Phillip B. LESEMANN

Source:
Nasville Journal
Nashville, Illinois
September 20, 1940

Furnished by : Jo House

Services for Dr. Lesemann Held Saturday      Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Wesley Methodist Church for Dr. Phillip B. Lesemann, 69, prominent local dentist for the past 45 years, who died at his home last Wednesday night following an illness of several months. Rev. Mayo Bowles officiated at the rites and was assisted by Dr. J. W. A. Kinison of Belleville, former pastor of the Wesley church here. Interment was made in the Greenwood cemetery. During the rites Charles Vernor sang a solo and he was accompanied by Elmer Keller at the piano. A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Geogre Dueker, Mrs. T. L. Brandt and Elmer Hake also sang and they were accompanied by Miss Wilma Huck at the organ. The ushers were: Mrs. J. A. Watts, Mrs. W. C. Altmansberger, Mrs. Everett Hahne, Homer Huck, Harry Eise and Chas. Huegely. Those in charge of the flowers were: Mrs. Eleanor Steinkamp, Mrs. Ida Strueter, Miss Kathleen Friend and Mrs. Betty Gewe. The honorary pallbearers were: Judge Louis Bernreuter, A. G. Hartnagel, K. A. Steinhauser, William Sieling, Frank Gewe and Hy. Brink. The active pallbearers were: Drs. E. H. Reinhardt, Fred Schroder, S. S. Pero., J. P. Liebrock. Allen J. Shirley and Louis Springer of Okawville. OBITUARY      On the first day of August, 1871, Phillip Benjamin Lesemann was born at the farm home of his parents, Frederick and Mathilda Lesemann, in Hoyleton township, Washington County, Illinois. Shortly after his birth his parents, after a brief sojourn in Denver, Colorado, moved to Nashville, Illinois, where they made their home during the greater portion of his boyhood.      While they lived in Nashville, Phillip attended the Nashville public schools and had just entered the seventh grade when his parents left this city and established themselves and their family on a farm in nearby North Prairie. The family's life there was one of a pioneer nature in many respects. There he, together with his father and brothers, cleared much of their land, which was heavily timbered, and cultivated it with the rather rude and simple implements then in use. While doing this work, and staying for weeks at a time in a log cabin in the midst of the timber he was cutting, he developed an appreciation and love of nature -- the land, forests, flowers, birds and animals -- which endured throughout his entire life and some of the happiest hours of his later years were spent in tramping the woods and fields of which he had become so fond.      Upon reaching early manhood, he was encouraged and inspired by the late Dr. S. P. Schroeder to fit himself for the practice of the profession to which the greater portion of his life was devoted and, under the direction and tutelage of this lifelong friend, he, while working as a farm hand, sufficiently completed his education through home study to gain admittance to the Louisville College of Dentistry, mow affiliated with the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Earning his way by doing odd jobs, and by working in dental offices during the summer vacations, he completed his professional training, and graduated at the head of his class in June, 1895. One week after his graduation he was married to Anna M. Franzlau of Nashville, Illinois, with whom had first became acquainted during his early school days, and a few days later he opened a dental office at Nashville. Here he practiced his chosen profession for 45 years. SERVED THE COMMUNITY      To that profession, and to the friends an patients whom he served, he gave the most careful, thorough and consciencious effort of which he was capable and it was his great pleasure, during the closing years of his life's work, to serve, among others, his early friends and their children through three generations.      Throughout the many years in which he lived and practiced dentistry at Nashville he was always intensely interested in the progress and welfare of this community and was active in its civic and educational development. He served three years as President of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, one year as president of the Nashville Rotary Club, and was very active in forming the Bridget Hughes Hospital Association, of which he was Secretary and treasurer at the time the Bridget Hughes hospital was founded in this city. He also served several terms as a member and as secretary of the Nashville Board of Education and participated for many years in the activities of the Nashville Parent-Teachers association.      He constantly maintained and enjoyed the most cordial relationships with his professional associates, was for many years a member of the Illinois State Dental Association and of the American Dental Association, and was a past president of the district of the former in which Nashville is located.      From his parents he inherited an abiding interest in religious affairs which made him one of the outstanding leaders in church and religious activities in the community. He was treasurer of the Wesley Methodist church of Nashville for 36 years and was an active member of the official board for several more.      Three children were born to him and the wife whom he loved so dearly. The first born, Elvira, died in infancy. Two, a daughter, Ferrol, and a son, Ralph, as well as his wife survive him. In his family and his home he found his greatest joy and he was at all times an unselfish, devoted and exemplary husband and father.