John Henry Siegrist

Article from the HUTCHINSON, KANSAS newspaper in 1907

                                               OLD SETTLER GONE

                                    John Siegrist, for Thirty Years, a Citizen

of Reno County Has Departed

This Life

                                    84 YEARS OLD AND WELL KNOWN

                                   Leaves Family of Industrious Sons and

Daughters - Never Sick But

Once Before in Long Lifetime

Another sturdy oak has fallen and lies dead. The winds of many years have finally overcome it and the life of John Siegrist has gone out. He died yesterday at his home, three miles southwest of Hutchinson, after an illness of five weeks. Old age claimed him and his death was due to failure of natural powers.

John Siegrist was born in Lancaster County, Pa. Jan.18, 1823, and was 84 years and over six months old at his death. He was married April 24, 1849 to Elizabeth Yontz, of Lancaster City, Pa., who survives him. More than eight years ago they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Mr. Siegrist was the father of seven children, six of whom lived to become grown. These six are among the substantial citizens of Kansas, five of them living in this county, honored citizens. The six are, J.L. Siegrist, A.L. Siegrist, G.W. Siegrist, Mrs. George Spangenberger, and Mrs. J.C. Epperson, all of Hutchinson, and Mrs. William Hodson of Herrington.

Mr. Siegrist moved to Tazewell County, Illinois in 1849, living there for twenty-seven years. He moved to Reno County in 1877, settling thirty years ago on the farm in South Reno where he ended his days. Mr. Siegrist was really sick but twice in his life; when about 40 years of age, when he had measles, and the other time this last fatal illness. His children have inter-married with other families until his immediate relatives number eight families, and this is the 2nd death to occur in the group in thirty years.

The funeral will be held from the farm at 2 p.m., Saturday, conducted by Rev. W.B. Stevens of the Poplar Methodist church.

Above article provided by Barbara Walters Schrader

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JOHN HENRY SIEGRIST

STATE OF KANSAS

RENO COUNTY,

Will

Know all persons by these present that I John Siegrist of Reno County State of Kansas Occupation a Farmer

Make this my last Will, I give devise and bequeath my Estate and Property Real and personal as follows that is to say

I give devise and bequeath to my Wife Elizabeth Siegrist during her Natural life time or so long as She remains my Widow

The South West quarter (1/4) of Section No. Twenty Two (22) Township No. Twenty Three (23) Range No.Six (6) West and the North West Quarter (1/4) of Section No. Twenty Seven (27) Township No. Twenty Three (23) Range No. Six (6) West all being Situated in Reno County State of Kansas also lots Number one Two Three and Four Block No. Ten (10) Park addition to the City of Hutchinson Kansas I do hereby bequeath all My Personal Property of every kind and Nature Whatsoever and Wherever Situated or being to my Wife Elizabeth Siegrist to have and to hold the same as her own during her Natural lifetime or so long as She remains My Widow upon the decease of My Said Wife Elizabeth Siegrist or in case that She Should again Marry then upon the Occurence of either Said events, it is My Will and intention that all My property Real and personal remaining Shall be distributed to my Lawful Heirs as the Law directs in Such cases Made and provided.

John Siegrist (Seal)

Witnesses

The said John Siegrist at Hutchinson Kansas on the -- day of 1890 Signed this instrument and declared the Same as and for his last Will and we at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto written our Names as Subscribing Wiitnesses.

J. V. Clymer (Seal)

S. J. Soper (Seal)

John Siegrist did not name an Executor in his Will, therefore Elizabeth was appointed as Administratrix on August 21, 1907.