Obit of Ralph Borgman 1943
From the Chatsworth Plaindealer
Chatsworth,Livingston,Illinois
RALPH M. BORGMAN
JANUARY 21, 1943
Ralph M. Borgman, 80, died at his home in Chatsworth Saturday morning, January 16, at 10:50 o'clock from cerebral hemorrhage following a stroke. However, he had been in failing health for some time.
Funeral services were held in the Methodist church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by his pastor, Rev. J.V. Bischoff. On account of the remodeling of the Evangelical church the service was held in the Methodist church. Burial was in the Chatsworth cemetery. The casket bearers were Albert Wisthuff, Clair Kohler, Ralph Dassow, Leslie Schade, John Heiken and James Mauritzen.
Ralph M. Borgman, son of Ralph and Swantye Borgman, was born Nov. 24, 1862, at Norden, Ostfriesland, Province of Hanover, Germany, and died at his home Saturday, Jan. 16, 1943, aged 80 years, 1 month and 23 days.
Having come across the ocean as a young man of 20, in 1882, he came to this country to find a better chance of living than afforded in his home country. Yet he came well equipped with a learned trade (the shoemaker trade) and a good Christian background. Being reared in a home of Christian parents and having received systematic instruction, both in Bible and catechism by experienced teachers, the influence of this training made a lasting impression upon him in being led to a definite experience with God, of which he gave repeated testimony to his very end.
Before he came to Chatsworth in 1887 he spent five years at Minonk, where he had worked on a farm and in a harness shop. At Chatsworth he was employed by Henry Wrede for 23 years, working at the shoemaker trade. In 1910 he started in business for himself until retirement in 1937.
Shortly after he had landed at Chatsworth he joined the Evangelical church, of which he was a faithful member until his end.
On June 28, 1899, he was married to Catherine M. Hornickel, of Germanville township. This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters. His life's companion preceded him in death about two and one-half years ago.
He was a great student of Christian literature and his Bible, being gifted with a good memory of scriptures and other reading material.
He leaves to mourn his departure his five children, as follows: Chester and Mrs. C.O. Miller, both of Chicago; Robert and Lila at home; and Margaret at Kankakee, and two grandchildren, James and Gene Miller, of Chicago.
Flower bearers were Miss Geneva Drilling, Mrs. John Ruppel and Miss Mildred Stoller.
Mrs. Elva Koerner and Miss Faye Shafer sang with Mr. Chas. Shafer at the piano.