Obit: Eppling Frederick J. (1863 - 1918)

Surnames: EPPLING DANGERS

Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 12/05/1918

Eppling Frederick J. (30 JUL 1863 - 27 NOV 1918)

Rev. Frederick J. Eppling died suddenly at Portland, Ore. Nov. 27, 1918. The news of his death came as a great shock to this community, where he so long had his home and served as pastor.

Deceased was born at Humberstone, Canada, July 30, 1863. He came with his parents when 7 years of age to Kirchhayn, Wis. After his confirmation he attended the Northwestern College at Watertown. Completing the course there he took a post graduate course at the Capital City University, Columbus, Ohio. He took up his theological studies at the Seminary of the Wisconsin Synod at Wauwatosa, and in 1886 as a student, came to Neillsville, Clark County, Wis. to preach. After a congregation was organized he was called as their minister and on Easter Sunday, 1887 he was ordained. During his pastorate the present Lutheran Church building was erected.

In Oct. 1888 he was married to Miss Clara Dangers, who survives him.

In 1890 he was called to Algoma, Wis., where he served as pastor for 20 years. During his pastorate there the present fine church building was erected. During that time he also had a congregation at Kolberg. During the Spanish American War he was a regimental chaplain, having a leave of absence from his congregation during that time. After the war he returned to Algoma, but in 1911 resigned on account of nervous breakdown. Later he moved to Neillsville and after his health improved he was appointed missionary to organize and work in the West, with headquarters at Portland, Oregon.

To Mr. and Mrs. Eppling were born seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those surviving are Leiut. Fred Eppling, Lieut. Arvid Eppling, both serving in the army, and three daughters, Helen Elfrida and Lillian. He leaves also one brother and three sisters and many other relatives.

Mr. Eppling was an able public speaker, a deep student, and a man of rare mental and spiritual power.

Funeral services were held in the Hamilton Chapel, Portland, Oregon, which was filled to overflowing by people of all classes, whose presence proclaimed the general sorrow his death has caused.

The body was brought here for burial, the funeral being held at the home of Mrs. B. Dangers on Monday. The services were in English and German, tributes to his memory being paid in eloquent and earnest words by Rev. Brandt, of Neillsville, Rev. Thom, of Marshfield, Rev. A. Haase, of St. Paul, Rev. Helleman, of Medford, Rev. Busack, of Marathon and Rev Schley, of Algoma. The music was rendered by Mrs. Ray Clemens, Miss Gertrude Becker and Miss Mae Free.

Besides the clergymen named, those from away who came to attend the funeral were Mrs. F. J. Eppling and daughter Miss Lillian from Porland and Lieut. Arvid Eppling from North Carolina; Mrs. B. P. Churchill and daughter Betty, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Chas. Eppling (an only brother) from Chicago; Mrs. J. C. Rhienartz, a sister, from East Liverpool, Ohio, and her son Carl from the Great Lakes Training Station; Mrs. Hensel and her son, Rev. O. Hensel of Wausau; besies Rev. Schley, pastor of Mr. Eppling's old charge at Algoma, four members of that congregation were present: Mrs. Frank Zander, Miss Erma Damas, Mr. H. Seblilski and Mr. A. Fenski; Miss Lydia Treichel of Milwaukee, was also present.

The daughters Helen and Elfrida were sick and could not come, and the son Lieut. Fred Eppling at Camp Pike failed to get the communication in time.