Wilhelm Schilb (1887-1924) - Find a Grave Memorial

Wilhelm Schilb married Delia AuClaire on May 18, 1909 in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.

Other Child: Evelyn R. Schilb, married August Muns Langseth in Todd County, Minnesota on November 23, 1946. August Langseth died on October 21, 1950 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Block 31, SEC N 1/2.

SCHILB, WILHELM
Date of Death: 25 OCT 1924
County of Death: CROW WING
CERTID# 1924-MN-003087

OBITUARY
_____

Rev. O. Christensen, Recounts That of Wilhelm
Schilb at Funeral Services Held Today

      Following is the obituary of Wilhelm Schilb, as read at the funeral on Tuesday afternoon by Rev. O. Christensen, pastor of the local Adventist church.
      Wilhelm Schilb, born in Brainerd on Auugust 27th, 1888 [sic], and living in this city ever since, passed away October 25th 1924, being 36 years of age at his last birthday. He was united in marriage to Miss Delia O'Clair [sic] on May 18th 1909. To this union were born three children, Esther, aged 14 years, Evelyn, 12 years old, and Ray, aged five years.
      About a year ago he became interested in the Christian life, and began the study of his Bible, never losing interest in the study of its pages to the day of his death.
      As a result of this study, the family altar was established a few months ago, and was conducted by him without fail every morning with his family circle. Though he had not as yet become a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, yet it was his firm conviction and intention, as expressed by him a few days before his death.
      Mr. Schilb met death as the result of an automobile accident near Brainerd, and was taken to the hospital in a critical condition He passed away shortly after arriving there.
      All of his friends and acquaintances grieve the loss of an honest and upright man, who loved and feared God.
      The Presbyterian church was crowded to its capacity by friends acquaintances and men who were associated with Mr. Schilb at the Northern Pacific shops, where he worked for many years. Rev. M. E. Anderson, of Detroit conducted the services, assisted by Rev. O. Christensen and Rev. A. G. Patterson of Brainerd. Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 30 October 1924, p. 14)

        WILHELM SCHILB
                        KILLED IN ACCIDENT
                            _____

       Blowout of Tire Believed Cause of
                   Ditching the Auto-
                           mobile
                            _____

          SCHILB'S CHEST CRUSHED IN
                            _____

        Adolph M. Drefahl, Owner of Car,
           May Have Sustained Internal
                           Injuries

      Wilhelm Schilb, 519 South Fifth street, lost his life, and Adolph M. Drefahl, 202 North Broadway, was seriously injured, as the result of an automobile accident near the Berg farm, two and one-half miles east of Brainerd, about five o'clock Saturday afternoon. The two were brought to the local hospital at six o'clock, where Mr. Schilb died a few minutes later. Mr. Drefahl was able to return to his home on Sunday morning, although he is thought to be suffering from internal injuries.
      According to relatives, Mr. Schilb left home shortly after ten o'clock Saturday morning, taking his fishing tackle with him, and said that he would be home about one o'clock that afternoon, as he and his wife had planned to drive in the country at that time.
      Mr. Drefahl says that with Mr. Schilb he drove to Freedhem, south of Brainerd, and were returning to the city on Trunk highway No. 18, when the accident occurred.
      A party of motorists, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bedal, Mr. and Mrs. James Huston and her mother, Mrs. Bedal, were traveling east on Oak street when the Drefahl car passed them coming toward Brainerd. The Bedal car had a trailer hitched behind, with several of the children riding there. After the Bedal car passed, Mrs. Huston looked back to see if the children were all right, and she noticed the car that had just passed swaying back and forth across the road. As she watched it swung across the paving a third time, turned completely around and tipped over into the ditch.
      Stopping at once, the Bedal car turned around and went back to help right the overturned machine, but the two men could not handle it alone, so they stopped another car, carrying E. L. Wang, his sister, Miss Hulda Wang, and their mother Mrs. Anna Wang. The bus from Duluth happened along about this time, and the driver, with the other men already mentioned, succeeded in turning the Drefahl car back on its wheels.
      According to Miss Wang, Mr. Schilb must have been driving the ill-fated car, as he was still in the seat behind the broken steering wheel when the car was righted. His companion, she stated, was lying beside the overturned car. Both men were unconscious.
      They were taken in the Wang car to the hospital. On the way in, Mr. Drefahl seemed to regain consciousness enough to ask, "Where are you taking me?" and followed that with a second question, "Did I do anything wrong?" Mr. Schilb did not regain consciousness, according to Miss Wang. He moaned several times on the way to the hospital, and passed away a short time later. It is reported that four ribs were broken just over the heart, a deep hole through the skull and just below it a long bruise.
      Mr. Drefahl is suffering from internal injuries, the extent of which cannot be ascertained as yet, his spine is also thought to be injured, and his arm badly bruised. The automobile was a Buick master six touring car. The top, windshield, steering wheel and left front wheel were demolished. The tire on the right rear wheel is flat, and it is thought that this tire might have blown out, thus causing the accident.
      Wilhelm Schilb was born in Brainerd on August 27th, 1888, and has lived in the city all his life. He was united in marriage to Miss Delia O'Clair [sic] on May 18th, 1909. To this union were born three children, Esther, aged 14 years, Evelyn, 12 years old, and Ray aged 5 years.
      Beside his wife and children he is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Albertina Schilb, two brothers, Harry of Brainerd, George of Escanaba, Michigan, a sister, Mrs. Edith Lee, of Portland Oregon, five half brothers and two half sisters, being, Jacob Schilb, of Minneapolis, Christ. of Montpelier, Ohio, Henry and John of Colorado, Rudolph Creger of Brainerd, Mrs. Lena Van Tyle of Portland, Oregon, and Mrs. Elizabeth Beebe, of Colorado. His father died about fifteen years ago.
      Mr. Schilb was a machinist in the local Northern Pacific shops. He belonged to no fraternal organization, other than that among the shopmen.
      He was a member of the Advent church. The funeral will be held at three o'clock Tuesday afternoon, from the Presbyterian church, Rev. Anderson, Adventist minister from Detroit, Minnesota, officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen cemetery.
      Coroner D. E. Whitney held an inquest at three o'clock Monday afternoon, the results of which will be published in Tuesday's Dispatch. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 27 October 1924, p. 7, c. 1) [Contributed by John Van Essen]

            DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS
                            _____

         Case of State vs Adolph Drefahl,
            Charged With Manslaughter,
                           on Trial
                            _____

             TESTIMONY IS REVIEWED
                            _____

    Car Accident on Oak Street Road Re-
             sulted in Death of William
                            Schilb

      In district court the case on trial is that of the state against Adolph Drefahl, charged with manslaughter, in having negligently and recklessly driven a motor vehicle at a reckless speed while intoxicated, causing an accident which resulted in the death of William Schilb.
      The jury is composed of Gust Lindstrom, Mrs. Julia Bodie, Richard Isle, Adolph Johnson, William Hait, Mrs. W. C. Mannis, Mrs. J. G. Thurlow, Mrs. J. C. Herbert, Mrs. Julia Gorton, Claude Wheeler, W. G. Cameron and Mrs. Julia Anderson.
      Witnesses called by the state included James Huston, Clyde Bedal, Miss Hulda Wang, Dr. H. J. Prendergast, Dr. Lund and Miss Vatting.
      It was brought out in the testimony that the Buick automobile, in which Mr. Schilb and Mr. Drefahl were riding, and which was owned by the latter, overturned on the Oak street road several miles east of Brainerd. Mr. Huston and Mr. Bedal with their wives were the first to arrive on the scene of the accident, and with the assistance of E. L. Wang, who with his sister and mother arrived a short time later, succeeded in rescuing the two men pinned beneath the car.
      Both Schilb and Drefahl were taken to Northwestern hospital, the witnesses testified, in an unconscious condition, where every medical attention was given them. Miss Vatting, a nurse at the hospital, testified that she smelled liquor on Mr. Drefahl, and from his actions considered that he was under the influence of liquor. She said that he offered her "any amount of money" if she would get him out of the trouble, but considered this talk as being only that of an intoxicated man.
      Byron Squires testified that he stopped at the scene of the accident after the men had been taken to the hospital, and that he saw a gunny sack containing broken liquor bottles and that the sack was wet with liquor. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 09 January 1925, p. 7, c. 4)

            DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS
                            _____

        Case of State vs Adolph Drefahl
               Went to Jury at 4 P. M.
                            Today
                            _____

             WITNESSES IN REBUTTAL
                            _____

      County Attorney Wieland in Closing
            Argument, Followed by M. E.
                             Ryan

      The case of the state against Adolph Drefahl, charged with manslaughter, was brought to a close in district court Saturday afternoon, and given to the jury about four o'clock.
      The state closed its testimony on Friday afternoon. The witnesses called by the defense were Mr. Wells, Mrs. Harry Gaskill, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Bowen, C. A. Stadlbauer, Charles and Louis Imgrund. Mr. Drefahl took the stand in his own behalf.
      On Saturday morning the state called in rebuttal A. W. Cuskey, Louis Larson, Fred Marquis, Theodore Nesheim, Sherman Stein, Alvin Gronquist and Charles Imgrund. C. A. Stadlbauer and Charles Imgrund were called in rebuttal by the defense.
      County Attorney Walter F. Wieland made his closing arguments to the jury just before dinner, and M. E. Ryan, attorney for Mr. Drefahl, summed up his case in the jury at the opening of the afternoon session.
      The case has caused a great deal of interest locally, and the court room was crowded at all of the sessions devoted to this case. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 10 January 1925, p. 7, c. 1)

               District Court Saturday

      In district court Saturday afternoon, the jury in the case of the state against Adolph M. Drefahl, charged with manslaughter, was charged and retired to its deliberations at 4:25 o'clock.
      The jury informed the court that it had reached an agreement, and was brought into court at 10:30 o'clock Saturday evening, and presented to the court its verdict, which was accepted, read in open court, acknowledged and recorded and filed. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch,12 January 1925, p. 7, c. 1)