J. N. Kirchner, a prominent and well known citizen and one of Rawlins County's early pioneer settlers passed away at his home here early Monday morning following a brief illness, aged 86 years, 6 months and 11 days.
"Grandpa" Kirchner as he was popularly known, was over town Tuesday of last week after his mail and returned complaining that he had a slight cold. Complications developed rapidly and Wednesday morning pneumonia had developed and in spite of medical aid and the best of care he sank steadily until the end at 5 o'clock Monday morning.
In the death of Mr. Kirchner, Rawlins County loses another of its early pioneers and Herndon Community one of its prominent and good old men who rounded out a full and useful life of four score and six. He was one of the earliest settlers in this section of the county, having immigrated here from St. Mary's Iowa in 1880 when settlers were few in numbers. His homestead was the farm now owned by Adam Wahrman.
He took an active part in the development of the community and assisted in the organization of Rawlins County in July 1881 and he was appointed the first assessor of Herndon Township which then comprised a large part of the northeast corner of the county. Although the territory was large, the assessors job was comparatively small as there were only a handful of settlers and a few cattlemen along the Beaver Creek. He later assisted in the organization of the townships of Richland and Elk.
He was a sterling and devout member of the Catholic faith and was very active and took a prominent part in the organization of the small nucleus of Catholic settlers of the present St. Marys Parish and in the building of the first Catholic Church three miles northwest of Herndon. In fact, he was a man of the sturdy and true pioneer type, always ready and willing to help his fellowmen and gave liberally of his time and talent for the building and development of the community in which he resided. Always loyal to a righteous cause. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, and a man among men. He was very devout and sincere in the practice of his religious beliefs. He had the distinction of being the oldest member of the Herndon Council Knights of Columbus and in spite of his advanced age took great interest in the activities of the Council. A large number of the local Knights attended the funeral in a body in honor of the memory of the deceased brother Knight. He lived a good Christian life and in his last hours was comforted by the last Sacraments of the Church and had his children at his bedside during his last illness.
John Nicholas Kirchner was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 6, 1842 and came to America with his parents in 1850 settling at St. Mary's, Pa., then a wilderness, moving in 1861 to Greenly, Iowa, where he met and married Miss Henrietta Canine, Sept. 4, 1864. To this union were born seven children: Chas. W. Kirchner, George T. Kirchner, Joseph A. Kirchner, of Herndon; Jake E. Kirchner of Ellsworth, Minnesota; and Katie Toohey of Sterlin, Colorado, survive him and were with him in his last illness, and one son Frank M. who died October 2, 1902. His wife preceeded him in death March 14, 1897.
In 1871 he moved to St. Mary's Iowa where he resided until coming to Kansas May 22, 1880.
He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
He was the youngest of five children, one brother and three sisters, all of whom are dead.
The funeral was held Tuesday at 10 o'clock at St. Marys Church. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated with Fr. Maurice Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Herman, Deacon and Fr. Killian, Sub-Deacon. His five sons and eldest grandson, William Kirchner, were pall bearers and carried the casket bearing the mortal remains of their aged parent to the last resting place in St. Marys Cemetery where the body was laid beside that of his wife. Another good man is gone. Peace to his soul.