Franz Hildebrand was born August 10, 1853 in Epterode, Germany, and died in Stafford , KS, on the 5th day of April, 1931, at the age of 77 years, 7 months, and 26 days. Heart trouble and failing strength combined to cause his death.

In 1883 he came to the United States and remained at Ellinwood, KS, for some time. In 1906 he moved to Stafford, where he lived the rest of his life, with the exception of a few years which he spent in Great Bend.

Brother Hildebrand was married twice. His first wife preceded him in death in 1923. They had 11 children --- six sons and five daughters. The second union he entered with Mrs. Charlotte Casselman, who survives him.

There remain to mourn his death, his widow, six sons and five daughters, 51 grandchildren, and a host of friends.

In 1884 Mr. Hildebrand was baptized and united with the church at Ellenwood, and had his letter transferred when the Stafford German Baptist Church was organized in 1909. He was greatly interested in God's kingdom and the local church. He was a generous giver, and gave with cheerfulness. He also had the joy of seeing his entire family and all his grandchildren walking in the way of the Lord, which gave him the greatest satisfaction of his life.

He desired to be with Christ for a number of years, and his desire is granted now. Burial took place on the 7th of April from the house of his son Will, and the German Baptist church. His body rests in the Bedford cemetery. Rev. C. W. Wilbe and Rev. O. Roth officiated at the services.
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Franz Hildebrand(t) was factory worker in the town of Epterode prior to his emigration. Franz and his wife Maria resided in house #20 in Epterode. Franz is the son of David Hildebrandt (1812-1854) and Dorothea Elisabeth Horn (1813-1882) who is believed to have lived in house #36 in Epterode.

Franz's German ancestry can be found online on RootsWeb and FamilySearch. Note, when researching online, avoid the work of the Schäfer family as it has erroneous information.

The Franz Hildebrand ancestry traces to Epterode and its paternal line prior to the town of Orferode, with its known termination in Andreas Hildebrandt (1753-1813) and his father by the same name. Accurate genealogical information of Epterode can be traced to Hermann Nobel, the town's historian. -- from Gary Meyer