The Courier-Tribune, Seneca, Kansas, Monday, August 7,1950
August Wessel, who had lived at his farm four miles north and a half west of Baileyville for many years, and was widely known over the county died suddenly Friday morning at a hospital in St. Joseph. Mr. Wessel had not been well for about four months but had not been thought critically ill. He was going through a clinic at St. Joseph and passed away in his sleep from a heart attack. He would have been 63 years of age on September 10 of this year. The funeral service was this Monday morning at 9:00 at Sacred Heart church, Baileyville, with burial at the Sacred Heart cemetery. Mrs. Wessel, who was the former Elisabeth Osterhaus, survives, and these sons and daughters: Edward of Lincoln; Henry of Goff address; Vincent of Centralia; Lawrence of Seneca; Clarence of Frankfort; Albert, Sabetha; Norbert of the home; Helen, who is Mrs. Wm Hermesch, Seneca; Alma, who is Mrs. Emil Dwerlkotte, Marysville; Eileen, who is Mrs. Ted Duryea Jr., Seneca; Hilda, who is Mrs. Emmett Bergman of Baileyville; and Lucille of the home. One son, Benedict, is deceased. August Wessel was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on September 10, 1887. He came to this country with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wessel, when he was 15 or 16 years of age, and had lived in this country ever since. He was married to Elizabeth Osterhaus at St. Mary’s church, St. Benedict, on Feb. 13, 1912. They have farmed since their marriage and had lived at their home north of Baileyville for about 31 years. Mr. Wessel had served on school board and the last two years had been a member of the church committee at Baileyville. In addition to being a member of Sacred Heart church, he was a member of the married men’s Sodality, and of Seneca Council No 1769 of the Knights of Columbus. The Lauer funeral home was in charge of the arrangements.