The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-03-16
PIONEER IN MAIL
SERVICE IS CALLED
William P. Schwanenberg
Died Very Suddenly
SHOCK TO PEOPLE
One of Best Known Men In
City Stricken This
Morning

William p. Schwanenberg, for
thirty years in the postal service in
this city as a mail carrier, died
this morning at 1890 while in the
performance of his duties. He had
started out on his route, which in
cludes the business district on
Front street, had delivered the mail
| in the Mankato State bank building,
| and was in the act of crossing the
| intersection of Hickory and South
Front streets when he was seen by
Verde Babcock to crumple and sink
| down in the snow. MIR. Babcock,
with the assistance of three other
men carried the Unconscious mail
| carrier into the Edward l.. Lamm
drug store, and few moments later
| he was taken upstairs 10 the Man
kato Clinic. Mr.. Schwanenberg re-
| vived for moment and he remark
ed: Tell Postmaster Wise to take
care of my mail" These were the
last words he uttered, for he again
lasped into Inconsistencies and
passed away at 1920.
While not enjoying the best of
health, no one suspected that any
the veteran carrier.
According to the records in the
Mankato poStoffice, Mr.. Schwanen-
berg entered the postal service in
this city as a substitute carrier on,
February rs, 1898, and was appoint.
ed regular carrier on April 10,
1894 AT that time he was assigned
to the West Mankato route and
served that part of the city until
/ WI a N
! the business section of this city,
which he served faithfully and eff
| ficiently up to the time of his death
| this forenoon.
| Came Here When Eighteen.
William P. Schwanenberg was
born at Pottsdam, Mimi. Septem
Dor 1 T, 1870, aud came 20 Manxato
and made 1t his home up to the
time of his death. Mr. Schwanen-
berg is survived by his wife, and
two sons, George of Minneapolis and
/ Charles Schwanenberg of this city.
| He is also survived by one brother,
Charles Schwanenberg of Mime
| apolis, and one sister living in that
| city, Mrs. Hattie Graves and an
! other sister, Mrs. John Lundberg
| of his death, deceased was mem
| Der of the A. o. U. w. lodge of
Mr.. Schwanenberg was an ac-
| complished musician. For some
! time past he was a member of the
Grand orchestra and last night he
played in the orchestra at that the
| atre. Previous to joining the
Grand theatre orchestra Mr..
Schwanenberg was a member Of
practically every first class musical
organization established in this city
for the past thirty years.
The death OF the oldest member
OF their force in line of service has
cast cloud of sorrow over Man
kato postoffice employees, who learn
ed to love the pleasant faced man
who had shared their labors for so
many years, and was always ready
to shoulder his share Of the bur-
dens with smile.
Faithful Postoffice Employe.
Postmaster G. K. Wise in speak
ing of Mr.. Schwapenberg's death
said that it was with the deepest
sorrow he received the news of the
untimely death of Mr.. Schwanen
berg. He was one of the very
best men in the service. II
there ever was man faithful, con-
scientious, hard working and am
bilious to serve his patrons that
v ~.
, said Postmaster Wise. I'm point Of
service, he was one of the oldest
| employees i'm the Mankato postoffice.
Every position in which he was
placed, he made the same effort to
please his patrons, and in every
! way comply with the departments
desires and regulations. He was
popular with all of the men in the
office, and his death at this time
20, CHI of LN
entire force in this office. There is
no man in the service, whose death
| | would regret more than that OF
| William Schwanenberg. Aside from
| his official capacities. he was
, friend of everybody, and was al
ways willing and ready to serve his
friends. I think that the patrons on
his route in this city will join with
me in saying that he was splendid
public servant"
| AS an instance OF his faithfulness
to duty, i might mention that the
last words of the veteran carrier
were: Tell Postmaster Wise to
care for my mail"
| A. J. Veigel, a former postmaster
of this city. also paid high tribute
| to the dead letter carrier. I'VE
! thought the world and all of Viii
| liam Schwanenberg." said Mr.. Vel
gel "He was always willing to do
his share and more, and never com
best carriers in this city. regret,
exceedingly to learn of his death"
| According TO the statement of the
! attending physicians, the death of
Mr.. Schwanenberg was directly caus
ed by acute dilatation Of the heart.
| Previous to this Mr.. Schwanenberg
had been troubled with pulmonary