At left: Gravestone of DAN'L HASE, U.S. MARINE CORPS. Lot 2, Block 19E, Crown Hill Cemetery, Coldwater, Comanche County, Kansas. Photo by Bobbi Huck.
Another honored citizen, early settler and Civil War veteran has passed away. On last Saturday afternoon, January 8, 1921, Dan Hase died at the St. Francis hospital in Wichita, following an operation on Friday. For some time his health had been failing, complications resulting from kidney and bladder trouble being the immediate cause of death. The body was brought to this city on Monday and was laid to rest in the Coldwater cemetery, following funeral services which were conducted from the home at 4:15 p.m. Rev. I. P. Abernathey of the Methodist Episcopal church had charge of the funeral service and preached a timely and helpful sermon.Deceased was a native of Germany, having been born in the providence of Hesse Castle in that country on October 19, 1839. His age, therefore, at the time of his death was 81 years, 2 months and 18 days. Mr. Hase, like many more of his countrymen from 40 to 60 years ago, soon formed a dislike of the militaristic policy of the German government, and for that reason, principally, his thoughts and ambitions turned toward America, the land of the free. Accordingly, at the age of 17 he secured passage and made the ocean voyage, the trip across the Atlantic requiring at that time just four weeks, and being made in a sailing vessels. He landed near New York and for a time worked on a farm near that city. By the time young Hase was 21, the Civil War had broken out and it did not take long for the patriotic fires to reach him. The next thing that happened was that the young German became a full fledged member of the United States navy. His training was received on ships then in and near the Delaware river, not far from Philadelphia. After a few months he became a member of the crew on the St. Lawrence, one of the ships which took part in the famous Monitor-Merrimac battle, which helped to turn the tide against the South during the war. He afterwards served for some time on the Magnolia and sailed the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. He was in Mobile Bay at the time Mobile surrendered to Admiral Farragut, and took part in the bombardment of the city. Thus it was Dan Hase's good fortune to serve the Union cause in a way that counted much toward bringing about the downfall of the Confederacy. He played his part well in that modest, fearless and unselfish manner which characterized so many of the heroes of the army and navy during that great struggle.
After serving for four years in the navy, Mr. Hase located in Illinois, where he lived for a few years. He then moved to Missouri and lived in that state for a while, or until the year, 1885, when he came west, settling on a claim a few miles northwest of Coldwater - on land now owned by C. W. Hurt. Mrs. Anna Rickstein had also just come west and she settled on a claim adjoining that of Mr. Hase. On May 9, 1885 in the city of Caldwell, Kans., Mr. Hase and Mrs. Rickstein were united in marriage. For about 20 years they lived on their land and worked faithfully to build up a home. The experiences of pioneer life were met by them bravely and, by perseverance, they succeeded as did all the early day settlers who stayed with the county. About 15 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Hase moved from their farm to this city, and here they continued to make their home. Mr. Hase was a faithful member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being very worthily gained his right to membership therein by his splendid record in the U. S. Navy.
Uncle Dan Hase was one of our best known and most highly respected citizens. He was a good neighbor, generous and thoughtful of others' interests and of the welfare of the community. In all his dealings he displayed the characteristics which were prominent throughout his life, strict honesty, uprightness of character and kindness to all about him. In the truest sense of the word he was a faithful husband and father. His quiet, cheerful patience through the days of his long sickness gave added proof of his forgetfulness of self and his unselfishness. His presence on our streets, his ever cheerful and hopeful words will be missed by our people. We have lost a good friend and worthy and honored citizen.
Mr. Hase is survived by his wife and by three children - Mrs. Harvey Marley of this county, Fred C. Hase of Santana, Kans., and Mrs. Walter Thompson of Kiowa-co., also by four grand children. All were present at the funeral.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!