the town of Silver Cliff, being a member of the town board there for thirty years.
Born, raised and confirmed in the Luteran faith, Mr. Figge took an active part at Hope Lutheran, being treasurer of that church for fifteen years.
He was mechanically inclined and had built many appliances for his own convenience, indulging in this hobby to some extent. [He was an inventor with several patents.]
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Burrowes of Keyport, N.J., Miss Mary Figge of Denver; two sons, Harry Figge of Denver and Frank Figge of Baltimore, Md; three grandchidlren; three [step] sisters, Mrs. Ida Espenshied and Mrs Augusta Wall of Illinois and Mrs. Mary Lowry of Oklahoma; and a [step]brother William Figge of Illinoise; as well as a host of friends who regret his passing.
Interment was in Silver Cliff cemetery, with members of the Silver Cliff town board, J. T. Stroehilk, Henry Henning, Dewey Austin, John Erps, Carl Hanssen and Ernest Lee acting as pallbearers.
