FERDINAND KIRCHNER, SEN. (d. 1911)

WORKED ONE DAY; DEAD THE NEXT
Ferdinand Kirchner Succumbs to Sudden Attack of Paralysis
After having been about the yard, splitting wood and doing other work during the
afternoon and night before, Ferdinand Kirchner, an aged resident of the city,
died at 3:30 this morning at his home, 921 South Twelfth Street. Paralysis of the
heart was the cause. He was 79 years old and is survived by a wife and five
children.
Mr. Kirchner, who during the past few years had been retired, was in as good
health and spirits Wednesday afternoon as he had been for the past five years.
He attended to his usual work but shortly before retiring complained of pains in
his left side. The family paid little attention to it, thinking that he had over-
worked and that when retiring he would feel better. Toward morning he arose,
feeling weak and shortly after 3 o'clock he passed away.
Deceased was born in Germany and came to America 43 years ago, settling at once
in this county. Three years ago he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary. The five surviving sons and daughters are Rev. August Kirchner,
Hustisford, Wis., Mrs. Henry Brown, Mil.(sic), Ferdinand Jr., Mrs. John Hardow,
Mrs. Chas Schlei of the city.
Eight years ago, Mr. Kirchner suffered an attack of paralysis and since that time
he had been somewhat weakened, although able to be around. Ferdinand Kirchner was
a painter by trade, retiring from active business a few years ago. The funeral
will probably be from the Lutheran Church Sunday.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Thurs., Sept. 7, 1911
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SERENADES, GIFTS, JOYS
Incidental to Golden Wedding at Kirchener(sic) Home Sunday
Serenades by the Lutheran Band and Mennerchor, presentation of gifts by trustees
of the Lutheran church, the presence of dozens of friends to tender congratulations
these were some of the incidents to the golden wedding observance of Mr. and Mrs.
Ferd. Kirchener Sunday and the occasion was a happy one in which the pioneer couple
were made to feel that they enjoy the esteem and love of their many friends. Mr.
Kirchener and his bride of other days received their guests in person and were among
the youngest in spirit of the participants. John Mahnke made the address for
presentation of the gifts.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, April 15, 1907 P. 1
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WEDDING DAY OF YOUTH RECALLED
Ferd Kirchner, Wife, Will Celebrate Golden Wedding Day Sunday
CHILDREN ALL AT HOME
Five Children of Couple Present for Occasion; Reception and Open House at Home,
921 So. 12th St.
With the shadows of their lives falling behind them, Mr. M. Ferdinand Kirchner, well
known residents of the city, will on Sunday observe the fiftieth anniversary of the
day they were wed and surrounded by children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends
at their pleasant home, 921 So. Twelfth Street, are receiving congratulations and
sincere well wishes for many years more of happiness. Residents here since 1868, Mr.
and Mrs. Kirchner have surrounded themselves with a large circle of friends who esteem
it a privilege and joy to tender felicitations on the occasion.
Sunday's celebration will not be an elaborate affair but there will be a reception at
the home, one of the pleasant features of which will be the presence of the five
children of the worthy couple, Mrs. John Hardow, Mrs. Charles Schleis, this city; Rev.
August Kirchener, Lowell, Wis., Ferdinand, this city and Mrs. Henry Brown of Neenah.
During the day the family, in a body, will attend services at the German Lutheran Church
of which congregation the couple have been members for years. At the services, Rev.
Kirchener will officiate and give the sermon. A reception will be held at the home and
the house will be open to friends.
Uftrungen, Saxony, Germany, witnessed the marriage celebration of the couple, Ferd
Kirchener and Dorathea Gelbke on April 14, 1857 and eleven years later, the young couple
set forth for America, coming directly to America where they have made their home ever
since until four years ago when he retired from active business. Mr. Kirchener was a
painter and contractor and had been very successfu.
During his life time residence here, Mr. Kirchner evinced more than a passing interest in
the industrial growth and development of the city although he never had any ambitions in
the political lines and never aspired to office. One event that he takes especial pride
in is his connection with the old volunteer fire department of this city and at the time
the hook and ladder department was disbanded he was one of the senior officers of this
organization and as such received as a souvenier, the flag which the department owned.
Brother officers and Mr. Kirchner were the late Albert Greve who was presented with the
bugle while Valentine Goetzler, another officer, the department clock.
Mr. Kirchner was one of the founders of the Third Ward Life Insurance Company a local
association which is still in existence and in a flourishing condition. The association
is a German Society better known as the Gegenseltiger Lebens Verischerungs Verein, which
in recent years added the fire insurance feature to its constitution. He has been a
lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and at various times held the offices of trustee,
elder and treasurer. It is to the untiring interest and labor of such pioneers as Mr.
Kirchener and his estimable wife that the present German Evangelical Lutheran Church as
attained to its present stable condition.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirchner are both advanced in age but enjoy their health and will welcome
their friends in person at the reception Sunday. Hosts of friends will tender well wishes.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Apr. 13, 1907 page 1
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(From 1880 Manitowoc ward 3 census:
Ferd Kirchner age 46; Dorethea age 43; August 19; Ferdinand 12; Linna 10;
Dora 7; Auguste 4; Minna 2)