Johann Henry Fred Dierksen

The Messenger Drummond, Garfield Co., OK

October 5, 1916 page 1, column 3

Submitted by: Emily Jordan

© Glenn

Death of F. Dierksen

While shucking corn on his farm west of town Friday afternoon, Fred Dierksen received injuries when his team became unmanageable, which resulted in his death a few hours afterwards. While everyone is at a loss as to the exact explanation as to the cause of the accident, it is believed the lines caught in the wheel and while trying to unloosen them, was jerked under the wagon which ran over his chest penetrating the lungs and seriously injuring him otherwise.

Mrs. Dierksen had gone to Drummond in the afternoon and returned home about 6 o'clock and found the team caught in a wire fence and immediately commenced a search for her husband. He seemingly was trying to crawl to the house and requested that she should bring him a drink, stating he could not live. Help was immediately summoned and Mr. Dierksen had been home twenty minutes when death occurred. School children had seen the team during the afternoon and it is believed the accident happened two or three hours before he was found.

John Henry Dierksen was born June 27th, 1855, at Tellner Province, Hanover, Germany. He was married to Miss Catherine Braunhoeber, December 6th, 1879, and they came to America in 1892. They lived at Cass Co., Nebr., eleven years which place he united with the United Evangelical church. With his family he came to Oklahoma in 1904 and has resided here since. He leaves his wife, one son and daughter to survive him, a son and daughter dying in infancy. Also he leaves seven grandchildren, four sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services were held at Del Norte Monday afternoon being conducted by Rev. Myers of Waukomis and interment was at Del Norte Cemetery.

He was a kind and affectionate husband and father and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His tragic death came as a shock to the entire community.