Princeton Clarion dated 9/14/1916:

 

"HENRY H. NTEKAMP - Death Comes Following Appendicitis Operation - Well

Known Citizen and Former Official Passes Away Wednesday Night at His Home - The

word that Henry H. Niekamp had died Wednesday night at 10:30 o'clock at his home,

702 north Race street, came as a great shock to his legion of friends throughout Gibson

county, few of whom realized his condition was critical. Mr. Niekamp had been ill about

two weeks with appendicitis. Wednesday an operation was performed. It was found the

ailment had so developed that a successful outcome could hardly be expected, and the

end came within a few hours.

 

The funeral arrangements have not been made, but it will not be held before Saturday.

The Odd Fellows lodge, of which he was a member, will have charge of the interment.

(Note:  Buried in the Princeton I.O.O.F. Cemetery.)

 

Henry H. Niekamp was one of the best known men in Gibson county, having served as

county superintendent and also as county and city engineer. He was the son of the late

William and Mary Niekamp and was born near Buckskin, in Barton township, July 23,

1868, being 48 years old at death. His youth was spent in Barton township, where he

acquired a good common school education, later attending Indiana University. He

received his A.B. degree in 1899. In 1895 and 1896 he was superintendent of schools for

Gibson county. In 1903 he was elected county surveyor and served for six years in this

capacity. He also served two years as city civil engineer. Several years ago Mr. Niekamp

was admitted to the Gibson county bar as a lawyer and he had divided his time for several

years between the law and his surveying and contracting work. Recently he had

determined to go back to his old love, school teaching, and had been appointed as one of

the teachers for the new consolidated Patoka township school at Baldwin Heights.

 

September 15, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Belle Strickland, who survives

together with the two daughters, Ruth and Eunice. There are also three sisters and five

brothers, Mrs. William Meyer, Mackey; Mrs. Fred Ohning, wife of the superintendent of

the county infirmary; Mrs. A. G Cato of Winslow; William, of Evansville; John,

Somerville; Fred and Gus, of Buckskin, and George, of Carmi, Ill.

 

Henry Niekamp was confirmed in the German Evangelical church in 1883, and he tried

to live his life in accord with this Christian professions. He was Sunday school

superintendent in the German church here at the time of his death and took a great

interest in the church and its works. Whether as a public official or in the private walks of

life, he sought earnestly and conscientiously to do his duty faithfully and efficiently at all

times. He was a man of excellent character and held in high esteem by all who knew him.

His political allegiance was with the Republican party, and he gave his best efforts to

advancing the principles he believed in. He was a kind and devoted husband, father and

brother, and to the sorrow stricken family the sympathy of every friend goes out. The

community has lost a good citizen and one who will be greatly missed."

 

GCHS, Georgia McElhiney.