Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Owned Phoenix Saloon

Notes:

Central Missouri Republican, 14 May 1903

Took His Own Life

Adolph Knack was born in Prussia, Germany, December 26, 1855, came to America in the early 70's, and about 1873 located in Boonville where he lived until his death on May 8, 1903.
On May 25, 1884, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Back, who died nine years thereafter - 1893. Four children were born to this union, three of who, Annie, Minnie, and Corinne, survive; the other died in infancy.
Just after eating his breakfast last Friday morning, Mr. Knack left his home on west High street to go to his place of business, the Phoenix saloon. There he remained a few minutes only, then went out on the street. He id not return as was his wont to do before noon, and one of his employees, having noticed for two or three days that he was acting in a peculiar manner, began to make inquiries in a quiet way. As nothing could be heard of him, a limited search was made in the immediate neighborhood during the afternoon, with no result, except to strengthen the suspicion that something serious had happened to him. Quite early Saturday morning, parties began again to look for the missing. Between seven and eight o'clock the lifeless body was found by C. R. Foster, the courthouse janitor, near the entrance to the old fairgrounds about a mile southwest of the city. The body was in a position that would indicate that death was without a struggle. The head was lying on the right arm as if the poison, carbolic acid, was swallowed and the victim had laid down and quietly awaited the end. A bottle, containing a small amount of carbolic acid, was found near the body. There was also evidence on the lips of the corpse that told plainly the cause of death.
The cause for the suicide can only be conjectured. Mr. Knack's business was flourishing, and it is barely possible that he was the least embarrassed in matters of finance. He was, however, of a disposition to worry over matters that would not affect others of a more genial nature.
Mr. Knack was a man of energy, thrift and honesty in business matters and was recognized as a citizen who possessed many qualities of merit. He was of a very charitable disposition and was ever ready to minister to the wants of any who merited charity in any way. His employees speak of him in the highest terms as an employer. Those who knew him best held him in high esteem as a man and friend. The surviving children will ever remember him as a kind, indulgent and considerate father. For these children, the REPUBLICAN has the deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement.
Funeral services were held at the family home on High Street Sunday afternoon, Rev. E. L. Mueller, pastor of the German Evangelical church, officiating. Interment was made at Walnut Grove cemetery under auspices of the IOOF lodge of this city, of which the deceases had long been a very respected member. So passed away a citizen of Boonville who had been identified with the city's progress and advancement for about thirty years.

--
Bill Scroggin
Reply to: itcscrog@aol.com

Adolph married Back, Elizabeth Bertha Friederica on 25 May 1884 in Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Back, Phillip Gottfried and Saueressig, Katherine Christine) was born on 15 May 1861 in Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA; died on 7 Jul 1893 in Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA; was buried in Jul 1893 in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Housewife
• Baptism: 9 Jun 1861, Boonville German Evangelical Church, Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Departure: 1853, Germany

Notes:

Central Missouri Republican, 2 May 1901

GOTTFRIED BACK

Gottfried Back, aged 74 years and 9 months, died Sunday afternoon, April 28, 1901 at his home on West Morgan street in this city. The funeral was held from the German Evangelical church to Walnut Grove cemetery Tuesday afternoon, Rev. E. L. Mueller officiating.
Deceased was born in Rettert, Nassau, Germany, August 26, 1826 and came to America in 1853, settling in Cooper county, where he has continuously resided. He has lived on a farm in this county until about six years ago when he moved to Boonville. Gottfried Back and Miss Katherine Saueressig were united in marriage in 1858. Five children were born to this union, three of whom are dead. The widow and two children, George Back and Mrs. Joseph Kessel, survive. He was the grandfather of 11 children. One sister, Mrs. Magdalena Huth, of Minneapolis, Minn., happened to be visiting in Boonville at the time of the demise of Mr. Back.

Deceased served at the beginning of the war in the Boonville Home Guard; he was a good man and a kind neighbor. May he rest in peace!

There is one story about Gottfried Back's Civil War experiences. He was a teamster. He used to boast that during one battle he was where the bullets were the thickest and survived the battle. He was under the ammunition wagon.

Phillip married Saueressig, Katherine Christine on 27 Oct 1857 in Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA. Katherine was born on 24 Apr 1827 in Larrelt, Emden, Niedersachsen, Germany; died on 9 Mar 1910 in Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA; was buried on 11 Mar 1910 in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Boonville, Cooper, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Housewife
• Alternate Birth: 24 Apr 1827, Ölsburg, Peine, Niedersachsen, Germany

Notes:

Alternate place of birth of Olsburg, Germany

Died:
Family Hom on West Morgan Street

Johann married Debusman, Anna Elizabeth on 30 May 1809 in Rettert, Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Anna (daughter of Debusman, Johann Henri and Kloss, Elizabeth) was born on 24 Mar 1791 in Ergeshausen, Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; died on 9 Apr 1853 in Rettert, Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; was buried after 9 Apr 1853 in Rettert, Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]