New Ulm review., 1901-01-16
Death of
Col. Baasen
OCCURS AT SOLDIERS HOME LAST
THURSDAY.
The Funeral Held Here on Monday from
Holy Trinity Church.

en-, which occurred at the Soldiers Home,
Minnehaha, Thursday evening Of last
week, was not unexpected yet its an
nouncement was received with the deep
est regret by the many friends in this
city. The immediate cause of his death
was gangrene or blood poisoning follow
ing the amputation of one of lis toes in
an attempt to stay the ravages of a DIS
ease which had been troubling his foot
and leg for some time.
During the entire period of his con-
finement to the hospital his wife and
two daughters, Mrs. p. II. McHale and
Miss Lou Baasen, were in constant at
tendance at his bedside and the closing
hours of a long and cventful life were
made as peaceful and comfortable as
possible. The remains were brought to
this city Friday evening and the funeral,
one of the most largely attended ever
witnessed in this city, was held from the
Catholic church Monday morning.
The remains were taken from the fam
lily residence on German street under an
escort consisting of st, Ioseph's Society
and G. A. r., reaching the church at 10
o'clock. The vast auditorium was packed
from chancel to doors and the solemn
funeral service of the Catholic church
was administered by Rev Sandmeyer,
assisted by the choir, in most impress
i've manner.
At the grave Company A., Second
Regiment N. G. S. NJ, fired salute and
the mortal remains Of man who has
been one of the most prominent figures
in the history of New Ulm and the state
of Minnesota were LAID to rest.
The following gentlemen, members of
the First Minnesota regiment, were pres.
ent and assisted in the ceremonies:
st. Paul: j. r. King, Go. G; c. F.
Hausdorf, Co. A; W. Fl. Hoyt, Co. F;
NJ. L. Bevens, Co. F; C. W. Smith, Co.
u.
Minneapolis: Frank r. Mead, Go. II;
Charles W. Shatto. Co. II; Gus. Plum.
mer, Co. D: j.. W. Pride, Co. E; F. l..
McKusick, Co. B; James W. Walch, Co.
D.
or the immediate relatives of Colonel
Baasen, beside the family, those who at
tended the funeral were his brother Nick
and family, of Sleepy Eye, and neph-
ew. John N. Baasen, of Milwaukee.
Besides his aged wife Col. Baasen
leaves tlve children, Richard, of Fores-
stoD, Col, John, who is attending medi-
cal college at Chicago, Frank, employed
with the G. s. n. w. here, Mrs. McHale,
wife of P. Il. McHale, superintendent of
the Western Union telegraph company
in this city, and Miss Lou, who resides
at home.
Colonel Baascn was a member of St.
Joseph's Society G. o. F., Hecker Post
G. A. R. and the Union Veterans asso-
cation of Minnesota.
Colonel Francis Baasen was born in
Luxembourg, Germany, in 1929, and was,
therefore, II years old. Like so many
of his countrY-men, he was young man
affected with the revolutionary spirit,
which swept over Germany in 1s4s, and
sought refuge in America. He remained
for year or two in the east but about
1850 came west to Milwaukee. After
residing there for two or three years he
Joined party of his countrymen in a
scheme to establish colony Of Germans
In Minnesota. About 1855 he came with
the first settlers, who established the
thrifty and enterprisins town of New
Ulm. Here he opened law office and
traded in real estate.
AT the first state election in 1857
before Minnesota was admitted to the
union-he was nominated on the demo-
cratic ticket for secretary of the state
and was declared elected en- the ticket
headed by General 81. H. Sibley for gov
ernor
After the completion of his term of
Office, he returned to New Ulm and re-
sunled his practice. In 1861 he enlisted
in Company H, Of the first Minnesota
regiment, and having had considerable
military training in his own country,
was soon promoted to ieutenancy. In
1862 he was made regimental quarter
master and continued to serve in that
capacity until the regiment was mustered
out. in the spring of 1864. From that
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